JP2024115173A

JP2024115173A - Flow path switching device

Info

Publication number: JP2024115173A
Application number: JP2023020710A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 衛吉岡; Mamoru Yoshioka; 一真中島; Kazuma Nakajima
Original assignee: Aisan Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Aisan Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-14
Filing date: 2023-02-14
Publication date: 2024-08-26
Also published as: WO2024171662A1

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To seal a passage securely with a valve seal member even if a seated state (a deformation state) of the valve seal member is changed by driving of a valve member.

SOLUTION: A flow path switching device 1 comprises a rotating disk 40 that rotates with respect to a housing 11. The housing includes housing flow paths 20, 30, 70, and the rotating disk includes a rotation flow path 60. A valve seal member 81 is provided between the housing and the rotating disk and slides relative to the housing. A fluid flow path is formed by the rotating disk rotating to selectively establish communication between the housing flow paths and the rotation flow path. The valve seal member 81 includes: a pair of first seal sections 91 that sandwiches therebetween an aperture rim 60a of the rotation flow path and that extends along a direction of rotation; and a pair of second seal sections 92 that intersects the direction of rotation of the rotating disk and that connects both ends of the pair of first seal sections. A second seal distance D2 between the aperture rim 60a and the second seal sections is set larger than a first seal distance D1 between the aperture rim 60a and the first seal sections 91.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

この明細書に開示される技術は、流体が流れる流路を切り替えるように構成した流路切替装置に関する。 The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a flow path switching device configured to switch the flow path through which a fluid flows.

従来、この種の技術として、例えば、下記の特許文献１に記載される「流路切替バルブ」が知られている。この流路切替バルブは、ステータ（ハウジング）と、ハウジングに対して円周上に摺動しつつ回転するロータ（弁部材）に接続されたロータシール（弁シール部材）とを備える。ハウジングは、弁シール部材に開口する複数のステータ流路（ハウジング流路）を有する。弁シール部材は、複数のハウジング流路のうち二つ以上を連結するためのロータシール流路（弁流路）を有する。ここで、弁シール部材の流路端部のうち、弁流路の摺動方向の先端に位置する流路端部は、少なくとも摺動開始時に弁流路が接続するハウジング流路端部の摺動方向の逆方向に位置付けられる。 A conventional technique of this type is, for example, the "flow path switching valve" described in Patent Document 1 below. This flow path switching valve includes a stator (housing) and a rotor seal (valve seal member) connected to a rotor (valve member) that rotates while sliding circumferentially relative to the housing. The housing has a number of stator flow paths (housing flow paths) that open to the valve seal member. The valve seal member has a rotor seal flow path (valve flow path) for connecting two or more of the multiple housing flow paths. Here, among the flow path ends of the valve seal member, the flow path end located at the tip in the sliding direction of the valve flow path is positioned in the opposite direction to the sliding direction of the housing flow path end to which the valve flow path is connected at least when the sliding starts.

特開２０２０－１４４０２７号公報JP 2020-144027 A

ところが、特許文献１に記載の流路切替バルブでは、弁シール部材は弾性体であり、弁部材を回転させて流路を切り替えた後の弁シール部材の座り状態（変形状態）によっては、弁シール部材の先端接触部がハウジングに接して引きずられ、変位してハウジング流路に入り込み、弁流路のシールが不十分となり流体の漏れが発生するおそれがあった。 However, in the flow path switching valve described in Patent Document 1, the valve seal member is an elastic body, and depending on the seating state (deformed state) of the valve seal member after rotating the valve member to switch the flow path, the tip contact portion of the valve seal member may come into contact with the housing and be dragged, displaced, and enter the housing flow path, resulting in insufficient sealing of the valve flow path and causing fluid leakage.

この開示技術は、上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであって、その目的は、弁部材の駆動により弁シール部材の座り状態（変形状態）が変化しても、弁シール部材により流路を確実にシールすることを可能とした流路切替装置を提供することにある。 This disclosed technology was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a flow path switching device that makes it possible to reliably seal the flow path with the valve seal member even if the seating state (deformation state) of the valve seal member changes due to the actuation of the valve member.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の技術は、ハウジングと、ハウジングの内部に配置され、ハウジングに対し相対的に駆動する板状の弁部材とを備え、ハウジングは、複数のハウジング流路を含み、弁部材は、板面方向に沿って伸びる少なくとも一つの弁流路を含み、弁流路は、開口縁を含み、ハウジング流路は、弁流路に通可能な複数の開口部を含み、ハウジングと弁部材との間で弁流路の開口縁を囲むように配置され、弁部材の駆動に伴いハウジングとの間で摺動する弁シール部材が設けられ、弁部材が駆動することで弁流路により複数の開口部のうち少なくとも２つを接続してハウジング流路と弁流路を選択的に連通させることで流体の流路を形成するように構成した流路切替装置において、弁シール部材は、開口縁を挟んで弁部材の駆動方向に沿って伸びる一対の第１シール部と、開口縁を挟んで弁部材の駆動方向と交差する方向に配置され、一対の第１シール部の両端を繋ぐ一対の第２シール部とを含み、ハウジング流路の開口部と第２シール部との間の最短距離である第２シール距離は、ハウジング流路の開口部と第１シール部との間の最短距離である第１シール距離よりも大きく設定されることを趣旨とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 1 comprises a housing and a plate-shaped valve member disposed inside the housing and driven relative to the housing, the housing includes a plurality of housing flow paths, the valve member includes at least one valve flow path extending along the plate surface direction, the valve flow path includes an opening edge, the housing flow path includes a plurality of openings that can pass through the valve flow path, a valve seal member is disposed between the housing and the valve member so as to surround the opening edge of the valve flow path, and slides between the housing and the valve member as the valve member is driven, and at least one of the plurality of openings is opened by the valve flow path when the valve member is driven. In a flow path switching device configured to selectively connect at least two of the housing flow path and the valve flow path to form a flow path for the fluid, the valve seal member includes a pair of first seal portions that extend along the drive direction of the valve member, sandwiching the edge of the opening, and a pair of second seal portions that are arranged in a direction intersecting the drive direction of the valve member, sandwiching the edge of the opening, and connect both ends of the pair of first seal portions, and the second seal distance, which is the shortest distance between the opening of the housing flow path and the second seal portions, is set to be greater than the first seal distance, which is the shortest distance between the opening of the housing flow path and the first seal portions.

上記技術の構成によれば、弁シール部材につき、ハウジング流路の開口部と第２シール部との間の第２シール距離をハウジング流路の開口部と第１シール部との間の第１シール距離よりも大きく設定しているので、弁シール部材が、弁部材の駆動に伴い、ハウジングに対する摺動抵抗により変位しても、第２シール部の先端部がハウジング流路に突出することなくハウジングの内面に接地する。 According to the configuration of the above technology, the second seal distance between the opening of the housing flow path and the second seal portion of the valve seal member is set to be larger than the first seal distance between the opening of the housing flow path and the first seal portion. Therefore, even if the valve seal member is displaced due to sliding resistance against the housing as the valve member is driven, the tip of the second seal portion does not protrude into the housing flow path and grounds to the inner surface of the housing.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項２に記載の技術は、請求項１に記載の技術において、流体の流路を形成した状態では、ハウジング流路の開口部が、弁流路の開口縁の駆動方向両端から間隔を隔てて位置し、開口縁の駆動方向両端は半円弧状をなしており、第２シール部は、開口縁の駆動方向両端に沿って半円弧状をなし、第２シール部と開口縁との距離は円周方向に沿って均一に設定されることを趣旨とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 2 is the technology described in claim 1, in which, in a state in which a fluid flow path is formed, the opening of the housing flow path is located at a distance from both ends of the opening edge of the valve flow path in the driving direction, both ends of the opening edge are semicircular, the second seal portion is semicircular along both ends of the opening edge in the driving direction, and the distance between the second seal portion and the opening edge is set uniformly along the circumferential direction.

上記技術の構成によれば、請求項１に記載の技術の作用に加え、弁流路の駆動方向における両端がその駆動方向へ拡大され、第２シール部と開口縁との距離は円周方向に沿って均一化される。 According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1, both ends of the valve flow path in the drive direction are expanded in the drive direction, and the distance between the second seal portion and the opening edge is made uniform along the circumferential direction.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項３に記載の技術は、請求項１又は２に記載の技術において、弁シール部材は、その周方向に沿ってハウジング又は弁部材と接触可能な先端部を有し、先端部は、弁シール部材の内周寄りに配置されることを趣旨とする。 To achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 3 is the technology described in claim 1 or 2, in which the valve seal member has a tip portion that can contact the housing or the valve member along its circumferential direction, and the tip portion is positioned toward the inner circumference of the valve seal member.

上記技術の構成によれば、請求項１又は２に記載の技術の作用に加え、弁シール部材の先端部が、弁シール部材の内側寄りに配置されるので、弁シール部材の先端部のハウジングに対する接触長が短くなる。 According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1 or 2, the tip of the valve seal member is positioned closer to the inside of the valve seal member, so the contact length of the tip of the valve seal member with the housing is shortened.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項４に記載の技術は、請求項１又は２に記載の技術において、弁部材は、円板状をなし、その中心に設けられた回転軸を中心に回転可能に設けられ、弁流路の開口縁は、回転軸を中心側とする円弧状に形成され、回転軸に近い内径側開口縁と回転軸から遠い外径側開口縁とを含み、弁シール部材は、その周方向に沿ってハウジング又は弁部材と接触可能な先端部を有し、一対の第１シール部は、弁流路の外径側開口縁に沿って配置される外径側第１シール部と、弁流路の内径側開口縁に沿って配置される内径側第１シール部とを含み、外径側第１シール部の先端部は、外径側第１シール部の内周寄りに配置され、内径側第１シール部の先端部は、内径側第１シール部の外周寄りに配置されることを趣旨とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 4 is the technology described in claim 1 or 2, in which the valve member is disk-shaped and rotatable around a rotation axis provided at its center, the opening edge of the valve flow path is formed in an arc shape with the rotation axis at the center and includes an inner diameter side opening edge close to the rotation axis and an outer diameter side opening edge far from the rotation axis, the valve seal member has a tip portion that can contact the housing or the valve member along its circumferential direction, the pair of first seal portions includes an outer diameter side first seal portion arranged along the outer diameter side opening edge of the valve flow path and an inner diameter side first seal portion arranged along the inner diameter side opening edge of the valve flow path, the tip portion of the outer diameter side first seal portion is arranged near the inner circumference of the outer diameter side first seal portion, and the tip portion of the inner diameter side first seal portion is arranged near the outer circumference of the inner diameter side first seal portion.

