JP7622003B2 - Electronic Expansion Valve - Google Patents

Description

(Related Applications)
[0001] This application is filed on August 17, 2018, with application number 2018213376030, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve", filed on August 17, 2018, with application number 2018213353433, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve", filed on August 17, 2018, with application number 2018213375841, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve", filed on August 17, 2018, with application number 2018213357716, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve", Title: "Electronic expansion valve", Application No. 2018213352750, filed on August 17, 2018, Title: "Electronic expansion valve", Application No. 2018109433995, filed on August 17, 2018, Title: "Electronic expansion valve", Application No. 2018109434023, filed on August 17, 2018, Title: "Electronic expansion valve and air conditioning system using this electronic expansion valve", Application No. The present invention claims priority to the following Chinese patent applications: Application No. 2018213355354, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve and Air Conditioning System Using Such Electronic Expansion Valve", Application No. 2018109416190, filed on August 17, 2018, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve and Air Conditioning System Using Such Electronic Expansion Valve", Application No. 2018213352892, filed on August 17, 2018, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve and Air Conditioning System Using Such Electronic Expansion Valve", Application No. 2018109427462, filed on August 17, 2018, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve and Air Conditioning System Using Such Electronic Expansion Valve", and Application No. 201821335213X, filed on August 17, 2018, entitled "Electronic Expansion Valve and Air Conditioning System Using Such Electronic Expansion Valve", the entire texts of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to electronic expansion valves.

[0003] Electronic expansion valves open and close a valve port in a valve body by the movement of a valve rod assembly in a guide sleeve and a nut sleeve, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing pressure by regulating the flow rate and throttling, and are widely used in the technical field of refrigeration equipment. Conventional electronic expansion valves are complicated to install, which reduces the reliability and stability of the electronic expansion valve.

[0004] Based on this, various embodiments of the present application provide an electronic expansion valve.

[0005] The technical aspects of this application are as follows:

[0006] The electronic expansion valve includes a valve body, a spindle assembly, a screw assembly, a rotor assembly, a stator assembly, and a sleeve. A guide sleeve for guiding the movement of the spindle assembly is provided inside the valve body. The spindle assembly is provided in the guide sleeve. The screw assembly is connected to the rotor assembly. The stator assembly can act on the rotor assembly to drive the rotation of the rotor assembly. The screw assembly can be moved by the rotation of the rotor assembly. A valve port is opened in the valve body. The spindle assembly is driven by the screw assembly to open and close the valve port. The sleeve is provided to cover one end of the valve body remote from the valve port.

[0007] The details of one or more embodiments of the present application are described in the drawings and description that follow. Other features, objects, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. However, it is necessary to ensure that some of the embodiments are described in a manner that corresponds to the original technical effects and advantages.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic expansion valve provided in accordance with one embodiment. [0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve provided in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic expansion valve provided in accordance with another embodiment. [0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic expansion valve provided by FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve disc provided in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve disc provided with a second mounting step according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body provided in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body provided with a debris retention structure according to one embodiment; [0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view at B provided by FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body provided with a position limiter provided in accordance with one embodiment. [0018] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view at C provided by FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a debris retention structure provided by another embodiment; [0020] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view at D provided by FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a guide sleeve provided in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a guide sleeve provided in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a guide sleeve provided in accordance with yet another embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic expansion valve provided in accordance with one embodiment, omitting the sleeve and valve body. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a screw assembly provided according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a spindle assembly and a screw assembly provided by one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve provided in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the spindle assembly provided by FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve provided with a noise reduction module provided by an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body with a chamber provided according to one embodiment. [0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a noise reduction module provided by one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a noise reduction module provided by another embodiment. [0033] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a noise reduction module provided by yet another embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic expansion valve provided with a welding structure according to one embodiment. [0035] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view at E provided by FIG. [0036] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view at A provided by FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a guide sleeve provided in accordance with an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a coupling provided by one embodiment; FIG. 13 is a top view of a coupling provided by one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a nut sleeve provided by one embodiment; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a nut sleeve provided in accordance with one embodiment.

[0042] In the figure, there is shown an electronic expansion valve 100, a medium inlet pipe 101, a medium outlet pipe 102, an axis 103, a first end 104 of the valve body, a second end 105 of the valve body, a first chamfer 106, a second chamfer 107, a weld ring 108, a weld bead 109, a valve body 10, an inlet 10a, an outlet 10b, a mounting bracket 10c, a first mounting step 10d, a second mounting step 10e, a storage chamber 10f, a valve port 11, a valve chamber 12, a through hole 13, a mounting chamber 14, a first positioning step 14a, a position limiting portion 141, an inner surface 141a of the position limiting portion, an outer surface 141b of the position limiting portion, an opening 142, [0023] The connecting chamber 15, the mounting seat 110, the mounting hole 111, the guide sleeve 16, the guide hole 16a, the spindle hole 16b, the flat surface 161, the first cylindrical section 162, the step 162a, the first end 162b of the first cylindrical section; the second end 162c of the first cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section 163, the third cylindrical section 164, the guide structure 165, the cam 166, the connecting handle 17, the first protrusion 18, the connecting groove 19, the debris storage structure 120, the first debris storage groove 121, the first debris guide structure 122, the first debris guide portion 122a, the second debris storage groove 123, the second debris guide structure 124, the second debris guide portion 124a, the spindle Assembly 20, spindle sleeve 21, spindle 22, groove 221, first spring seat 23, second spring seat 24, elastic member 25, guide holder 26, ball 27, screw assembly 30, screw 31, second protrusion 311, nut sleeve 32, first end 32a of nut sleeve, second end 32b of nut sleeve, locking groove 32c, engagement step 321, engagement hole 321a, second positioning step 322, stop shoulder 323, sleeve 40, rotor assembly 50, rotor 51, adapter plate 52, position limit Component 53, spring 531, stopper 531a, stopper ring 532, guide piece 54, noise reduction module 60, third protrusion 61, noise reduction hole 62, first hole 621, second hole 622, third hole 623, cylindrical hole 621a, tapered hole 622a, welded structure 70, fourth protrusion 71, convex edge 72, third chamfer 73, pressure equalization passage 80, pressure equalization hole 80a, first equalization passage 81, first equalization hole 811, second equalization hole 812, second equalization passage 82, third equalization hole 821, fourth equalization hole 822, fifth equalization hole 823.

[0043] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the present application provides an electronic expansion valve 100 for adjusting the flow rate and pressure of a fluid medium applied to an air conditioning and refrigeration system. In this embodiment, the fluid medium flowing through the electronic expansion valve 100 is a refrigerant for heat exchange in the air conditioning and refrigeration system, and the electronic expansion valve 100 is used to squeeze a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to reduce the pressure and exchange heat, thereby achieving the purpose of refrigeration.

[0045] The electronic expansion valve 100 includes a valve body 10, a spindle assembly 20, a screw assembly 30, a sleeve 40, a rotor assembly 50, and a stator assembly (not shown). The spindle assembly 20, the screw assembly 30, and the sleeve 40 are attached to the valve body 10. One end of the screw assembly 30 is connected to the spindle assembly 20, and the other end is connected to the rotor assembly 50. The rotor assembly 50 is disposed within the sleeve 40, and the stator assembly is disposed in the sleeve 40. The stator assembly is energized to generate a magnetic field, which rotates the rotor assembly 50 under the action of the magnetic force. The rotor assembly 50 drives the screw assembly 30, which in turn drives the spindle assembly 20, thereby opening and closing the electronic expansion valve 100 and achieving the purpose of regulating the flow rate and pressure.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the valve body 10 is fabricated from a stainless steel material. Of course, the valve body 10 may be fabricated from other materials. In this embodiment, examples are not given one by one. The valve body 10 has a generally cylindrical shape, but in other embodiments, the valve body 10 may have other shapes.

