JP2011043240A - Three-way valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-way valve whose structure can be made simple, compact and inexpensive and whose sealing performance and the like can be secured. <P>SOLUTION: A main valve element 21 having a first valve element section 21a, a first valve chamber 22 provided with a first valve seat 22a opened and closed by the first valve element 21, a slide valve element 60 having an auxiliary valve element section 61 and a second valve element section 62, an auxiliary valve chamber 64 provided with an auxiliary valve seat 64a opened and closed by the auxiliary valve element section 61 of the slide valve element 60, a second valve chamber 66 provided with a second valve seat 66a opened and closed by the second valve element section 62 of the slide valve element 60, and a biasing member 67 for biasing the slide valve element 60 in the direction to close the second valve seat 66a, are arranged on a common axis O. The first valve chamber 22 and the auxiliary valve chamber 64 are in communication with each other via a first communication passage 71. The first valve chamber 22 and the second valve chamber 66 are in communication with each other via a second communication passage. An entrance 11 is in communication with the second valve chamber 66. A first exit 12 is provided downstream of the second valve seat 66a. Also, a second exit 13 is in communication with the first communication passage 71. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-way valve suitable for use in a refrigeration cycle and the like, and more particularly, to a three-way valve that can effectively achieve simplification of structure, compactness, cost reduction, and the like.

  For example, in a refrigeration cycle such as an air conditioner or a refrigeration apparatus, it is conceivable to use a three-way valve instead of the conventionally used four-way valve as a flow path switching means in order to reduce heat loss or the like. Yes.

  As a three-way valve used in such an application, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below, an inlet into which a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced and a refrigerant from the inlet is a first main valve or a second main valve. A first outlet and a second outlet selectively guided through a valve, the first main valve being provided between the inlet and the first outlet, and the inlet and the second outlet The second main valve is provided, and an electromagnetic valve for reducing the differential pressure between the back pressure acting on the first main valve and the pressure on the first outlet side is provided, and the differential pressure When the first main valve is opened and the second main valve is closed, or the first main valve is closed and the second main valve is opened. In addition, for example, a flat valve in which the first outlet and the second outlet are provided in the valve body. The causes opening, there is one that first outlet and the second outlet and adapted to selectively open and close the rotary valve element which is placed slidably rotate on said flat valve seat on.

JP 2004-92751 A

  However, in the three-way valve described in Patent Document 1, the first main valve and the second main valve are arranged on different axes, and have a structure connecting them with a plurality of communication passages. There is a problem that the structure is complicated and the processing and assembly costs are high, and there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and cost, and the first outlet and the second outlet are opened in the flat valve seat. In addition to the above problems, there is a problem that the sealing performance between the rotary valve body and the valve seat (the first outlet and the second outlet) is low.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to be able to effectively simplify the structure, reduce the size, reduce the cost, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-way valve that can sufficiently ensure the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, a three-way valve according to the present invention includes a main valve body having a first valve body, a first valve chamber provided with a first valve seat that is opened and closed by the main valve body, a subvalve. A slide valve body having a body part and a second valve body part, a secondary valve chamber provided with a secondary valve seat that is opened and closed by the secondary valve body part of the slide valve body, and opened and closed by the second valve body part of the slide valve body A second valve chamber provided with a second valve seat, and a biasing member for biasing the slide valve body in a direction to close the second valve seat, are arranged on a common axis, and the first valve A chamber and the sub-valve chamber are communicated with each other via a first communication passage, and the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber are communicated with each other via a second communication passage. The inlet is communicated, the first outlet is provided downstream from the second valve seat, and the second outlet is communicated with the first communication passage. It is characterized by being fit.

  In a preferred aspect, an electric actuator or electromagnetic actuator for opening and closing the main valve body is provided. In this case, as the electromagnetic actuator, in addition to a general-purpose DC or AC solenoid, a keep solenoid (energy saving type) combining the solenoid and a permanent magnet can be used.

  In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the first valve body part, the second valve body part, and the sub-valve body part is configured by a ball.

  Further, in a preferred aspect of the three-way valve provided with the electric actuator, the main valve body is moved up and down while rotating, and is raised and lowered along with the rotating up and down unit, but is not rotated. And a non-rotating lifting part having a valve body part.