上記技術の構成によれば、請求項１又は２に記載の技術の作用に加え、弁シール部材につき、外径側第１シール部の先端部は、外径側第１シール部の内周寄りにオフセットして配置され、内径側第１シール部の先端部は、内径側第１シール部の外周寄りにオフセットして配置される。従って、弁シール部材につき、外径側第１シール部の先端部と内径側第１シール部の先端部のハウジングに対する回転半径が小さくなる。 According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1 or 2, the tip of the outer diameter side first seal part of the valve seal member is offset toward the inner circumference of the outer diameter side first seal part, and the tip of the inner diameter side first seal part is offset toward the outer circumference of the inner diameter side first seal part. Therefore, the rotation radius of the tip of the outer diameter side first seal part and the tip of the inner diameter side first seal part of the valve seal member relative to the housing is reduced.

請求項１に記載の技術によれば、弁部材の駆動により弁シール部材のハウジングに対する座り状態（変形状態）が変化しても、弁シール部材により流路を確実にシールすることができる。 According to the technology described in claim 1, even if the seating state (deformation state) of the valve seal member relative to the housing changes due to the actuation of the valve member, the flow path can be reliably sealed by the valve seal member.

請求項２に記載の技術によれば、請求項１に記載の技術の効果に加え、弁シール部材と弁流路の内壁との間の壁幅を円周方向に均一化することができ、弁流路を有する弁部材を樹脂材により成形する場合でもその成形精度を確保することができる。 According to the technology described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1, the wall width between the valve seal member and the inner wall of the valve flow passage can be made uniform in the circumferential direction, and molding precision can be ensured even when a valve member having a valve flow passage is molded from a resin material.

請求項３に記載の技術によれば、請求項１又は２に記載の技術の効果に加え、弁シール部材のハウジングに対する駆動トルクを低減することができる。 The technology described in claim 3 has the effect of the technology described in claim 1 or 2, and can also reduce the drive torque of the valve seal member relative to the housing.

請求項４に記載の技術によれば、請求項１又は２に記載の技術の効果に加え、弁シール部材のハウジングに対する駆動トルクを低減することができる。 The technology described in claim 4 has the effect of the technology described in claim 1 or 2, and can also reduce the drive torque of the valve seal member relative to the housing.

第１実施形態に係り、流路切替装置の外観を示す斜視図。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the flow path switching device in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、流路切替装置を示す分解斜視図。FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow path switching device in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、流路切替装置を示す断面図。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow path switching device in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、回転ディスクを示す上面図。FIG. 2 is a top view showing the rotating disk in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、固定ディスクを示す上面図。FIG. 4 is a top view showing the fixed disk in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、第１の流路パターンを模式的に示すイメージ図。FIG. 4 is an image diagram illustrating a first flow path pattern in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、第２の流路パターンを模式的に示すイメージ図。FIG. 11 is an image diagram illustrating a second flow path pattern in the first embodiment. 対比例に係り、弁シール部材に変位がない場合を示すイメージ図。FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a case in which there is no displacement of a valve seal member according to a comparative example. 対比例に係り、弁シール部材に変位がある場合を示すイメージ図。FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing a case where a valve seal member is displaced, as a comparative example. 対比例に係り、図８の場合の弁シール部材、回転流路、流入流路の開口部及び固定流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示すイメージ図。FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the relative positions of the valve seal member, the rotary flow passage, the opening of the inlet flow passage, and the opening of the fixed flow passage in a plan view in the case of FIG. 8, for comparison. 対比例に係り、図９の鎖線四角で囲った部分を拡大して示すイメージ図。FIG. 10 is an enlarged conceptual diagram showing a portion surrounded by a dashed square in FIG. 9 in a comparative example. 第１実施形態に係り、回転ディスクの回転流路の周囲に設けられる弁シール部材を示す平面図。FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a valve seal member provided around the rotation flow path of the rotating disk in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、弁シール部材、回転流路、流入流路の開口部及び固定流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示す図１０に準ずるイメージ図。FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram equivalent to FIG. 10 showing the positional relationship in a plan view of a valve seal member, a rotational flow path, an opening of an inlet flow path, and an opening of a fixed flow path in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、第２シール部の部分を示す図１３のＡ－Ａ線断面図。FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 13 , showing a portion of the second seal portion in the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、第１シール部の部分を示す図１３のＢ－Ｂ線断面図。FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the first seal portion taken along line BB in FIG. 13 according to the first embodiment. 対比例に係り、第２シール部の部分を示す図１０のＣ－Ｃ線断面図。FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 10 showing a portion of the second seal portion in a comparative example. 対比例に係り、第１シール部を示す図１０のＤ－Ｄ線断面図。FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 10 , showing the first seal portion, in a comparative example. 第２実施形態に係り、弁シール部材、回転流路、流入流路の開口部及び固定流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示す図１３に準ずるイメージ図。FIG. 14 is an image diagram equivalent to FIG. 13 showing the positional relationship in a plan view of a valve seal member, a rotational flow path, an opening of an inlet flow path, and an opening of a fixed flow path in the second embodiment. 第２実施形態に係り、図１８の一部であって、弁シール部材、回転流路及び流入流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示すイメージ図。FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a positional relationship in a plan view of a valve seal member, a rotation flow passage, and an opening of an inlet flow passage according to a second embodiment, the diagram being a part of FIG. 18 . 第２実施形態に係り、第２シール部の部分を示す図１８のＥ－Ｅ線断面図。FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion taken along line E-E in FIG. 18 according to the second embodiment. 第２実施形態に係り、第１シール部の部分を示す図１８のＦ－Ｆ線断面図。FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the first seal portion taken along line FF in FIG. 18 according to the second embodiment. 第１実施形態に係り、弁シール部材、回転流路及び流入流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示す図１９に準ずるイメージ図。FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram equivalent to FIG. 19 showing the positional relationship in a plan view of the valve seal member, the rotation flow passage, and the opening of the inlet flow passage in the first embodiment. 第３実施形態に係り、弁シール部材、回転流路、流入流路の開口部及び固定流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示す図１８に準ずるイメージ図。FIG. 19 is an image diagram equivalent to FIG. 18 showing the positional relationship in a plan view of a valve seal member, a rotational flow path, an opening of an inlet flow path, and an opening of a fixed flow path in the third embodiment. 第３実施形態に係り、第２シール部の部分を示す図２３のＧ－Ｇ線断面図。FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion taken along line GG in FIG. 23 according to the third embodiment. 第２実施形態に係り、第２シール部の部分を示す図２４に準ずる断面図。FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view equivalent to FIG. 24 showing a portion of a second seal portion in the second embodiment. 第４実施形態に係り、弁シール部材、回転流路、流入流路の開口部及び固定流路の開口部の平面視における配置関係を示す図２３に準ずるイメージ図。FIG. 24 is an image diagram equivalent to FIG. 23 showing the positional relationship in a plan view of a valve seal member, a rotational flow path, an opening of an inlet flow path, and an opening of a fixed flow path in the fourth embodiment. 別の実施形態に係り、固定ディスクを省略したタイプの流路切替装置を示す断面図。FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a flow path switching device according to another embodiment, in which a fixed disk is omitted.

以下、流路切替装置を具体化したいくつかの実施形態につき詳細に説明する。 Below, we will explain in detail several embodiments of the flow path switching device.

＜第１実施形態＞
第１実施形態について図１～図１７を参照して説明する。 First Embodiment
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

［流路切替装置の概要について］
先ず、流路切替装置の概要について説明する。図１に、この実施形態の流路切替装置１の外観を斜視図により示す。図２に、この実施形態の流路切替装置１を分解斜視図により示す（駆動部１３と制御部１４の図示は省略）。図３に、この実施形態の流路切替装置１を断面図により示す（駆動部１３と制御部１４の図示は省略）。図１～図３に示すように、流路切替装置１は、ハウジング１１と、弁体部１２と、駆動部１３と、制御部１４とを備える。 [Overview of the flow path switching device]
First, an overview of the flow path switching device will be described. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the appearance of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment (the drive unit 13 and the control unit 14 are omitted). Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment (the drive unit 13 and the control unit 14 are omitted). As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the flow path switching device 1 includes a housing 11, a valve body unit 12, a drive unit 13, and a control unit 14.

