JP2000046213A - Flow path switching valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow path switching valve capable of controlling a large number of flow paths without increasing the number of control valves, and having the degree of freedom in the fitting angle of a connection pipe. SOLUTION: This flow path switching valve is provided with a body 1 connected with six pipes 17-22, a slide part slidable in the body provided with a pair of disk-like valves 11, 11 to be brought into slidable contact with an inner surface of the body, a slide member 10 to connect the valves, and a flow path switching slide valve 12 to be fitted to the slide member and switch the communication condition of each pipe, a valve seat 2 on which a valve mouth to be communicated with each pipe is formed, and the flow path switching slide valve slides along the surface of the valve seat, equalizing pipes 14-16 to be respectively communicated with spaces 25, 26 on both sides of the slide part 23 and a low-pressure pipe 20, and a pilot valve 3 to control the communication condition of each equalizing pipe. The surface of the valve seat 2 is recessed, and the dimension in the circumferential direction of an outer opening of the valve mouth is set to be larger than the dimension in the axial direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve, and more particularly to a flow path switching valve capable of changing a connection pattern of a plurality of flow paths.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioner used in an automobile, for example, it is sometimes necessary to switch the flow of a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle.
In particular, to switch a plurality of flow paths, a four-way valve is used as a flow path switching valve.

Conventionally, a slide type four-way valve has been generally used as a four-way valve incorporated in a refrigeration cycle. In this type of slide type four-way valve, a slide valve for switching a flow path is incorporated in a main body connected to a plurality of pipes through which fluid flows in and out.

This slide valve is operated by a solenoid type pilot valve. That is, the slide valve itself is driven in the axial direction by using the pressure difference by the pilot valve. The flow of the refrigerant can be switched by changing the communication state between the plurality of pipes according to the position of the slide valve.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional flow path switching valve, the maximum number of pipes connected to the main body is four, and the number of pipes connected to the main body is larger. I couldn't. Therefore, in order to switch a large number of flow paths, a plurality of flow path switching valves must be provided, and there is a problem that the product cost and the size of the apparatus are increased.

Further, in the conventional flow path switching valve, since the communication state between a plurality of pipes is changed by the reciprocating motion of the slide valve, the direction of the pipes connected to the main body is oriented with respect to one pipe. The other three pipes are set just opposite the body body. As described above, since the direction of the pipe to be connected is constant, depending on the layout including the mating parts such as the heat exchanger, the pipe may need to be bent and connected. For this reason, there has been a problem that the length of the pipe connected to the flow path switching valve is lengthened and a compact design is hindered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to switch a large number of flow paths without increasing the number of switching valves. Another object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switching valve capable of giving a degree of freedom to a mounting angle of a pipe connected to a main body.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cylindrical main body to which at least six or more even-numbered pipes through which a fluid flows in and out are connected. A pair of spaced-apart disc-shaped valves that are in sliding contact with the inner surface of the main body, a plate-shaped slide member that connects the pair of disc-shaped valves, and a mutual communication state of each of the pipes attached to the slide member. A slide portion provided with a flow passage switching passage formed with a connection flow passage, a slide portion movable in the axial direction inside the main body, and a valve port fixed to the inside of the main body and communicating with each of the pipes; Are formed respectively, and the flow path switching slide valve slides along the surface, and both of the slide portion connected to at least both sides of the main body. Respectively equalizing pipe communicating with the space, a channel switching valve, characterized in that it comprises a pilot valve, the controlling the communication state of the respective equalizing pipe.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, the slide member is slidably contacted with an inner surface of the main body to form a plurality of through holes. It is characterized by being.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the flow path switching valve according to the first or second aspect, the surface of the valve seat on which the slide valve for the flow path slides has a concave shape. And at least the circumferential dimension of at least the outer opening shape of the valve port is set to be larger than the axial dimension.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the flow path switching valve according to the third aspect, the shape of the opening of the connection flow path of the flow path switching slide valve is a long hole along the axial direction. The valve seat has a substantially I-shape in which a long hole is formed along the circumferential direction at both ends, and an inner opening shape of the valve port of the valve seat substantially coincides with the long hole along the circumferential direction.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a flow path switching valve according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the slide valve for flow-path switching and a valve seat.

In the illustrated flow path switching valve, a valve body 24 and a pilot valve 3 are composed of three equalizing tubes 14, 15, 1
6 are connected.

The valve body 24 has a cylindrical body 1.
The main body 1 is connected to a total of six pipes including one in-pipe 17 into which fluid flows in and five in-out pipes 18 to 22 through which fluid flows in and out. I have.

