JP2021188641A - Valve packing - Google Patents

Abstract

To downsize in a direction along a surface of a packing body portion.SOLUTION: An inflow side packing 71 is arranged between a valve body that has a valve body portion rotating in a storage portion of a housing, of a rotary valve, and a plane portion 34 that faces the storage portion and has a plurality of inflow ports 42 and 44 of fluid as opening portion. A packing body portion 72 of the inflow side packing 71 has through-holes 73a, 73b, and 73c penetrating the packing body portion in a thickness direction thereof. The packing body portion 72 is equipped with annular first seal portions 74a, 74b, and 74c that are provided around the respective through-holes 73a, 73b, and 73c and contact with the plane portion 34, and an annular second seal portions that are provided around the respective through-holes 73a, 73b, and 73c and contact with the valve body portion. A part in the circumferential direction of the first seal portion 74a and a part in the circumferential direction of the adjacent first seal portions 74b and 74c overlap with each other, and a part in the circumferential direction of the second seal portion and a part in the circumferential direction of the adjacent second seal portions overlap with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

The present invention relates to a valve packing that is used for a valve that switches a fluid flow path and seals the fluid.

As a rotary valve for switching a fluid flow path, a rotary valve provided with a housing and a valve body is known. The housing includes an annular peripheral wall portion having an accommodating portion and a flat surface portion located at one open end of the peripheral wall portion and facing the accommodating portion. A fluid inlet to the accommodating portion is formed on the flat surface portion. Further, fluid outlets in the accommodating portion are formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion. The valve body includes a columnar valve body portion arranged in the accommodating portion, and is rotatably supported by the housing by a shaft. The valve body is formed with a movable flow path that allows the inlet and outlet to communicate with each other. Then, by rotating the valve body, the outlet that communicates with the inlet via the movable flow path is switched, and the flow path of the fluid is switched.

In the rotary valve, in order to allow the fluid to flow out only from the outlet that communicates with the inlet via the movable flow path, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, the valve body and each outlet Outflow side packing is placed between them.

By the way, the rotary valve usually targets a single fluid and causes the fluid flowing in from one inlet to flow out from any of a plurality of outlets, but in recent years, it targets a plurality of fluids and they are targeted. There is an increasing need to switch the fluid flow path. Therefore, a plurality of inflow ports are formed in the flat surface portion. At least a part of the movable flow path moves with the rotation of the valve body, and the communication state between the inflow port and the outflow port via the movable flow path is changed, so that the flow path is switched.

In this case, the inflow side packing is arranged between the flat surface portion and the valve main body portion so that the fluids do not mix with each other in the state where the flow path is switched. The packing main body portion constituting the skeleton portion of the inflow side packing is provided with through holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the packing main body portion in an amount equal to or larger than the number of the inflow ports. Then, the packing main body is arranged so that one of the through holes faces all the inflow ports. An annular first seal portion is provided around each through hole, which is a surface on the flat surface side in the thickness direction of the packing main body portion. An annular second seal portion is provided around each through hole on the surface of the packing main body on the valve main body side in the thickness direction. Then, each first seal portion is pressed against the flat surface portion, and each second seal portion is pressed against the valve main body portion. Since the conventional rotary valve is premised on switching a single fluid flow path, the inflow side packing as described above is unnecessary.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-125343

As described above, in a rotary valve in which the inflow side packing is arranged between the flat surface portion of the housing and the valve body portion, the valve body portion in the direction along the surface of the packing body portion (direction orthogonal to the thickness direction). The dimensions, and thus the dimensions of the rotary valve in the same direction, are greatly affected by the packing body. Therefore, in order to reduce the size of the valve body and the rotary valve, it is desired to reduce the size of the inflow side packing in the direction along the surface of the packing body.

Such miniaturization is not limited to the inflow side packing, provided that the packing main body is arranged between the flat surface portion and the valve main body and the packing main body is a packing having a plurality of through holes, and the outflow is not limited to the inflow side packing. It is also desired for side packing. Furthermore, the same applies to packing in other methods, for example, a valve whose flow path is switched by sliding the valve body with respect to the flat surface in a direction along the surface, not limited to the rotary valve. Miniaturization is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a packing for a valve which can be miniaturized in a direction along a surface of a packing main body.

The valve packing for solving the above problems includes a housing portion, a flat portion facing the accommodating portion, and a housing arranged in the middle of a plurality of flow paths of the fluid, and is movably accommodated in the accommodating portion. The target is a valve having a valve body provided with a movable flow path, and the valve body is arranged between the flat surface portion and the valve main body portion, and the skeleton portion is composed of the packing main body portion. A valve packing having a plurality of openings through which the fluid passes is formed in the flat surface portion, and the movable flow path is opened at an end surface of the valve main body portion facing the flat surface portion. The valve changes the connection state between the movable flow path and the opening as the valve main body moves, and the packing main body has a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the packing main body. It has more than the number of the openings, and any of the through holes is arranged so as to face each of the openings, and the packing main body is provided around each through hole. It is provided with an annular first seal portion that comes into contact with the flat surface portion and an annular second seal portion that is provided around each through hole and that contacts the valve main body portion, and the circumference of each first seal portion. A part in the direction and a part in the circumferential direction of the adjacent first seal portion overlap, and a part in the circumferential direction of each second seal portion and a part in the circumferential direction of the adjacent second seal portion. And overlap.

According to the above configuration, the valve packing is located between the flat surface portion and the valve main body portion in the state of being incorporated in the valve. In this state, the first seal portion around the through hole comes into contact with the flat surface portion. At least a part of the through hole faces the opening, and the first seal around the through hole contacts the periphery of the opening in the flat surface portion. Therefore, between the packing main body portion and the flat surface portion, fluid is restricted from moving back and forth between the inner region and the outer region of each first seal portion via the first seal portion. Further, the second seal portion around the through hole comes into contact with the end surface facing the flat surface portion of the valve main body portion. Therefore, between the valve main body portion and the packing main body portion, fluid is restricted from moving back and forth between the inner region and the outer region of the second seal portion via the second seal portion. Therefore, these restrictions suppress the phenomenon of fluid mixing between the valve body portion and the flat surface portion.