［ハウジングについて］
図１～図３に示すように、ハウジング１１は、上ハウジング１１Ａと下ハウジング１１Ｂを複数のネジ１６で締結することで構成される。ハウジング１１は、流体が流入する流入流路２０と、流体が流出する流出流路３０とを含む。この実施形態では、流路切替装置１は、一例として六方弁として構成され、ハウジング１１は、３つの流入流路２０と３つの流出流路３０とを有する。３つの流入流路２０として、上ハウジング１１Ａには、第１流入流路２１、第２流入流路２２及び第３流入流路２３が設けられる。図３に示すように、回転ディスク４０と対向する流入流路２０の一端には、後述する回転流路６０に連通可能な開口部２０ａが設けられる。また、３つの流出流路３０として、下ハウジング１１Ｂには、第１流出流路３１、第２流出流路３２及び第３流出流路３３が設けられる。 [About housing]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 11 is configured by fastening the upper housing 11A and the lower housing 11B with a plurality of screws 16. The housing 11 includes an inflow flow path 20 through which the fluid flows in and an outflow flow path 30 through which the fluid flows out. In this embodiment, the flow path switching device 1 is configured as a six-way valve as an example, and the housing 11 has three inflow flow paths 20 and three outflow flow paths 30. As the three inflow flow paths 20, a first inflow flow path 21, a second inflow flow path 22, and a third inflow flow path 23 are provided in the upper housing 11A. As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 20a that can communicate with a rotation flow path 60 described later is provided at one end of the inflow flow path 20 facing the rotating disk 40. In addition, as the three outflow flow paths 30, a first outflow flow path 31, a second outflow flow path 32, and a third outflow flow path 33 are provided in the lower housing 11B.

なお、ハウジング１１は、例えば樹脂により形成される。ハウジング１１（上ハウジング１１Ａ及び下ハウジング１１Ｂ）は本開示技術の「ハウジング」の一例に相当し、流入流路２０（第１流入流路２１、第２流入流路２２及び第３流入流路２３）と、流出流路３０（第１流出流路３１、第２流出流路３２及び第３流出流路３３）は本開示技術の「ハウジング流路」の一例に相当する。 The housing 11 is formed, for example, from resin. The housing 11 (upper housing 11A and lower housing 11B) corresponds to an example of a "housing" in the disclosed technology, and the inlet flow path 20 (first inlet flow path 21, second inlet flow path 22, and third inlet flow path 23) and the outlet flow path 30 (first outlet flow path 31, second outlet flow path 32, and third outlet flow path 33) correspond to an example of a "housing flow path" in the disclosed technology.

［弁体部について］
弁体部１２は、ハウジング１１の内部に設けられる。この弁体部１２は、図２と図３に示すように、回転しない固定ディスク５０と、固定ディスク５０に積層して配置され、上ハウジング１１Ａ及び固定ディスク５０に対し回転する回転ディスク４０と、回転ディスク４０の中心にて同ディスク４０と一体に設けられる回転軸４２とを含む。 [About the valve body]
The valve body portion 12 is provided inside the housing 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the valve body portion 12 includes a fixed disk 50 that does not rotate, a rotating disk 40 that is stacked on the fixed disk 50 and rotates relative to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50, and a rotating shaft 42 that is provided integrally with the rotating disk 40 at the center of the rotating disk 40.

なお、回転ディスク４０（回転軸４２を含む）と固定ディスク５０は、例えば樹脂により形成される。回転ディスク４０は本開示技術の「弁部材」の一例に相当し、固定ディスク５０は本開示技術の「ハウジング」の一部を構成する。 The rotating disk 40 (including the rotating shaft 42) and the fixed disk 50 are formed, for example, from resin. The rotating disk 40 corresponds to an example of a "valve member" in the disclosed technology, and the fixed disk 50 constitutes a part of the "housing" in the disclosed technology.

［回転ディスクについて］
図４に、回転ディスク４０の上面図を示す。図２～図４に示すように、回転ディスク４０は、上ハウジング１１Ａと固定ディスク５０との間に配置される。回転ディスク４０は、円板部４１と回転軸４２を含む。回転ディスク４０（円板部４１）は、円板状に形成されており、複数の回転流路６０を含む。この回転流路６０は、回転ディスク４０を板厚方向（軸方向）に貫通し、板面方向に沿って伸び、流入流路２０や後述する固定流路７０と連通可能である。この実施形態で、回転ディスク４０は、３つの回転流路６０を含む。図２や図４に示すように、３つの回転流路６０として、第１回転流路６１、第２回転流路６２及び第３回転流路６３を含む。回転流路６０（第１回転流路６１、第２回転流路６２及び第３回転流路６３）は、本開示技術の「弁流路」の一例に相当する。 [About rotating disks]
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the rotating disk 40. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotating disk 40 is disposed between the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50. The rotating disk 40 includes a disk portion 41 and a rotating shaft 42. The rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) is formed in a disk shape and includes a plurality of rotating flow paths 60. The rotating flow paths 60 penetrate the rotating disk 40 in the plate thickness direction (axial direction), extend along the plate surface direction, and can communicate with the inlet flow path 20 and a fixed flow path 70 described later. In this embodiment, the rotating disk 40 includes three rotating flow paths 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the three rotating flow paths 60 include a first rotating flow path 61, a second rotating flow path 62, and a third rotating flow path 63. The rotating flow paths 60 (the first rotating flow path 61, the second rotating flow path 62, and the third rotating flow path 63) correspond to an example of a "valve flow path" in the technology disclosed herein.

［回転軸について］
回転軸４２は、その軸方向一端側にて回転ディスク４０（円板部４１）に接続され、他端側にて駆動部１３に接続される。この回転軸４２は、その中心軸が回転ディスク４０の中心軸Ｌと一致するように円板部４１と一体に形成される。そして、駆動部１３から回転駆動力を得て回転軸４２が回転することにより、回転ディスク４０が回転する。 [About the rotation axis]
The rotating shaft 42 is connected to the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) at one axial end thereof, and is connected to the driving unit 13 at the other axial end thereof. The rotating shaft 42 is formed integrally with the disk portion 41 such that its central axis coincides with the central axis L of the rotating disk 40. The rotating shaft 42 receives a rotational driving force from the driving unit 13 and rotates, thereby rotating the rotating disk 40.

［固定ディスクについて］
図５に、固定ディスク５０の上面図を示す。図２、図３及び図５に示すように、固定ディスク５０は、円板部５１と、円板部５１と一体に形成された円筒部５２とを含む。固定ディスク５０と下ハウジング１１Ｂとの間には、固定ディスク５０を回転ディスク４０の方向へ付勢し保持するための保持スプリング８２が設けられる。保持スプリング８２は、固定ディスク５０の下面にて、各円筒部５２を内包するように配置される。 [About fixed disks]
Fig. 5 shows a top view of the fixed disk 50. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the fixed disk 50 includes a disk portion 51 and a cylindrical portion 52 formed integrally with the disk portion 51. A retaining spring 82 for urging and retaining the fixed disk 50 in the direction of the rotating disk 40 is provided between the fixed disk 50 and the lower housing 11B. The retaining spring 82 is disposed on the lower surface of the fixed disk 50 so as to enclose each cylindrical portion 52.

円板部５１は、円板状に形成され、軸方向に貫通する固定流路７０を含む。この実施形態では、３つの固定流路７０として、第１固定流路７１、第２固定流路７２及び第３固定流路７３を含む。３つの固定流路７０は、互いに等角度間隔空けて配置される。なお、固定流路７０は、本開示技術の「ハウジング流路」の一例に相当する。 The disk portion 51 is formed in a disk shape and includes a fixed flow passage 70 that penetrates in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the three fixed flow passages 70 include a first fixed flow passage 71, a second fixed flow passage 72, and a third fixed flow passage 73. The three fixed flow passages 70 are arranged at equal angular intervals from each other. The fixed flow passages 70 correspond to an example of a "housing flow passage" in the disclosed technology.

円筒部５２は、固定流路７０を囲うようにして円板部５１から軸方向に延びるようにして形成される。この実施形態では、円筒部５２は、３つの固定流路７０のそれぞれに対応するようにして、３つ形成される。これら固定流路７０の先端は、下ハウジング１１Ｂに形成された流出流路３０に接続される。図２～図４に示すように、回転ディスク４０と対向する固定流路７０の一端には、回転流路６０に連通可能な開口部７０ａが設けられる。 The cylindrical portion 52 is formed to extend axially from the disk portion 51 so as to surround the fixed flow passage 70. In this embodiment, three cylindrical portions 52 are formed to correspond to the three fixed flow passages 70. The tips of these fixed flow passages 70 are connected to the outlet flow passages 30 formed in the lower housing 11B. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, an opening 70a that can communicate with the rotary flow passage 60 is provided at one end of the fixed flow passage 70 facing the rotating disk 40.

［駆動部について］
駆動部１３は、回転軸４２に回転駆動力を与えるためのモータ及び減速機構等（図示略）を含む。 [About the drive unit]
The drive unit 13 includes a motor, a reduction gear mechanism, and the like (not shown) for applying a rotational drive force to the rotating shaft 42 .

［制御部について］
制御部１４は、例えば、ＣＰＵとＲＯＭ，ＲＡＭ等のメモリを備え、メモリに予め格納されているプログラムに応じて、駆動部１３のモータ等を制御するようになっている。 [Regarding the control unit]
The control unit 14 includes, for example, a CPU and memories such as a ROM and a RAM, and controls the motor of the drive unit 13 and the like according to a program prestored in the memory.

以上のように構成した流路切替装置１は、流入流路２０と回転流路６０と固定流路７０（流出流路３０）とを連通させることで、流体が流れる流路を形成する。そして、流路切替装置１は、駆動部１３により回転軸４２を介し回転ディスク４０を回転駆動させ、３つの回転流路６０（６１～６３）と、３つの流入流路２０（２１～２３）と、３つの固定流路７０（７１～７３）と、３つの流出流路３０（３１～３３）との連通の組み合わせを切り替えることで、流体の流路をいくつかのパターンに切り替えるようになっている。 The flow path switching device 1 configured as described above forms a flow path through which the fluid flows by connecting the inflow flow path 20, the rotating flow path 60, and the fixed flow path 70 (outflow flow path 30). The flow path switching device 1 rotates the rotating disk 40 via the rotating shaft 42 using the drive unit 13, and switches the combination of connections between the three rotating flow paths 60 (61-63), the three inflow flow paths 20 (21-23), the three fixed flow paths 70 (71-73), and the three outflow flow paths 30 (31-33), thereby switching the fluid flow path between several patterns.