[0047] The valve body 10 has an axis 103, and the valve port 11, the valve chamber 12, the through hole 13, the mounting chamber 14, and the connecting chamber 15 are sequentially opened on the valve body 10 along the axis 103. The valve port 11 is used for extending and retracting the spindle assembly 20, thereby controlling the flow rate of the fluid medium at the valve port 11. When the spindle assembly 20 closes the valve port 11, i.e., when the communication between the valve port 11 and the valve chamber 12 is interrupted, the electronic expansion valve 100 is closed, and when the spindle assembly 20 releases the seal on the valve port 11, i.e., when the valve port 11 and the valve chamber 12 are communicated with each other, the electronic expansion valve 100 is opened. The through hole 13 is opened at the bottom of the mounting chamber 14, and the hole diameter of the through hole 13 is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting chamber 14. It should be understood that the installation of the through hole 13 forms a ring-shaped first positioning step 14a at the bottom of the mounting chamber 14, and the mounting chamber 14 and the connecting chamber 15 are connected to each other along the axis 103.

[0048] The valve body 10 has an inlet 10a and an outlet 10b for the fluid medium to enter. The valve port 11 is provided between the inlet 10a and the outlet 10b, the inlet 10a is installed in communication with the valve chamber 12, and the outlet 10b is in communication with the valve port 11. By controlling the movement of the spindle assembly 20, electrical continuity or cutoff between the inlet 10a and the outlet 10b is achieved.

[0049] Preferably, a medium inlet pipe 101 for feeding the fluid medium is attached to the inlet 10a, and a medium outlet pipe 102 for feeding the fluid medium is attached to the outlet 10b. In this embodiment, the fluid medium is a refrigerant, which flows from the medium inlet pipe 101 into the electronic expansion valve 100, is throttled and reduced in pressure by the electronic expansion valve 100, and is discharged from the medium outlet pipe 102.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a first protrusion 18 for attaching a medium discharge tube 102 is provided at one end of the valve body 10 remote from the sleeve 40, and the outlet 10b passes through the first protrusion 18 along the axis 103, the outlet 10b communicates with the valve port 11, and in this embodiment, the medium discharge tube 102 is welded to the valve body.

[0051] Preferably, a connecting groove 19 is opened at one end of the valve body 10 remote from the sleeve 40, the first protrusion 18 is located at the bottom of the connecting groove 19, and one end of the medium discharge tube 102 is placed over the first protrusion 18 and abuts against the bottom of the connecting groove 19. Here, by providing the connecting groove 19, it is possible to facilitate welding of the medium discharge tube 102 and the valve body 10, prevent solder from flowing out, and improve the welding quality.

[0052] The valve body 10 is provided with a guide sleeve 16 and a coupling hand 17. The guide sleeve 16 is mounted in the mounting chamber 14 and is tightly fitted with the mounting chamber 14. Here, tight fit means that the size of the inner diameter of the mounting chamber 14 minus the size of the outer diameter of the engaged guide sleeve 16 is a negative value. The guide sleeve 16 is used to guide the spindle assembly 20 and move it along the axis 103 of the valve body 10. The coupling hand 17 is mounted in the connecting chamber 15 and is used to mount the screw assembly 30. The coupling hand 17 is preferably mounted in the connecting chamber 15 by welding.

[0053] Furthermore, the valve body is provided with a first mounting step 10d, which is located at one end of the valve body 10 where the connecting chamber 15 is opened, and the sleeve 40 is attached to the first mounting step 10d.

[0054] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, the valve body 10 may be provided with a mounting seat 110, and the sleeve 40 is attached to the mounting seat 110. One end of the guide sleeve 16 is attached to the mounting chamber 14 and is tightly fitted with the mounting chamber 14, and the other end extends from the mounting chamber 14 and is connected to the screw assembly 30, and the connector 17 is attached to the mounting seat 110.

[0055] Furthermore, the mounting seat 110 has a generally cylindrical shape, and is welded to the valve body 10 by welding. Of course, in other embodiments, the mounting seat 110 may be connected to the valve body 10 by other methods. The sleeve 40 is welded to the mounting seat 110 by welding and is tightly connected to the mounting seat 110, a mounting hole 111 is drilled in the mounting seat 110, and a part of the screw assembly 30 extends into the mounting hole 111 and is connected to the guide sleeve 16.

[0056] In this embodiment, by providing the mounting seat 110, the mounting seat 110 replaces part of the function of the valve body 10 and is used to mount the screw assembly 30 and the sleeve 40. This reduces the weight of the valve body 10 and reduces the difficulty of machining the valve opening 11 in the valve body, ensures the machining accuracy of the valve body 10 and the valve opening 11, and improves the control accuracy of the flow rate of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0057] Preferably, a second mounting step 10e is provided on the valve body 10, and the mounting seat 110 is welded to the second mounting step 10e. The valve body 10 and the mounting seat 110 may have an integral structure or a separate structure. In this embodiment, the valve body 10 and the mounting seat 110 have a separate structure.

[0058] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, one end of the attachment chamber 14 remote from the valve port 11 has a position limiting portion 141 in the circumferential direction. The engagement portion 161 is engaged with the position limiting portion 141 and is used to realize the positioning of the guide sleeve 16 along the axis 103, thereby preventing the guide sleeve 16 from becoming loose along the axis 103 due to factors such as high pressure or high/low temperature of the fluid medium, thereby preventing noise from being generated.

[0059] Furthermore, the position limiting portion 141 is annular, and the inner diameter of the position limiting portion 141 is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting chamber 14. Preferably, the cross section of the position limiting portion 141 along the plane on which the axis X exists is trapezoidal or arc-shaped. One end of the position limiting portion 141 with a larger inner diameter is provided close to the mounting chamber 14, and one end of the position limiting portion 141 with a smaller inner diameter is provided away from the mounting chamber 14.

[0060] The position limiting portion 141 has an inner surface 141a and an outer surface 141b that are provided opposite each other and are adapted to abut against the guide sleeve 16. An included angle a is formed between the inner surface 141a of the position limiting portion and the inner wall of the mounting chamber 14. It should be understood that forming the included angle a between the inner surface 141a of the position limiting portion and the inner wall of the mounting chamber 14 is equivalent to forming an axis flange that limits the movement of the guide sleeve 16 along the X-axis.

[0061] Preferably, the range of the included angle a is 120°≦a≦160°. This allows the guide sleeve 16 to be mounted within the mounting chamber 14 within this angle range, and allows the movement of the guide sleeve 16 along the X-axis direction to be restricted. Specifically, in this embodiment, the included angle a=160°.

[0062] The position limiting portion 141 may be integral with the valve body 10, or may be provided separately from the valve body 10. If the position limiting portion 141 and the valve body 10 are provided as an integral structure, the processing and manufacturing of the valve body 10 becomes easier, and manufacturing costs are reduced. If the position limiting portion 141 and the valve body 10 are provided as separate bodies, the attachment of the guide sleeve 16 becomes easier. The above-mentioned two types of installation methods of the position limiting portion 141 and the valve body 10 each have their own advantages, and the specific installation method of the position limiting portion 141 can be determined according to actual needs.

[0063] Of course, in other embodiments, the position limiting portion 141 can be provided as a stopper. In this case, the included angle between the stopper and the valve body 10 can be 90 degrees. The stopper is annular and is attached to the inside of the connecting chamber 15 by a locking member such as a bolt.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 14, the guide sleeve 16 is made of brass material, i.e., a brass guide sleeve. A guide sleeve made of brass material is relatively soft, which facilitates attachment of the guide sleeve 16 to the screw assembly 30 or the valve body 10, and reduces noise caused by collision between the fluid medium and the guide sleeve 16. It is understood that in other embodiments, the guide sleeve 16 may be made of materials other than brass.

[0065] The guide sleeve 16 is generally cylindrical, the guide sleeve 16 and the valve port 11 are spaced apart from each other, and one end face of the guide sleeve 16 close to the valve port 11 is a flat surface 161. Here, since the flat surface 161 is a smooth or slippery surface, i.e., since the coefficient of friction of the flat surface 161 is low, the fluid medium can flow along the flat surface 161 when passing through the flat surface 161, which further reduces fluid noise.

