Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> describes an example of an electric valve of the related art. The electric valve in Patent Literature <NUM> includes a valve body, a valve element that opens and closes a port of the valve body, a can made of metal and disposed above the valve body, a rotor disposed in the can, and a stator unit attached on an outside of the can. The electric valve includes a tubular portion and two O-rings. The tubular portion protrudes downward from the stator unit and surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the valve body. The two O-rings seal a space between the tubular portion and the valve body. This configuration inhibits water from entering between the can and a yoke of the stator unit and inhibits corrosion caused by potential differences between different kinds of metals and rust caused by salt water.

In an electric valve described in Patent Literature <NUM>, an O-ring is disposed between a can and a resin mold of the stator unit, and is supported by a plate member in a circular shape attached to a lower end of the resin mold. As in the electric valve of Patent Literature <NUM>, this configuration also inhibits water from entering between the can and a yoke of the stator unit and inhibits corrosion caused by potential differences between different kinds of metals and rust caused by salt water.

However, the electric valve in Patent Literature <NUM> has recessed grooves in an annular shape on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body to accommodate the two O-rings. Therefore, a cutting process for forming the recessed grooves is required. The electric valve in Patent Literature <NUM> needs the plate member in the circular shape for supporting the O-ring. Therefore, manufacturing processes for or members in the electric valve increase, resulting in higher manufacturing costs. The size of the electric valve tends to be large due to providing the recessed groove or the plate member.

In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric valve that is small in size, inexpensive, and capable of inhibiting corrosion and rust caused by water entering.

To achieve the object described above, an electric valve according to the present invention includes a valve body including a valve chamber, a flange member in a circular shape whose inner peripheral edge is attached to a cylindrical portion protruding from a surface of the valve body, a can in a cylindrical shape attached to an outer peripheral edge of the flange member, a rotor disposed in the can, a valve element driven by rotation of the rotor to open and close a port in the valve chamber, and a stator unit attached on an outside of the can. The surface of the valve body, the cylindrical portion of the valve body, and the flange member form a groove in an annular recess shape, the stator unit includes a tubular portion that surrounds the groove, and a sealing member in an annular shape is disposed in the groove and held between the cylindrical portion of the valve body and the tubular portion of the stator unit.

According to the present invention, the surface of the valve body, the cylindrical portion of the valve body, and the flange member form the groove in the annular recess shape. The stator unit includes the tubular portion that surrounds the groove. The sealing member in the annular shape is disposed in the groove and held between the cylindrical portion of the valve body and the tubular portion of the stator unit. With this configuration, the sealing member can be disposed in the electric valve without an annular recessed groove machined on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the valve body, or without a supporting member for the sealing member. Thus, manufacturing processes for and members in the electric valve can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit corrosion and rust caused by water entering with a small in size and inexpensive configuration.

In the present invention, it is preferable that an external thread portion be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the valve body, an internal thread portion into which the external thread portion is screwed be formed so as to open on the surface of the valve body, and the sealing member be disposed in contact with the surface of the valve body. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit, by the sealing member, water from entering a point at which the external thread portion is screwed into the internal thread portion.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the tubular portion of the stator unit include an inner circumferential surface defining an inner diameter of the tubular portion, the inner diameter increasing in a direction from the flange member toward the surface of the valve body. With this configuration, when the can is inserted inside the stator unit and the tubular portion of the stator unit is disposed to surround the groove in an annular shape, the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the stator unit can push the sealing member toward the surface of the valve body, and the sealing member can be pressed against the surface of the valve body. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively inhibit, by the sealing member, water from entering the point at which the external thread portion is screwed into the internal thread portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to inhibit, with the small in size and inexpensive configuration, corrosion and rust caused by water entering. Brief Description of Drawings.

An electric valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to <FIG>. The electric valve <NUM> according to the present embodiment is, for example, used for adjusting the flow rate of refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle or the like. Electric valves according to a second embodiment and a third embodiment are used for the same purpose as the electric valve according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) along an axis of the electric valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric valve <NUM> includes a valve body <NUM>, a flange member <NUM>, a can <NUM>, a driving mechanism <NUM>, a valve element <NUM>, a stator unit <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM>.