By the way, in the above valve, the dimension of the valve main body in the direction along the surface of the packing main body, and by extension, the dimension in the same direction of the valve are greatly affected by the packing main body.
In this respect, in the valve packing having the above configuration, a part of each first seal portion in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent first seal portion in the circumferential direction overlap (wrap), and each second seal portion. A part of the circumferential direction of the portion and a part of the circumferential direction of the adjacent second seal portion overlap (wrap). Therefore, the distance between the adjacent through holes is shorter than in the case where the adjacent first seal portions are separated from each other and the adjacent second seal portions are separated from each other. As a result, the size of the valve packing in the direction along the surface of the packing main body becomes small. Along with this, the distance between adjacent openings becomes shorter, and it becomes possible to reduce the size of the valve in the above direction.

In the valve packing, the adjacent first seal portions overlap each other in the overlapping portion, and the overlapping portion is opened on the surface on the side in contact with the flat surface portion in the circumferential direction of the overlapping portion. It is preferable that an extending slit is formed.

Here, when a part of the first seal portion in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent first seal portion in the circumferential direction overlap, the overlapped portion has a dimension (width) in the radial direction of the first seal portion. ) Is larger than the width of the non-overlapping part in the same direction. Along with this, in the overlapping portion, the dimension (compression allowance) that can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction of the packing main body portion due to compression becomes shorter than that in the non-overlapping portion. Further, in the overlapping portion, the surface pressure generated by the pressure contact with the flat surface portion increases as compared with the non-overlapping portion. This is because the cross-sectional area of the overlapping portion is larger than that of the non-overlapping portion.

In this respect, as described above, by providing the overlapping portion with a slit extending in the circumferential direction of the overlapping portion, the compression allowance of the overlapping portion becomes longer than in the case where the slit is not provided. Further, the cross-sectional area becomes smaller by the amount of the slit, and the variation in the surface pressure generated by the pressure contact with the flat surface portion becomes smaller between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion.

In the valve packing, the packing main body is in contact with the regulation portion provided on the flat surface portion when the packing main body portion is assembled to the valve, so that the first seal portion is seated on the flat surface portion. It is preferable that a regulated portion is provided that regulates the approach direction of the packing main body portion to the flat surface portion in a direction orthogonal to the flat surface portion.

Here, when assembling the valve packing to the valve, if the packing main body approaches in a direction in which the packing main body is inclined with respect to the flat surface while the first seal portion is seated on the flat surface portion, the following phenomenon may occur. .. That is, among the overlapping portions, both side portions in the width direction of the slit do not elastically deform into the desired shape such that the distance between the two side portions widens as the distance between the two side portions approaches the flat portion. For example, both side portions are elastically deformed so as to fall in the same direction in a state of being in contact with each other without spreading.

In this regard, according to the above configuration, when the valve packing is assembled to the valve, the regulated portion provided on the packing main body is provided on the flat surface in the process of the packing main body approaching the flat surface portion. Contact the regulated department. By this contact, the approaching direction of the packing main body portion to the flat surface portion when the first seal portion is seated on the flat surface portion is restricted to the direction orthogonal to the flat surface portion. As a result, the overlapping portion seated on the flat surface portion is compressed in the direction orthogonal to the flat surface portion. Of the overlapping portions, both side portions in the width direction of the slit are elastically deformed into a target shape such that the distance between the two side portions increases as the distance between the two side portions approaches the flat portion.

According to the valve packing, the size can be reduced in the direction along the surface of the packing main body.

The perspective view of the rotary valve in one Embodiment. Top view of the rotary valve in one embodiment. (A) is an exploded perspective view of the rotary valve in one embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of FIG. 3 (a). A perspective view of the valve body in one embodiment as viewed from the valve body side. A perspective view of the inflow side packing in one embodiment as viewed from the first seal portion side. A perspective view of the inflow side packing in one embodiment as viewed from the second seal portion side. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion X in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9, which is a partial cross-sectional view when the overlapping portion is elastically deformed into a desired shape. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9, which is a partial cross-sectional view when the overlapping portion is elastically deformed into a shape different from the target. An exploded perspective view showing the correspondence between the regulated portion on the flat surface portion of the cover and the regulated portion on the inflow side packing. (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13a-13a of FIG. 2, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of FIG. 13 (a) in an enlarged manner. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the inflow side packing in one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the comparative example, and is the partial sectional view of the inflow side packing when the slit is not formed in the overlap part of the 1st seal part. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflow side packing of a comparative example in which the first seal portion is formed independently of the adjacent first seal portion.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the packing for a valve will be described with reference to the drawings.
The valve packing of this embodiment is used by being incorporated in a rotary valve. This rotary valve is a form of a valve provided in the middle of a plurality of fluid flow paths to switch the connection state of the flow paths.

Here, the fluid includes either one or both of a liquid and a gas. Further, the plurality of fluids include a plurality of types of fluids having different components, and also includes a plurality of fluids of the same type. A plurality of fluids of the same type include a plurality of the same fluids and a plurality of fluids having the same composition but different in temperature or other factors such as viscosity. In this embodiment, two types of cooling water having the same composition but different temperatures are used as fluids. As the fluid, a liquid different from the cooling water may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rotary valve 10 includes a housing 11, a valve body 51, an inflow side packing 71, and an outflow side packing 95. Of these members, the inflow side packing 71 corresponds to the valve packing within the scope of the claims. Next, each member will be described.