  In the three-way valve according to the present invention, the main valve body, the first valve chamber, the slide valve body, the sub-valve chamber, the second valve chamber, and the urging member are arranged on a common axis, so that they have different axes. Compared with the conventional three-way valve arranged on the wire, it is possible to effectively simplify the structure, reduce the size, reduce the cost, etc., and open the first outlet and the second outlet in the flat valve seat. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the sealing performance and the like as compared with a structure in which the rotary valve body is selectively opened and closed.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 1st embodiment of the three-way valve which concerns on this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd embodiment of the three-way valve which concerns on this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 3rd embodiment of the three-way valve which concerns on this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 4th embodiment of the three-way valve concerning this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 5th embodiment of the three-way valve which concerns on this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 6th embodiment of the three-way valve concerning this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a three-way valve of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a three-way valve according to the present invention.
A three-way valve 10 </ b> A shown in FIG. 1 is used for a refrigeration cycle, for example, and includes a valve body 20 and an electric actuator (electric motor) 15. The electric actuator 15 includes a can 40 whose lower end portion 40b is hermetically joined to the valve main body 20 (can receiving member 28) by welding, and a rotor disposed with a predetermined gap around the inner periphery of the can 40. 30 and a stator 50 that is externally fitted to the can 40 for rotationally driving the rotor 30. The stator 50 includes a yoke 51 made of a magnetic material and upper and lower stator coils 53, 53 wound around the yoke 51 via a bobbin 52.

  In the valve body 20, a stepped columnar main valve body 21 having a conical first valve body portion 21 a that is raised and lowered by the electric actuator 15, and a first valve seat that is opened and closed by the main valve body 21. The first valve chamber 22 provided with 22a, the slide valve body 60 having the conical sub valve body 61 and the second valve body 62, and the sub valve opened and closed by the sub valve body 61 of the slide valve body 60 A sub valve chamber 64 provided with a seat 64a, a second valve chamber 66 provided with a second valve seat 66a opened and closed by a second valve body portion 62 of the slide valve body 60, and the slide valve body 60 A coil spring 67 as a biasing member that biases the second valve seat 66a in the closing direction (downward in the drawing) is disposed on the common axis O.

  The first valve chamber 22 and the sub valve chamber 64 are communicated with each other via a first communication passage 71 formed in a valve seat and spring receiving member 68 having a T-shaped cross section that is press-fitted and held in the sub valve chamber 64. In addition, the first valve chamber 22 and the second valve chamber 66 are communicated with each other via the second communication passage 72, and carbon dioxide (gas) as a high-pressure refrigerant is added to the second valve chamber 66. The inlet 11 to be introduced is communicated, the first outlet 12 is provided downstream of the second valve seat 66 a, and the second outlet 13 is communicated to the first communication path 71.

  The drive mechanism that raises and lowers the main valve body 21 to contact with and separate from the first valve seat 22a includes a cylindrical guide bush 26 in which the main valve body 21 is slidably fitted and a lower portion disposed on the outer periphery thereof. The guide bush 26 has a lower end portion 26a press-fitted (or screwed) into a fitting hole 42 provided in the valve main body 20. In addition to being fixed, a male screw portion 25 is formed in the vicinity of the central portion thereof, and the valve shaft holder 32 is formed with a female screw portion (moving screw portion) 31 that engages with the male screw portion (fixed screw portion) 25 of the guide bush 26. In addition, the upper small diameter portion of the main valve body 21 is inserted through the center of the nadir. The upper end portion of the upper small diameter portion of the main valve body 21 is press-fitted and fixed to a nut 33 placed on the top surface of the bottom of the valve shaft holder 32.

  The main valve body 21 is always urged downward by a buffering coil spring 34 that is mounted between the top of the valve shaft holder 32 and the intermediate step portion of the main valve body 21. A pressure equalizing hole 32 a for equalizing the pressure in the valve chamber 22 and the can 40 is formed on the side surface of the guide bush 26.

  A return spring 35 made of a coil spring is provided on the top of the valve shaft holder 32. The return spring 35 abuts against the inner surface of the can 40 when the fixed screw portion 25 of the guide bush 26 and the moving screw portion 31 of the valve shaft holder 32 are disengaged, and the fixed spring portion 25 and the moving screw portion 31. It works to restore the screwing.