［流路パターンについて］
例えば、第１の流路パターンとして、図６に示すように、３つの回転流路６０（６１～６３）により、第１流入流路２１と第１固定流路７１と第１流出流路３１とを連通させ、第２流入流路２２と第２固定流路７２と第２流出流路３２とを連通させ、第３流入流路２３と第３固定流路７３と第３流出流路３３とを連通させる。図６は、第１の流路パターンを模式的にイメージ図により示す。 [Flow path pattern]
For example, as a first flow path pattern, as shown in Fig. 6, three rotary flow paths 60 (61 to 63) communicate the first inflow flow path 21, the first fixed flow path 71, and the first outflow flow path 31, communicate the second inflow flow path 22, the second fixed flow path 72, and the second outflow flow path 32, and communicate the third inflow flow path 23, the third fixed flow path 73, and the third outflow flow path 33. Fig. 6 shows a schematic image of the first flow path pattern.

そして、図６に示す第１の流路パターンの状態から、駆動部１３により回転ディスク４０を反時計回りに回転させることで、図７に示す第２の流路パターンに切り替えることができる。図７は、第２の流路パターンを模式的にイメージ図により示す。 Then, by rotating the rotating disk 40 counterclockwise from the first flow path pattern shown in FIG. 6 by the drive unit 13, it is possible to switch to the second flow path pattern shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a schematic image of the second flow path pattern.

すなわち、第２の流路パターンでは、３つの回転流路６０（６１～６３）により、第１流入流路２１と第３固定流路７３と第３流出流路３３とを連通させ、第２流入流路２２と第１固定流路７１と第１流出流路３１とを連通させ、第３流入流路２３と第２固定流路７２と第２流出流路３２とを連通させる。 That is, in the second flow path pattern, three rotating flow paths 60 (61-63) connect the first inflow flow path 21, the third fixed flow path 73, and the third outflow flow path 33, connect the second inflow flow path 22, the first fixed flow path 71, and the first outflow flow path 31, and connect the third inflow flow path 23, the second fixed flow path 72, and the second outflow flow path 32.

なお、図７に示す第２の流路パターンの状態から、駆動部１３により回転ディスク４０を時計回りに回転させることで、図６に示す第１の流路パターンに切り替えることもできる。又は、回転ディスク４０を更に半時計回りに回転させることで、図６に示す第１の流路パターンに切り替えることもできる（この場合、回転流路６０の組み合わせは異なる）。 The second flow path pattern shown in FIG. 7 can be switched to the first flow path pattern shown in FIG. 6 by rotating the rotating disk 40 clockwise using the drive unit 13. Alternatively, the first flow path pattern shown in FIG. 6 can be switched to by further rotating the rotating disk 40 counterclockwise (in this case, the combination of rotating flow paths 60 is different).

［弁シール部材について］
この実施形態で、図３に示すように、流路切替装置１において、上ハウジング１１Ａと回転ディスク４０との間及び回転ディスク４０と固定ディスク５０との間には、それぞれ、弁シール部材８１として、流路における流体の漏れを抑制するための上弁シール部材８１Ａと下弁シール部材８１Ｂが設けられる。これら弁シール部材８１は、回転ディスク４０の回転流路６０の外周に沿って形成された周溝４１ｃに対し圧入及び接着されて固定される。 [Valve seal member]
3, in the flow path switching device 1, an upper valve seal member 81A and a lower valve seal member 81B for suppressing leakage of fluid in the flow paths are provided between the upper housing 11A and the rotary disk 40 and between the rotary disk 40 and the fixed disk 50, as valve seal members 81. These valve seal members 81 are press-fitted and bonded to a circumferential groove 41c formed along the outer periphery of the rotary flow path 60 of the rotary disk 40, and fixed thereto.

この弁シール部材８１は、図２～図４に示すように、回転ディスク４０（円板部４１）の上面４１ａと下面４１ｂにて、長孔状に形成される回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａの周囲を囲むようにして突条に設けられる。回転ディスク４０の上面４１ａに設けられる上弁シール部材８１Ａは、上ハウジング１１Ａへ向けて突出するように設けられ、上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａに接触して、流入流路２０と流入流路２０に連通する回転流路６０との間に形成される流路を外部からシールするようになっている。また、回転ディスク４０（円板部４１）の下面４１ｂに設けられる下弁シール部材８１Ｂは、固定ディスク５０に接触して、固定流路７０とその固定流路７０に連通する回転流路６０との間に形成される流路を外部からシールするようになっている。 As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the valve seal member 81 is provided on the upper surface 41a and the lower surface 41b of the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) in a protruding manner so as to surround the periphery of the opening edge 60a of the rotating flow passage 60 formed in the shape of an elongated hole. The upper valve seal member 81A provided on the upper surface 41a of the rotating disk 40 is provided so as to protrude toward the upper housing 11A and contacts the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A to seal the flow passage formed between the inflow flow passage 20 and the rotating flow passage 60 communicating with the inflow flow passage 20 from the outside. The lower valve seal member 81B provided on the lower surface 41b of the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) is provided so as to contact the fixed disk 50 to seal the flow passage formed between the fixed flow passage 70 and the rotating flow passage 60 communicating with the fixed flow passage 70 from the outside.

なお、この実施形態では、各弁シール部材８１（８１Ａ，８１Ｂ）は、例えば、弾性体であるゴムにより形成される。この他、各弁シール部材８１は、フッ素樹脂（例えば、テフロン（登録商標））により形成したり、フッ素樹脂を貼付したゴムにより形成したり、フッ素樹脂やゴム以外の材料により形成したりすることもできる。 In this embodiment, each valve seal member 81 (81A, 81B) is formed, for example, from rubber, which is an elastic body. Alternatively, each valve seal member 81 can be formed from a fluororesin (for example, Teflon (registered trademark)), from rubber with a fluororesin attached, or from a material other than fluororesin or rubber.

［その他のシール部材］
図３に示すように、上ハウジング１１Ａと回転軸４２との間には、リップシール８３が設けられる。また、固定ディスク５０の各円筒部５２と下ハウジング１１Ｂとの間には、リップシール８４が設けられる。 [Other sealing materials]
3, a lip seal 83 is provided between the upper housing 11A and the rotating shaft 42. In addition, a lip seal 84 is provided between each cylindrical portion 52 of the fixed disk 50 and the lower housing 11B.

[流路切替時の弁シール部材の課題について]
図８～図１１は、従前の対比例に係るイメージ図である。図８及び図９には、ハウジング１１と回転ディスク４０と固定ディスク５０の断面であって、回転ディスク４０を矢印Ｙ１で示す方向へ駆動させて流路を切り替えた後の弁シール部材８１（上弁シール部材８１Ａと下弁シール部材８１Ｂ）の状態の一例をイメージ図により示す。図８は、弁シール部材８１に変位がない場合をイメージ図により示す。図９は、弁シール部材８１に変位がある場合をイメージ図により示す。図１０に、図８の場合の弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの平面視における配置関係をイメージ図により示す。図１１には、図９の鎖線四角Ｓ１で囲った部分を拡大してイメージ図により示す。 [Issues with valve seal materials when switching flow paths]
8 to 11 are conceptual diagrams for comparison with the conventional example. In Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, cross sections of the housing 11, the rotary disk 40, and the fixed disk 50 are shown in a conceptual diagram of an example of the state of the valve seal member 81 (upper valve seal member 81A and lower valve seal member 81B) after the rotary disk 40 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow Y1 to switch the flow path. Fig. 8 shows a conceptual diagram of a case where the valve seal member 81 is not displaced. Fig. 9 shows a conceptual diagram of a case where the valve seal member 81 is displaced. Fig. 10 shows a conceptual diagram of the arrangement relationship in a plan view of the valve seal member 81, the rotary flow path 60, the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20, and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 in the case of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 shows an enlarged conceptual diagram of the part surrounded by the dashed square S1 in Fig. 9.

図８、図９に示すように、流路を切り替えるために回転ディスク４０が矢印Ｙ１の方向へ回転するときは、弁シール部材８１の一部が、上ハウジング１１Ａの流入流路２０の開口部２０ａや固定ディスク５０の固定流路７０の開口部７０ａを過る。そのため、弁シール部材８１において、開口部２０ａ，７０ａを過らずに常に上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａや固定ディスク５０（円板部５１）の上面５１ａを摺動する部位と、それら内面１１ａ及び上面５１ａを摺動しつつ開口部２０ａ，７０ａを過る部位とが存在する。 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the rotating disk 40 rotates in the direction of the arrow Y1 to switch the flow path, a part of the valve seal member 81 passes through the opening 20a of the inlet flow path 20 of the upper housing 11A and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 of the fixed disk 50. Therefore, there are parts of the valve seal member 81 that always slide over the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50 (disk portion 51) without passing through the openings 20a, 70a, and parts that slide over the inner surface 11a and upper surface 51a while passing through the openings 20a, 70a.

ここで、図１２に、回転ディスク４０の回転流路６０の周囲に設けられる弁シール部材８１を平面図により示す。図１２に示すように、弁シール部材８１は、回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａを挟んで回転ディスク４０の回転方向（駆動方向）に沿って伸びる一対の第１シール部９１と、開口縁６０ａを挟んで回転ディスク４０の回転方向と交差する方向に配置され、一対の第１シール部９１の両端を繋ぐ一対の第２シール部９２とを含む。 Figure 12 shows a plan view of the valve seal member 81 provided around the rotary flow passage 60 of the rotary disk 40. As shown in Figure 12, the valve seal member 81 includes a pair of first seal portions 91 that extend along the rotation direction (drive direction) of the rotary disk 40, sandwiching the opening edge 60a of the rotary flow passage 60, and a pair of second seal portions 92 that are arranged in a direction intersecting the rotation direction of the rotary disk 40, sandwiching the opening edge 60a, and connect both ends of the pair of first seal portions 91.