[0066] The guide sleeve 16 has an axis Y, and a guide hole 16a and a spindle hole 16b are formed in the guide sleeve 16 along the axis Y. The diameter of the spindle hole 16b is smaller than the diameter of the guide hole 16a. The spindle hole 16b is located at the bottom of the guide hole 16a and communicates with the guide hole 16a.

[0067] It should be understood that because the diameter of the spindle hole 16b is smaller than the diameter of the guide hole 16a, the bottom of the guide hole 16a and the spindle hole 16b are aligned to form a position limiting step 161a, and the spindle assembly 20 is mounted in the guide hole 16a and moves under the guidance of the guide hole 16a and the spindle hole 16b.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 12, the guide sleeve 16 can have a three-stage structure. In this embodiment, the guide sleeve 16 includes a first cylindrical section 162 mounted in the mounting chamber 14, a second cylindrical section 163 extending into the mounting hole 111 for engaging with the screw assembly 30, and a third cylindrical section 164 located in the valve chamber 12. In other embodiments, the guide sleeve 16 may have a two-stage structure.

[0069] The first cylindrical section 162 and the mounting chamber 14 are tightly fitted together to ensure that the axis of the guide sleeve 16 itself and the axis Y of the valve body 10 overlap during the mounting process of the guide sleeve 16, thereby ensuring coaxiality between the guide sleeve 16 and the valve orifice 11.

[0070] Preferably, the first cylindrical stage 162 is a middle stage, i.e., it is located between the second cylindrical stage 163 and the third cylindrical stage 164, and the outer diameter of the first cylindrical stage 162 is larger than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical stage 163 and the outer diameter of the third cylindrical stage 164. It should be understood that the first cylindrical stage 162 is formed with steps 162a between the second cylindrical stage 163 and the third cylindrical stage 164, respectively, and the step 162a between the first cylindrical stage 162 and the second cylindrical stage 163 is engaged with the first positioning step 14a at the bottom of the mounting chamber 14 to realize the positioning of the second cylindrical stage 163.

[0071] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first cylindrical stage 162 has a first end 162b and a second end 162c disposed opposite each other, and the second cylindrical stage 163 is connected to the second end 162c of the first cylindrical stage. The end surface of the first end 162b of the first cylindrical stage is a flat surface 161. The axis Y is perpendicular to the flat surface 161. Since the end surface of the first end 162b of the first cylindrical stage is a flat surface 161, the frictional force of contact between the fluid medium and the second cylindrical stage 163 can be reduced, further reducing noise generation and improving the comfort of use for the user.

[0072] Preferably, the end face of the first end 162b of the first cylindrical stage is abutted against the bottom of the mounting chamber 14 to achieve mounting of the guide sleeve 16. Furthermore, the first end 162b of the first cylindrical stage has a guide structure 165 in the circumferential direction. Here, the provision of the guide structure 165 makes it easier to mount the guide sleeve 16. Furthermore, one end of the second cylindrical stage 163 remote from the first cylindrical stage 162 also has a guide structure 165a in the circumferential direction.

[0073] Specifically, the guide structure 165 includes a guide portion 165a provided at the second end 162c of the first cylindrical section. Preferably, the guide portion 165a is a fillet guide portion or a cone guide portion. Of course, in other embodiments, the guide structure 165 may have other structures.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the structure of the guide sleeve 16 is basically the same as that of the guide sleeve 16 in the previously described embodiment, except that a cam 166 is provided on the end face of the first end 162b of the first cylindrical stage, and the end face of the cam 166 at one end remote from the first cylindrical stage is a flat surface 161. The cam 166 extends into the through hole 13, and the flat surface 161 abuts against the first positioning step 14a, thereby realizing the positioning and attachment of the guide sleeve 16.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 16, in another embodiment, the structure of the guide sleeve 16 basically corresponds to the structure of the guide sleeve 16 in the above-mentioned embodiment, but differs in that a third cylindrical step 164 is provided at the first end 162b of the first cylindrical step, the third cylindrical step 164 and the valve port 11 are spaced apart from each other, and one end of the third cylindrical step 164 remote from the first cylindrical step 162 is a flat surface 161. The outer diameter of the third cylindrical step 164 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical step 163, and a step 162a is formed between the third cylindrical step 164 and the second cylindrical step 163. The third cylindrical step 164 extends from the through hole 13 into the valve chamber 12. Preferably, the third cylindrical step 164 is stepped.

[0076] Furthermore, the length of the second cylindrical section 163 is 1/4 to 1/3 times the length of the guide sleeve. Here, the length of the second cylindrical section 163 is 1/4 to 1/3 times the length of the guide sleeve. Therefore, it can be understood that the guide sleeve 16 can engage with the screw assembly 30 with a sufficient engagement size, improving the reliability of the connection while reducing the risk of the guide sleeve 16 becoming loose due to vibration or the like. Of course, by lengthening the third cylindrical section 164, the overall length of the guide hole 16a is increased, and the spindle assembly 20 is mounted in the guide hole 16a, improving the overall coaxiality of the spindle assembly 20.

[0077] Preferably, the length of the second cylindrical stage 163 is 3/10 times the length of the guide sleeve 16. It will be understood that the reliability of the connection between the second cylindrical stage 163 and the screw assembly 30 is further improved by making the length of the second cylindrical stage 163 approximately 1/3 times the length of the guide sleeve 16.

[0078] One end of the third cylindrical stage 164, which is remote from the first cylindrical stage 162, also has a guide structure. By providing the guide structure, the attachment of the guide sleeve 16 becomes easier. Specifically, the guide structure is a structure such as a chamfer or a tapered surface provided on the first cylindrical stage 162 and the third cylindrical stage 164.

[0079] Furthermore, the connector 17 is welded to the valve body 10, and a mounting bracket 10c is further provided on the valve body 10. The mounting bracket 10c is provided at the connection point between the valve body 10 or the valve body 10 and the mounting seat 110, and the mounting bracket 10c is welded to the valve body 10 or welded to the valve body 10 and the mounting seat 110, respectively. The mounting bracket 10c is engaged with an external device to realize the mounting of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, a debris storage structure 120 is provided between the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16, and the debris storage structure 120 is used to store debris between the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16. This prevents debris on the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16 from entering the electronic expansion valve 100 in the form of impurities during the installation process of the guide sleeve 16, thereby preventing the normal operation of the electronic expansion valve 100 from being affected.

[0081] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the mounting chamber 14 has an inner wall, and the debris storage structure 120 includes a first debris storage groove 121 that is opened in the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the mounting chamber 14.

[0082] Preferably, a plurality of first debris storage grooves 121 may be provided, and the plurality of first debris storage grooves 121 are provided at intervals on the inner wall of the attachment chamber 14 along the axis X of the valve body 10. Each groove opening of the first debris storage groove 121 has a first debris guide structure 122, which guides debris on the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16 into the first debris storage groove 121.

[0083] Specifically, the first chip guide structure 122 includes a first chip guide portion 122a provided on the inner wall of the mounting chamber 14, and the first chip guide portion 122a is located at the groove mouth of the first chip storage groove 121. Preferably, the first chip guide portion 122a is located as an inclined chip guide portion or a fillet chip guide portion, etc.

[0084] Furthermore, the mounting chamber 14 has an opening 142, and the opening 142 is provided away from the valve orifice 11. The first debris storage groove 121 is provided in the inner wall of the mounting chamber 14 close to the end of the opening 142 of the mounting chamber 14. Therefore, assuming that the assembly requirements are met, the angle between the guide sleeve 16 and the engagement step at the end of the opening 142 of the mounting chamber 14 is made as small as possible to reduce the extrusion of debris.

[0085] In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the guide sleeve 16 has an outer wall, and the debris retention structure 120 includes a second debris retention groove 123 that is opened circumferentially in the outer wall of the guide sleeve.

