JP2022066484A - Flow channel switch valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow channel switch valve which allows reducing the number of components and the weight thereof.

SOLUTION: A valve stem 28 connected to a valve body 20 for transmitting drive force of a rotation drive part 5 to the valve body 20, is inserted into a vertical through hole 21 passing through the valve body 20 in a direction of a rotation axis O (vertical direction) and into a fitting insertion hole 13 provided in a valve main body 10. A drive gear 9 constituting the rotation drive part 5 is fixed to an upper connection part 28c protruding from the fitting insertion hole 13, so as to be supported rotatably in relation to the valve main body 10.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve, and relates to a rotary type flow path switching valve that switches a flow path by, for example, rotating and sliding a ball-shaped valve body (ball valve body) in a valve chamber.

As this type of conventional flow path switching valve, a valve body (ball valve body) having an inflow path and an outflow path and made of an elastic body, a valve chamber in which the valve body is rotatably accommodated, and the valve chamber. A valve body (valve case) having an inlet flow path and a plurality of outlet flow paths that communicate with the inlet flow path is provided, and the inflow path always communicates with the inlet flow path. A ball valve that selectively communicates with any of the plurality of outlet flow paths is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

In the conventional flow path switching valve (ball valve) described in Patent Document 1, the flow path is switched by rotationally driving the valve body via the valve shaft by a motor arranged on the upper part of the valve body. It has become like.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-223418

By the way, in the conventional flow path switching valve as described above, the valve shaft connected to the valve body is inserted into the fitting hole formed in the valve body from above, and the flange portion formed on the outer periphery of the valve shaft is inserted. The valve shaft is locked to the valve body by preventing the valve shaft from coming off by locking the upper part of the valve body with a holding plate made of metal or the like fixed to the upper part of the valve body by a screw or the like.

Therefore, the conventional flow path switching valve requires a holding plate for preventing the valve shaft from coming off and a fixing member (for example, a screw) for fixing the holding plate to the valve body, which increases the number of parts and weight. There was a concern that it would end up.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switching valve capable of reducing the number of parts and weight.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the flow path switching valve according to the present invention has a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein and having a plurality of inlets and outlets opened in the valve chamber, and the valve body. A valve that is rotatably distributed in the valve chamber and has a flow path formed inside, and a valve that engages the valve body and the valve body in the direction of the rotation axis and transmits rotational force to the valve body. A flow path switching valve comprising a shaft and rotating the valve body so that the communication state of the plurality of inlets and outlets is selectively switched through the flow path of the valve body. The body is provided with a vertical through hole through which the valve shaft can be inserted in the direction of the rotation axis and is engaged so as not to rotate relative to each other, and the valve shaft engages with the vertical through hole of the valve body. It has a portion and an intermediate body portion that is smaller than the lower engagement portion and is connected to the lower engagement portion. It is characterized in that a step portion is provided based on the difference from the size of the outer circumference.

In a preferred embodiment, the valve shaft is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body by sandwiching the valve body between the step portion and a drive gear fixed to the valve shaft.

In another preferred embodiment, the valve body is provided with a circular opening equal to or larger than the outer shape of the valve body in each of the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction and the opposite direction of the orthogonal direction. And a holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening in the direction of the rotation axis of the base member, and the surface of the holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening of the base member is a part of the circle. It is formed in a curved shape along the.