一対の第１シール部９１は、開口部２０ａ，７０ａを過らずに常に上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａ、固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａを摺動する部位であり、回転ディスク４０の回転方向に沿って形成され、図１２の領域αに位置する。これら第１シール部９１は、回転ディスク４０が回転するときに、回転ディスク４０の回転方向に沿って、上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａ、固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａを摺動する。これら第１シール部９１は、この開示技術の「第１シール部」の一例に相当する。 The pair of first seal portions 91 are portions that always slide on the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50 without passing through the openings 20a, 70a, are formed along the rotation direction of the rotating disk 40, and are located in region α in FIG. 12. These first seal portions 91 slide on the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50 along the rotation direction of the rotating disk 40 when the rotating disk 40 rotates. These first seal portions 91 correspond to an example of a "first seal portion" in this disclosed technology.

また、一対の第２シール部９２は、上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａ、固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａを摺動しつつ、開口部２０ａ，７０ａを過って流入流路２０、固定流路７０に解放される部位であり、図１２の領域βに位置する。これら第２シール部９２には、回転ディスク４０が回転するときに、上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａ、固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａを摺動してせん断応力が生じる。これら第２シール部９２は、この開示技術の「第２シール部」の一例に相当する。 The pair of second seal portions 92 slide over the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50, passing through the openings 20a, 70a and being released into the inlet flow passage 20 and the fixed flow passage 70, and are located in region β in FIG. 12. When the rotating disk 40 rotates, shear stress is generated in these second seal portions 92 as they slide over the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50. These second seal portions 92 correspond to an example of a "second seal portion" in this disclosed technology.

なお、図１０、図１２は、説明上、回転ディスク４０の回転方向（円周方向）を図面の左右方向に直線状にして表している。以下の説明で示す図１３，１８，１９，２２，２３についても同様である。 For the sake of explanation, in Figures 10 and 12, the rotation direction (circumferential direction) of the rotating disk 40 is shown as a straight line extending from left to right on the drawing. The same applies to Figures 13, 18, 19, 22, and 23 shown in the following explanation.

ここで、第２シール部９２は、開口部２０ａ，７０ａを過るときに、流入流路２０又は固定流路７０に解放される状態となる。そのため、第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａ（図１１に示す）は、流入流路２０、固定流路７０に突き出た状態になる。その後、回転ディスク４０が更に回転すると、流入流路２０、固定流路７０に突き出た第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａは、やがて流入流路２０、固定流路７０から上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａ、固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａに乗り上げることになる。このとき、第２シール部９２が流入流路２０、固定流路７０の開口部２０ａ，７０ａに引きずられ、第２シール部９２が変位することがある。このように第２シール部９２に変位が生じると、弁シール部材８１によるシール性が低下する懸念がある。 Here, when the second seal portion 92 passes through the openings 20a and 70a, it is released into the inflow passage 20 or the fixed passage 70. Therefore, the tip 92a (shown in FIG. 11) of the second seal portion 92 protrudes into the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70. After that, when the rotary disk 40 further rotates, the tip 92a of the second seal portion 92 protruding into the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70 will eventually run from the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70 onto the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50. At this time, the second seal portion 92 may be dragged by the openings 20a and 70a of the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70, causing the second seal portion 92 to be displaced. If the second seal portion 92 is displaced in this way, there is a concern that the sealing ability of the valve seal member 81 will be reduced.

この実施形態では、弁シール部材８１は、弾性体であるゴムにより形成されるため、回転ディスク４０が回転するときに上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に接触して摺動し、その摺動抵抗により接触部が上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に引きずられて変位することがある。特に、第２シール部９２は、開口部２０ａ，７０ａを過るときに、流入流路２０、固定流路７０に解放される状態になることから、第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａは、流入流路２０、固定流路７０に突き出た状態になる。その後、回転ディスク４０が更に回転すると、流入流路２０、固定流路７０に突き出た第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａは、やがて上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａ、固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａに乗り上げることになる。このとき、第２シール部９２が流入流路２０、固定流路７０の開口部２０ａ，７０ａに引きずられ、第２シール部９２が変位する。 In this embodiment, the valve seal member 81 is made of rubber, which is an elastic body, and therefore when the rotary disk 40 rotates, it comes into contact with and slides against the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50, and the sliding resistance may cause the contact portion to be dragged and displaced by the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50. In particular, when the second seal portion 92 passes through the openings 20a and 70a, it is released into the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70, so that the tip portion 92a of the second seal portion 92 protrudes into the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70. When the rotary disk 40 then further rotates, the tip portion 92a of the second seal portion 92 protruding into the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70 will eventually ride up onto the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A and the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50. At this time, the second seal portion 92 is dragged by the openings 20a and 70a of the inflow passage 20 and the fixed passage 70, and the second seal portion 92 is displaced.

ここで、流路を切り替えた後に弁シール部材８１に変位がなければ、図８及び図１０に示すように、第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａが開口部２０ａ，７０ａに入り込むことはない。このため、回転流路６０が確実にシールされ、流入流路２０、固定流路７０で流体の漏れが発生することはない。これに対し、流路を切り替えた後に第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａに変位があると、図９、図１１に示すように、上弁シール部材８１Ａでは、第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａが開口部２０ａに入り込み、流入流路２０に突出するおそれがあり、流入流路２０の圧損が増大したり、回転流路６０のシールが不十分となって流入流路２０で流体の漏れが発生したりする懸念がある。 If there is no displacement of the valve seal member 81 after switching the flow path, the tip 92a of the second seal portion 92 will not enter the openings 20a and 70a, as shown in Figures 8 and 10. Therefore, the rotary flow path 60 is reliably sealed, and no fluid leakage will occur in the inflow flow path 20 and the fixed flow path 70. In contrast, if there is displacement of the tip 92a of the second seal portion 92 after switching the flow path, as shown in Figures 9 and 11, in the upper valve seal member 81A, there is a risk that the tip 92a of the second seal portion 92 will enter the opening 20a and protrude into the inflow flow path 20, which may increase the pressure loss of the inflow flow path 20 or cause insufficient sealing of the rotary flow path 60, resulting in fluid leakage from the inflow flow path 20.

[弁シール部材の変位の対応策について]
そこで、この実施形態では、上記課題に対処するために、次のような対応策を講じた。図１３に、この実施形態に係り、弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの平面視における配置関係を図１０に準ずるイメージ図により示す。図１４に、第２シール部９２の部分であって、図１３のＡ－Ａ線断面図を示す。図１５に、第１シール部９１の部分であって、図１３のＢ－Ｂ線断面図を示す。図１３～図１５は、流路を切り替えた後に回転ディスク４０が停止し、流体の流路を形成した状態を示し、回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａの長手方向両端における半円弧と、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの半円弧が上下に一致（整合）する状態を示す。 [Countermeasures for displacement of valve seal members]
In this embodiment, the following countermeasures are taken to address the above-mentioned problems. Fig. 13 shows the arrangement of the valve seal member 81, the rotary flow path 60, the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20, and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 in a plan view in this embodiment, in an image diagram similar to Fig. 10. Fig. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion 92 taken along line A-A in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the first seal portion 91 taken along line B-B in Fig. 13. Figs. 13 to 15 show a state in which the rotary disk 40 stops after switching the flow path and a flow path for the fluid is formed, and show a state in which the semicircular arcs at both longitudinal ends of the opening edge 60a of the rotary flow path 60 and the semicircular arcs of the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20 and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 vertically coincide (align).

図１３～図１５に示すように、この実施形態では、流入流路２０及び固定流路７０の開口部２０ａ，７０ａと第２シール部９２との間の最短距離である第２シール距離Ｄ２は、流入流路２０及び固定流路７０の開口部２０ａ，７０ａと第１シール部９１との間の最短距離である第１シール距離Ｄ１よりも大きく設定される。この実施形態では、第２シール部９２は、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ、固定流路７０の開口部７０ａに沿って円弧状をなして形成される。この実施形態の第２シール距離Ｄ２は、半円状の第２シール部９２の位置によって異なり、その中央部で最も大きく、両端に近付くに連れて第１シール距離Ｄ１に近くなる。 As shown in Figures 13 to 15, in this embodiment, the second seal distance D2, which is the shortest distance between the openings 20a, 70a of the inflow flow passage 20 and the fixed flow passage 70 and the second seal portion 92, is set to be larger than the first seal distance D1, which is the shortest distance between the openings 20a, 70a of the inflow flow passage 20 and the fixed flow passage 70 and the first seal portion 91. In this embodiment, the second seal portion 92 is formed in an arc shape along the openings 20a of the inflow flow passage 20 and the openings 70a of the fixed flow passage 70. The second seal distance D2 in this embodiment varies depending on the position of the semicircular second seal portion 92, is largest at the center, and approaches the first seal distance D1 as it approaches both ends.