  The valve shaft holder 32 and the rotor 30 are coupled via a support ring 36, and the support ring 36 is formed of a brass metal ring inserted when the rotor 30 is formed in this embodiment. The upper protrusion of the valve shaft holder 32 is caulked and fixed to the support ring 36, whereby the rotor 30, the support ring 36, and the valve shaft holder 32 are integrally connected.

  A lower stopper body (fixed stopper) 27 constituting one of the stopper mechanisms is fixed to the guide bush 26, and an upper stopper body (moving stopper) 37 constituting the other of the stopper mechanisms is fixed to the valve shaft holder 32. Yes. In addition, a lateral hole 73 for communicating the first valve chamber 22 and the second valve chamber 66 via the second communication passage 72 is formed in the upper portion of the guide bush 26.

  In the three-way valve 10 </ b> A configured as described above, when the stator coils 53, 53 are energized in one direction to be excited, the rotor 30 and the valve shaft holder are against the guide bush 26 fixed to the valve body 20. 32 is rotated in one direction, and, for example, the valve shaft holder 32 is moved downward by the screw feed between the fixing screw portion 25 of the guide bush 26 and the moving screw portion 31 of the valve shaft holder 32. One valve body 21a is seated on the first valve seat 22a and closed.

  When the first valve seat 22a is closed, the upper stopper body 37 is not yet in contact with the lower stopper body 27, and the rotor 30 and the valve shaft holder 32 further move while the main valve body 21 closes the valve seat 22a. Rotating down. At this time, since the valve shaft holder 32 descends with respect to the main valve body 21, the descent force of the valve shaft holder 32 is absorbed by the compression coil spring 34 being compressed. Thereafter, when the rotor 30 further rotates and the valve shaft holder 32 is lowered, the upper stopper body 37 comes into contact with the lower stopper body 27, and the lowering of the valve shaft holder 32 is forced even if energization to the stator coils 53, 53 is continued. Is stopped.

  When the first valve seat 22 a is closed by the main valve body 21 in this way, the slide valve body 60 rises against the biasing force of the coil spring 67 by the high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the second valve chamber 66 from the inlet 11. As a result, the second valve body 62 moves away from the second valve seat 66a and opens it, and the sub-valve body 61 sits on the sub-valve seat 64a and closes it. Therefore, the high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the second valve chamber 66 from the inlet 11 flows out to the first outlet 12.

  On the other hand, when the stator coils 53 and 53 are energized by energizing in the other direction, the rotor 30 and the valve shaft holder 32 are rotated in the opposite direction to the guide bush 26 fixed to the valve body 20, and the guide bush. By the screw feed between the fixed screw portion 25 of 26 and the moving screw portion 31 of the valve shaft holder 32, the valve shaft holder 32 is now moved upward and the first valve body portion 21a of the main valve body 21 is moved from the valve seat 22a. The first valve seat 22a is opened apart.

  When the first valve seat 22a is thus opened by the main valve body 21, the high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the second valve chamber 66 from the inlet 11 is in the second communication path 72 → inside the can 40 → the side hole 73 → first. The valve chamber 22 is introduced into the auxiliary valve chamber 64 through the first communication passage 71. Accordingly, the slide valve body 60 is lowered by the pressure of the refrigerant and the urging force of the coil spring 67, and the second valve body portion 62 is seated on the second valve seat 66a to close it. Therefore, the high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the second valve chamber 66 from the inlet 11 flows out to the second outlet 13 through the second communication passage 72 and the first valve chamber 22.