[0086] Preferably, the second debris retention groove 123 is provided on the outer wall of the first cylindrical stage 162. Furthermore, the second debris retention groove 123 is provided adjacent to the second end 162c of the first cylindrical stage 162. That is, it is understood that the second debris retention groove 123 is provided at the second end 162c of the first cylindrical stage 162 as an interference fit stage with the short mounting chamber 14 to reduce extrusion of debris.

[0087] Furthermore, a plurality of second debris storage grooves 123 may be provided. The plurality of second debris storage grooves 123 are provided at intervals on the outer wall of the first cylindrical section 162 along the axis Y of the guide sleeve 16. Each groove opening of the second debris storage groove 123 has a second debris guide structure 124, which guides the debris on the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16 into the second debris storage groove 123.

[0088] Specifically, the second chip guide structure 124 includes a second chip guide portion 124a provided on the outer wall of the guide sleeve 16, and the second chip guide portion 124a is located at the groove mouth of the second chip storage groove 123. Preferably, the second chip guide portion 124a is provided on an inclined chip guide portion or a fillet chip guide portion, etc.

[0089] In yet another embodiment, the mounting chamber 14 has an inner wall, the guide sleeve 16 has an outer wall, and the debris storage structure 120 includes a first debris storage groove 121 in Example 1 and a second debris storage groove 123 in Example 2. The first debris storage groove 121 on the inner wall of the mounting chamber 14 and the second debris storage groove 123 on the outer wall of the guide sleeve 16 are offset from each other along the axis 103.

[0090] As shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19, in one embodiment, the spindle assembly 20 includes a spindle sleeve 21 mounted in the guide sleeve 16 and a spindle 22 mounted in the spindle sleeve 21, and the spindle 22 has an axis that is arranged to overlap with the axis 103 of the valve body 10. One end of the spindle 22 is connected to the screw assembly 30 and the other end is engaged with the valve port 11. The screw assembly 30 moves the spindle 22 to control the opening and closing of the valve port 11, thereby realizing the opening and closing of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0091] The spindle assembly 20 further includes a first spring seat 23, a second spring seat 24, an elastic member 25, and a guide holder 26, the first spring seat 23, the second spring seat 24, and the elastic member 25 are housed in the spindle sleeve 21, the first spring seat 23 is connected to the screw assembly 30 and abuts against the guide holder 26, one end of the elastic member 25 abuts against the first spring seat 23 and the other end abuts against the second spring seat 24, the guide holder 26 is attached to one end of the spindle sleeve 21 remote from the spindle 22 and abuts against the second spring seat 24, and the guide holder 26 is used to engage with the screw assembly 30.

[0092] Furthermore, the spindle assembly 20 further includes a ball 27, which is housed in the spindle sleeve 21 and is provided between the spindle 22 and the screw assembly 30. By reducing the area of the frictional contact surface between the spindle 22 and the screw assembly 30, wear of the spindle 22 and the screw assembly 30 is reduced, and the reliability and stability of the electronic expansion valve 100 are improved.

[0093] Preferably, the ball 27 is provided between the second spring seat 24 and the spindle 22, and the ball 27 is welded to the spindle 22 or the second spring seat 24 by spot welding. In this embodiment, the spindle 22 is provided with a groove 221, the ball 27 is mounted in the groove 221, and the ball 27 is welded to the spindle 22 by spot welding. Here, by providing the ball 27, the second spring seat 24 and the spindle 22 are in point contact, thereby reducing the area of the frictional contact surface between the second spring seat 24 and the spindle 22, reducing the contact wear between the second spring seat 24 and the spindle 22, and improving the reliability and stability of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[0094] As shown in Figures 19, 33 and 34, the screw assembly 30 includes a screw 31 and a nut sleeve 32. The screw 31 has a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite each other. One end of the screw 31 is connected to the rotor assembly 50. The second end of the screw 31 is drilled into the nut sleeve 32 and connected to the first spring seat 23. The second end of the screw 31 and the nut sleeve 32 are screwed together. One end of the nut sleeve 32 is attached to the connector 17.

[0095] Furthermore, the nut sleeve 32 has a first end 32a and a second end 32b that are provided opposite each other, the first end 32a of the nut sleeve being attached to the connecting handle 17, and the second end 32b of the nut sleeve being housed within the sleeve 40. An engagement step 321 is provided extending from the first end 32a of the nut sleeve, and the engagement step 321 extends into the mounting hole 111 and is provided adjacent to the first cylindrical step 162.

[0096] Preferably, a locking groove 32c is provided in the first end 32b of the nut sleeve, a locking projection is provided in the locking groove 32c, a corresponding connection hole is opened in the coupling hand 17, the first end 32b of the nut sleeve is attached in the connection hole, and the locking projection realizes a locking connection with the coupling hand 17. When the screw 31 rotates under the driving of the rotor assembly 50, the nut-screw engagement relationship formed between the screw 31 and the nut sleeve 32 causes the screw 31 and the rotor assembly 50 fixedly connected to the screw 31 to move along the axial direction of the screw 31, thereby realizing the screw 31 to move the spindle assembly 20.

[0097] Furthermore, an engagement hole 321a is formed in the engagement step 321, and the third cylindrical step 164 extends from the engagement hole 321a into the nut sleeve 32 and is fixedly connected to the nut sleeve 32. It is understood that the provision of the engagement step 321 makes it possible to extend the engagement length between the guide sleeve 16 and the nut sleeve 32, thereby improving the reliability of the connection between the guide sleeve 16 and the nut sleeve 32.

[0098] Preferably, the fixed connection includes a threaded connection, an interference fit, or the like. In this embodiment, the third cylindrical section 164 and the nut sleeve 32 are interference-fitted, and the nut sleeve 32 is corrected by the third cylindrical section 164 so that the axis of the nut sleeve 32 overlaps with the axis of the guide sleeve 16 and the axis of the valve body 10.

[0099] In this embodiment, the first cylindrical section 162 and the mounting chamber 14 are tightly fitted, and the third cylindrical section 164 and the nut sleeve 32 are tightly fitted. This causes the first cylindrical section 162 to adjust the valve body 10, and the third cylindrical section 164 to adjust the nut sleeve 32, so that the three axes of the valve body 10, the guide sleeve 16, and the nut sleeve 32 overlap, ensuring the coaxiality of the screw 31, the spindle 22, and the valve port 11. This reduces the collision between the spindle 22 and the valve body 10 during the movement process, and further reduces wear on the spindle 22 and other components, thereby improving the service life of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00100] A second positioning step 322 may be provided in the nut sleeve 32, and the third cylindrical step 164 extends into the nut sleeve 32 and abuts against the second positioning step 322, further improving the reliability of the attachment of the guide sleeve 16 and preventing the guide sleeve 16 from moving axially under the pressure of the fluid medium, thereby preventing noise.

[00101] As shown in Figs. 20 and 21, in another embodiment, the basic structure of the spindle assembly 20 is basically the same as the structure of the spindle assembly 20 described above, except that the spindle assembly 20 further includes a bearing 211, a gasket 212, and an elastic member 213, the bearing 211 and the gasket 212 are provided at one end of the screw assembly 30 close to the spindle 22, one end of the elastic member 213 contacts the gasket 212 and the other end contacts the spindle 22, one end of the bearing 211 abuts against the screw assembly 30 and the spindle sleeve 21, and the other end contacts the gasket 212, and the gasket 212 is housed in the spindle sleeve 21 and contacts the outer ring of the bearing 211.

[00102] The screw 31 is provided with a second protrusion 311 extending radially of the screw 31, the second protrusion 311 being flush with the inner surface of the spindle sleeve 21, the inner ring of the bearing 211 abutting against the second protrusion 311, and the abutment of the inner surface of the spindle sleeve 21 against the outer ring of the bearing 211 realizes positional restriction of the screw 31 and the spindle sleeve 21 relative to the bearing 211.

[00103] The screw 31 is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the bearing 211. In this embodiment, the screw 31 and the inner ring of the bearing 211 are fixed to each other by an interference fit, that is, the size of the screw 31 is larger than the hole diameter of the inner ring of the bearing 211, and at this time, the screw 31 and the bearing 211 have a relatively good connection stability.