図１６には、対比例に係り、第２シール部９２の部分であって、図１０のＣ－Ｃ線断面図を示す。図１７に、対比例に係り第１シール部９１であって、図１０のＤ－Ｄ線断面図を示す。図１５に示す本実施形態の第１シール距離Ｄ１は、図１７に示す対比例の第１シール距離Ｄ１と同じであるが、図１４に示す本実施形態の第２シール距離Ｄ２は、図１６に示す対比例の第２シール距離Ｄ２よりも大きくなっている。 Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion 92 taken along line CC in Figure 10 for comparison. Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the first seal portion 91 taken along line DD in Figure 10 for comparison. The first seal distance D1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 15 is the same as the first seal distance D1 of the comparison shown in Figure 17, but the second seal distance D2 of this embodiment shown in Figure 14 is greater than the second seal distance D2 of the comparison shown in Figure 16.

［流路切替装置の作用及び効果について］
以上説明したこの実施形態の流路切替装置１の構成によれば、図１４、図１５に示すように、弁シール部材８１につき、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａと第２シール部９２との間の第２シール距離Ｄ２を流入流路２０の開口部２０ａと第１シール部９１との間の第１シール距離Ｄ１よりも大きく設定している。従って、図１４に示すように、弁シール部材８１（上弁シール部材８１Ａ）が、回転ディスク４０の回転に伴い、上ハウジング１１Ａに対する摺動抵抗により変位しても、第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａが、流入流路２０に突出することなく上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａに接地する。下弁シール部材８１Ｂについては、固定ディスク５０に対する摺動抵抗により第２シール部９２が変位しても、その先端部９２ａが、固定流路７０に突出することなく固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａに接地することになる。このため、回転ディスク４０（弁部材）の回転（駆動）により弁シール部材８１の上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０（ハウジング）に対する座り状態（変形状態）が変化しても、弁シール部材８１により流路（すなわち、回転流路６０、流入流路２０及び固定流路７０）を確実にシールすることができる。 [Actions and Effects of the Flow Path Switching Device]
According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the second seal distance D2 between the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20 and the second seal portion 92 of the valve seal member 81 is set to be larger than the first seal distance D1 between the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20 and the first seal portion 91. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14, even if the valve seal member 81 (upper valve seal member 81A) is displaced due to sliding resistance against the upper housing 11A with the rotation of the rotary disk 40, the tip portion 92a of the second seal portion 92 is grounded on the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A without protruding into the inflow flow path 20. As for the lower valve seal member 81B, even if the second seal portion 92 is displaced due to sliding resistance against the fixed disk 50, the tip portion 92a is grounded on the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50 without protruding into the fixed flow path 70. Therefore, even if the seating condition (deformation state) of the valve seal member 81 relative to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 (housing) changes due to the rotation (driving) of the rotating disk 40 (valve member), the valve seal member 81 can reliably seal the flow paths (i.e., the rotating flow path 60, the inlet flow path 20 and the fixed flow path 70).

＜第２実施形態＞
次に、第２実施形態について図１８～図２２を参照して説明する。なお、以下の説明において、第１実施形態と同等の構成要素については、同一の符号を付して説明を省略し、異なった点を中心に説明する。 Second Embodiment
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 22. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[弁シール部材の変位の対応策について]
この実施形態では、弁シール部材８１の変位の対応策の点で第１実施形態と構成が異なる。第１実施形態では、第２シール部９２の第２シール距離Ｄ２が、位置によって不均一となっている。すなわち、第２シール距離Ｄ２は、第２シール部９２の中央部で最も大きく、両端に近付くに連れて第１シール距離Ｄ１に近くなっている。この点、回転ディスク４０を樹脂で成形する場合、弁シール部材８１が嵌め込まれる周溝４１ｃと回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａとの間の幅が不均一となり、回転ディスク４０の成形精度が低下し、平面度が低下したり、反りや割れが生じたりする懸念があった。 [Countermeasures for displacement of valve seal members]
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in terms of the countermeasure against the displacement of the valve seal member 81. In the first embodiment, the second seal distance D2 of the second seal portion 92 is non-uniform depending on the position. That is, the second seal distance D2 is largest at the center of the second seal portion 92, and approaches the first seal distance D1 as it approaches both ends. In this regard, when the rotating disk 40 is molded from resin, the width between the circumferential groove 41c into which the valve seal member 81 is fitted and the opening edge 60a of the rotating flow path 60 becomes non-uniform, and there is a concern that the molding accuracy of the rotating disk 40 will decrease, the flatness will decrease, and warping or cracking will occur.

そこで、この実施形態では、第２シール部９２の第２シール距離Ｄ２を次のように設定した。図１８に、この実施形態に係り、弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの平面視における配置関係を図１３に準ずるイメージ図により示す。図１９に、図１８の一部であって、弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０及び流入流路２０の開口部２０ａの平面視における配置関係をイメージ図により示す。図２０に、第２シール部９２の部分であって、図１８のＥ－Ｅ線断面図を示す。図２１に、第１シール部９１の部分であって、図１８のＦ－Ｆ線断面図を示す。図２２に、第１実施形態に係り、弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０及び流入流路２０の開口部２０ａの平面視における配置関係を図１９に準ずるイメージ図により示す。図１８～図２０は、流路を切り替え後に回転ディスク４０が停止し、流体の流路を形成した状態を示す。 Therefore, in this embodiment, the second seal distance D2 of the second seal portion 92 is set as follows. FIG. 18 shows the arrangement relationship of the valve seal member 81, the rotating flow path 60, the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20, and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 in a plan view in this embodiment, in an image diagram equivalent to FIG. 13. FIG. 19 shows the arrangement relationship of the valve seal member 81, the rotating flow path 60, and the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20 in a plan view, in a part of FIG. 18, in an image diagram. FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion 92 taken along line E-E in FIG. 18. FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the first seal portion 91 taken along line F-F in FIG. 18. FIG. 22 shows the arrangement relationship of the valve seal member 81, the rotating flow path 60, and the opening 20a of the inflow flow path 20 in a plan view in an image diagram equivalent to FIG. 19, in the first embodiment. Figures 18 to 20 show the state in which the rotating disk 40 stops after switching the flow path and a flow path for the fluid is formed.

この状態では、回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａの長手方向両端における半円弧と、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの半円弧が上下に一致（整合）しておらず、開口部２０ａ，７０ａが、開口縁６０ａの回転方向（駆動転方向）両端から間隔を隔てて位置する状態となっている。そして、図１８～図２０に示すように、第２シール部９２は、回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａの回転方向（駆動方向）の両端に沿って半円弧状をなし、第２シール部９２と開口縁６０ａとの距離は円周方向に沿って均一に設定される。換言すると、弁シール部材８１を固定するための周溝４１ｃに合わせ、その周溝４１ｃと回転流路６０の内壁との間の壁幅を、その円周方向に沿って均一化している。 In this state, the semicircular arcs at both longitudinal ends of the opening edge 60a of the rotating flow passage 60 and the semicircular arcs of the opening 20a of the inlet flow passage 20 and the opening 70a of the fixed flow passage 70 do not match (align) vertically, and the openings 20a, 70a are positioned at intervals from both ends of the opening edge 60a in the rotation direction (driving direction). As shown in Figures 18 to 20, the second seal portion 92 is semicircular along both ends of the opening edge 60a of the rotating flow passage 60 in the rotation direction (driving direction), and the distance between the second seal portion 92 and the opening edge 60a is set uniformly along the circumferential direction. In other words, the wall width between the circumferential groove 41c for fixing the valve seal member 81 and the inner wall of the rotating flow passage 60 is made uniform along the circumferential direction.

［流路切替装置の作用及び効果について］
以上説明したこの実施形態の流路切替装置１の構成によれば、回転流路６０の回転方向（駆動方向）における両端が、第１実施形態の回転流路６０（図２０参照）に対し、その回転方向へ拡大され、第２シール部９２と開口縁６０ａとの距離が円周方向に沿って均一化される（図１９参照）。従って、図２０に２点鎖線で示すように、回転ディスク４０の回転（駆動）に伴い、弁シール部材８１（上弁シール部材８１Ａ）が、上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａに対する摺動抵抗により変位しても、第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａが、流入流路２０に突出することなく上ハウジング１１Ａの内面１１ａに接地する。下弁シール部材８１Ｂについては、固定ディスク５０に対する摺動抵抗により第２シール部９２が変位しても、その先端部９２ａが、固定流路７０に突出することなく固定ディスク５０の上面５１ａに接地する。このため、第１実施形態と同様、回転ディスク４０（弁部材）の回転（駆動）により弁シール部材８１の上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に対する座り状態が変化しても、弁シール部材８１により流路（すなわち、回転流路６０、流入流路２０及び固定流路７０）を確実にシールすることができる。加えて、弁シール部材８１と回転流路６０の内壁との間の壁幅を円周方向に均一化することができ、回転流路６０を有する回転ディスク４０を樹脂材により成形する場合でもその成形精度を確保することができる。 [Actions and Effects of the Flow Path Switching Device]
According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, both ends of the rotary flow path 60 in the rotation direction (drive direction) are enlarged in the rotation direction compared to the rotary flow path 60 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 20), and the distance between the second seal portion 92 and the opening edge 60a is uniformed along the circumferential direction (see FIG. 19). Therefore, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 20, even if the valve seal member 81 (upper valve seal member 81A) is displaced due to sliding resistance against the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A with the rotation (drive) of the rotary disk 40, the tip portion 92a of the second seal portion 92 is grounded on the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A without protruding into the inflow flow path 20. As for the lower valve seal member 81B, even if the second seal portion 92 is displaced due to sliding resistance against the fixed disk 50, the tip portion 92a is grounded on the upper surface 51a of the fixed disk 50 without protruding into the fixed flow path 70. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, even if the seating state of the valve seal member 81 with respect to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 changes due to the rotation (drive) of the rotary disk 40 (valve member), the flow paths (i.e., the rotary flow path 60, the inlet flow path 20, and the fixed flow path 70) can be reliably sealed by the valve seal member 81. In addition, the wall width between the valve seal member 81 and the inner wall of the rotary flow path 60 can be made uniform in the circumferential direction, and even when the rotary disk 40 having the rotary flow path 60 is molded from a resin material, the molding precision can be ensured.