  As described above, in the three-way valve 10A of the present embodiment, the main valve body 21, the first valve chamber 22, the slide valve body 60, the auxiliary valve chamber 64, the second valve chamber 66, the coil spring 67, and the like have a common axis. Since they are arranged on O, they can be simplified in structure, made compact, and cost-effective compared to conventional three-way valves arranged on different axes, and are flat. As compared with the case where the first outlet and the second outlet are opened in the valve seat and are selectively opened and closed by the rotary valve body, the sealing performance and the like can be sufficiently ensured.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the three-way valve according to the present invention. The three-way valve 10B according to the second embodiment shown in the drawing is configured such that the conical first valve body portion 21a, the second valve body portion 62, and the auxiliary valve body portion 61 in the three-way valve 10A according to the first embodiment are balls 21a ′, 62. ', 61'. The balls 21 a ′, 62 ′, 61 ′ are caulked and fixed to the main valve body 21 and the slide valve body 60, respectively. By using the balls 21a ', 62', 61 'in the valve body in this way, the sealing performance is improved.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the three-way valve according to the present invention. The three-way valve 10C of the illustrated third embodiment includes a stepped rod-like rotary lift unit 21A in which the main valve body 21 in the three-way valves 10A, 10B of the first and second embodiments is moved up and down while rotating. A non-rotating lifting / lowering part 21B having a valve body part (ball 21a ′) that is lifted / lowered along with the lifting / lowering part 21A but not rotated has a two-part configuration. The non-rotating lift 21B is urged upward by a coil spring 74 so as to move up and down (not rotate) with the rotary lift 21A. By doing so, the torsional force is not applied to the valve body 21a ', and the durability and sealing performance of the valve body 21a' are improved.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the three-way valve according to the present invention. The three-way valve 10D of the illustrated fourth embodiment uses an electromagnetic actuator 16 instead of the electric actuator 15 of the first to third embodiments, and the other parts are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment. It has become. The electromagnetic actuator 16 includes a fixed iron core 81, a coil 82, a frame 83, a main valve body (plunger) 21 having a first valve body portion (ball 21 a ′), a valve body guide 84, and the valve body guide 84 as a valve body 20. It is a general-purpose DC or AC solenoid comprising a connection holding portion 29 connected to a coil spring 85 and a coil spring 85 that urges the main valve body 21 downward. In this embodiment, a press-fitting member 79 with a vertical hole 79a is used as the first valve seat forming member instead of the guide bush 26 of the above-described embodiment. In the three-way valve 10D having such a configuration, substantially the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the three-way valve according to the present invention. The three-way valve 10E of the illustrated fifth embodiment uses a keep solenoid 17 as an electromagnetic actuator, and the other parts have substantially the same configuration as the fourth embodiment. The keep solenoid 17 is a combination of the general-purpose DC or AC solenoid and the permanent magnet 86, and has a fixed iron core 81, coils 82, frames 83A and 83B, and a main valve having a first valve body (ball 21a '). A body (plunger) 21, a valve body guide 84, a connection holding portion 29 for coupling the valve body guide 84 to the valve body 20, a coil spring 85 for biasing the main valve body 21 downward, a permanent magnet 86, and the like. Yes. By using the keep solenoid 17, the main valve body 21 can be attracted (raised) only by pulse input (instantaneous energization), and can be attracted and held by the attraction force of the permanent magnet 86 after the attraction. In the meantime, energization is unnecessary and energy saving can be achieved.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the three-way valve according to the present invention. A three-way valve 10F of the sixth embodiment shown in the figure is an electromagnetic pilot valve provided with an electromagnetic actuator 16 similar to that of the fourth embodiment. That is, the three-way valve 10F includes a main valve body 21 having a first valve body (ball 21a), a first slide valve body 90 provided with a pilot passage 75 opened and closed by the main valve body 21, and the first slide. A first valve chamber 22 provided with a first valve seat 22a that is opened and closed by a valve body 90, a second slide valve body 60 having a sub valve body portion 61 and a second valve body portion 82, and the second slide valve body 60. The secondary valve chamber 64 provided with the secondary valve seat 64a that is opened and closed by the secondary valve body portion 61, and the second valve seat 66a that is opened and closed by the second valve body portion 62 of the second slide valve body 60 are provided. Two valve chambers 66, a coil spring 48 for biasing the first slide valve body 90 in the direction for closing the first valve seat 22a, and a second spring valve body 60 for biasing the second valve seat 66a in a closing direction. The first coil spring 67 is disposed on the common axis O, and the main valve body 1 and the first slide valve body 90, a back pressure chamber 94 is formed, and the first valve chamber downstream portion 95 downstream of the first valve seat 22a and the auxiliary valve chamber 64 are communicated with each other through the first communication passage 71. In addition, the first valve chamber 22 and the second valve chamber 66 are communicated with each other via the second communication passage 72, the inlet 11 is communicated with the second valve chamber 66, and the downstream side from the second valve seat 66a. Is provided with a first outlet 12 and a second outlet 13 communicates with the first valve chamber downstream portion 95.