According to the present invention, the valve shaft connected to the valve body in order to transmit the rotational force of the rotation drive unit to the valve body has a vertical through hole and a valve body that penetrate the valve body in the rotation axis direction (vertical direction). The drive gear that constitutes the rotary drive unit is fixed to the portion that protrudes from the fitting and insertion hole that is provided, and is rotatably supported by the drive gear with respect to the valve body. For example, the number of parts and the weight can be reduced as compared with the conventional flow path switching valve using a fixing member such as a holding plate or a screw.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of one Embodiment of the flow path switching valve (three-way valve) which concerns on this invention. FIG. 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 2 is a view showing a valve body of FIG. 2, where FIG. 2A is a perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a partial notch (a portion having a central angle of 90 ° in a plan view is a notch). FIG. 6 is a six-view view of the valve body of FIG. It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure (procedure of installing a valve body in a valve chamber) of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure (procedure of supporting and fixing a valve shaft to a valve body) of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the valve body of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a partial notch (the central angle 90 ° portion is a notch in a plan view) perspective view. Six views of the valve body of FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In each drawing, the gaps formed between the members, the separation distance between the members, etc. may be exaggerated in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention and for the convenience of drawing. be. Further, in the present specification, the description indicating the position and direction such as up / down, left / right, front / back, etc. is based on the direction arrow display of FIGS. 1 and 2, and does not indicate the position / direction in the actual usage state. ..

<Configuration and operation of flow path switching valve 1>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a flow path switching valve according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 3A and 3B are views showing the valve body of FIG. 2, FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a partial notch (a notch at a central angle of 90 ° in a plan view). 4 is a hexagonal view of the valve body of FIG.

The flow path switching valve 1 of the illustrated embodiment is used as a rotary type three-way valve that switches the flow path of fluid flowing in the engine room of an automobile in multiple directions, and basically has a valve chamber 11. A valve body 10, a ball-shaped valve body (also referred to as a ball valve body) 20 rotatably arranged in the valve chamber 11, and a valve for rotating the valve body 20 around a rotation axis (center line) O. It includes a rotary drive unit 5 including a motor 8 and a drive gear 9 arranged from the rear part to the upper part of the main body 10. Here, the valve body 10 and the rotation drive unit 5 are integrally formed. The rotation axis (axis extending in the vertical direction) O of the valve body 20 housed in the valve chamber 11 is coaxial with the inflow port p10 and the center line of the valve shaft 28, which will be described later.

The valve body 10 is composed of, for example, a square tubular base member 12 with a ceiling portion 12a made of synthetic resin or metal and a holder member 15, and the base member 12 is laid down inside and has a cylindrical shape. The valve chamber 11 is formed, and lateral outlets (inlet / outlet) p11 and outlets (inlet / outlet) p12 that open into the valve chamber 11 are provided on the left and right portions, respectively. Ports # 11 and # 12 made of pipe joints are integrally connected to the outer periphery of the substrate member 12 so as to communicate with the outlets p11 and p12. Further, the ceiling portion 12a of the substrate member 12 is provided with a fitting hole 13 through which a valve shaft 28 (intermediate body portion 28b) connected to the valve body 20 is inserted, and the left and right sides of the fitting hole 13 are provided. (More specifically, the step portion 28s between the lower engaging portion 28a and the intermediate body portion 28b of the valve shaft 28, which will be described later, is slightly to the left and right of the portion where the stepped portion 28s is abutted and locked around the fitting hole 13). The positioning protrusions 14a and 14b of the annular seat members 31 and 32 are projected (downward) over substantially half a circumference (see also FIG. 5). At the lower end opening of the substrate member 12, a holder member 15 having a port # 10 made of a pipe joint provided with a vertical inflow port (inlet / outlet) p10 opening to the valve chamber 11 is ultrasonically welded and screwed. , Press-fitting, caulking, etc. (in the illustrated example, ultrasonic welding) to fix the inner fitting.

That is, the valve body 10 is provided with an inflow port p10 opened at the bottom of the valve chamber 11, and 180 outflow outlets (side inlet / outlet) p11 and p12 opened at the side portion of the valve chamber 11. It is provided at an angular interval of ° (in other words, so as to face the rotation axis O of the valve body 20 on the opposite side).