Inside the main body 1 of the valve main body 24, a valve seat 2 fixed to the inner surface of the main body 1 is provided.
And the slide portion 23 that can move in the axial direction are accommodated. The slide portion 23 includes a pair of spaced-apart disc-shaped valves 11 slidably in contact with the inner surface of the main body 1, a plate-shaped slide member 10 connecting the pair of disc-shaped valves 11, and each pipe attached to the slide member 10. 18-2
2 is provided with a passage switching slide valve 12 in which a connection passage 12a for switching the mutual communication state of the two is formed. The valve seat 2 is formed with a valve port 2a communicating with each of the pipes 18 to 22, and the sliding surface 12b of the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path slides on the surface 2b. . Reference numeral 13 in the figure denotes a valve spring, which urges the slide valve 12 for switching the flow channel toward the valve seat 2 by its resilient force.

On the other hand, the pilot valve 3 has a body 5. A first spring 7 and a second spring 9 are housed inside the body 5, and the plunger needle 6 and the needle 8 are arranged between the springs 7 and 9 so as to be able to contact with each other. The spring constant of the first spring 7 is set to be larger than that of the second spring 9. The electromagnetic coil 4 is arranged around the plunger needle 6 and the electromagnetic coil 4 is turned on and off.
By turning off, the plunger needle 6 is moved in the axial direction.

One end of pressure equalizing pipes 14, 15, 16 is connected to the body 5, and when the plunger needle 6 and the needle 8 move in the axial direction, the pressure equalizing pipes 14 and 15 or the pressure equalizing pipes 15 and 16 communicate. State. The other end of the pressure equalizing tube 14 communicates with a space 25 on the left side of the main body 1 in the drawing, and the other end of the pressure equalizing tube 16 communicates with a space 26 on the right side of the main body 1 in the drawing. On the other hand, the pressure equalizing pipe 15 is connected to a pipe which always has a low pressure among the pipes 17 to 22, for example, the pipe 20 in the case of FIG.

By controlling the communication state of each of the pressure equalizing tubes 14 to 15 by the pilot valve 3,
A pressure difference is generated between the left and right spaces 25 and 26 of the pair of disc-shaped valves 11 of the valve body 24, and the slide portion 23 is driven in the axial direction. Depending on the position of the passage switching slide valve 12 that is moved at the same time, the mutual communication state of the pipes 18 to 22 is changed, and the flow of the refrigerant can be switched.

Next, the operation of the flow path switching valve configured as described above will be described. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the operation state of the pilot valve when the power is off, FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the operation state of the pilot valve when the power is on, and FIG. 6 is a flow path switching valve when the power is on. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation | movement state of. Note that the schematic configuration diagram of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1 shows an operation state of the flow path switching valve when power is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 4, when power is not supplied to the electromagnetic coil 4, the plunger needle 6 of the pilot valve 3 is moved leftward in the figure by the first spring 7. Then, the plunger needle 6 comes into contact with the needle 8, but since the first spring 7 has a larger spring constant than the second spring 9, the plunger needle 6 moves to the leftmost in the movable range. Then, the insertion holes 5a, 5 of the three equalizing tubes 14, 15, 16
The insertion hole 5c among the b and 5c is a plunger needle 6
And the insertion holes 5a and 5b are opened to communicate with each other.

In this state, the in-pipe 1 shown in FIG.
When the high-pressure fluid is supplied to the main body 7, the main body 1 is filled with the high-pressure fluid. The fluid flows directly into the in-out pipes 18 to 22 depending on the position of the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path.
Alternatively, it flows after the pressure has been varied via the part to be connected, such as a heat exchanger.

In FIG. 1, the space 26 on the right side of the disc-shaped valve 11 on the right side is closed by the insertion hole 5c of the pressure equalizing tube 14 into the pilot valve 3, and the inside of the main body 1 becomes high pressure. Therefore, the high pressure fluid flows through the through-hole 11a of the disc-shaped valve 11 on the right side, so that the pressure becomes high. On the other hand, the equalizing pipe 15 is provided with in-out pipes 18 to 22.
Of the disc-shaped valve 11 on the left side and a through hole 11a in the space 25 on the left side of the disc-shaped valve 11 on the left side.
The high-pressure fluid that flows into the low-pressure pipe 20 through the equalizing pipes 14 and 15 decreases the pressure in the space 25.
Therefore, the slide portion 23 is moved to the left in the drawing, and at the same time, the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path is located at the left end. Thereby, the mutual communication state of the pipes 18 to 22 is determined, and the flow of the refrigerant is as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the electromagnetic coil 4 is energized, the magnetic force causes the plunger needle 6 to move to the right. Along with this, the needle 8 is also pushed by the second spring 9 and moves to the right. Then, the insertion hole 5a is closed by the needle 8, and the insertion hole 5b,
5c is open and communicates.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the space 25 on the left side of the left disc-shaped valve 11, the insertion hole 5a of the pilot valve 3 is closed, and the high-pressure fluid flows through the through hole 11a of the left disc-shaped valve 11. As a result, the pressure becomes high. On the other hand, the space 26 on the right side of the discoid valve 11 on the right side
Is reduced to a low pressure when the fluid therein flows out from the pressure equalizing tube 16. Therefore, the slide portion 23 is moved to the right in the figure, and at the same time, the slide valve 1 for switching the flow path.
2 is located at the right end. Thereby, each pipe 18-2
2 are determined, and the flow of the refrigerant is as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a large number of flow paths can be switched without increasing the number of switching valves, so that the product cost can be reduced and the apparatus can be downsized.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a flow path switching valve according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a slide member, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 9, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of connection with a partner component using a flow path switching valve.