<Housing 11>
The housing 11 includes a body 12 and a cover 31. The body 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the axis L1 and includes a peripheral wall portion 13 having an internal space as an accommodating portion 41. One end of the peripheral wall portion 13 in the direction along the axis L1 is closed by the closing portion 14, and the other end is open (see FIG. 7).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, each of the peripheral wall portions 13 is formed with a plurality of projecting wall portions 15 projecting outward in the radial direction. An annular protrusion 16 is formed at the end of the peripheral wall portion 13 on the opposite side of the closed portion 14 in the direction along the axis L1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a bearing hole 17 is formed in the central portion of the closed portion 14.

The cover 31 is arranged on the side opposite to the closed portion 14 in the direction along the axis L1 with the peripheral wall portion 13 interposed therebetween. An annular recess 32 opened on the surface on the body 12 side is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cover 31. In the cover 31, a mounting portion 33 for mounting the inflow side packing 71 is formed in a portion surrounded by the annular recess 32. The bottom portion of the mounting portion 33 is composed of a flat surface portion 34. The surface of the plane portion 34 on the body 12 side is formed by a plane orthogonal to the axis L1.

The annular protrusion 16 of the body 12 is fitted into the annular recess 32 of the cover 31. An O-ring 35 that comes into contact with the wall surface of the annular recess 32 and seals between the annular protrusion 16 and the annular recess 32 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 16.

Connecting protrusions 18 projecting outward in the radial direction are formed at a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral portion of the body 12. Further, at a plurality of locations corresponding to the connecting protrusions 18 on the outer peripheral portion of the cover 31, connecting protrusions 36 protruding outward in the radial direction are formed. A bolt 37 is inserted into each of the connecting protrusions 18 and 36 corresponding to each other, and a nut 38 is tightened to each bolt 37 to connect the body 12 and the cover 31.

The flat surface portion 34 of the cover 31 faces the accommodating portion 41. An inflow port 42 of the fluid FL1 is formed as a part of the opening through which the fluid passes at a portion of the flat surface portion 34 through which the axis L1 passes. From the peripheral edge of the inflow port 42 in the cover 31, the connecting pipe portion 43 projects along the axis L1 toward the side away from the accommodating portion 41. A pipe 102 having a flow path 101 of the fluid FL1 is connected to the connection pipe portion 43. Further, the inflow port 44 of the fluid FL2 is formed as a part of the opening through which the fluid passes at a portion of the flat surface portion 34 slightly displaced outward in the radial direction from the inflow port 42. The connecting pipe portion 45 projects from the peripheral edge portion of the inflow port 44 in the cover 31. A pipe 104 having a flow path 103 of the fluid FL2 is connected to the connection pipe portion 45.

As shown in FIG. 8, one of the outlets 21 to 23 is formed on each protruding wall portion 15. These outlets 21 to 23 are open facing the accommodating portion 41. The connecting pipe portions 24 to 26 project outward from the peripheral portions of the outlets 21 to 23 in the protruding wall portion 15 in the radial direction of the body 12. A pipe 112 having a flow path 111 is connected to the connection pipe portion 24, a pipe 114 having a flow path 113 is connected to the connection pipe portion 25, and a pipe 116 having a flow path 115 is connected to the connection pipe portion 26. Is connected.

<Valve body 51>
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the valve body 51 includes a valve body portion 52 and a shaft portion 56. The valve body 52 is a portion forming the skeleton portion of the valve body 51, and is formed in a columnar shape. The end faces 53 and 54 on both sides of the valve body 52 in the direction along the axis L1 are both formed by a plane orthogonal to the coaxial line L1. The outer peripheral surface 55 of the valve body 52 is formed by a cylindrical surface centered on the axis L1.

The shaft portion 56 is provided at the center of the end surface 53 of the valve main body portion 52. The shaft portion 56 projects toward the side away from the cover 31. The shaft portion 56 has the axis L1 of the peripheral wall portion 13 as its own axis. Then, the valve main body portion 52 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 41, and the shaft portion 56 is inserted into the bearing hole 17. The end surface 54 of the valve main body 52 faces the flat surface portion 34 of the cover 31, and the outer peripheral surface 55 of the valve main body 52 faces the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 13. The shaft portion 56 is rotatably supported with respect to the body 12 in the bearing hole 17. An O-ring 57 is interposed between the shaft portion 56 and the closing portion 14.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, one movable flow path 61 through which the fluid FL1 flows and two movable flow paths 65 and 67 through which the fluid FL2 flows are formed in the valve main body 52. ..
The movable flow path 61 includes one common flow path portion 62 that constitutes an upstream portion in the flow direction of the fluid FL1, and two branch flow path portions 63 that each form a downstream portion in the same flow direction. The upstream end 61a of the movable flow path 61 in the flow direction is open at the center of the end surface 54 and faces the inflow port 42. The downstream end 61b of the movable flow path 61 in the flow direction is open on the outer peripheral surface 55. In the movable flow path 61, both branch flow paths 63 move (swirl) as the valve body 51 rotates, so that the inflow port 42 and the outflow port 21 and 22 communicate with each other via the movable flow path 61. To change.

The upstream end 65a of the movable flow path 65 in the flow direction is open at a portion of the end surface 54 that is radially outwardly displaced from the axis L1 (upstream end 61a). The downstream end 65b of the movable flow path 65 in the flow direction is open on the outer peripheral surface 55. The movable flow path 65 moves (swirls) around the axis L1 as the whole of the movable flow path 65 rotates with the rotation of the valve body 51, so that the inflow port 44 and the outflow port via the movable flow path 65 Change the communication state with 22.

The upstream end 67a of the movable flow path 67 in the flow direction is opened at a portion of the end surface 54 of the valve body 52 that is radially outwardly displaced from the axis L1 (upstream end 61a). The downstream end 67b of the movable flow path 67 in the flow direction is open on the outer peripheral surface 55. The movable flow path 67 moves (swirls) around the axis L1 as the whole of the movable flow path 67 rotates with the rotation of the valve body 51, so that the inflow port 44 and the outflow port via the movable flow path 67 Change the communication status with 23.

The above-mentioned changes in the various communication states are performed on condition that at least the connection states between the movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 and the inflow ports 42, 44 are changed.
The valve body 51 having the above configuration is rotated by a motor (not shown), a manual operation, or the like.