The valve body <NUM> is made of, for example, metal such as brass or aluminum alloy. The valve body <NUM> integrally includes a main body portion <NUM> in a round columnar shape and a cylindrical portion <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> protrudes upward from an upper surface 11a of the main body portion <NUM> (i.e., a surface of the valve body <NUM>). A valve chamber <NUM> is provided inside the main body portion <NUM>. A conduit <NUM> is attached to the main body portion <NUM> and extends to the left in <FIG>. A conduit <NUM> is attached to the main body portion <NUM> and extends downward in <FIG>. The conduit <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM> via a port <NUM>. An inner space of the cylindrical portion <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM>.

The flange member <NUM> is made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel. The flange member <NUM> has an annular plate shape. An inner peripheral edge 20a of the flange member <NUM> is joined to an upper end of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> by brazing or other means.

The upper surface 11a of the main body portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, an outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, and a lower surface 20c of the flange member <NUM> form a groove <NUM> in an annular recess shape.

The can <NUM> is made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel. The can <NUM> has a cylindrical shape with its upper end closed. The lower end 30a of the can <NUM> is joined to an outer peripheral edge 20b of the flange member <NUM> by welding or other means. The driving mechanism <NUM> is disposed in the can <NUM>.

The driving mechanism <NUM> drives the valve element <NUM> in an up-and-down direction (an open-and-close direction). The driving mechanism <NUM> includes a rotor <NUM>, a valve shaft holder <NUM>, a guide bush <NUM>, and a valve shaft <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> has a substantially cylindrical shape. An outer diameter of the rotor <NUM> is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the can <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> includes a permanent magnet. The rotor <NUM> is rotatably disposed in the can <NUM>.

The valve shaft holder <NUM> has a cylindrical shape with its upper end closed. A support ring <NUM> is fixed to the upper end of the valve shaft holder <NUM> by caulking. The rotor <NUM> and the valve shaft holder <NUM> are integrally coupled via the supporting ring <NUM>. An internal thread portion 42c is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the valve shaft holder <NUM>.

The guide bush <NUM> integrally includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 43a and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 43b. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 43b is coaxially connected to an upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 43a. An outer diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 43a is larger than an outer diameter of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 43b. An external thread portion 43c is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 43b. The external thread portion 43c is screwed into the internal thread portion 42c of the valve shaft holder <NUM>. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 43a is press-fitted inside the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. The guide bush <NUM> and the valve body <NUM> are integrally coupled.

The valve shaft <NUM> includes a stem body 44a in a round columnar shape and an upper small-diameter portion 44b in a round columnar shape. The upper small-diameter portion 44b is coaxially connected to an upper end of the stem body 44a. A diameter of the upper small-diameter portion 44b is smaller than a diameter of the stem body 44a. The upper small-diameter portion 44b is extended through the valve shaft holder <NUM>. A push nut <NUM>, which is a retainer, is attached to the upper small-diameter portion 44b. The valve shaft <NUM> includes a step portion between the stem body 44a and the upper small-diameter portion 44b. A compression coil spring <NUM> is disposed between the step portion and the valve shaft holder <NUM>. The valve shaft <NUM> is pushed downward by the compression coil spring <NUM>.

An upper stopper member <NUM> is attached to the valve shaft holder <NUM>. A lower stopper member <NUM> is attached to the large-diameter cylindrical portion 43a of the guide bush <NUM>. When the valve shaft holder <NUM> rotates and reaches a lower limit position, the upper stopper member <NUM> comes into contact with the lower stopper member <NUM> and further rotation of the valve shaft holder <NUM> is restricted.

The valve element <NUM> is integrally formed at a lower end of the valve shaft <NUM>. The valve element <NUM> is driven by the driving mechanism <NUM> to move in the up-and-down direction. The valve element <NUM> opens and closes the port <NUM> that is open to the valve chamber <NUM>.

The stator unit <NUM> includes a fitting hole 60a. The can <NUM> is fitted into the fitting hole 60a. The stator unit <NUM> is disposed on an outside of the can <NUM>. The stator unit <NUM> includes a stator <NUM> and a mold <NUM> that is made of synthetic resin.

The stator <NUM> includes a yoke 61a, a bobbin 61b, and a coil 61c. The coil 61c is wound around the yoke 61a via the bobbin 61b. The stator <NUM> has a configuration including two coils 61c, which are upper and lower coils. The stator <NUM> and the rotor <NUM> constitute a stepping motor.