At the rear of the base member 12 of the valve body 10, a motor case portion 16 accommodating a motor 8 constituting a rotation drive portion 5 for rotating the valve body 20 (the valve shaft 28 connected to the valve body 20) is integrated. A gear case portion 17 that is connected to the motor 8 and houses a drive gear 9 or the like that is connected to the motor 8 and transmits the rotational force of the motor 8 to the valve shaft 28 is integrated on the upper portion (upper surface side of the ceiling portion 12a). Is formed in.

The valve body 20 is made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal, and in order to selectively communicate the inflow port p10 and the two outlets p11 and p12 provided in the valve body 10, in other words, the inflow port p10 and A flow path (internal flow path) 25 is provided inside in order to selectively switch the communication state of the two outlets p11 and p12.

The internal flow path 25 is composed of a through hole penetrating the inside of the valve body 20 from the lower portion to the side portion, the lower opening thereof always communicates with the inflow port p10, and the side opening thereof has two outlets. It is designed to communicate with either p11 or p12 alternately.

In detail, as can be clearly seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve body 20 has a substantially hexagonal cross section (that is,) penetrating the valve body 20 in the vertical direction (the rotation axis O direction of the valve body 20). A vertical through hole 21 (the upper and lower end openings are substantially hexagonal) is formed, and a horizontal hole 22 having a substantially hexagonal cross section that joins from the outer periphery (side portion) of the valve body 20 to the center of the vertical through hole 21 (. It is formed (in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis O of the valve body 20).

The vertical through hole 21 (lower opening) always communicates with the inflow port p10, and the horizontal hole 22 (side opening) alternately communicates with either of the two outlets p11 or p12. The lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22 form the internal flow path 25 having an inverted L-shape in a side view (inside the valve body 20).

Further, on the outer periphery (outer peripheral sealing surface) of the valve body 20, specifically, on the back side of the side opening of the lateral hole 22 and the lateral side of the side opening of the lateral hole 22 on the outer periphery of the valve body 20, the valve chamber is formed at the time of assembly. Hexagonal holes (concave holes having a hexagonal side view) 26 and 27 are provided as rotation engaging portions for rotating and installing the valve body 20 in 11 (detailed later).

A stepped valve shaft 28 (lower part of the lower engaging portion 28a) for transmitting the rotational force of the motor 8 to the valve body 20 (the lower part of the lower engaging portion 28a) is connected to the valve body 20 (the upper part of the vertical through hole 21). ..

For details, as can be easily understood by referring to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 2, the valve shaft 28 has a shape complementary to the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 from the lower side (that is, a substantially hexagonal cross section). ) Or a lower engaging portion 28a slightly smaller than the vertical through hole 21, an intermediate body portion 28b slightly smaller than the lower engaging portion 28a and having a circular cross section, and an intermediate body portion 28b having almost the same outer diameter and a substantially hexagonal cross section as the intermediate body portion 28b. It is composed of an upper connecting portion 28c and a D-cut convex portion 28d for circumferential positioning projecting onto the upper connecting portion 28c, and the lower engaging portion 28a (lower portion) is formed in the vertical through hole 21. It is fitted into the upper opening, the intermediate body portion 28b is inserted (inserted) into the fitting hole 13 of the valve body 10, and the upper connecting portion 28c is above the fitting hole 13 (upper surface side of the ceiling portion 12a). ). An O-ring 29 as a sealing member is provided in two stages in the intermediate body portion 28b (annular groove formed on the outer periphery thereof) that is rotatably inserted into the fitting hole 13.

By inserting the lower engaging portion 28a into the vertical through hole 21, the valve body 20 is engaged with the valve shaft 28 so as to be relatively non-rotatable around the rotation axis O, and the valve shaft 28 and the valve body 20 are engaged with each other. It is designed to rotate as one.