When the movable flow path 61 has the branch flow path portion 63 as described above, the number of the branch flow path portions 63 may be 3 or more. Further, the number of movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 in the valve body 51 may be 1 or 3 or more. When there is one movable flow path 61, 65, 67, it may be branched into a plurality of movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 in the middle.

<Inflow side packing 71>
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the inflow side packing 71 includes a packing main body portion 72, a first seal portion 74a, 74b, 74c, a second seal portion 81a, 81b, 81c, and a sheet 86. .. The inflow side packing 71 is arranged between the flat surface portion 34 and the end surface 54 of the valve main body portion 52, and is engaged with the mounting portion 33 of the cover 31. The packing main body portion 72, the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c and the second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c are integrally formed of an elastic material such as rubber. On the other hand, the sheet 86 is made of fluororesin and is attached to the surface of the packing main body 72 and the second seals 81a, 81b, 81c on the valve main body 52 side. The sheet 86 plays a role of reducing the friction between the inflow side packing 71 and the end surface 54 of the valve body 52, and reducing the load required for rotating the valve body 51.

The packing main body 72 is a portion constituting the skeleton portion of the inflow side packing 71. The packing main body 72 has a direction along the axis L1 as its own thickness direction, and has a plate shape having substantially uniform dimensions (thickness) in the same direction.

The packing main body 72 has more than the number of through holes 42 and 44 that penetrate in the thickness direction thereof. In the present embodiment, the packing main body 72 has three through holes 73a, 73b, 73c, which is one more than the inflow ports 42, 44. Each through hole 73a, 73b, 73c is composed of a circular hole having a diameter slightly larger than that of the inflow port 42, 44. The through hole 73a is formed in the packing main body 72 at a position facing the inflow port 42. The through hole 73b is formed in the packing main body 72 at a position facing the inflow port 44. Since the inflow ports 42 and 44 are close to each other as described above, the through holes 73a and 73b are also close to each other. Therefore, when the inflow side packing 71 is assembled to the rotary valve 10, any of the through holes 73a, 73b, and 73c faces the inflow ports 42 and 44.

The remaining one through hole 73c is formed in the packing main body 72 at a position that does not face any of the inflow ports 42 and 44 and is close to the adjacent through hole 73a. In the present embodiment, the through hole 73c is arranged at a position facing the through hole 73b with a part of the through hole 73a sandwiched between them. The arrangement directions of the through holes 73a and 73c intersect with the arrangement direction of the through holes 73a and 73b.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and 14, the first seal portion 74a is a surface of the packing main body portion 72 on the flat surface portion 34 side, is formed around the through hole 73a, and has an annular shape. ing. The first seal portion 74a is in contact with the flat surface portion 34 around the inflow port 42. The first seal portion 74b is a surface of the packing main body portion 72 on the flat surface portion 34 side, is formed around the through hole 73b, and has an annular shape. The first seal portion 74b is in contact with the flat surface portion 34 around the inflow port 44. The first seal portion 74c is a surface of the packing main body portion 72 on the flat surface portion 34 side, is formed around the through hole 73c, and has an annular shape. The first seal portion 74c is in contact with the flat surface portion 34 at a position different from the inflow ports 42 and 44.

A part of the first seal portion 74a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent first seal portion 74b in the circumferential direction overlap. Both first seal portions 74a and 74b are connected to each other at the overlapping portion 75.

In the first seal portions 74a and 74b, at a portion different from the overlapping portion 75 (non-overlapping portion), the inner peripheral surface 76 of the first seal portions 74a and 74b extends parallel to or is close to parallel to the axis L1. It is tilted at an angle. The outer peripheral surfaces 77 of the first seal portions 74a and 74b are configured by a tapered surface that is greatly inclined with respect to the axis L1 so as to approach the inner peripheral surface 76 as the distance from the packing main body portion 72 increases. Therefore, the dimension (width) of the non-overlapping portion in the radial direction of the first seal portions 74a and 74b becomes smaller as the distance from the packing main body portion 72 toward the flat surface portion 34 side.

The overlapping portion 75 is formed with one slit 78 extending in the circumferential direction, in other words, in the common tangential direction of the first seal portions 74a and 74b. The slit 78 is open on the surface of the overlapping portion 75 on the side in contact with the flat surface portion 34. More specifically, the slit 78 is opened at the central portion of the above surface in the radial direction of the first seal portions 74a and 74b. Assuming that the dimension of the slit 78 in the radial direction is the width of the slit 78, the width becomes maximum on the surface on the side in contact with the flat surface portion 34 and decreases as it approaches the packing main body portion 72.

The slit 78 is formed over the entire length of the overlapping portion 75 in the circumferential direction. The slits 78 are open at both ends of the overlapping portion 75 in the circumferential direction.
By forming the slit 78 in the overlapping portion 75, the flexible portion 75a is formed on the first seal portion 74a side of the overlapping portion 75 with respect to the slit 78, and the flexible portion is formed on the first seal portion 74b side. 75b is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, another part of the first seal portion 74a in the circumferential direction (a portion different from the overlapping portion 75) overlaps with a part of the adjacent first seal portion 74c in the circumferential direction. .. Both first seal portions 74a and 74c are connected to each other at the overlapping portion 79.

Although not shown, the portion of the first seal portion 74c that is different from the overlapping portion 79 (non-overlapping portion) has the same cross-sectional shape as the non-overlapping portion in the first seal portions 74a and 74b.

The overlapping portion 79 is formed with one slit 80 extending in the common tangential direction of the first seal portions 74a and 74c, when the circumferential direction and the expression are changed. The slit 80 has the same shape as the slit 78 in the overlapping portion 75. However, the extending direction of the slit 80 is different from the extending direction of the slit 78.