The mold <NUM> is disposed to cover the stator <NUM>. The mold <NUM> includes a tubular portion <NUM> in a cylindrical shape. The tubular portion <NUM> protrudes toward the valve body <NUM>. The tubular portion <NUM> has an inner diameter that is the same as an outer diameter of the main body portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. The tubular portion <NUM> is disposed to surround the groove <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> is fitted inside a lower end of the tubular portion <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> is an O-ring in a circular shape. The sealing member <NUM> is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed in the groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is formed in an annular shape by the upper surface 11a of the main body portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, the outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, and the lower surface 20c of the flange member <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is held (disposed in a compressed state) between the outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and an inner circumferential surface 63a of the tubular portion <NUM> of the stator unit <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> inhibits water from entering the fitting hole 60a of the stator unit <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> is in contact with the upper surface 11a of the main body portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

In the electric valve <NUM>, the axes of the valve body <NUM> (the body portion <NUM> and the cylindrical portion <NUM>), the port <NUM>, the can <NUM>, the rotor <NUM>, the valve shaft holder <NUM>, the guide bush <NUM>, the valve shaft <NUM>, the valve element <NUM>, the stator <NUM>, and the tubular portion <NUM> are coincident with an axis L. In other words, they are all coaxially disposed.

The operation of the electric valve <NUM> is described below.

In the electric valve <NUM>, a current is applied to the coil 61c to rotate the rotor <NUM> in one direction. The valve shaft holder <NUM> rotates together with the rotor <NUM>. The screw feed action between the internal thread portion 42c of the valve shaft holder <NUM> and the external thread portion 43c of the guide bush <NUM> moves the valve shaft holder <NUM> downward. The valve shaft <NUM> moves downward together with the valve shaft holder <NUM>, and the valve element <NUM> closes the port <NUM>.

In the electric valve <NUM>, a current is applied to the coil 61c to rotate the rotor <NUM> in the other direction. The valve shaft holder <NUM> rotates together with the rotor <NUM>. The screw feed action between the internal thread portion 42c of the valve shaft holder <NUM> and the external thread portion 43c of the guide bush <NUM> moves the valve shaft holder <NUM> upward. The valve shaft <NUM> moves upward together with the valve shaft holder <NUM>, and the valve element <NUM> opens the port <NUM>.

In the manner described above, according to the electric valve <NUM> in the present embodiment, the upper surface 11a of the valve body <NUM>, the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, and the flange member <NUM> form the groove <NUM> in the annular recess shape. The stator unit <NUM> includes the tubular portion <NUM> that surrounds the groove <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is disposed in the groove <NUM> and held between the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and the tubular portion <NUM> of the stator unit <NUM>. With this configuration, the sealing member <NUM> can be disposed in the electric valve <NUM> without an annular recessed groove machined on the outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, or without a supporting member for the sealing member <NUM>. Thus, manufacturing processes for and members in the electric valve <NUM> can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to inhibit, with a small in size and inexpensive configuration, corrosion and rust caused by water entering.

An electric valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to <FIG> is a sectional view (longitudinal view) along an axis of the electric valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an electric valve <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes a valve body 10A, a flange member <NUM>, a can <NUM>, a driving mechanism <NUM>, a valve element <NUM>, a stator unit 60A, and a sealing member <NUM>.

The electric valve <NUM> has the same (including substantially the same) configuration as the electric valve <NUM> according to the above first embodiment except for the valve body 10A and the stator unit 60A. The valve body 10A and the stator unit 60A have different configurations from those of the electric valve <NUM>. In the following description, elements that are the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by corresponding reference signs, and descriptions of these elements are omitted.

The valve body 10A is made of, for example, metal such as aluminum alloy. The valve body 10A includes a main body portion 11A in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a cylindrical portion 12A. The cylindrical portion 12A protrudes upward from an upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11A (i.e., a surface of the valve body 10A). A valve chamber <NUM> is provided inside the main body portion 11A. A flow channel <NUM> is provided in the main body portion 11A and extends to the left in <FIG>. A flow channel <NUM> is provided in the main body portion 11A and extends to the right in <FIG>. The flow channel <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM>. The flow channel <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM> via a port <NUM>.

