JP2010223418A - Ball valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball valve having no danger of fluid in an outlet passage leaking into a ball valve body even if a pressure of the fluid in the outlet passage blocked by the ball valve body is higher than a pressure of fluid in the ball valve body, and capable of securing a large flow rate without enlarging the valve. <P>SOLUTION: The ball valve 1 is equipped with the ball valve body 5 having an inflow passage (an inflow port ) 5d and an outflow passage (an internal space) 5f and comprising an elastic body, and a valve case 2 having a valve chamber 4 rotatably housing the valve ball body 5 and an inlet flow passage 7 and a plurality of outlet flow passages 8, 9 communicated with the valve chamber 4. The inflow passage 5d is communicated with the inlet flow passage 7 at all times, and the outflow passage 5f is alternatively communicated with either one of the plurality of outlet flow passages 8, 9 by rotation of the ball valve body 5. The ball valve body 5 is equipped with a reinforcement member 6 deformed by a pressure received from a fluid in the blocked outlet flow passage 8 and preventing leaking of the fluid into the ball vale body 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball valve, and more particularly to a ball valve having a valve chamber in which a ball valve body is rotatably accommodated.

  Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses a ball valve shown in FIG. 7 as a valve for switching the flow of fluid in an oil supply unit or the like. The ball valve 51 includes a valve case 52, a guard motor 53 disposed on the top of the valve case 52, and a ball valve element 55 disposed in the valve chamber 54 of the valve case 52. One inlet channel 57 at the bottom and two outlet channels 58 and 59 at the side.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 8, the ball valve body 55 is provided with an inflow passage 55a having a circular cross section that merges in the vicinity of the central portion thereof, and an outflow passage 55b. The inflow passage 55a is formed as shown in FIG. The outflow passage 55b is always arranged to communicate with either one of the two outlet passages 58 and 59. The ball valve body 55 is rotationally driven by the guard motor 53 via the valve shaft 60, and is configured so that its rotational position can be set so that it can be selectively switched.

  Further, the ball valve body 55 is provided with a pressure equalizing hole 55c so that the inside of the ball valve body 55 and the valve chamber 54 communicate with each other, and when the fluid flows from the inlet channel 57 to the outlet channel 59, the leveling hole 55c is formed. Through the pressure hole 55c, fluid can enter the inside 54a of the valve chamber 54 closed by the ball valve body 55, and the pressure inside and outside the ball valve body 55 is made uniform so that the ball valve body 55 is moved outward. It prevents swelling and plastic deformation.

  With the above configuration, the fluid flowing in from the inlet flow path 57 of the valve case 52 is guided from the inflow path 55a of the ball valve body 55 to the outflow path 55b, and the ball valve body 55 is rotated and changed according to a predetermined position. The flow of the fluid is selectively switched between the two outlet channels 58 and 59. In addition, when switching to any of the outlet channels 58 and 59, the fluid enters the corners of the valve chamber 54 through the pressure equalizing hole 55c, that is, the outside of the ball valve body 55, and the ball valve body. 55 prevents plastic deformation.

JP 2004-60799 A

  However, in the ball valve 51 described in Patent Document 1, the ball valve body 55 is made of an elastic body such as rubber. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. Is higher than the pressure of the fluid in the ball valve body 55, the ball valve body 55 is deformed by the fluid pressure in the outlet channel 58, and as shown in FIG. May leak into the ball valve body 55.

  Further, in the ball valve body 55, since the flow path including the inflow path 55a and the outflow path 55b is provided, it is necessary to increase the size of the ball valve body 55 in order to make a valve capable of switching a large flow rate. There is a problem that the ball valve 51 is increased in size.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the conventional ball valve, and the pressure of the fluid in the outlet channel closed by the ball valve body is higher than the pressure of the fluid in the ball valve body. Even in such a case, an object is to provide a ball valve in which the fluid in the outlet channel does not leak into the ball valve body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball valve capable of realizing a large flow rate without increasing the size of the valve.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ball valve body made of an elastic body having an inflow path and an outflow path, a valve chamber in which the ball valve body is rotatably accommodated, and an inlet communicating with the valve chamber. A valve case having a flow path and a plurality of outlet flow paths, wherein the inflow path is always in communication with the inlet flow path, and the outflow path of the plurality of outlet flow paths is caused by the rotation of the ball valve body. In the ball valve selectively communicating with any one of the above, the ball valve body is provided with a reinforcing member for preventing the fluid from leaking into the ball valve body by being deformed by the pressure received from the fluid in the closed outlet channel. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, even when the pressure of the fluid in the outlet passage blocked by the ball valve body is higher than the pressure of the fluid in the ball valve body, the reinforcing member causes the pressure of the fluid in the outlet passage. It is possible to prevent the ball valve body from being deformed and the fluid from leaking into the ball valve body.