By forming the slit 80 in the overlapping portion 79, a pair of flexible portions 79a and 79b are formed on both sides of the overlapping portion 79 in the width direction of the slit 80.
<Second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c>
As shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 14, the second seal portion 81a corresponding to the inflow port 42 is a surface of the packing main body 72 on the valve main body 52 side and is formed around the through hole 73a. It is in a ring shape. The second seal portion 81a is in contact with the end surface 54 via the sheet 86 around the upstream end 61a of the movable flow path 61 regardless of the rotation phase of the valve body 51.

The second seal portion 81b corresponding to the inflow port 44 is a surface of the packing main body portion 72 on the valve main body portion 52 side, is formed around the through hole 73b, and forms an annular shape. The second seal portion 81b is in contact with the end surface 54 via the sheet 86, but in particular, when the upstream ends 65a and 67a of the movable flow paths 65 and 67 face the inflow port 44, the upstream end 65a , 67a is in contact with the end face 54 via the sheet 86.

The second seal portion 81c, which does not correspond to any of the inflow ports 42 and 44, is a surface of the packing main body 72 on the valve main body 52 side, and is formed around the through hole 73c to form an annular shape. There is. The second seal portion 81c is in contact with the end surface 54 via the sheet 86, and particularly when the downstream end 67b of the movable flow path 67 faces the outlet 21 as shown in FIG. Around the upstream end 67a, the end face 54 is in contact with the end surface 54 via the sheet 86.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 14, a part of the second seal portion 81a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent second seal portion 81b in the circumferential direction overlap with each other. Both second seal portions 81a and 81b are connected to each other at the overlapping portion 82. Similarly, another part of the second seal portion 81a in the circumferential direction (a portion different from the overlapping portion 82) overlaps with a part of the adjacent second seal portion 81c in the circumferential direction. Both second seal portions 81a and 81c are connected to each other at the overlapping portion 83.

In any of the overlapping portions 82 and 83, unlike the overlapping portions 75 and 79 in the first sealing portions 74a, 74b and 74c, no slit is formed.
The inner peripheral surface 84 and the outer peripheral surface of the second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c are different from the overlapping portions 82, 83 (non-overlapping portions) in the overlapping portions 82, 83 and the second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c. The 85 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 so as to gradually approach each other as the distance from the packing main body 72 increases. Therefore, the dimensions (widths) of the overlapping portions 82, 83 and the non-overlapping portions in the radial direction of the second sealing portions 81a, 81b, 81c gradually decrease as the distance from the packing main body portion 72 increases.

Further, the dimension (width) of the overlapping portions 82, 83 in the radial direction of the second sealing portions 81a, 81b, 81c is the minimum in the central portion in the circumferential direction of the overlapping portions 82, 83. The width of the overlapping portions 82 and 83 increases as the distance from the central portion in the circumferential direction of the overlapping portions 82 and 83 increases in the same circumferential direction, and becomes maximum at the end portions in the same circumferential direction. The central portion of the overlapping portions 82 and 83 in the circumferential direction has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the non-overlapping portion.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 5, 12 and 13 (a) and 13 (b), the packing main body 72 is provided on the flat surface 34 when the inflow side packing 71 is assembled to the rotary valve 10. The regulated portions 91, 92, 93 that come into contact with the regulating portions 87, 88, 89 are provided. The regulated portions 91 to 93 have a function of positioning the inflow side packing 71 with respect to the cover 31 by the contact with the regulating portions 87, 88, 89 at the time of the assembly. Further, the regulated portions 91 to 93 refer to the approach direction of the packing main body portion 72 to the flat surface portion 34 with the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c seated on the flat surface portion 34 by the above contact. It also has a function of restricting in the direction orthogonal to 34. The regulated portions 91 to 93 are provided at a plurality of locations different from the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c in the packing main body portion 72, and at three locations in the present embodiment. Each of the regulated portions 91 to 93 is formed by a hole portion that is open on the surface of the packing main body portion 72 on the flat surface portion 34 side and penetrates in the thickness direction of the packing main body portion 72.

The regulating portions 87 to 89 are provided at a plurality of locations (three locations) facing the regulated portions 91 to 93 on the flat surface portion 34. Each of the regulating portions 87 to 89 is composed of protrusions protruding from the flat surface portion 34 toward the valve main body portion 52, respectively. Each of the regulated portions 87 to 89 is formed to have a thickness that can be inserted into the corresponding regulated portions 91 to 93.

Then, each of the regulated portions 91 to 93 comes into contact with the regulated portions 87 to 89 that have entered the regulated portions 91 to 93, so that the above-mentioned regulation in the approach direction is performed.
<Outflow side packing 95>
As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 8, the outflow side packing 95 is arranged between each of the three protruding wall portions 15 and the outer peripheral surface 55 of the valve main body portion 52. Each outflow side packing 95 has the same structure as each other.

Each outflow side packing 95 includes a packing main body portion 96, a third seal portion 98, a fourth seal portion 99, and a sheet 100. Each packing main body 96 is a portion constituting the skeleton portion of the outflow side packing 95, and has a plate shape with the radial direction of the valve main body 52 as its own thickness direction.

Each packing main body 96 has a through hole 97 at a position facing each of the outlets 21 to 23. Each through hole 97 is composed of a circular hole having a diameter slightly larger than that of the outlets 21 to 23.

Each third seal portion 98 is a surface of the packing main body portion 96 on the peripheral wall portion 13 side, and is formed in an annular shape around the through hole 97. Each third seal portion 98 is in contact with the protruding wall portion 15 around the outlets 21 to 23.

Further, each of the fourth seal portions 99 is a surface of the packing main body portion 96 on the valve main body portion 52 side, and is formed in an annular shape around the through hole 97. Each of the fourth seal portions 99 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 55 of the valve main body portion 52, and in particular, the downstream ends 61b, 65b, 67b of the movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 face the outlets 21 to 23. In the case, it contacts the outer peripheral surface 55 around its downstream ends 61b, 65b, 67b.