[00104] It is understood that in other embodiments, the screw 31 and the inner ring of the bearing 211 may be secured to each other by other connection methods such as crimping, gluing, etc.

[00105] The screw 31 rotates under the driving force of the rotor assembly 50, and due to the fixed connection between the screw 31 and the inner ring of the bearing 211, the screw 31 moves and rotates the inner ring of the bearing 211. The rotation by the screw 31 is released when the rolling elements in the bearing 211 come into rolling contact with the outer ring of the bearing 211. Since there are multiple rolling elements in the bearing 211, the release of the rotation of the screw 31 changes from a single-point rolling contact in the conventional electronic expansion valve 100 to a multi-point rolling contact in this embodiment. Therefore, the contact force is shared by the multiple rolling elements, reducing the contact pressure at each contact point, and the rolling friction reduces the frictional force.

[00106] Furthermore, due to the coaxial mounting of the bearing 211 and the screw 31, the contact force at the rolling element is perpendicular to the gravity direction of the screw 31, which also reduces the contact force at the contact point in the conventional electronic expansion valve, and improves the stability and reliability of the electronic expansion valve 100. At the same time, the bearing 211 has play, which allows the spindle 22 to have a certain degree of freedom and reduces the error caused by the coaxiality between the spindle 22 and the valve port 11.

[00107] In this embodiment, the elastic member 213 is a spring, and in this case, the elastic member 213 has a relatively high connection stability. It is understood that in other embodiments, the elastic member 213 may be other types of elastic elements, such as an elastic column.

[00108] Still referring to Figures 4 and 17, the rotor assembly 50 includes a rotor 51 located within the sleeve 40, an adapter plate 52 for mounting the screw 31, a position limiting member 53 for limiting the rotation angle of the rotor 51, and a guide piece 54 attached to the adapter plate 52, the rotor 51 being attached to the adapter plate 52, and the adapter plate 52 and the screw 31 being fixedly connected by a method such as welding.

[00109] The position limiting member 53 includes a spring 531 fitted over the nut sleeve and a stop ring 532 attached to the guide piece 54, one end of the spring 531 is connected to the connector 17, the other end of the spring 531 is provided with a stop portion 531a, and the stop ring 532 is wound around the spring 531. Preferably, a stop shoulder 323 is provided on the outer wall of the nut sleeve 32, and the stop shoulder 323 is used to engage with the stop ring 532 to limit the rotation angle of the rotor 51.

[00110] In one embodiment, in the process in which the rotor 51 rotates and moves along the axis 103 to drive the screw 31 and move the spindle 22 to close the valve port 11, the stop ring 532 moves along the spring 531, and the stop ring 532 abuts against the stop shoulder 323, limiting the rotation angle of the rotor 51, which is the lower limit position of the rotor 51. In the process in which the rotor 51 rotates and moves along the axis 103 to drive the screw 31 and move the spindle 22 to open the valve port 11, the stop ring 532 moves along the spring 531, and the stop ring 532 abuts against the stop portion 531a, limiting the rotation angle of the rotor 51, which is the upper limit position of the rotor 51.

[00111] Furthermore, the outer surface of the screw 31 extends outward along the radial direction of the screw 31 to form a cam 311, and the cam 311 on the screw 31 abuts against the guide holder 26, thereby determining the lower limit position of the movement of the rotor 51 and the screw 31 in the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00112] The lower limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 is determined by the mutual abutment between the screw 31 and the guide holder 26. The screw 31 is a long and straight rod member, and the direction of the impact force generated by mechanical collision coincides with the axial direction of the screw 31. Not only are the generated vibrations and noises relatively low, but the vibrations and noises generated by the impact force can be quickly dissipated on the long and straight rod body, so that the noises generated when the electronic expansion valve 100 switches the moving state of the rotor assembly 50 due to the limit of the lower limit position are relatively reduced.

[00113] In one embodiment, the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 is realized by the abutment of the stop ring 532 and the stop portion 531a of the spring 531 with each other. When the rotor 51 rotates and moves along the axis 103 to drive the screw 31 and move the spindle 22 to close the valve port 11, the stop ring 532 moves along the spring 531. The stop ring 532 abuts against the stop portion 531a to limit the rotation angle of the rotor 51, which is the upper limit position of the rotor 51 and the screw 31.

[00114] In another embodiment, in order to further reduce noise generated when the rotor assembly 50 in the electronic expansion valve 100 is switched between different states, the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 is determined by the abutment between the end of the screw 31 remote from the spindle assembly 20 and the sleeve 40. By adjusting the sizes of the stopper 531a of the spring 531 and the stopper ring 532, the stopper ring 532 is prevented from contacting the stopper 531a of the spring 531 when the sleeve 40 and the screw 31 are abutted, and thus the abutment between the screw 31 and the sleeve 40 is set as the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00115] At this time, the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 is still determined by the screw 31, which is a long and straight rod member. The direction of the impact force generated by mechanical collision is aligned with the axial direction of the screw 31. Not only are the generated vibrations and noises relatively low, but the vibrations and noises generated by the impact force can be quickly dissipated on the long and straight rod body. Therefore, the noises generated by the electronic expansion valve 100 switching the moving state of the rotor assembly 50 due to the upper limit position limit are relatively reduced.

[00116] Furthermore, one end of the screw 31 close to the sleeve 40 is curved to match the shape of the inner surface of the sleeve 40, and at this time, the screw 31 and the sleeve 40 have relatively good connection performance.

[00117] In yet another embodiment, the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 can also be realized by the abutment between the guide holder 26 and the nut sleeve 32, and the nut sleeve 32 abuts against the guide holder 26, and the guide holder 26 is fixedly connected to the screw 31, so that the abutment of the nut sleeve 32 against the guide holder 26 can realize the restriction of the screw 31 from moving further away from the valve port 11. At this time, by setting the length of the screw 31, the screw 31 and the sleeve 40 are not in contact when the nut sleeve 32 and the guide holder 26 abut against each other, thereby ensuring that the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 is determined by the abutment between the nut sleeve 32 and the guide holder 26.

[00118] The nut sleeve 32 is a rotating member with a large volume, and noise caused by impact forces generated by mechanical collisions is relatively small. The vibrations generated on the nut sleeve 32 and the noise caused by the vibrations can be quickly dissipated. Therefore, noise generated by the electronic expansion valve 100 switching the moving state of the rotor assembly 50 due to the upper limit position limit is relatively reduced.

[00119] It is understood that when the upper limit position of the electronic expansion valve 100 is not achieved by the mutual abutment of the stop ring 532 and the stop portion 531a of the spring 531, that is, when the electronic expansion valve 100 employs the above-mentioned embodiment, the stop ring 532 and the spring 531 may be omitted. The structure of the electronic expansion valve 100 in which the stop ring 532, the guide piece 54, and the spring 531 are omitted is as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[00120] It is understood that the rotor assembly 50 and the screw assembly 30 move together, and that the upper and lower limit positions to which the rotor assembly 50 moves, i.e., the upper and lower limit positions to which the screw assembly 30 moves, are not distinguished herein.

[00121] The lower limit position referred to in this specification refers to the maximum operating position where the screw 31 moves toward the valve port 11, and this operating position is called the lower limit position, and the upper limit position referred to in this specification refers to the maximum operating position where the screw 31 moves away from the valve port 11, and this operating position is called the upper limit position. The terms "upper" and "lower" in the upper limit position and lower limit position do not have a directional concept, but are used for convenience of explanation.

[00122] The stator assembly (not shown) includes components such as coils, and is used to generate a magnetic field when energized. The magnetic force causes the rotor 51 to move and rotate, thereby rotating the screw 31.

[00123] In this embodiment, the electronic expansion valve 100 is an electrically operated electronic expansion valve, the rotor 51 is a motor rotor made of a permanent magnet in a stepping motor, the stator assembly is a motor stator in the stepping motor, the stepping motor receives a logical digital signal provided by a control circuit and then transmits the signal to the coils of each phase of the motor stator, and the motor rotor made of a permanent magnet is influenced by a magnetic moment to generate a rotational motion, thereby realizing the process of the stator assembly driving and rotating the rotor assembly.