Further, the stepped portion 28s formed between the lower engaging portion 28a and the intermediate body portion 28b of the valve shaft 28 is in contact with the periphery of the fitting hole 13 in the ceiling portion 12a of the valve body 10 (base member 12). The drive gear 9 of the rotary drive unit 5 is externally fitted and fixed to the upper connecting portion 28c protruding from the fitting / insertion hole 13 by press fitting, caulking, etc., and the stepped portion 28s (upper surface) is locked. ) And the drive gear 9 (lower surface) sandwich the ceiling portion 12a of the valve body 10, so that the valve shaft 28 is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body 10 (without moving up and down). ..

As described above, since the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 is set to be larger than the outer shape of the valve shaft 28, the valve shaft 28 can insert the vertical through hole 21 in the vertical direction (rotation axis O direction). (Detailed later).

Further, around the outlets p11 and p12 on the inner wall surface of the valve body 10 (the left and right end faces of the valve chamber 11), there are openings made of Teflon (registered trademark) or the like and corresponding to the outlets p11 and p12. Circular sheet members 31, 32 are arranged. That is, in the valve chamber 11 of the valve body 10, a pair of seat members are arranged so as to face the rotation axis O of the valve body 20 corresponding to the pair of left and right outlets p11 and p12. 31 and 32 are arranged, and the valve body 20 is rotatably and slidably arranged between the pair of seat members 31 and 32 (inside). In each of the sheet members 31 and 32, the portion around the opening on the inner circumference (surface) is formed of a curved surface (a part of a concave spherical surface), and is in contact with the outer peripheral sealing surface (curved surface) of the valve body 20 when the flow path is formed. It is said to be the inner peripheral sealing surface that is squeezed. On the other hand, in this example, the height H in the vertical direction (rotation axis O direction) of the valve body 20 arranged between the pair of seat members 31 and 32 is equal to or less than the distance L between the seat members 31 and 32. Or slightly smaller than that (detailed later).

Further, between each of the seat members 31 and 32 and the valve body 10 (around each of the outlets p11 and p12) (specifically, the left surface of the seat member 31 (the surface on the outlet p11 side) and the right surface of the seat member 32). O-rings (elastic members) 33 and 34 as sealing members made of an elastic material such as rubber are interposed (in a compressed state) in the annular groove formed on the surface on the outlet p12 side. ing. The elastic force (repulsive force) of the O-rings 33 and 34 presses the seat members 31 and 32 (inner peripheral sealing surface) so as to be in close contact with the valve body 20 (outer peripheral sealing surface) side, whereby the valve is pressed. The body 20 and the outlets p11 and p12 are hermetically sealed.

In the flow path switching valve (three-way valve) 1 having such a configuration, when the valve body 20 is rotated in the valve chamber 11 by the rotary drive unit 5 including the motor 8, the drive gear 9, and the like, the inside provided in the valve body 20. Through the flow path 25, the communication state of the inflow port p10 provided in the valve body 10 and the two outlets p11 and p12 is selectively switched.

Specifically, by rotating the valve body 20 by about 180 °, the inflow port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 and the outflow port p11 provided at the left side (the lower half and the horizontal hole of the vertical through hole 21). The mode of communication (via the internal flow path 25 composed of 22) (first communication state), the inflow port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10, and the outflow port p12 provided at the right side (vertical through hole 21). Two modes of communication (second communication state) (via an internal flow path 25 including a lower half portion and a horizontal hole 22) are selectively taken.

In the first communication state, the opening of the seat member 32 corresponding to the outlet p12 on the right side is closed by the valve body 20 (the outer peripheral sealing surface) (here, the portion where the hexagonal hole 26 is formed), and the outlet p12. The flow path connected to the inflow port is blocked, and the fluid flowing upward from the inflow port p10 passes through the inner flow path 25 of the valve body 20 and flows out only from the left outflow port p11. On the other hand, in the second communication state, the opening of the seat member 31 corresponding to the outlet p11 on the left side is closed by the valve body 20 (the outer peripheral sealing surface) (here, the portion where the hexagonal hole 26 is formed). The flow path connected to the outflow port p11 is blocked, and the fluid flowing upward from the inflow port p10 passes through the internal flow path 25 of the valve body 20 and flows out only from the right outflow port p12.