  In the ball valve, the ball valve body includes a base portion and two tongue-shaped portions extending from both ends of the base portion, and one of the tongue-shaped portions has a hole portion that forms the inflow path. And the other of the tongue-shaped portions has a hole portion communicating with the valve chamber, and the base portion communicates with the valve chamber. It can be configured to block the road. As a result, the fluid passage from the inlet channel to the outlet channel can be formed by the base and the inner wall of the valve chamber, instead of perforating the inflow channel and the outflow channel having a circular section as in the prior art. Therefore, a larger amount of fluid can flow even with the same valve size. In addition, since the hole portion communicating with the valve chamber is formed on the other side of the tongue-shaped portion, there is no need to form an inflow passage drilled in the valve body and a pressure equalizing hole communicating with the outflow passage as in the prior art. Of fluids.

  In the ball valve, the reinforcing member may be a U-shaped plate-like member extending over the base portion of the ball valve body and the two tongue-like portions. Further, the reinforcing member can be an L-shaped plate-like member extending over the base of the ball valve body and a tongue-like portion having a hole communicating with the valve chamber.

  In the ball valve, the ball valve body may be formed in a spherical shape, and both flow paths may be formed so that the inflow path and the outflow path merge in the ball valve body. Further, the reinforcing member is configured to include a pair of U-shaped leg portions opposed to each other and a connecting portion that connects the center portions of the pair of U-shaped leg portions, and the pair of U-shaped legs. A leg portion may be embedded in the ball valve body so as to straddle the inflow path and the outflow path. Accordingly, the ball valve element can be driven while maintaining the elastic force of the ball valve element, and an increase in the rotational torque of the ball valve element can be suppressed while preventing the ball valve element from being deformed by pressurization.

  Furthermore, the reinforcing member can be integrally formed with the ball valve body by insert molding.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the pressure of the fluid in the outlet channel closed by the ball valve body is higher than the pressure of the fluid in the ball valve body, the fluid in the outlet channel is There is no possibility of leakage into the body, and a ball valve capable of realizing a large flow rate without increasing the size of the valve can be provided.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a ball valve according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the ball valve body and reinforcement member of the ball valve shown in FIG. 1, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is the AA sectional view of (a), (c) is B of (a). -B line section, (d) is a bottom view, (e) is a perspective view of a reinforcing member. It is a figure which shows the other example of the ball valve body used for the ball valve shown in FIG. 1, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is the AA sectional view of (a), (c) is (a) ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. It is a partial cross section figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the ball valve concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the ball valve body of the ball valve shown in FIG. 4, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is the AA line cross section of (a), (c) is the BB line of (a). It is a cross section. It is a figure which shows the reinforcement member of the ball valve shown in FIG. 4, Comprising: (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a front view. It is a partial cross section figure showing an example of the conventional ball valve. It is a figure which shows the ball valve body shown in FIG. 7, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is the AA line cross section of (a), (c) is the BB line cross section of (a). . FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining a problem of the ball valve of FIG. 7.

  Next, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a ball valve according to the present invention. The ball valve 1 includes a valve case 2, a guard motor 3 disposed on the valve case 2, and a valve case 2. A ball valve body 5 disposed in the valve chamber 4 is provided, and the valve case 2 has one inlet channel 7 in the lower part and two outlet channels 8 and 9 in the side part.