[00124] The electronic expansion valve 100 in the present application employs an integrated valve seat, which integrates the spool valve seat and sleeve holder of a conventional electronic expansion valve. This reduces the number of assembly steps in the axial direction of the electronic expansion valve 100, i.e., reduces the possibility that the coaxiality of each component of the electronic expansion valve 100 may be reduced due to multiple assembly steps, and improves the coaxiality between each component of the electronic expansion valve 100. Furthermore, the number of components is reduced, the valve opening performance of the electronic expansion valve 100 can be guaranteed, installation is more convenient, and the reliability and stability of the entire product are improved.

[00125] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the valve orifice 11 is provided coaxially with the valve body 10, the end where the valve orifice 11 is opened is called the first end 104 of the valve body 10, and the other end opposite the first end 104 of the valve body 10 is called the second end 105, and the valve orifice 11 is opened by cutting in the direction from the second end 105 toward the first end 104. Since a cutting method is adopted in which the cutting is made from the top end, the valve orifice of the valve body 10 only requires one tightening during processing, which reduces the number of tightenings in the manufacturing process of the valve orifice 11 of the valve body 10, i.e., reduces the positioning error during processing of the valve orifice 11 of the valve body 10, and improves the coaxiality of the valve orifice 11 and the valve body 10.

[00126] In addition, because the valve orifice 11 is directly opened in the valve body 10, the amount of welding between the valve seat core in which the valve orifice is opened and the valve body is reduced compared to conventional electronic expansion valves. The reduction in the number of welding operations improves the integrity of the valve body 10, and improves the reliability and stability of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00127] A first chamfer 106 is provided at one end of the valve port 11 close to the second end 105 of the valve body 10. By opening the first chamfer 106, an opening structure is formed in the part of the valve port 11 close to the second end 105 of the valve body 10, which improves the sealing performance of the spindle 22 within the valve port 11, reduces internal leakage of the electronic expansion valve 100, and improves the accuracy of control of the fluid flow rate of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00128] A second chamfer 107 is provided at one end of the valve orifice 11 away from the second end 105 of the valve body 10. The opening of the first chamfer 106 and the second chamfer 107 removes burrs that may occur during the machining process of the valve orifice 11, allowing the fluid medium to have smoother flow characteristics when passing through the valve orifice 11.

[00129] Preferably, the first chamfer 106 and the second chamfer 107 are both less than 0.1 mm.

[00130] Furthermore, to further isolate noise, the wall thickness where the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16 contact is 30% to 80% of the radius of the valve body 10. The wall thickness where the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16 contact is 30% to 80% of the radius of the valve body 10, which provides good isolation of noise and confines the flow noise of the fluid medium inside the valve body 10. If the wall thickness of the valve body 10 is too small, the containment effect against noise becomes relatively low, and if the wall thickness of the valve body 10 is too large, it is disadvantageous to fix and attach components such as the spindle assembly 20 inside the valve body 10.

[00131] Preferably, the wall thickness where the valve body 10 and the guide sleeve 16 contact is 80% of the radius of the valve body 10.

[00132] As shown in FIG. 22, in order to reduce noise generated during the use of the electronic expansion valve 100 and reduce turbulent noise caused by instability of the flow when the fluid medium passes through the valve port 11, a noise reduction module 60 is installed between the medium outlet pipe 102 and the valve body 10, and the noise reduction module 60 is used to improve the stability of the fluid medium when it flows through the valve port 11, thereby reducing the turbulent noise during the use of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00133] As shown in FIG. 23, the valve body 10 is provided with a storage chamber 10f communicating with the valve port 11, and the storage chamber 10f is used to store a noise reduction module 60. One end of the noise reduction module 60 extends outward along a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the valve body 10 to form a third protrusion 61, and the medium outlet tube 102 covers a part of the noise reduction module 60 and abuts against the third protrusion 61. One end of the noise reduction module 60 contacts the valve body 10 and the other end abuts against the medium outlet tube 102, and the noise reduction module 60 is sandwiched and fixed between the valve body 10 and the medium outlet tube 102 by welding and fixing the medium outlet tube 102 to the valve body 10.

[00134] In other embodiments, the noise reduction module 60 may be fixed between the valve body 10 and the medium outlet tube 102 using other structures, for example, the medium outlet tube 102 may be directly abutted against the other end of the noise reduction module 60 remote from the valve port 11, and in this case, it is understood that the third protrusion 61 formed on the noise reduction module 60 may be omitted.

[00135] A noise reduction hole 62 is provided in the noise reduction module 60, the noise reduction hole 62 is connected to the end of the valve port 11, and the hole diameter of the noise reduction hole 62 communicating with the valve port 11 is consistent with the hole diameter of the valve port 11, allowing the fluid medium to flow smoothly when passing through the valve port 11 and entering the noise reduction hole 62, and preventing turbulence from occurring when the fluid medium passes through the valve port 11 and enters the noise reduction hole 62.

[00136] In this embodiment, the noise reduction hole 62 is provided coaxially with the valve port 11.

[00137] Referring also to FIG. 24, in one embodiment, the noise reduction hole 62 is a stepped hole, and the noise reduction hole 62 gradually expands in a direction away from the valve orifice 11.

[00138] In this embodiment, the noise reduction hole 62 is a three-stage stepped hole, and includes a first hole 621, a second hole 622, and a third hole 623. The first hole 621 is connected to the valve port 11, the first hole 621, the second hole 622, and the third hole 623 are mutually penetrated along the axial direction, the second hole 622 is located between the first hole 621 and the third hole 623, the hole diameter of the third hole 623 is larger than the hole diameter of the second hole 622, and the hole diameter of the second hole 622 is larger than the hole diameter of the first hole 621.

[00139] In this embodiment, in order to further reduce turbulence that occurs when the fluid flows and reduce noise during use of the electronic expansion valve 100, the first hole 621, the second hole 622, and the third hole 623 are symmetrical circular holes and are arranged coaxially.

[00140] Of course, if the turbulence that may occur due to the asymmetry of the structure when the fluid passes through the step hole is not taken into consideration, the first hole 621, the second hole 622, and the third hole 623 may have a gap between their respective central axes, and the first hole 621, the second hole 622, and the third hole 623 may have an irregular hole shape.

[00141] In other embodiments, the noise reduction hole 62 may have a two-stage, four-stage, or more than four-stage structure, and it is understood that it is sufficient for the noise reduction hole 62 to form a stepped hole that gradually expands in the direction away from the valve orifice 11.

[00142] The principle by which the noise reduction module 60 in this embodiment reduces flow noise of a fluid medium is explained below.

[00143] The noise reduction hole 62 is a stepped hole, and when the fluid medium passes through the valve port 11 and enters the noise reduction hole 62, the effective flow cross section gradually expands in a stepped manner, and the flow velocity of the fluid medium decreases after entering the noise reduction hole 62. The gradually expanding noise reduction hole inhibits the fluid medium from generating a free shear plane, so that the stability of the fluid medium is improved and the fluid medium generates less turbulent noise, thereby reducing the noise during the use of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00144] Referring also to FIG. 25, in another embodiment, the noise reduction hole 62 is a horn hole, and includes a cylindrical hole 621a communicating with the valve orifice 11 and a tapered hole 622a communicating with the cylindrical hole 621a, and the tapered hole 622a is connected to one end of the cylindrical hole 621a and gradually expands in a direction away from the valve orifice 11. The size of the hole diameter of the cylindrical hole 621a matches the size of the hole diameter of the valve orifice 11.

[00145] It is understood that the tapered hole 622a may be directly connected to the valve orifice 11, i.e., the size of the hole diameter at one end of the tapered hole 622a facing the valve orifice 11 may match the size of the hole diameter of the valve orifice 11, and in this case, the cylindrical hole 621 may be omitted.

[00146] The opening of the cylindrical hole 621a corresponds to increasing the length of the valve port 11, further improving the stability of the fluid medium.