<Assembly method of flow path switching valve 1>
Assembling the flow path switching valve (three-way valve) 1 having the above-described configuration is performed, for example, by the following procedure. 5 and 6 are views for explaining the assembly procedure of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a procedure for installing a valve body in the valve chamber, and FIG. 6 is a valve shaft attached to the valve body. It is a figure explaining the procedure of supporting and fixing.

In assembling the flow path switching valve 1, first, as shown in FIG. 5, O-rings 33 and 34 are attached to the seat members 31 and 32 (annular groove) (procedure 1), and the valve body 10 is attached. Before assembling the holder member 15 to the constituent base member 12 (lower end opening), the seat members 31 and 32 with the O-rings 33 and 34 are placed inside the base member 12 via the lower end opening (that is, inside the valve chamber 11). ) (Around each of the left and right outlets p11 and p12) (procedure 2). At this time, the protrusions 14a and 14b provided on the ceiling portion 12a of the base member 12 are used to align the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11, and the distance between the seat members 31 and 32 is set as a valve. The height of the body 20 in the vertical direction (rotational axis O direction) or higher or slightly larger than that.

Next, the valve body 20 in which the internal flow path 25 including the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22 is formed is laid down sideways (that is, the posture in which the rotation axis direction of the valve body 20 is sideways, or the rotation of the valve body 20. The lower opening of the base member 12 (valve) with the axis oriented in the left-right direction, the upper and lower end faces of the valve body 20 facing the left and right seat members 31 and 32) and the hexagonal hole 26 facing downward. It is arranged inside the body 20 (specifically, between the seat members 31 and 32 arranged at the outlets p11 and p12 in the valve chamber 11) through the opening (opening larger than the outer diameter (outer diameter)) of the body 20. (Procedure 3).

In that state, for example, a rotating jig G such as a hexagonal wrench having a hexagonal cross-section head at the tip is inserted from the lower opening of the base member 12, and the head is inserted into the hexagonal hole (rotational engaging portion) of the valve body 20. ) 26 is fitted (engaged) to rotate the rotary jig G, whereby the valve body 20 is rotated by about 90 ° (extends in the vertical direction) between the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11. Rotate about 90 ° counterclockwise when viewed from below around the axis (procedure 4). When the valve body 20 is rotated, the outer periphery (outer peripheral seal surface) of the valve body 20 slides on the left and right seat members 31 and 32 (inner peripheral seal surface) and is arranged on the outside of the seat members 31 and 32. The O-rings 33 and 34 are slightly compressed, and the outer periphery (outer peripheral sealing surface) of the valve body 20 is pressed against the seat members 31 and 32 (inner peripheral sealing surface).

Next, the same rotary jig G as described above is inserted through the port # 12 on the right side of the base member 12, and the head thereof is fitted into the hexagonal hole (rotational engaging portion) 27 of the valve body 20 (rotational engagement portion). Rotate the rotary jig G (engaged), whereby the valve body 20 is rotated by about 90 ° between the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11 (viewed from the right around the axis extending in the left-right direction). (Rotate counterclockwise by about 90 °) (procedure 5).

In this way, when the valve body 20 is used in the valve chamber 11 by rotating the valve body 20 between the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11 around two axes orthogonal to the rotation axis O. (A posture in which the rotation axis O direction of the valve body 20 is oriented vertically, and a posture in which the vertical through hole 21 is directed in the vertical direction).

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the O-ring 29 is attached to the intermediate body portion 28b of the valve shaft 28 (procedure 6), and the lower engaging portion 28a of the valve shaft 28 and the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 rotate. With the position (angle position around the rotation axis O) aligned, the stepped portion 28s between the lower engaging portion 28a of the valve shaft 28 and the intermediate body portion 28b is the ceiling portion 12a of the base member 12 of the valve body 10. The valve shaft 28 is inserted into the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 through the lower opening of the base member 12 until it comes into contact with (around the fitting hole 13 in). As a result, the lower engaging portion 28a (lower part) of the valve shaft 28 is fitted into the upper opening of the vertical through hole 21 (in a state where it is engaged so as not to be relatively rotatable around the rotation axis O), and is intermediate. The body portion 28b is inserted into the fitting hole 13 of the valve body 10, and the upper connecting portion 28c projects upward from the fitting hole 13 (procedure 7).