  The ball valve body 5 is made of an elastic body such as rubber, and a metal reinforcing member 6 is integrally formed by insert molding.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (e), the reinforcing member 6 is formed by bending a steel strip into a U-shape, and the reinforcing member 6 is attached to a bent portion 6b bent from a rectangular plate-shaped base 6a. And a pair of leg-like portions 6d at the bottom.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the ball valve body 5 includes a base portion 5a and two tongue-like portions 5b and 5c extending from both ends of the base portion 5a. In a state where the reinforcing member 6 is integrated with the ball valve body 5, the base portion 6a of the reinforcing member 6 is along the inner surface of the base portion 5a of the ball valve body 5, and the bent portion 6b is on the upper surface of the upper tongue-shaped portion 5c. The leg portions 6d are respectively integrated with the lower surface of the lower tongue portion 5b. An inflow hole (inflow path) 5d is formed in the tongue-shaped portion 5b of the ball valve body 5, a hole 5e is formed in the tongue-shaped portion 5c, and the internal space 5f of the ball valve body 5 following the inflow hole 5d flows out. Form part of the road.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the state where the ball valve body 5 is incorporated in the valve chamber 4, the inflow hole 5 d always communicates with the inlet channel 7, and the internal space 5 f has two outlet channels 8, 9. It arrange | positions so that it may communicate with either one of these alternatively. The ball valve element 5 is configured to be rotationally driven via the valve shaft 10 by the guard motor 3 so that its rotational position can be set so that it can be selectively switched. Further, the base portion 5a of the ball valve body 5 blocking the outlet flow path 8 is reinforced by the base portion 6a of the reinforcing member 6, and the upper portion of the ball valve body 5 is a bent portion of the reinforcing member 6 as shown in FIG. The peripheral portion of the inflow hole 5 d of the ball valve body 5 is reinforced by the leg-shaped portion 6 d of the reinforcing member 6.

  With the above configuration, in FIG. 1, the fluid that has flowed from the inlet flow path 7 of the valve case 2 is guided to the internal space 5 f from the inflow hole 5 d of the ball valve body 5, and the ball valve body 5 is rotated to change the switching. Depending on the predetermined position, the flow of the fluid can be switched selectively between the two outlet channels 8 and 9.

  Further, in the state where the outlet channel 8 is blocked by the base portion 5a of the ball valve body 5, since the ball valve body 5 is reinforced by the reinforcing member 6 as described above, the fluid pressure in the outlet channel 8 is reduced. Even when the pressure of the fluid inside the ball valve body 5 is higher, the fluid can be prevented from leaking into the ball valve body 5 due to deformation caused by the pressure received from the fluid in the outlet channel 8.

  Further, as described above, both side surfaces of the internal space 5f of the ball valve body 5 are open and communicated directly with the valve chamber 4, so that the base portion 5a and tongue-like portion 5c of the ball valve body 5 and the reinforcing member 6 The base 6a and the inner wall of the valve chamber 4 can form a fluid passage from the inlet passage 7 to the outlet passage 9, and the fluid passage is formed by punching a hole in the ball valve body as in the prior art. Therefore, even a ball valve body of the same size can achieve a larger flow rate than the conventional one.

  Further, as described above, both side surfaces of the internal space 5f of the ball valve body 5 are opened, communicated directly with the valve chamber 4, and the hole portion 5e is formed in the tongue-like portion 5c of the ball valve body 5. When the fluid flows from the inlet flow path 7 to the outlet flow path 9, there is always fluid inside and outside the ball valve body 5, and the ball valve body 5 does not swell outward and plastically deform. Since there is no need to form an inflow passage formed in the valve body and a pressure equalizing hole communicating with the outflow passage, a larger amount of fluid can be flowed.

  Next, another embodiment of the ball valve body that can be used for the ball valve 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The ball valve body 15 is made of an elastic body such as rubber, and a metal reinforcing member 16 is integrally formed by insert molding.

  The ball valve body 15 includes a base portion 15a and two tongue-like portions 15b and 15c extending from both ends of the base portion 15a. In a state in which the reinforcing member 16 is integrated with the ball valve body 15, the base portion 16a of the reinforcing member 16 is along the inner surface of the base portion 15a of the ball valve body 15, and the bent portion 16b is on the upper surface of the upper tongue-shaped portion 15c. Each is integrated. An inflow hole (inflow path) 15d is formed in the tongue-shaped portion 15b of the ball valve body 15, a hole portion 15e is formed in the tongue-shaped portion 15c, and an internal space 15f of the ball valve body 15 following the inflow hole 15d flows out. Form part of the road.

  The reinforcing member 16 is formed by bending a steel strip into an L shape, and has a rectangular shape for connecting the reinforcing member 6 to the valve shaft 10 (see FIG. 1) to an upper portion 16b bent from a rectangular plate-like base portion 16a. An opening 16c is provided.