In this embodiment, the surface 2b of the valve seat 2 on which the passage switching slide valve 12 slides is formed in a concave shape, and the circumferential dimension of at least the outer opening 27 of the valve port 2a is the axial dimension. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is set larger. Further, the slide member 10 is different in that the slide member 10 is slidably contacted with the inner surface of the main body 1 and a plurality of through holes 10a are formed. However,
In other respects, the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Members having the same functions as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is partially omitted.

According to this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the valve seat 2 is made larger than that of the first embodiment and comes into contact with the inner surface of the body 1 in a larger angle range, and the outer opening shape of the valve port 2a is formed. Since the circumferential dimension of 27 is larger than the axial dimension, the mounting angles of the pipes 18 to 22 can be varied to provide a degree of freedom. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, depending on the layout including the mating parts such as the heat exchangers 28 and 29, it is not necessary to connect the pipe by bending it, and the length of the pipe connected to the flow path switching valve is reduced. It can be shortened, and a more compact design becomes possible. In addition, it is also possible to abolish the connecting pipe and adopt a configuration in which the connecting pipe is directly attached.

Further, since the surface 2b of the valve seat 2 is formed in a concave shape, the slide member 10 can be arranged closer to the center of the main body 1, and when the slide portion 23 is driven by a pressure difference. Bending by the applied force can be avoided as much as possible, and the sliding operation is stabilized. Further, the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path is stably positioned at the center of the concave surface 2b of the valve seat 2, and the movement in the left-right direction in FIG. 7 is suppressed, so that the sealing performance is improved. The front surface 2b of the valve seat 2 is shown in FIG.
Are not limited to the substantially V-shaped cross section shown in FIG.

Further, the slide member 10 is enlarged in the width direction to increase rigidity and is slidably contacted with the inner surface of the main body 1, so that the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path in the upward direction in FIG. The flexure of the slide member 10 due to the application of the force can be effectively prevented by the main body 1. Therefore, the upward movement of the passage switching slide valve 12 is suppressed, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the passage switching slide valve 12 separates from the valve seat 2 and cannot seal the fluid.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, since a plurality of through holes 10a are formed in the slide member 10, it is possible to prevent the resistance of the fluid flow from increasing due to the enlargement of the slide member 10. it can. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable to perform burring on the through-hole 10a, since a reduction in strength due to the formation of the through-hole 10a can be prevented. It is needless to say that such a slide member 10 in which a plurality of through holes 10a are formed in sliding contact with the inner surface of the main body 1 can be used for the above-described first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the inner opening shape of the valve port of the valve seat together with the opening shape of the connection flow path of the slide valve for switching the flow path. FIG. 12A shows a modification of the second embodiment. (B) shows the opening shape (projection view in the case of the second embodiment) according to the first and second embodiments. The opening shape of the connection flow path of the flow path switching slide valve is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

In the modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, the connection passage 12 of the passage switching slide valve 12
The opening shape 32 of a has a substantially I-shape in which a long hole 32b along the circumferential direction is formed at both ends of the long hole 32a along the axial direction, and the inside opening shape 31 of the valve port 2a of the valve seat 2.
Is formed so as to substantially coincide with the elongated hole 32b along the circumferential direction.

Here, the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path receives lift from the valve seat 2 due to the fluid pressure, and the area receiving this lift is located inside the valve port 2a of the valve seat 2 shown in FIG. An internal region of the opening shape 31;
This is a union area with the internal area of the opening shape 32 of the connection flow path 12a of the flow path switching slide valve 12.

Therefore, according to this modification, FIG.
The lift force of the slide valve 12 for switching the flow path by the fluid pressure on the valve seat 2 is increased as compared with the shape shown in FIG. Thereby, the slide valve 1 for switching the flow path
The friction at the time of the slide movement of No. 2 is reduced, and a smoother drive becomes possible. In addition, since the inner opening shape 31 of the valve port 2a of the valve seat 2 becomes a long hole along the circumferential direction, it approaches the outer opening shape 27, and when mounting the in-out pipes 18 to 22 at an angle, the flow path resistance and the like are reduced. This is advantageous from the viewpoint of workability. In addition, instead of the opening shape as shown in FIG. 12 (A), it is conceivable to simply increase the entire opening shape to increase the lift, but since the entire flow path switching valve becomes large, the size becomes large. Not very good.