＜第３実施形態＞
次に、第３実施形態について図２３～図２５を参照して説明する。 Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[弁シール部材の変位の対応策について]
この実施形態では、弁シール部材８１の変位の対応策及び駆動時の摺動抵抗の対策の点で第２実施形態と構成が異なる。第１実施形態及び第２実施形態では、弁シール部材８１をその回転方向の両端へ拡大した。このため、弁シール部材８１の全長が増加し、その増加に伴い弁シール部材８１の摺動抵抗が増加する懸念があった。この場合、回転ディスク４０を回転させるモータの駆動トルクが増加してしまう。 [Countermeasures for displacement of valve seal members]
This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in terms of measures taken to counter the displacement of the valve seal member 81 and the sliding resistance during driving. In the first and second embodiments, the valve seal member 81 is expanded to both ends in the rotation direction. This increases the overall length of the valve seal member 81, and there is a concern that the sliding resistance of the valve seal member 81 will increase with this increase. In this case, the drive torque of the motor that rotates the rotary disk 40 will increase.

そこで、この実施形態では、弁シール部材８１の断面形状を次のように変更した。図２３に、この実施形態に係り、弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの平面視における配置関係を図１８に準ずるイメージ図により示す。図２４に、第２シール部９２の部分であって、図２３のＧ－Ｇ線断面図を示す。図２５に、第２実施形態に係り、第２シール部９２の部分であって、図２４に準ずる断面図を示す。図２３～図２５は、流路を切り替え後に回転ディスク４０が停止し、流体の流路を形成した状態を示す。 Therefore, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the valve seal member 81 has been changed as follows. Figure 23 shows the relative positions of the valve seal member 81, the rotary flow path 60, the opening 20a of the inlet flow path 20, and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 in a plan view in this embodiment, in an image similar to Figure 18. Figure 24 shows a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion 92 taken along line G-G in Figure 23. Figure 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the second seal portion 92 in the second embodiment, similar to Figure 24. Figures 23 to 25 show the state in which the rotary disk 40 has stopped after switching the flow path, forming a flow path for the fluid.

この状態において、図２４に断面で示す本実施形態の構成は、各部材の配置の点では図２５に示す第２実施形態と同じであるが、弁シール部材８１の断面形状の点で相違する。すなわち、この実施形態では、図２３、図２４に示すように、弁シール部材８１は、その周方向に沿ってハウジング１１（上ハウジング１１Ａ）と接触可能な先端部８１ａ（先端部９２ａを含む）を有し、その先端部８１ａは、弁シール部材８１の内周寄りに配置される。換言すると、弁シール部材８１の断面形状における頂部は、弁シール部材８１の内周寄りにオフセットして配置される。 In this state, the configuration of this embodiment shown in cross section in FIG. 24 is the same as the second embodiment shown in FIG. 25 in terms of the arrangement of each component, but differs in the cross-sectional shape of the valve seal member 81. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the valve seal member 81 has a tip portion 81a (including tip portion 92a) that can contact the housing 11 (upper housing 11A) along its circumferential direction, and the tip portion 81a is positioned toward the inner periphery of the valve seal member 81. In other words, the apex of the cross-sectional shape of the valve seal member 81 is positioned offset toward the inner periphery of the valve seal member 81.

［流路切替装置の作用及び効果について］
以上説明したこの実施形態の流路切替装置１の構成によれば、第２実施形態の作用及び効果に加え次のような作用及び効果が得られる。すなわち、図２４に示す本実施形態の弁シール部材８１の先端部８１ａが、図２５に示す第２実施形態の弁シール部材８１の先端部８１ａよりも開口縁６０ａの側寄り（内周寄り）に配置される。これにより、例えば、本実施形態の第２シール部９２の先端部９２ａ（弁シール部材８１の先端部８１ａ）の半径は、第２実施形態のそれに対し、図２４で示す半径差ΔＲだけ円弧の半径が短くなる。従って、弁シール部材８１の先端部８１ａの上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に対する接触長が、第２実施形態のそれよりも短くなる。このため、弁シール部材８１の上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に対する駆動トルクを低減することができる。この結果、回転ディスク４０を回転させるためのモータによる駆動トルクを低減することができ、その分だけモータの小型化を図ることができる。 [Actions and Effects of the Flow Path Switching Device]
According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, in addition to the actions and effects of the second embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained. That is, the tip 81a of the valve seal member 81 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 24 is disposed closer to the opening edge 60a (closer to the inner circumference) than the tip 81a of the valve seal member 81 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 25. As a result, for example, the radius of the tip 92a (tip 81a of the valve seal member 81) of the second seal portion 92 of this embodiment is shorter than that of the second embodiment by the radius difference ΔR shown in FIG. 24. Therefore, the contact length of the tip 81a of the valve seal member 81 with the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 is shorter than that of the second embodiment. Therefore, the drive torque of the valve seal member 81 with respect to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 can be reduced. As a result, the drive torque of the motor for rotating the rotating disk 40 can be reduced, and the motor can be made smaller accordingly.

＜第４実施形態＞
次に、第４実施形態について図２６を参照して説明する。 Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[弁シール部材の変位の対応策について]
この実施形態では、弁シール部材８１の変位の対応策の点で第２実施形態と構成が異なる。ここで、図４を参照して説明すると、前記各実施形態では、回転ディスク４０を回転軸４２を中心に回転させることで、円弧状をなす長孔の回転流路６０が弁シール部材８１と共に回転軸４２を中心に回転する。このため、弁シール部材８１は、回転軸４２から遠ざかる外径側程、内径側よりも上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に対する回転半径が大きくなる。これにより、弁シール部材８１を摺動させるためのモータによる駆動トルクが、弁シール部材８１の外径側程、内径側よりも増加することになる。 [Countermeasures for displacement of valve seal members]
This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in terms of the countermeasure against the displacement of the valve seal member 81. Referring to Fig. 4, in each of the above-described embodiments, the rotary disk 40 is rotated about the rotary shaft 42, so that the rotary flow passage 60 having an arc-shaped long hole rotates together with the valve seal member 81 about the rotary shaft 42. Therefore, the valve seal member 81 has a larger rotation radius relative to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 on the outer diameter side farther from the rotary shaft 42 than on the inner diameter side. As a result, the drive torque by the motor for sliding the valve seal member 81 is larger on the outer diameter side of the valve seal member 81 than on the inner diameter side.

そこで、この実施形態では、弁シール部材８１の先端部８１ａの配置形状を、第２実施形態に対して次のように変更した。図２６に、この実施形態に係り、弁シール部材８１、回転流路６０、流入流路２０の開口部２０ａ及び固定流路７０の開口部７０ａの平面視における配置関係を図２３に準ずるイメージ図により示す。図２６では、回転流路６０及び弁シール部材８１が、図２６の下側に位置する回転軸４２を中心に回転する円弧状をなすことを想定し、やや湾曲して示す。 In this embodiment, the arrangement of the tip 81a of the valve seal member 81 has been changed from that of the second embodiment as follows. Figure 26 shows the arrangement of the valve seal member 81, the rotary flow path 60, the opening 20a of the inlet flow path 20, and the opening 70a of the fixed flow path 70 in a plan view in this embodiment, using an image similar to that of Figure 23. In Figure 26, the rotary flow path 60 and the valve seal member 81 are shown slightly curved, assuming that they form an arc shape that rotates around the rotation axis 42 located at the bottom of Figure 26.

すなわち、この実施形態では、回転ディスク４０は、円板状をなし、その中心に設けられた回転軸４２を中心に回転可能に設けられる。そして、回転流路６０の開口縁６０ａは、回転軸４２を中心側とする円弧状に形成され、回転軸４２に近い内径側開口縁６０ａａと回転軸４２から遠い外径側開口縁６０ａｂとを含む。弁シール部材８１は、その周方向に沿って上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０と接触可能な先端部８１ａを有する。そして、一対の第１シール部９１は、回転流路６０の外径側開口縁６０ａｂに沿って配置される外径側第１シール部９１Ａと、回転流路６０の内径側開口縁６０ａａに沿って配置される内径側第１シール部９１Ｂとを含む。ここで、外径側第１シール部９１Ａの先端部８１ａは、外径側第１シール部９１Ａの内周寄りにオフセットして配置され、内径側第１シール部９１Ｂの先端部８１ａは、内径側第１シール部９１Ｂの外周寄りにオフセットして配置される。第２シール部９２の先端部８１ａ（先端部９２ａ）は、外径側第１シール部９１Ａと内径側第１シール部９１Ｂとの間で連続的に徐々に変化する。 That is, in this embodiment, the rotating disk 40 is disk-shaped and rotatable around the rotating shaft 42 provided at its center. The opening edge 60a of the rotating flow path 60 is formed in an arc shape with the rotating shaft 42 at the center, and includes an inner diameter side opening edge 60aa close to the rotating shaft 42 and an outer diameter side opening edge 60ab far from the rotating shaft 42. The valve seal member 81 has a tip portion 81a that can contact the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 along its circumferential direction. The pair of first seal portions 91 include an outer diameter side first seal portion 91A arranged along the outer diameter side opening edge 60ab of the rotating flow path 60, and an inner diameter side first seal portion 91B arranged along the inner diameter side opening edge 60aa of the rotating flow path 60. Here, the tip 81a of the outer diameter side first seal portion 91A is offset toward the inner circumference of the outer diameter side first seal portion 91A, and the tip 81a of the inner diameter side first seal portion 91B is offset toward the outer circumference of the inner diameter side first seal portion 91B. The tip 81a (tip 92a) of the second seal portion 92 changes gradually and continuously between the outer diameter side first seal portion 91A and the inner diameter side first seal portion 91B.