The sheet 100 is made of fluororesin like the sheet 86 in the inflow side packing 71, and is attached to the surface of the packing main body 96 and the fourth seal 99 on the valve main body 52 side. The sheet 100 plays a role of reducing the friction between the outflow side packing 95 and the outer peripheral surface 55 of the valve body 52, and reducing the load required for rotating the valve body 51.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In addition, the effects caused by the action will also be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the fluid FL1 flowing through the flow path 101 is sent to the inflow port 42 via the connecting pipe portion 43. The fluid FL2 flowing through the flow path 103 is sent to the inflow port 44 via the connecting pipe portion 45.

On the other hand, when the valve body 51 is rotated by a motor (not shown), a manual operation, or the like, at least a part of the movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 moves along with the rotation.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, in the movable flow path 61, the common flow path portion 62 rotates around the axis L1 as the valve body 51 rotates, and both branch flow path portions 63 rotate. It moves (turns) around the axis L1. As a result, the connection state between the movable flow path 61 and the inflow port 42 is changed, and the communication state between the inflow port 42 and the outflow port 21 and 22 via the movable flow path 61 is changed. For example, although not shown, when the inflow port 42 and the outflow port 21 are communicated with each other via the movable flow path 61, the fluid FL1 flows through the inflow port 42, the movable flow path 61, and the outflow port 21 in order, and then flows through the inflow port 42, the movable flow path 61, and the outflow port 21. It flows out to the flow path 111 via the connecting pipe portion 24.

On the other hand, when the inflow port 42 and the outflow port 22 are communicated with each other via the movable flow path 61, the fluid FL1 flows through the inflow port 42, the movable flow path 61 and the outflow port 22 in order, and then the connection pipe portion. It flows out to the flow path 113 via 25 (see FIG. 8).

Further, as the valve body 51 rotates, the entire movable flow path 65 moves (turns) around the axis L1. By this movement, the connection state between the movable flow path 65 and the inflow port 44 is changed, and the communication state between the inflow port 44 and the outflow port 22 via the movable flow path 65 is changed. For example, although not shown, when the inflow port 44 and the outflow port 22 are communicated with each other via the movable flow path 65, the fluid FL2 flows through the inflow port 44, the movable flow path 65, and the outflow port 22 in order, and then flows through the inflow port 44, the movable flow path 65, and the outflow port 22. It flows out to the flow path 113 via the connecting pipe portion 25.

Further, as the valve body 51 rotates, the entire movable flow path 67 moves (turns) around the axis L1. By this movement, the connection state between the movable flow path 67 and the inflow port 44 is changed, and the communication state between the inflow port 44 and the outflow port 23 via the movable flow path 67 is changed. For example, although not shown, when the inflow port 44 and the outflow port 23 are communicated with each other via the movable flow path 67, the fluid FL2 flows through the inflow port 44, the movable flow path 67, and the outflow port 23 in order, and then flows through the inflow port 44, the movable flow path 67, and the outflow port 23. It flows out to the flow path 115 via the connecting pipe portion 26.

In this way, the connection state between the movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 and the inflow ports 42, 44 is changed, and the inflow ports 42, 44 and the outflow ports 21 through the movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 are changed. The communication state of 23 is changed. The connection state between the flow paths 101 and 103 of the plurality of inflow systems and the flow paths 111, 113 and 115 of the plurality of outflow systems is switched.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 10, the first seal portions 74a and 74b of the inflow side packing 71 are in pressure contact with the periphery of the inflow port 42 and 44 in the flat surface portion 34. Therefore, between the packing main body portion 72 and the flat surface portion 34, the fluids FL1 and FL2 form the first seal portions 74a and 74b between the inner region and the outer region of the first seal portions 74a and 74b. It is restricted to come and go via.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10, when the connection state between the flow paths 101, 103 and the flow paths 111, 113, 115 is switched, the second seal portions 81a, 81b of the inflow side packing 71 are obtained. , 81c are in pressure contact with the periphery of the upstream ends 61a, 65a, 67a of the movable flow paths 61, 65, 67 in the end surface 54 of the valve main body 52. Therefore, between the valve main body 52 and the packing main body 72, the fluids FL1 and FL2 are separated between the inner region and the outer region of the second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c, and the second seal portion 81a, It is restricted to go back and forth via 81b and 81c.

Therefore, when the connection state between the flow paths 101, 103 and the flow paths 111, 113, 115 is switched, the phenomenon that the fluids FL1 and FL2 are mixed between the valve main body portion 52 and the flat surface portion 34 is suppressed by the above regulation. Will be done.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fluid FL1 is formed by rotating the valve body 51 to change the communication state between the inflow ports 42 and 44 and the outflow ports 21 to 23, even though the rotary valve 10 is one. , The connection state of the inflow system flow paths 101 and 103 and the outflow system flow paths 111, 113 and 115 can be switched for each of FL2. Further, in the state after switching, it is possible to suppress the mixing of the fluids FL1 and FL2 regardless of the rotation phase of the valve body 51.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first seal portion 74c and the second seal portion 81c provided around the through hole 73c that does not face any of the inflow ports 42 and 44 are formed by the rotation of the valve body 51. It is used to seal the upstream end 67a when the upstream end 67a of the movable flow path 67 does not face any of the inlets 42 and 44 and the downstream end 67b faces the outlet 21.

That is, when the fluid FL1 once flowing out to the connecting pipe portion 24 flows back from the outlet 21 to the movable flow path 67, the fluid FL2 in the movable flow path 67 is a gap between the valve main body portion 52 and the housing 11 from the upstream end 67a. Get in. In this fluid FL2, the downstream end 61b does not face any of the outflow ports 21 to 23, and may enter the unsealed movable flow path 61 and mix with the fluid FL1 flowing in from the inflow port 42. ..

However, in the present embodiment, the fluid FL2 that intends to flow back through the movable flow path 67 is stopped by the first seal portion 74c and the second seal portion 81c that surround the upstream end 67a. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon that the fluid FL2 enters the movable flow path 61 and mixes with the fluid FL1.