Then, the holder member 15 is attached to the lower opening of the substrate member 12 by ultrasonic welding, screwing, etc., and the drive gear 9 of the rotary drive unit 5 is press-fitted into the upper connecting portion 28c of the valve shaft 28 protruding from the fitting hole 13. The valve shaft 28 is attached by caulking or the like and is supported and fixed to the valve body 10 in a state where it can be rotated and held in place (procedure 8). Further, the flow path switching valve 1 is assembled by assembling the motor 8 or the like constituting the rotary drive unit 5 to the valve main body 10.

In the above-mentioned flow path switching valve 1, in order to smoothly insert the valve body 20 into the valve chamber 11, the distance between the seat members 31 and 32 arranged in the valve chamber 11 is in the vertical direction of the valve body 20. Insertion of the valve body 20 even when the height of the seat members 31 and 32 is slightly smaller than the height of the valve body 20 in the vertical direction, although the height is equal to or higher than or slightly larger than the height (in the direction of the rotation axis O). Occasionally, the left and right O-rings 33, 34 are compressed (compressed with a force larger than the compressive force applied to the O-rings 33, 34 during normal use) via the seat members 31, 32 to reduce the distance between the seat members 31, 32. The valve body 20 may be arranged between the seat members 31 and 32 by pushing and expanding.

As described above, in the flow path switching valve 1 of the present embodiment, the valve shaft 28 connected to the valve body 20 in order to transmit the rotational force of the rotary drive unit 5 to the valve body 20 causes the valve body 20 to be connected. The rotation drive unit is inserted into the vertical through hole 21 penetrating in the rotation axis O direction (vertical direction) and the fitting / insertion hole 13 provided in the valve body 10, and the upper connecting portion 28c protruding from the fitting / insertion hole 13. Since the drive gear 9 constituting the 5 is fixed and rotatably supported by the drive gear 9 with respect to the valve body 10, compared with a conventional flow path switching valve using a fixing member such as a holding plate or a screw, for example. Therefore, the number of parts and the weight can be reduced.

Needless to say, the configuration, shape, etc. of the internal flow path 25 formed inside the valve body 20 may be appropriately changed according to the intended use of the flow path switching valve 1.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in addition to the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22 described above, the valve body 20 penetrates the valve body 20 perpendicularly to the rotation axis O and intersects the vertical through passage 21 and the horizontal hole 22. A lateral through hole 23 having a substantially hexagonal cross section (that is, a hexagonal side opening) may be formed. In this case, the hexagonal hole (rotational engaging portion) 27 described above is eliminated, but the lateral through hole 23 (opening at the end) may be used as the same rotational engaging portion as the hexagonal hole 27 described above. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower opening of the vertical through hole 21 is a circle slightly larger than the upper opening of the hexagon in a plan view. When the valve body 20 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used, it is provided on the inflow port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 and the left part of the valve body 10 by rotating the valve body 20 by about 180 °. A mode (first communication state) in which only the outlet p11 communicates (via an internal flow path 25 consisting of a lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and a horizontal hole 22) and an inlet provided at the bottom of the valve body 10. A mode in which both p10 and the outlets p11 and p12 provided on the left and right sides of the valve body 10 communicate with each other (via an internal flow path 25 including the lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal through hole 23) (second communication). (State), only the inflow port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 and the outlet p12 provided at the right side of the valve body 10 (internal flow path 25 composed of the lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22). Three modes of communication mode (third communication state) are selectively taken.