An external thread portion 12b is provided on a part of an outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion 12A. An internal thread portion 11b is provided on the main body portion 11A. The internal thread portion 11b is formed so as to open on the upper surface 11a. The external thread portion 12b is screwed into the internal thread portion 11b. Thus, the main body portion 11A and the cylindrical portion 12A are integrally coupled. An inner space of the cylindrical portion 12A is connected to the valve chamber <NUM>.

The stator unit 60A includes a fitting hole 60a. The can <NUM> is fitted into the fitting hole 60a. The stator unit 60A is disposed on the outside of the can <NUM>. The stator unit 60A includes a stator <NUM> and a case 62A.

The case 62A is disposed to accommodate the stator <NUM> in its inner space. The case 62A includes a tubular portion 63A in a cylindrical shape. The tubular portion 63A protrudes toward the valve body 10A. The tubular portion 63A is disposed to surround the groove <NUM> in the annular shape. A lower end potion of the tubular portion 63A is in contact with the upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11A of the valve body 10A. An inner circumferential surface 63b of the tubular portion 63A is a tapered surface. The inner circumferential surface 63b defines an inner diameter of the tubular portion 63A, the inner diameter increasing in a direction from the flange member <NUM> toward the upper surface 11a.

The electric valve <NUM> of the second embodiment also has the functions and effects similar to or the same as those of the electric valve <NUM> of the first embodiment described above.

The electric valve <NUM> includes the external thread portion 12b that is provided on the outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion 12A of the main valve body 10A. The internal thread portion 11b into which the external thread portion 12b is screwed is formed so as to open on the upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11A of the valve body 10A. The sealing member <NUM> is in contact with the upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11A of the valve body 10A. With this configuration, the sealing member <NUM> can inhibit water from entering a point at which the external thread portion 12b is screwed into the internal thread portion 11b.

The tubular portion 63A of the stator unit 60A includes the inner circumferential surface 63b defining the inner diameter of the tubular portion 63A, the inner diameter increasing in a direction from the flange member <NUM> toward the upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11A of the valve body 10A. With this configuration, when the can <NUM> is inserted inside the stator unit 60A and the tubular portion 63A of the stator unit 60A is disposed to surround the groove <NUM> in the annular shape, the inner circumferential surface 63b of the tubular portion 63A can push the sealing member <NUM> toward the upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11A of the valve body 10A, and the sealing member <NUM> can be pressed against the upper surface 11a. Therefore, the sealing member <NUM> can more effectively inhibit water from entering the point at which the external thread portion 12b is screwed into the internal thread portion 11b.

An electric valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to <FIG> is a sectional view (longitudinal sectional view) along an axis of the electric valve according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an electric valve <NUM> according to the third embodiment includes a valve body 10B, a flange member <NUM>, a can <NUM>, a driving mechanism 40B, a valve element 50B, a stator unit 60B, and a sealing member <NUM>.

The electric valve <NUM> has the same (including substantially the same) configuration as the electric valve <NUM> according to the above first embodiment except for the valve body 10B, the driving mechanism 40B, the valve element 50B, and the stator unit 60B. The valve body 10B, the driving mechanism 40B, the valve element 50B, and the stator unit 60B have different configurations from those of the electric valve <NUM>. In the following description, elements that are the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by corresponding reference signs, and descriptions of these elements are omitted.

The valve body 10B is made of, for example, metal such as aluminum alloy. The valve body 10B includes a main body portion 11B in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a cylindrical portion 12B. The cylindrical portion 12B protrudes upward from an upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11B (i.e., a surface of the valve body 10B). A valve chamber <NUM> is provided inside the main body portion 11B. A flow channel <NUM> is provided in the main body portion 11B and extends to the left in <FIG>. A flow channel <NUM> is provided in the main body portion 11B and extends to the right in <FIG>. The flow channel <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM>. The flow channel <NUM> is connected to the valve chamber <NUM> via a port <NUM>.

An external thread portion 12b is provided on a part of an outer circumferential surface 12a of the cylindrical portion 12B. An internal thread portion 11b is provided on the main body portion 11B. The internal thread portion 11b is formed so as to open on the upper surface 11a. The external thread portion 12b is screwed into the internal thread portion 11b. Thus, the main body portion 11B and the cylindrical portion 12B are integrally coupled. An inner space of the cylindrical portion 12B is connected to the valve chamber <NUM>.