By the way, in the rotary valve 10 in which the inflow side packing 71 is arranged between the flat surface portion 34 and the valve main body portion 52, the dimension of the valve main body portion 52 in the direction along the surface of the packing main body portion 72, and thus the rotary valve 10 The radial dimension is greatly affected by the packing main body 72.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the first seal portion 74a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent first seal portion 74b in the circumferential direction overlap in the overlapping portion 75 (wrap). ), And another part of the first seal portion 74a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent first seal portion 74c in the circumferential direction overlap (wrap) in the overlapping portion 79.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, a part of the second seal portion 81a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent second seal portion 81b in the circumferential direction overlap (wrap) in the overlapping portion 82, and the second seal portion 81b is second. Another part of the seal portion 81a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent second seal portion 81c in the circumferential direction overlap (wrap) in the overlapping portion 83.

Therefore, as compared with the case where the adjacent first seal portions 74a and 74b are separated from each other and the adjacent second seal portions 81a and 81b (not shown) are separated from each other (see FIG. 16), between the adjacent through holes 73a and 73b. The distance is shortened. Further, as compared with the case where the adjacent first seal portions 74a and 74c are separated from each other and the adjacent second seal portions 81a and 81c (not shown) are separated from each other (see FIG. 16), between the adjacent through holes 73a and 73c. The distance is shortened.

As a result, the size of the inflow side packing 71 in the direction along the surface of the packing main body 72 becomes smaller. Along with this, the distance between the adjacent inflow ports 42 and 44 becomes shorter, and the rotary valve 10 can be miniaturized in the direction along the above-mentioned surface, that is, in the radial direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the overlapping portion 82 also serves as a part of the second seal portions 81a and 81b in the circumferential direction. Further, the overlapping portion 83 also serves as a part of the second seal portions 81a and 81c in the circumferential direction. Therefore, as compared with the case where a part of the second seal portion 81a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent second seal portion 81b in the circumferential direction do not overlap (lap) (see FIG. 16), all the second seals are second. The contact area of the seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c with the valve main body portion 52 becomes smaller. Therefore, the load required for sealing can be reduced, and the torque required to rotate the valve body 52 when switching the connection state between the flow paths 101, 103 and the flow paths 111, 113, 115 can be reduced. can.

Here, if, as shown in FIG. 15, a part of the first seal portion 74a in the circumferential direction and a part of the adjacent first seal portion 74b in the circumferential direction overlap, but the slit 78 is not provided. In the overlapping portion 75, the radial dimension (width) of the first sealing portions 74a and 74b is larger than the width in the non-overlapping portion. Along with this, in the overlapping portion 75, the dimension (compression allowance A) that can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction of the packing main body portion 72 by compression becomes smaller than that in the non-overlapping portion. Further, in the overlapping portion 75, the surface pressure generated by the pressure contact with the flat surface portion 34 increases as compared with the non-overlapping portion. This is because the cross-sectional area of the cross section of the first sealed portions 74a and 74b (the portion below the line of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 15) is larger in the overlapping portion 75 than in the non-overlapping portion. Although not shown, the same applies to the overlapping portion 79 in the adjacent first seal portions 74a and 74c.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, since the slit 78 is provided in the overlapping portion 75 and the slit 80 is provided in the overlapping portion 79, the slits 78 and 80 are not provided. The compression allowance A can be made larger than that. Further, the cross-sectional area can be reduced by the amount of the slits 78 and 80, and the variation in the surface pressure generated by the pressure contact with the flat surface portion 34 can be reduced between the overlapping portions 75 and 79 and the non-overlapping portions.

By the way, when assembling the inflow side packing 71 to the rotary valve 10, as shown in FIG. 9, the packing main body 72 of the inflow side packing 71 seated on the flat surface portion 34 in the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c As shown by the arrow B in FIG. 11, if the flat surface portion 34 is pushed in an inclined direction and approaches in the same direction, the following phenomenon may occur. That is, the flexible portions 75a and 75b on both sides of the overlapping portion 75 in the width direction of the slit 78 do not elastically deform to the target shape (see FIG. 10) such that the distance between them widens as the distance between them approaches the flat portion 34. Is. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, both flexible portions 75a and 75b may be elastically deformed so as to fall in the same direction in a state of being in contact with each other without expanding. The sealing performance is lower than when both flexible portions 75a and 75b are elastically deformed to the target shape. Although not shown, the same applies to the flexible portions 79a and 79b in the overlapping portion 79.

In this respect, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 (a) and 13 (b), the packing is in the process of the inflow side packing 71 approaching the flat surface portion 34 when assembling to the rotary valve 10. The regulated portions 91 to 93 provided in the main body portion 72 come into contact with the regulated portions 87 to 89 provided in the flat surface portion 34. More specifically, the regulated portions 91 to 93 come into contact with the regulated portions 87 to 89 by the protrusions constituting the regulated portions 87 to 89 entering the holes constituting the regulated portions 91 to 93. .. Due to this contact, the approach direction of the packing main body portion 72 to the flat surface portion 34 in a state where the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c are seated on the flat surface portion 34 as shown in FIG. 9 is indicated by an arrow C in FIG. As described above, it is regulated in the direction orthogonal to the plane portion 34. It is less likely that the packing main body 72 approaches the flat surface 34 in the direction of inclination. As a result, the flexible portions 75a and 75b of the overlapping portion 75 seated on the flat surface portion 34 are compressed in the direction orthogonal to the flat surface portion 34. The phenomenon of elastic deformation (see FIG. 11) in which both flexible portions 75a and 75b are elastically deformed so as to fall in the same direction in a state of being in contact with each other without expanding is less likely to occur. As shown in FIG. 10, the flexible portions 75a and 75b can be elastically deformed into a target shape that widens as the distance between them approaches the flat surface portion 34, and the deterioration of the sealing property can be suppressed.