It should be noted that it is not always necessary to provide both the horizontal hole 22 and the horizontal through hole 23, and for example, it is detailed that the horizontal through hole 23 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be provided instead of the above-mentioned horizontal hole 22. Needless to say.

Needless to say, the cross-sectional shapes of the vertical through hole 21, the horizontal hole 22, the horizontal through hole 23, and the hexagonal holes 26, 27 as the rotation engaging portion formed in the valve body 20 can be appropriately selected. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal through hole 23 may be a polygon other than a hexagon, an ellipse, or the like, and the side opening of the horizontal hole 22 may be a polygon, an ellipse, or a circle other than the hexagon. And so on. Further, if the valve body 20 can be rotated in the valve chamber 11 at the time of assembly, the hexagonal holes 26 and 27 may be formed into polygonal or elliptical holes other than the hexagonal shape.

Needless to say, the number and arrangement of inlets and outlets (inlet and outlet) formed in the valve body 10 can be appropriately changed according to the application location of the flow path switching valve 1. In the above embodiment, as the flow path switching valve 1, the inflow port p10 is opened at the bottom of the valve chamber 11, and the two outlets p11 and p12 are opened at the side of the valve chamber 11 with an angular interval of 180 °. The explanation was given by taking a three-way valve that has been squeezed as an example. Needless to say, it may be a switching valve with four or more sides in which the number of outlets and the arrangement configuration are changed.

Further, the flow path switching valve 1 of the above embodiment is used for flow path switching in an engine room or the like (engine cooling circuit, electronic device cooling circuit, etc.) in a vehicle, and is used, for example, in a hot water supply facility. Of course, it may be used for flow path switching.

1 Flow switching valve 5 Rotary drive unit 8 Motor 9 Drive gear 10 Valve body 11 Valve chamber 12 Base member 12a Ceiling part 13 Fitting insertion hole 15 Holder member 20 Valve body 21 Vertical through hole 22 Horizontal hole 23 Horizontal through hole 25 Internal flow path 26, 27 Hexagonal hole (rotational engagement part)
28 Valve shaft 28a Lower engaging portion 28b Intermediate body portion 28c Upper connecting portion 28d D-cut convex portion 28s Stepped portion 29 O-ring 31, 32 Seat member 33, 34 O-ring (elastic member)
p10 inlet (entrance / exit)
p11 Outlet (side entrance / exit)
p12 Outlet (side entrance / exit)

Claims (3)

A valve body having a valve chamber formed inside and having a plurality of inlets and outlets opened in the valve chamber, and a valve body.
A valve body that is rotatably distributed in the valve chamber and has a flow path inside.
A valve shaft that engages the valve body and the valve body in the direction of the rotation axis and transmits the rotational force to the valve body is provided.
A flow path switching valve in which the communication state of the plurality of inlets and outlets is selectively switched through the flow path of the valve body by rotating the valve body.
The valve body is provided with a vertical through hole through which the valve shaft can be inserted in the direction of the rotation axis and is engaged so as not to rotate relative to each other.
The valve shaft has a lower engaging portion that engages with the vertical through hole of the valve body, and an intermediate body portion that is smaller than the lower engaging portion and is connected to the lower engaging portion.
A flow path switching valve characterized in that a step portion is provided on the outer periphery of the valve shaft based on the difference between the size of the outer periphery of the lower engaging portion and the size of the outer periphery of the intermediate body portion. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the valve shaft sandwiches the valve body between the stepped portion and a drive gear fixed to the valve shaft and is rotatably supported by the valve body. The flow path switching valve described. The valve body includes a base member having a circular opening equal to or larger than the outer shape of the valve body in each of the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction and the direction opposite to the rotation axis direction and the opposite direction of the orthogonal direction. It is divided into a holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening in the direction of the rotation axis.
The flow path switching according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface of the holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening of the substrate member is formed in a curved shape along a part of the circle. valve.

Images