  The cylindrical valve seat / spring receiving member 68 in which the first communication passage 71 is formed is press-fitted into the auxiliary valve chamber 64 and fixed by caulking (caulking portion 69) in order to ensure sealing performance. . In this case, as a method of fixing the valve seat / spring receiving member 68, in addition to the above, for example, it is divided into two parts, and one is screwed into the auxiliary valve chamber 64 and the other is press-fitted, or one is the first. As a forming member of the one valve seat 22a, the first valve chamber 22 or the first valve chamber downstream portion 95 may be press-fitted and fixed, and the other may be press-fitted and fixed to the auxiliary valve chamber 64.

  In the three-way valve 10F configured as described above, when the electromagnetic actuator 16 is not energized (when not energized), a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the inlet 11, and the pilot valve is driven by the main valve body 21. 75 is closed. At this time, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the inlet 11 acts on the second slide valve body 60 (the large diameter portion thereof), whereby the second slide valve body 60 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 67. As a result, the second valve seat 66a is opened, the sub valve seat 64a is closed, and the internal pressure (back pressure) of the back pressure chamber 94 is higher than the internal pressure of the first valve chamber downstream portion 95. Since the differential pressure becomes large, the first valve seat 22a is closed by the first slide valve body 90. For this reason, the high-pressure refrigerant flows out to the first outlet 12.

  On the other hand, when the electromagnetic actuator 16 is energized (at the time of energization), a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the inlet 11 and the main valve body 21 is pulled up to open the pilot passage 75. As a result, the pressure in the first valve chamber downstream portion 95 increases and the differential pressure with respect to the first back pressure chamber 94 decreases, and the increased pressure in the first valve chamber downstream portion 95 passes through the first communication passage 71. Therefore, the second slide valve body 60 is lowered, the second valve seat 66a is closed, and the sub valve seat 64a is opened. The high-pressure refrigerant is guided from the inlet 11 to the first valve chamber 22 via the second communication passage 72 and acts on the first slide valve body 90 (the large diameter portion thereof), thereby the first slide valve body. 90 rises against the biasing force of the coil spring 48, and the first valve seat 22a is opened. For this reason, the high-pressure refrigerant flows out to the second outlet 13.

  In the three-way valve 10F of the present embodiment configured as described above, substantially the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, one or both sealing members such as a piston ring or the like in which one or both sliding parts of the first valve body part and the second valve body part are plated with resin or plating that imparts low friction properties, or You may make it mount two or more. Alternatively, a member having wear resistance or a member subjected to wear-resistant plating can be attached as a separate part to the sliding contact portion of each valve body portion. By adopting such a structure, the frictional resistance is reduced, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

  10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F ... three-way valve, 11 ... inlet, 12 ... first outlet, 13 ... second outlet, 15 ... electric actuator, 16 ... electromagnetic actuator, 20 ... valve body, 21 ... Main valve body, 21a ... 1st valve body part, 22 ... Valve chamber, 22a ... Valve seat, 60 ... Slide valve body, 61 ... Sub-valve body part, 62 ... 2nd valve body part, 71 ... 1st communicating path, 72. Second communication path

Claims (6)

  A main valve body having a first valve body portion, a first valve chamber provided with a first valve seat opened and closed by the main valve body, a slide valve body having a sub-valve body portion and a second valve body portion, and the slide A secondary valve chamber provided with a secondary valve seat that is opened and closed by the secondary valve body portion of the valve body, a second valve chamber provided with a second valve seat that is opened and closed by the second valve body portion of the slide valve body, and An urging member for urging the slide valve body in a direction to close the second valve seat is disposed on a common axis, and the first valve chamber and the sub valve chamber communicate with each other via the first communication passage. And the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber are communicated with each other via a second communication passage, the inlet is communicated with the second valve chamber, and the downstream side from the second valve seat. A three-way valve, characterized in that a first outlet is provided and a second outlet communicates with the first communication path.   The three-way valve according to claim 1, further comprising an electric actuator for driving the main valve body to open and close.   The three-way valve according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic actuator for opening and closing the main valve body.   The three-way valve according to claim 3, wherein a keep solenoid is used as the electromagnetic actuator.   2. The three-way valve according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first valve body part, the second valve body part, and the sub-valve body part is formed of a ball.   The main valve body is divided into two parts: a rotary lift part that can be raised and lowered while rotating, and a non-rotary lift part that has a valve body part that is raised and lowered along with the rotary lift part but is not rotated. The three-way valve according to claim 2, wherein the three-way valve is configured.

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