  With the above configuration, when the ball valve body 15 is used instead of the ball valve body 5 in FIG. 1, the fluid that flows in from the inlet flow path 7 of the valve case 2 flows from the inflow hole 15 d of the ball valve body 15 into the internal space 15 f. The fluid flow can be selectively switched between the two outlet channels 8 and 9 by a predetermined position that is changed by rotating the ball valve body 15.

  Further, in the state where the outlet channel 8 is closed by the base portion 15a of the ball valve body 15, the ball valve body 15 is reinforced by the reinforcing member 16 as described above, so that the pressure of the fluid in the outlet channel 8 is increased. Even when the pressure of the fluid inside the ball valve body 15 is higher, the fluid can be prevented from leaking into the ball valve body 15 due to deformation caused by the pressure received from the fluid in the outlet channel 8.

  Further, as described above, both side surfaces of the internal space 15f of the ball valve body 15 are opened and communicated directly with the valve chamber 4, so that the base portion 15a and the tongue portion 15c of the ball valve body 15 and the base portion 16a of the reinforcing member 16 are provided. In addition, a fluid passage from the inlet passage 7 to the outlet passage 9 can be formed with the inner wall of the valve chamber 4, and the fluid passage is not formed by punching a hole in the ball valve body as in the prior art. Even with a ball valve body of the same size, it is possible to achieve a larger flow rate than in the prior art.

  Further, as described above, both side surfaces of the internal space 15f of the ball valve body 15 are open, and communicate with the valve chamber 4 directly, and the hole portion 15e is formed in the tongue-like portion 15c of the ball valve body 15. When fluid flows from the inlet channel 7 to the outlet channel 9, there is always a fluid inside and outside the ball valve body 15, and the ball valve body 15 does not swell outwardly and plastically deform. Since there is no need to form an inflow passage formed in the valve body and a pressure equalizing hole communicating with the outflow passage, a larger amount of fluid can be flowed.

  The ball valve body 15 does not have the reinforcing member 16 in the tongue-shaped portion 15b. Therefore, the ball valve body 15 is slightly less reinforced than the ball valve body 5. However, the ball valve body 15 Since the power required for rotation can be reduced, it is possible to select either the ball valve body 5 or the ball valve body 15 as appropriate in consideration of the pressure applied to the ball valve bodies 5 and 15. .

  Next, a second embodiment of the ball valve according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the ball valve according to the present invention. This ball valve 31 has the same basic configuration as the conventional ball valve 51 shown in FIG. A guard motor 33 disposed in the upper part of the case 32 and a ball valve element 35 disposed in the valve chamber 34 of the valve case 32 are provided. The valve case 32 has one inlet channel 37 and a side on the lower side. The unit has two outlet channels 38 and 39.

  The ball valve body 35 is made of an elastic body such as rubber, and a metal reinforcing member 36 is integrally formed by insert molding. As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the ball valve body 35 is provided with an inflow passage 35a having a circular cross section that merges in the vicinity of the central portion thereof, an outflow passage 35b, and a pressure equalizing hole 35c. The protrusions 36d and 36e are exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing member 36 includes a pair of U-shaped leg portions 36a and 36b facing each other, a connecting portion 36c connecting these central portions, and projecting portions 36d and 36e. In the state where 36 is integrated with the ball valve body 35, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of U-shaped leg portions 36a, 36b are embedded in the ball valve body 35 so as to straddle the inflow path 35a and the outflow path 35b. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the ball valve body 35 is incorporated in the valve chamber 34, the inflow path 35a is always in communication with the inlet flow path 37, and the outflow path 35b has two outlet flow paths 38, 39. It arrange | positions so that it may communicate with either one of these alternatively. The ball valve body 35 is connected to the valve shaft 40 via the protrusions 36d and 36e of the reinforcing member 36, and is rotationally driven via the valve shaft 40 by the guard motor 33. The rotation position can be set so that it can be switched and changed alternatively.

  Further, when the fluid flows from the inlet channel 37 to the outlet channel 39, the fluid can enter the inside 34a of the valve chamber 34 closed by the ball valve body 35 through the pressure equalizing hole 35c, The pressure inside and outside the ball valve body 35 is made uniform, and the ball valve body 35 is prevented from swelling outward and being plastically deformed.