The driving mechanism 40B drives the valve element 50B in an up-and-down direction (an open-and-close direction). The driving mechanism 40B includes a rotor <NUM>, a planetary gear mechanism <NUM>, a guide member <NUM>, an elevation shaft <NUM>, a ball <NUM>, and valve opening spring <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> has a substantially cylindrical shape. An outer diameter of the rotor <NUM> is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the can <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> includes a permanent magnet. The rotor <NUM> is rotatably disposed in the can <NUM>. An upper end of the rotor <NUM> and a rotor shaft <NUM> are integrally coupled via a rotor supporting member <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> and the stator <NUM> of the stator unit 60B described later constitute a stepping motor.

The planetary gear mechanism <NUM> is disposed inside the rotor <NUM>. The planetary gear mechanism <NUM> includes a sun gear <NUM>, a fixed ring gear <NUM>, a plurality of planetary gears <NUM>, a carrier <NUM>, an output gear <NUM>, an output shaft <NUM>, and a gear case <NUM>. The sun gear <NUM> is integral with the rotor supporting member <NUM>. The fixed ring gear <NUM> is an internal gear. The fixed ring gear <NUM> is fixed to an upper end of the gear case <NUM> in a cylindrical shape. The planetary gears <NUM> are disposed between the sun gear <NUM> and the fixed ring gear <NUM>. The planetary gears <NUM> mesh with the sun gear <NUM> and the fixed ring gear <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> rotatably supports the plurality of the planetary gears <NUM>. The output gear <NUM> has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The output gear <NUM> is an internal gear. The output gear <NUM> surrounds the plurality of the planetary gears <NUM> and meshes with them. The output shaft <NUM> has an upper portion that is fixed, by press-fitting or other means, into a hole formed in a bottom portion of the output gear <NUM>. The gear case <NUM> is attached to an upper end of the cylindrical portion 12B of the valve body 10B.

The guide member <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and disposed in the upper end of the cylindrical portion 12B of the valve body 10B. An internal thread portion 95a is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the guide member <NUM>.

The elevation shaft <NUM> has a round columnar shape. An external thread portion 96a is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the elevation shaft <NUM>. The external thread portion 96a is screwed into the internal thread portion 95a of the guide member <NUM>. A flat plate portion 96b protrudes upward from an upper end surface of the elevation shaft <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> of the planetary gear mechanism <NUM> includes a slit 91a. The flat plate portion 96b is inserted into the slit 91a in such a manner as to be movable in the up-and-down direction. The elevation shaft <NUM> is rotated together with rotation of the output shaft <NUM>. The screw feed action between the external thread portion 96a and the internal thread portion 95a moves the elevation shaft <NUM> in the up-and-down direction.

The ball <NUM> is disposed between the elevation shaft <NUM> and the valve element 50B. The valve opening spring <NUM> is a compression coil spring. The valve opening spring <NUM> is disposed between the valve element 50B and the valve body 10B.

The valve element 50B has a substantially round columnar shape. A lower end of the valve element 50B faces the port <NUM> in the up-and-down direction. An upper end of the valve element 50B is connected to the elevation shaft <NUM> via the ball <NUM>. The valve element 50B is pushed upward by the valve opening spring <NUM>.

The stator unit 60B includes a fitting hole 60a. The can <NUM> is fitted into the fitting hole 60a. The stator unit 60B is disposed on the outside of the can <NUM>. The stator unit 60B includes the stator <NUM> and a mold 62B that is made of synthetic resin.

The mold 62B is disposed to cover the stator <NUM>. The mold 62B includes a tubular portion 63B in a cylindrical shape. The tubular portion 63B protrudes toward the valve body 10B. The tubular portion 63B is disposed to surround the groove <NUM> in the annular shape. A lower end potion of the tubular portion 63B is in contact with the upper surface 11a of the main body portion 11B of the valve body 10B. An inner circumferential surface 63b of the tubular portion 63B is a tapered surface. The inner circumferential surface 63b defines an inner diameter of the tubular portion 63B, the inner diameter increasing in a direction from the flange member20 toward the upper surface 11a.