[00147] The principle by which the noise reduction module 60 in this embodiment reduces flow noise of a fluid medium is explained below.

[00148] The noise reduction hole 62 is a horn hole, and the effective flow cross section of the fluid medium gradually expands when it passes through the valve port 11 and enters the noise reduction hole 62, and the flow velocity of the fluid medium decreases after it enters the noise reduction hole 62. The gradually expanding noise reduction hole inhibits the fluid medium from generating a free shear surface, so that the stability of the fluid medium is improved and the fluid medium generates less turbulent noise, thereby reducing the noise generated during the use of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00149] Referring also to FIG. 26, in yet another embodiment, the noise reduction hole 62 is a straight hole, the noise reduction hole 62 penetrates both end faces of the noise reduction module 60 and connects to the valve port 11, and the hole diameter of the noise reduction hole 62 matches the hole diameter of the valve port 11.

[00150] The principle by which the noise reduction module 60 in this embodiment reduces flow noise of a fluid medium is described below.

[00151] The noise reduction hole 62 is a relatively long straight hole. The noise reduction hole 62 is equivalent to extending the length of the valve port 11, which reduces the velocity gradient and pressure gradient of the fluid medium flowing through the inlet end of the valve port 11 and the end of the noise reduction hole 62, thereby improving the stability of the fluid medium and reducing the noise generated during the use of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00152] Furthermore, the noise reduction module 60 is modularized and fixed within the valve body 10, and the noise reduction module is provided separately from the valve body 10. This eliminates the need to provide a valve port 11 with a complex shape that is more difficult to process on the valve body 10, which already has a relatively complex shape on the electronic expansion valve 100. This allows the electronic expansion valve 100 to adopt a combination of a standardized valve body 10 and a customized noise reduction module, thereby achieving further standardization of the components of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00153] As shown in Figs. 27 and 28, a weld ring 108 is further provided at one end of the medium discharge pipe 102 that contacts the valve body 10, and two adjacent sides of the weld ring 108 contact the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102, respectively, and the weld ring 108 is used to fill the weld bead 109 between the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102. The weld ring 108 is melted by high-temperature heating of an external welding device and flows into the weld bead 109 formed between the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102 as a molten filler material, thereby realizing the weld fixation to the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102.

[00154] Furthermore, the electronic expansion valve 100 is further provided with a welding structure 70, which includes a fourth protrusion 71 formed at one end of the valve body 10 close to the medium discharge pipe 102 and extending along a direction perpendicular to the axis 103 of the valve body 10, the medium discharge pipe 102 and the fourth protrusion 71 are in contact with each other, and the contact surface between the medium discharge pipe 102 and the fourth protrusion 71 is a weld bead 109 that requires welding material to be filled between the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102.

[00155] By providing the fourth protrusion 71 on the valve body 10, the position where the weld bead 109 is formed is set in a direction away from the contact end surface of the weld ring 108 and the valve body 10. This allows the center of the weld ring 108 to be flush with the weld bead 109. By making the center of the weld ring 108 flush with the weld bead 109, the weld ring 108 can smoothly flow into the weld bead 109 during welding, preventing the solder from creeping up and dropping off.

[00156] The welded structure 70 further includes a convex edge 72 provided on the medium discharge pipe 102, and the medium discharge pipe 102 extends from the fourth protrusion 71 along the axis 103 direction of the valve body 10 to form the convex edge 72. In other words, the thickness of the medium discharge pipe 102 is greater than the radial extension length of the fourth protrusion 71, and the weld ring 108 can enter the weld bead 109 along the convex edge 72 in a molten state during welding, further improving the welding quality between the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102.

[00157] The welded structure 70 further includes a third chamfer 73 provided on the end surface where the medium discharge pipe 102 and the valve body 10 contact each other, and the third chamfer 73 is connected to the convex edge 72 and the outer surface of the medium discharge pipe 102, and the weld ring 108 contacts the valve body 10 through the third chamfer 73. By opening the third chamfer 73, the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102 form an accommodation space 74 for accommodating the weld ring 108, and this accommodation space has an open structure, which makes it easier for the weld ring 108 to be fixed by the valve body 10 and the medium discharge pipe 102, and the weld ring 108 can also more easily enter the weld bead 109 during welding.

[00158] In the electronic expansion valve 100, by providing the valve body 10 and the medium outlet pipe 102 with the weld structure 70, the center of the weld ring 108 is flush with the weld bead 109, and the weld ring 108 flows smoothly into the weld bead 109 in a molten state during welding, improving the quality of the welded formation between the valve body 10 and the medium outlet pipe 102, and improving the reliability and stability of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00159] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic expansion valve 100 further includes a pressure equalization passage 80, which equalizes the pressure of the medium at the inlet 10a and the pressure inside the electronic expansion valve 100, which not only can avoid the impact of the fluid medium on the guide sleeve 16 and reduce noise, but also, at the same time, when the pressure of the medium at the inlet 10a changes, the pressure equalization passage 80 can quickly equalize the pressure inside the electronic expansion valve 100 and the pressure at the inlet, avoiding the phenomenon of excessive load on the inside of the electronic expansion valve 100, and improving the operation stability of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00160] In one embodiment, a pressure equalization passage 80 is provided between the guide sleeve 16 and the valve body 10, and the pressure equalization passage 80 is used to communicate between the interior of the guide sleeve 16 and the valve body 10 to equalize the pressure of the fluid medium at the inlet 10a and the pressure of the fluid medium inside the guide sleeve 16.

[00161] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, a pressure equalization passage 80 is opened in the guide sleeve 16, and the pressure equalization passage 80 communicates between the valve chamber 12 and the guide hole 16a to equalize the pressure between the valve chamber 12 and the guide hole 16a. Thus, when the valve port 11 is opened, the fluid medium enters the valve chamber 12, and at the same time, a part of the fluid medium passes through the pressure equalization passage 80 and enters the guide hole 16a to equalize the pressure between the guide hole 16a and the valve chamber 11. This not only avoids the impact of the fluid medium on the guide sleeve 16 and reduces noise, but also quickly equalizes the pressure inside the electronic expansion valve 100 when the system pressure changes, avoids the extra load caused by the pressure difference, and improves the operation stability of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00162] In this embodiment, the pressure equalization passage 80 equalizes the pressure between the valve chamber 12 and the guide hole 16a, i.e., equalizes the pressure between the valve chamber 12 and other parts inside the electronic expansion valve 100 other than the valve chamber 12, thereby making the entire inside of the electronic expansion valve 100 a pressure equalized state and avoiding the phenomenon of excessive load being placed on the inside of the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00163] Preferably, the pressure equalization passage 80 includes at least one pressure equalization hole 80a, which connects the valve chamber 12 and the guide hole 16a to each other. This allows a portion of the fluid medium to pass through the pressure equalization hole 80a and enter the guide hole 16a, thereby achieving the purpose of pressure equalization.

[00164] The pressure equalization hole 80a has an axis, and the axis of the pressure equalization hole 80a is arranged parallel to the axis X. In other words, the pressure equalization hole 80a is opened perpendicular to the guide sleeve 16, and it can be understood that this pressure equalization hole 80a does not affect the direction in which the fluid medium flows, and thus eliminates noise caused by changes in the flow direction of the fluid medium.

[00165] Furthermore, the number of pressure equalization holes 80a is two, and the two pressure equalization holes 80a are uniformly distributed in the guide sleeve 16 along the circumferential direction of the axis X. Of course, in this embodiment, the number of pressure equalization holes 80a may be three, four, etc., and the specific number of pressure equalization holes 80a may be set according to actual needs.

[00166] Preferably, each of the pressure equalization holes 80a is a circular pressure equalization hole. Of course, in other embodiments, the pressure equalization holes 80a may have other shapes. For example, the pressure equalization holes 80a are rectangular, polygonal, or other shaped pressure equalization holes.