［流路切替装置の作用及び効果について］
以上説明したこの実施形態の流路切替装置１の構成によれば、第２実施形態の作用及び効果に加え次のような作用及び効果が得られる。すなわち、本実施形態の弁シール部材８１につき、外径側第１シール部９１Ａの先端部８１ａは、外径側第１シール部９１Ａの内周寄りにオフセットして配置され、内径側第１シール部９１Ｂの先端部８１ａは、内径側第１シール部９１Ｂの外周寄りにオフセットして配置される（図２６参照）。従って、弁シール部材８１につき、外径側第１シール部９１Ａの先端部８１ａと内径側第１シール部９１Ｂの先端部８１ａの、上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に対する回転半径が、第２実施形態のそれよりも小さくなる。このため、弁シール部材８１の上ハウジング１１Ａ、固定ディスク５０に対する駆動トルクを低減することができる。この結果、回転ディスク４０を回転させるためのモータによる駆動トルクを低減することができ、その分だけモータの小型化を図ることができる。 [Actions and Effects of the Flow Path Switching Device]
According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, in addition to the actions and effects of the second embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained. That is, in the valve seal member 81 of this embodiment, the tip 81a of the outer diameter side first seal portion 91A is disposed offset toward the inner circumference of the outer diameter side first seal portion 91A, and the tip 81a of the inner diameter side first seal portion 91B is disposed offset toward the outer circumference of the inner diameter side first seal portion 91B (see FIG. 26). Therefore, in the valve seal member 81, the rotation radius of the tip 81a of the outer diameter side first seal portion 91A and the tip 81a of the inner diameter side first seal portion 91B relative to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 is smaller than that of the second embodiment. Therefore, the drive torque of the valve seal member 81 relative to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50 can be reduced. As a result, the drive torque of the motor for rotating the rotating disk 40 can be reduced, and the motor can be made smaller accordingly.

＜別の実施形態＞
なお、この開示技術は前記各実施形態に限定されるものではなく、開示技術の趣旨を逸脱することのない範囲で構成の一部を適宜変更して実施することもできる。 <Another embodiment>
The disclosed technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented by modifying part of the configuration as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the disclosed technology.

（１）前記各実施形態では、流路切替装置１の弁体部１２に、回転軸４２を中心に回転する回転ディスク４０と、下ハウジング１１Ｂに固定された固定ディスク５０を設けた。これに対し、弁体部から固定ディスクを省略し、回転軸を中心に回転する回転ディスクのみを設けてもよい。図２７に、固定ディスクを省略したタイプの流路切替装置を断面図により示す。このタイプでは、上ハウジング１１Ａと下ハウジング１１Ｂとの間に回転ディスク４０が設けられ、回転ディスク４０の上下両面に設けられた弁シール部材８１は、上ハウジング１１Ａと下ハウジング１１Ｂの内面に摺動可能となっている。 (1) In each of the above embodiments, the valve body portion 12 of the flow path switching device 1 is provided with a rotating disk 40 that rotates around the rotation axis 42, and a fixed disk 50 fixed to the lower housing 11B. In contrast, the fixed disk may be omitted from the valve body portion, and only a rotating disk that rotates around the rotation axis may be provided. Figure 27 shows a cross-sectional view of a flow path switching device of the type in which the fixed disk is omitted. In this type, the rotating disk 40 is provided between the upper housing 11A and the lower housing 11B, and the valve seal members 81 provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the rotating disk 40 are slidable on the inner surfaces of the upper housing 11A and the lower housing 11B.

（２）前記各実施形態では、弁シール部材８１（上弁シール部材８１Ａ及び下弁シール部材８１Ｂ）をそれぞれ回転ディスク４０の上下両面に固定し、上ハウジング１１Ａ及び固定ディスク５０の内面に対し摺動可能に設けた。これに対し、弁シール部材をハウジングに固定し、回転ディスクに対し摺動可能に設けることもできる。 (2) In each of the above embodiments, the valve seal members 81 (upper valve seal member 81A and lower valve seal member 81B) are fixed to the upper and lower surfaces of the rotating disk 40, respectively, and are provided so as to be slidable relative to the inner surfaces of the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50. In contrast, the valve seal members can also be fixed to the housing and provided so as to be slidable relative to the rotating disk.

（３）前記各実施形態では、弁部材をハウジングに対し回転する回転ディスクにより構成したが、弁部材をハウジングに対し直線的に移動する移動部材により構成することもできる。 (3) In each of the above embodiments, the valve member is configured as a rotating disk that rotates relative to the housing, but the valve member can also be configured as a moving member that moves linearly relative to the housing.

（４）前記各実施形態では、流路切替装置１を六方弁に具体化したが、これに限らず、三方弁や四方弁などのその他の多方弁に具体化することもできる。 (4) In each of the above embodiments, the flow path switching device 1 is embodied as a six-way valve, but it is not limited to this and can also be embodied as other multi-way valves such as a three-way valve or a four-way valve.

（５）前記各実施形態では、「弁体部」である回転ディスク４０の板厚方向に貫通した回転流路６０を「弁流路」として設けたが、弁体部を板厚方向に貫通しない弁流路を設けることもできる。 (5) In each of the above embodiments, the rotary flow passage 60 that penetrates the rotary disk 40, which is the "valve body portion," in the plate thickness direction is provided as the "valve flow passage." However, it is also possible to provide a valve flow passage that does not penetrate the valve body portion in the plate thickness direction.

この開示技術は、例えば、冷媒等の流体が流れる流体回路において流体の流路を切り替えるために利用することができる。 The disclosed technology can be used, for example, to switch the flow path of a fluid in a fluid circuit through which a fluid such as a refrigerant flows.

１流路切替装置
１１ハウジング
２０流入流路（ハウジング流路）
２０ａ開口部
３０流出流路（ハウジング流路）
３０ａ開口部
４０回転ディスク（弁部材）
４２回転軸
５０固定ディスク(ハウジング）
６０回転流路（弁流路）
６０ａ開口縁
６０ａａ内径側開口縁
６０ａｂ外径側開口縁
７０固定流路（ハウジング流路）
７０ａ開口部
８１弁シール部材
８１ａ先端部
９１第１シール部
９１Ａ外径側第１シール部
９１Ｂ内径側第１シール部
９２第２シール部
Ｄ１第１シール距離
Ｄ２第２シール距離 1 Flow path switching device 11 Housing 20 Inlet flow path (housing flow path)
20a Opening 30 Outlet flow passage (housing flow passage)
30a Opening 40 Rotating disk (valve member)
42 Rotating shaft 50 Fixed disk (housing)
60 Rotational flow path (valve flow path)
60a: Opening edge 60aa: Inner diameter side opening edge 60ab: Outer diameter side opening edge 70: Fixed flow passage (housing flow passage)
70a Opening 81 Valve seal member 81a Tip 91 First seal portion 91A Outer diameter side first seal portion 91B Inner diameter side first seal portion 92 Second seal portion D1 First seal distance D2 Second seal distance

Claims

Housing and
a plate-shaped valve member disposed inside the housing and movable relative to the housing;
the housing includes a plurality of housing channels;
The valve member includes at least one valve flow passage extending along a plate surface direction,
The valve passage includes an opening edge,
the housing passage includes a plurality of openings that are communicable with the valve passage;
a valve seal member is provided between the housing and the valve member so as to surround the opening edge of the valve flow passage, and the valve seal member slides between the housing and the valve member as the valve member is driven;
a flow path switching device configured to form a flow path for a fluid by selectively connecting at least two of the plurality of openings through the valve flow path by driving the valve member to selectively communicate the housing flow path with the valve flow path,
the valve seal member includes a pair of first seal portions extending along a drive direction of the valve member with the opening edge therebetween, and a pair of second seal portions arranged in a direction intersecting the drive direction of the valve member with the opening edge therebetween and connecting both ends of the pair of first seal portions,
A flow path switching device characterized in that a second sealing distance, which is the shortest distance between the opening of the housing flow path and the second sealing portion, is set larger than a first sealing distance, which is the shortest distance between the opening of the housing flow path and the first sealing portion.

The flow path switching device according to claim 1 ,
In a state where the fluid flow path is formed, the opening of the housing flow path is located at a distance from both ends of the opening edge of the valve flow path in the drive direction, and both ends of the opening edge in the drive direction form semicircular arc shapes,
A flow path switching device characterized in that the second seal portion is semicircular along both ends of the opening edge in the driving direction, and the distance between the second seal portion and the opening edge is set uniformly along the circumferential direction.

The flow path switching device according to claim 1 or 2,
A flow path switching device characterized in that the valve seal member has a tip portion along its circumferential direction that can contact the housing or the valve member, and the tip portion is positioned toward the inner circumference of the valve seal member.

The flow path switching device according to claim 1 or 2,
The valve member is disk-shaped and rotatable about a rotation axis provided at the center thereof.
the opening edge of the valve flow passage is formed in an arc shape with the rotation shaft as a center side, and includes an inner diameter side opening edge close to the rotation shaft and an outer diameter side opening edge far from the rotation shaft,
the valve seal member has a tip portion that can come into contact with the housing or the valve member along a circumferential direction thereof,
the pair of first seal portions includes an outer diameter side first seal portion arranged along an outer diameter side opening edge of the valve flow path, and an inner diameter side first seal portion arranged along an inner diameter side opening edge of the valve flow path,
A flow path switching device characterized in that the tip portion of the outer diameter side first seal portion is positioned toward the inner circumference of the outer diameter side first seal portion, and the tip portion of the inner diameter side first seal portion is positioned toward the outer circumference of the inner diameter side first seal portion.