In the electric valve <NUM>, a current is applied to the coil 61c to rotate the rotor <NUM> in one direction. When the rotor <NUM> rotates, the elevation shaft <NUM> rotates together with the output shaft <NUM> of the planetary gear mechanism <NUM>. The screw feed action between the external thread portion 96a of the elevation shaft <NUM> and the internal thread portion 95a of the guide member <NUM> moves the elevation shaft <NUM> downward. The valve element 50B is pushed downward by the elevation shaft <NUM>, and the valve element 50B closes the port <NUM>.

In the electric valve <NUM>, a current is applied to the coil 61c to rotate the rotor <NUM> in the other direction. When the rotor <NUM> rotates, the elevation shaft <NUM> rotates together with the output shaft <NUM> of the planetary gear mechanism <NUM>. The screw feed action between the external thread portion 96a of the elevation shaft <NUM> and the internal thread portion 95a of the guide member <NUM> moves the elevation shaft <NUM> upward. When the elevation shaft <NUM> moves upward, the valve element 50B is pushed upward by the valve opening spring <NUM>, and the valve element 50B opens the port <NUM>.

The electric valve <NUM> of the third embodiment also has the functions and effects similar to or the same as those of the electric valve <NUM> of the second embodiment described above.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Addition and removal of components and design changes may be suitably made to the above-described embodiments by those skilled in the art, and other embodiments obtained by suitably combining features of the above-described embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

electric valve, <NUM>. valve body, <NUM>. main body portion, 11a. upper surface, <NUM>. cylindrical portion, 12a. outer circumferential surface, <NUM>. valve chamber, <NUM>, <NUM>. conduit, <NUM>. port, <NUM>. flange member, 20a. inner peripheral edge, 20b. outer peripheral edge, 20c. lower surface, <NUM>. groove, <NUM>. lower end, <NUM>. driving mechanism, <NUM>. rotor, <NUM>. valve shaft holder, 42c. internal thread portion, <NUM>. guide bush, 43a. large-diameter cylindrical portion, 43b. small-diameter cylindrical portion, 43c. external thread portion, <NUM>. valve shaft, 44a. stem body, 44b. upper small-diameter portion, <NUM>. supporting ring, <NUM>. push nut, <NUM>. compression coil spring, <NUM>. upper stopper member, <NUM>. lower stopper member, <NUM>. valve element, <NUM>. stator unit, 60a. fitting hole, <NUM>. stator, 61a. bobbin, 61c. coil, <NUM>. mold, <NUM>. tubular portion, 63a. inner circumferential surface, <NUM>. sealing member, L.

electric valve, 10A. valve body, 11A. main body portion, 11b. internal thread portion, 12A. cylindrical portion, 12b. external thread portion, <NUM>, <NUM>. flow channel, <NUM>. stator unit, 62A. tubular portion, 63b. inner circumferential surface,.

Claim 1:
An electric valve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a valve body (<NUM>, 10A, 10B) including a valve chamber (<NUM>);
a flange member (<NUM>) in a circular shape whose inner peripheral edge (20a) is attached to a cylindrical portion (<NUM>, 12A, 12B) protruding from a surface (11a) of the valve body (<NUM>, 10A, 10B);
a can (<NUM>) in a cylindrical shape attached to an outer peripheral edge (20b) of the flange member (<NUM>);
a rotor (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the can (<NUM>);
a valve element (<NUM>, 50B) driven by rotation of the rotor (<NUM>, <NUM>) to open and close a port in the valve chamber (<NUM>); and
a stator unit (<NUM>, 60A, 60B) attached on an outside of the can (<NUM>),
wherein the surface of the valve body (<NUM>, 10A, 10B), the cylindrical portion (<NUM>, 12A, 12B) of the valve body (<NUM>, 10A, 10B), and the flange member (<NUM>) form a groove (<NUM>) in an annular recess shape,
characterized in that the stator unit (<NUM>, 60A, 60B) includes a tubular portion (<NUM>, 63A, 63B) that surrounds the groove (<NUM>), and
a sealing member (<NUM>) in an annular shape is disposed in the groove (<NUM>) and held between the cylindrical portion (<NUM>, 12A, 12B) of the valve body (<NUM>, 10A, 10B) and the tubular portion (<NUM>, 63A, 63B) of the stator unit (<NUM>, 60A, 60B).