[00167] In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 30 to 34, a pressure equalization passage 80 is provided between the mounting seat 110, the guide sleeve 16, and the nut sleeve 32, and is used to equalize the pressure of the fluid medium at the inlet 10a and the pressure of the fluid medium between the inside of the guide sleeve 16, the inside of the mounting seat 110, the inside of the nut sleeve 32, and the inside of the sleeve 40 by connecting the inlet 10a to the inside of the guide sleeve 16, the inside of the mounting seat 110, the inside of the nut sleeve 32, and the inside of the sleeve 40.

[00168] The pressure equalization passage 80 includes a first equalization passage 81 and a second equalization passage 82. The first equalization passage 81 is used to connect the inlet 10a to the inside of the guide sleeve 16, the inside of the screw assembly 30, and the inside of the sleeve 40. The second equalization passage 82 is provided to connect the inside of the mounting seat 110 to the first equalization passage 81. As a result, the inside of the guide sleeve 16, the inside of the mounting seat 110, the inside of the nut sleeve 32, and the inside of the sleeve 40 are connected to the inlet by the first equalization passage 81 and the second equalization passage 82. When the fluid medium enters from the inlet 10a, a part of the fluid medium passes through the first equalization passage 81 to enter the inside of the guide sleeve 16, the inside of the screw assembly 30, and the inside of the sleeve 40, and passes through the second equalization passage 82 to enter the inside of the mounting seat 110, thereby equalizing the medium pressure at each location inside the electronic expansion valve 100.

[00169] The first equalization passage 81 includes a first equalization hole 811 and a second equalization hole 812. The first equalization hole 811 is opened in the guide sleeve 16 and is used to communicate between the inside of the guide sleeve and the valve chamber 12. The second equalization hole 812 is opened in the nut sleeve 32 and is used to communicate between the inside of the sleeve 40 and the inside of the nut sleeve 32, thereby communicating the valve chamber 12 with the inside of the guide sleeve 16, the inside of the nut sleeve 32, and the inside of the sleeve 40, and achieving the purpose of pressure equalization.

[00170] Furthermore, the first equalization hole 811 has an axis, and the axis of the first equalization hole 811 is arranged parallel to the axis 103. In other words, the first equalization hole 811 is opened perpendicular to the guide sleeve 16, and it is understood that this first equalization hole 811 does not affect the direction in which the fluid medium flows, and thus eliminates noise caused by changes in the flow direction of the fluid medium.

[00171] Preferably, the number of the first equalization holes 811 is two, and the two first equalization holes 811 are uniformly distributed in the guide sleeve 16 along the circumferential direction of the axis 103. Of course, in this embodiment, the number of the first equalization holes 811 may be three, four, etc., and the specific number of the first equalization holes 811 may be set according to actual needs.

[00172] Each of the first equalization holes 811 is a circular pressure equalization hole. In other embodiments, the first equalization holes 811 may have other shapes, e.g., rectangular, polygonal pressure equalization holes.

[00173] The second equalization hole 812 has an axis, and the axis of the second equalization hole 812 is disposed perpendicular to the axis of the first equalization hole 811. Of course, in other embodiments, the axis of the second equalization hole 812 does not have to be perpendicular to the axis of the first equalization hole 811.

[00174] The second equalization passage 82 includes a third equalization hole 821, which is opened in the connector 17 and is used to communicate between the inside of the mounting seat 110 and the inside of the housing 40. At the same time, the third equalization hole 821 is also used to mount the spring 531. One end of the spring 531 extends into the third equalization hole 821. It is understood that the third equalization hole 821 communicates between the inside of the mounting seat 110 and the first equalization passage 81, and the fluid medium at the inlet 10a enters the inside of the mounting seat 110 via the first equalization passage 81 and the third equalization hole 821.

[00175] Preferably, the third equalization holes 821 are slots, and the third equalization holes 821 are provided opening along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the valve body. There are a plurality of third equalization holes 821. In this embodiment, there are two third equalization holes 821, and the two third equalization holes 821 are provided symmetrically with respect to the axis of the valve body.

[00176] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the second equalization passage 82 may further include a fourth equalization hole 822 and a fifth equalization hole 823, the fourth equalization hole 822 being opened in the guide sleeve 16, the fifth equalization hole 823 being opened in the nut sleeve 32, and the fourth equalization hole 822 being connected to the fifth equalization hole 823, so that the fourth equalization hole 822 and the fifth equalization hole 823 communicate with the inside of the guide sleeve 16 and the inside of the mounting seat 110. Here, by further providing the fourth equalization hole 822 and the fifth equalization hole 823, the speed of equalization of the medium pressure between the inside of the mounting seat 110 and the inlet 10a can be increased.

[00177] Furthermore, the fourth equalization hole 822 is opened in the second cylindrical section 163, and the fifth equalization hole 823 is opened in the engagement section 321. The fourth equalization hole 822 and the fifth equalization hole 823 establish communication between the mounting hole 111 and the guide hole 16a, thereby further establishing communication between the interior of the mounting seat 110 and the first equalization passage 81.

[00178] The fourth equalization hole 822 has an axis, the fifth equalization hole 823 has an axis, the axis of the fourth equalization hole 822 is arranged to overlap the axis of the fifth equalization hole 823, and the axis of the fourth equalization hole 822 is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the first equalization hole 811. Of course, in other embodiments, the axis of the fourth equalization hole 822 does not have to be arranged to overlap the axis of the fifth equalization hole 823, and it is only necessary that communication between the fourth equalization hole 822 and the fifth equalization hole 823 can be realized, and the axis of the fourth equalization hole 822 does not have to be perpendicular to the axis of the first equalization hole 811.

[00179] The technical features of the examples described above may be combined in any combination. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments have been described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, all should be considered to be within the scope described in this specification.

[00180] The above-mentioned examples merely show some embodiments of the present invention, and although the description is more specific and detailed, it should not be understood as limiting the scope of the claims of the invention. It should be pointed out that those skilled in the art can make some modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and all of them belong to the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the attached claims.

Claims (6)

An electronic expansion valve, comprising: a valve body, a spindle assembly, and a guide sleeve;
The valve body has an axis,
A valve port is formed in the valve body along the axis,
The spindle assembly is mounted within the guide sleeve and opens and closes the valve port under the guidance of the guide sleeve.
The valve body has an attachment chamber communicating with the valve port, and the guide sleeve is attached and fixed in the attachment chamber by interference fit.
a debris storage structure is provided between the valve body and the guide sleeve, the debris storage structure is used to store debris between the valve body and the guide sleeve;
The guide sleeve has an outer wall and the mounting chamber has an inner wall.
The debris storage structure includes a first debris storage groove provided on an inner wall of the mounting chamber and a second debris storage groove provided on an outer wall of the guide sleeve,
The guide sleeve is made of a metal material having a lower strength than the valve body, the guide sleeve includes an intermediate cylindrical section that is attached to the mounting chamber by an interference fit, the first chip retention groove is located at one end of the mounting chamber away from the valve port, and the second chip retention groove is located at one end of the intermediate cylindrical section away from the valve port,
The first debris storage groove and the second debris storage groove are provided offset along the axis.
Electronic expansion valve. The number of the first debris storage grooves is plural, and the first debris storage grooves are spaced apart along the axis,
2. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein the number of the second debris retention grooves is more than one, and the second debris retention grooves are spaced apart along the axis. 3. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein a debris guiding structure is provided at the groove mouth of the first debris storage groove and the groove mouth of the second debris storage groove, and the debris guiding structure guides the debris so that the debris enters the debris storage groove. The debris guide structure of the first debris storage groove includes a debris guide portion located at a groove mouth of the first debris storage groove ; and/or
The electronic expansion valve according to claim 3 , wherein the debris guide structure of the second debris storage groove includes a debris guide portion located at a groove mouth of the second debris storage groove . The electronic expansion valve according to claim 4, wherein the chip guide is an inclined chip guide or a fillet chip guide. The electronic expansion valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide sleeve includes a second cylindrical section extending from the intermediate cylindrical section, the valve body has a valve chamber, a through hole is drilled in the bottom of the mounting chamber, the through hole is connected to the valve chamber, and the second cylindrical section extends from the through hole into the valve chamber.