The embodiments described above are not described to limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical concept of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, a six-way valve in which a total of six pipes through which fluid flows into and out of the main body 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, it can be configured as a flow path switching valve to which six or more even-numbered pipes such as 10 or 10 pipes are connected.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a large number of flow paths can be switched without increasing the number of switching valves, thereby reducing product cost and miniaturizing the apparatus. Can be achieved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the rigidity of the slide member itself is increased and the slide member comes into sliding contact with the inner surface of the main body, a force is applied to the slide valve for switching the flow path by the pressure of the fluid. It is possible to effectively prevent the slide member from being bent by being received by the main body,
The upward movement of the passage switching slide valve is suppressed, and the sealing performance between the passage switching slide valve and the valve seat is improved. Also, due to the plurality of through holes of the slide member,
It is possible to prevent the resistance of the fluid flow from increasing.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the circumferential dimension of the outer opening shape of the valve port is larger than the axial dimension, the degree of freedom can be increased by varying the mounting angle of the pipe. Can be. Therefore, depending on the layout including the mating parts such as the heat exchanger, it is not necessary to connect the pipe by bending it, and the length of the pipe connected to the flow path switching valve can be shortened, and a more compact design can be achieved. Becomes possible. In addition, since the surface of the valve seat is formed in a concave shape, the slide member can be disposed closer to the center of the main body, and bending due to the force applied when the slide portion is driven is minimized. Becomes possible, and the slide operation is stabilized. In addition, the slide valve for switching the flow path is stably positioned at the center of the concave surface of the valve seat, and the movement in the left-right direction is suppressed, so that the sealing property is improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lift force of the slide valve for switching the flow path by the fluid pressure on the valve seat increases. Thereby, friction at the time of sliding movement of the passage switching slide valve is reduced, and smoother driving is possible. Further, since the shape of the inner opening of the valve port of the valve seat is a long hole along the circumferential direction, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of flow path resistance and workability when the pipe is attached to the main body at an angle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a flow path switching valve according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a slide valve for switching channels and a valve seat according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing an operation state of a pilot valve when power is turned off.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing an operating state of a pilot valve when energization is turned on.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation state of a flow path switching valve when energization is turned on.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow path switching valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a slide valve for channel switching and a valve seat according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a slide member.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of connection with a partner component using a flow path switching valve.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an inner opening shape of a valve port of a valve seat together with an opening shape of a connection flow path of a slide valve for switching a flow path.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body body, 2 ... Valve seat, 2a ... Valve port, 3 ... Pilot valve, 10 ... Slide member, 10a ... Through-hole, 11 ... Discoid valve, 12 ... Slide valve for flow path switching, 12a ... Connection flow Road, 14-16: Equalizing pipe, 17-22: Pipe, 23: Slide part, 24: Valve body, 25, 26: Space, 27, 31, 32: Opening shape, 32a, 32b: Slot.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical main body (1) to which at least six or more even-numbered pipes (17 to 22) through which fluid flows in and out are separated from each other, and are separated from each other by sliding contact with the inner surface of the main body (1). A pair of disc-shaped valves (11, 11), a plate-shaped slide member (10) for connecting the pair of disc-shaped valves (11, 11), and each pipe attached to the slide member (10). A flow path switching slide valve (12) formed with a connection flow path (12a) for switching a mutual communication state of the main body (17 to 22);
A slide portion (23) movable in the axial direction inside (1), and a valve port (2a) fixed to the inside of the main body (1) and communicating with each of the pipes (18 to 22) respectively. A valve seat (2) formed and having the flow path switching slide valve (12) slide along its surface; and a space on both sides of the slide portion (23) connected to at least both sides of the main body (1). (25, 26), and a pilot valve (3) for controlling a communication state of each of the pressure equalizing tubes (14 to 16). valve. 2. The flow path according to claim 1, wherein the slide member is in sliding contact with an inner surface of the main body, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the slide member. Switching valve. The surface of the valve seat (2) on which the slide valve (12) for switching the flow path slides is formed in a concave shape, and at least the outer opening shape (27) of the valve port (2a) is formed. 3. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential dimension is set larger than the axial dimension. 4. An opening shape (32) of the connection flow path (12a) of the flow path switching slide valve (12) has an elongated hole (32) extending in the axial direction.
a) is formed at both ends of the a) with elongated holes (32b) along the circumferential direction.
4. The valve seat (2) according to claim 3, wherein the valve opening (2a) of the valve seat (2) has an inner opening shape (31) substantially coinciding with the elongated hole (32b) along the circumferential direction. Flow path switching valve.