Although not shown, the flexible portions 79a and 79b in the overlapping portion 79 can also be elastically deformed to the target shape in the same manner as described above.
In particular, in the present embodiment, in the process of assembling to the rotary valve 10 and the packing main body portion 72 approaches the flat surface portion 34, the contact of the regulated portions 91 to 93 with the regulated portions 87 to 89 is shown in FIG. As shown in the above, the slits 78 and 80 are sandwiched from both sides in the extending direction of the slits 78 and 80 in a non-contact state. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately regulate the approach direction of the packing main body portion 72 to the flat surface portion 34 while the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c are seated on the flat surface portion 34.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above.
When assembling the inflow side packing 71 to the rotary valve 10, the regulated portions 91, 92, 93 are brought into contact with the regulation portions 87, 88, 89 in the process of bringing the inflow side packing 71 closer to the mounting portion 33 of the cover 31. As a result, the inflow side packing 71 can be positioned with respect to the cover 31.

At this time, since the regulated portions 91 to 93 are in contact with the regulated portions 87 to 89 at a plurality of locations, the rotation of the inflow side packing 71 with respect to the cover 31 can be restricted.
It should be noted that the above embodiment can also be implemented as a modified example in which this is modified as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be carried out in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

The plurality of openings provided in the flat surface portion 34 may be a plurality of outlets 21 to 23 of the fluids FL1 and FL2 from the accommodating portion 41, or may be the inlets 42 and 44, unlike the above-described embodiment. It may be a combination with the outlets 21 to 23.

-The shape of the through holes 73a, 73b, 73c may be changed to a shape different from the circular shape.
The number of through holes in the packing main body 72 may be 2 or 4 or more.
The slits 78 and 80 may be formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the overlapping portions 75 and 79.

The slits 78 and 80 may be formed only in a part of the overlapping portions 75 and 79 in the circumferential direction.
-Slits 78 and 80 in the overlapping portions 75 and 79 may be omitted.

The slits 78 and 80 may be formed in place of or in addition to the overlapping portions 75 and 79 of the first sealing portions 74a, 74b and 74c in the overlapping portions 82 and 83 of the second sealing portions 81a, 81b and 81c. ..

-The slits 78 and 80 may be formed so that the width is constant in the depth direction.
-Sheets 86 and 100 can be omitted as appropriate.
The regulated portions 91 to 93 may be formed by a recess that opens on the surface of the packing main body 72 on the flat surface 34 side and is recessed in the thickness direction of the packing main body 72 instead of the hole.

Contrary to the above embodiment, the regulated portions 91 to 93 may be configured by protrusions protruding from the packing main body portion 72 toward the flat surface portion 34. In this case, the regulating portions 87 to 89 are composed of recesses or holes that are opened in the flat surface portion 34 and extend toward the side away from the packing main body portion 72.

The first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c and the second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c do not necessarily have to be formed on the same axis as the through holes 73a, 73b, 73c.
Each of the first seal portions 74a, 74b, 74c and the second seal portions 81a, 81b, 81c may be formed in an annular shape different from the annular shape, for example, an elliptical ring shape, or a triangular ring shape, a square ring shape, or a pentagonal shape. It may be formed in a polygonal ring shape such as a ring shape.

The valve packing is not limited to the inflow side packing 71, provided that the packing main body is arranged between the flat surface portion and the valve main body and the packing main body is a packing having a plurality of through holes. It is also applicable to the outflow side packing.

-The packing for valves is not limited to rotary valves, but also for packings of other methods, for example, valves of the type in which the valve body switches the flow path by sliding in the direction along the plane with respect to the flat surface. It is applicable in the same manner as above. In this case as well, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

10 ... Rotary valve 11 ... Housing 34 ... Flat surface 41 ... Accommodating section 42, 44 ... Inflow port (opening)
51 ... Valve body 52 ... Valve body 54 ... End face 61, 65, 67 ... Movable flow path 71 ... Inflow side packing (valve packing)
72 ... Packing main body 73a, 73b, 73c ... Through holes 74a, 74b, 74c ... First seal portion 75, 79, 82, 83 ... Overlapping portion 78, 80 ... Slit 81a, 81b, 81c ... Second seal portion 87, 88, 89 ... Restricted part 91, 92, 93 ... Controlled part 101, 103, 111, 113, 115 ... Flow path FL1, FL2 ... Fluid

Claims (3)

A valve provided with an accommodating portion, a flat portion facing the accommodating portion, a housing arranged in the middle of a plurality of fluid flow paths, and a movable accommodating portion and a movable flow path in the accommodating portion. A valve packing provided with a valve body having a main body portion, which is arranged between the flat surface portion and the valve main body portion and whose skeleton portion is composed of a packing main body portion.
A plurality of openings through which the fluid passes are formed in the flat surface portion, and the movable flow path is opened at the end surface of the valve main body portion facing the flat surface portion.
The valve changes the connection state between the movable flow path and the opening as the valve body moves.
The packing main body has more than the number of through holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the packing main body, and is arranged so that any of the through holes faces all the openings. It is a thing
The packing main body portion has an annular first seal portion provided around each through hole and in contact with the flat surface portion, and an annular second seal portion provided around each through hole and in contact with the valve main body portion. A part in the circumferential direction of each first seal portion and a part in the circumferential direction of the adjacent first seal portion overlap with each other, and a part in the circumferential direction of each second seal portion is provided. , A valve packing that overlaps with a part of the adjacent second seal portion in the circumferential direction. The adjacent first seal portions overlap each other at the overlapping portion, and the first seal portions are overlapped with each other.
The packing for a valve according to claim 1, wherein a slit is formed in the overlapping portion on a surface on the side in contact with the flat surface portion and extends in the circumferential direction of the overlapping portion. When the packing main body is assembled to the valve, the packing main body is in a state where the first seal portion is seated on the flat surface portion by contacting the restricting portion provided on the flat surface portion. The packing for a valve according to claim 2, wherein a regulated portion that regulates the approaching direction to the flat surface portion in a direction orthogonal to the flat surface portion is provided.

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