  With the above configuration, the fluid flowing in from the inlet flow path 37 of the valve case 32 is guided from the inflow path 35a of the ball valve body 35 to the outflow path 35b, and the ball valve body 35 is rotated and changed according to a predetermined position. The flow of the fluid is selectively switched between the two outlet channels 38 and 39. In addition, when switching to any of the outlet channels 38 and 39, the fluid enters the inside of the valve chamber 34 through the pressure equalizing hole 35c, that is, the outside of the ball valve body 35, and the ball valve body. 35 prevents plastic deformation.

  Further, in the state where the outlet channel 8 is blocked by the base portion 35d of the ball valve body 35, the ball valve body 35 is reinforced by the reinforcing member 36 as described above, so that the pressure of the fluid in the outlet channel 38 is increased. Even when the pressure in the ball valve body 35 is higher than the pressure of the fluid, the fluid is deformed by the pressure received from the fluid in the outlet flow path 38 to prevent the fluid from leaking into the ball valve body 35, particularly from the X portion. Can do.

  Here, in the present embodiment, since the ball valve body 35 is reinforced by the U-shaped leg portions 36a and 36b of the reinforcing member 36, that is, the four leg portions, the elastic force of the ball valve body 35 is maintained. The ball valve body 35 can be driven while preventing an increase in the rotational torque of the ball valve body 35 while preventing the ball valve body 35 from being deformed by pressurization. In addition, the reinforcing member 36 can be easily processed by press molding, and the reinforcing member 36 can be integrally formed with the ball valve body 35 by insert molding, so that the manufacturing is also easy.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the ball valves 1 and 31 according to the present invention are applied to the three-way switching valve has been described. However, the ball valves 1 and 31 are not limited to the three-way switching valve, and the ball valve body rotates. It can also be applied to other valves having valve chambers that can be accommodated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ball valve 2 Valve case 3 Guard motor 4 Valve chamber 4a (Valve chamber) inside 5 Ball valve body 5a Base part 5b Tongue part 5c Tongue part 5d Inflow hole 5e Hole part 5f Inner space 6 Reinforcement member 6a Base part 6b Bending Portion 6c Rectangular opening 6d Leg 7 Inlet channel 8 Outlet channel 9 Outlet channel 10 Valve shaft 15 Ball valve element 15a Base 15b Tongue 15c Tongue 15d Inlet 15e Hole 15f Internal space 16 Reinforcement Member 16a Base portion 16b Bent portion 16c Rectangular opening 31 Ball valve 32 Valve case 33 Guard motor 34 Valve chamber 34a (valve chamber) interior 35 Ball valve body 35a Inflow passage 35b Outflow passage 35c Pressure equalization hole 35d Base 36 Reinforcement member 36a, 36b U-shaped leg part 36c Connection part 36d, 36e Protrusion part 37 Inlet flow path 38 Outlet flow path 39 Outlet flow path 40 Valve shaft

Claims (7)

A ball valve body made of an elastic body having an inflow path and an outflow path, a valve chamber in which the ball valve body is rotatably accommodated, and an inlet channel and a plurality of outlet channels communicating with the valve chamber A ball case in which the inflow path is always in communication with the inlet flow path, and the outflow path is selectively in communication with any of the plurality of outlet flow paths by the rotation of the ball valve body. In the valve
The ball valve includes a reinforcing member that is deformed by a pressure received from a fluid in a closed outlet channel and prevents the fluid from leaking into the ball valve.   The ball valve body includes a base portion and two tongue-shaped portions extending from both ends of the base portion, and one of the tongue-shaped portions has a hole portion that forms the inflow path, and the tongue-shaped portion The other has a hole communicating with the valve chamber, and the base closes another outlet channel except for any one of the plurality of outlet channels communicating with the valve chamber. The ball valve according to claim 1.   The ball valve according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member is a U-shaped plate-like member extending over the base portion of the ball valve body and the two tongue-like portions.   The said reinforcement member is an L-shaped plate-shaped member extended over the tongue part which has the said base part of the said ball valve body, and the hole part connected to the said valve chamber, The Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The ball valve described.   2. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein the ball valve body is formed in a spherical shape, and is drilled so that the inflow path and the outflow path merge in the ball valve body. The reinforcing member includes a pair of U-shaped leg portions facing each other, and a connecting portion that connects the central portions of the pair of U-shaped leg portions,
The ball valve according to claim 5, wherein the pair of U-shaped legs are embedded in the ball valve body so as to straddle the inflow path and the outflow path.   The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is integrally formed with the ball valve body by insert molding.

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