JP2866837B2 - Device for switching flow path of warm refrigerant gas in air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for switching a flow path of a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating device.

[0002]

As a device for switching a flow path of a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating device, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 8-82661 and 8-135812 replace the sliding type switching device which has been conventionally implemented. A typical rotary type switching device has been considered, but the movable valve element (rotor) in each of these rotary type switching devices employs a structure in which a solid metal block is used to cut a switching channel for warm refrigerant gas. This is an obstacle to rotor mass productivity and cost reduction.

[0003] Each of these rotors has a non-axisymmetric structure, and the rotation axis of the rotor is provided at an eccentric position of an airtight housing as a fixed valve body incorporating the rotor, or the rotation axis of the rotor is its own. Since it is provided at an eccentric position, the balance between high and low pressure gases is lacking, and this has the problem of impairing airtightness.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a device for switching a flow path of a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating device, mass productivity and cost reduction are strongly demanded, while reliability of performance is demanded. The present invention provides a device for switching a flow path of a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating device which responds to the above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for switching a flow path of a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating apparatus, comprising: a hermetic housing; and a flow path switching rotor that is rotated forward and backward at a constant rotation angle in the hermetic housing. The road switching rotor is connected to the first
A switching path, a second switching path, and a third switching path are provided.

When the flow switching rotor rotates in the forward direction, high-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the compressor is supplied to one end of the condenser through the first switching path and the second switching path. A high-pressure switching mechanism is provided for supplying high-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the compressor to the other end of the condenser through the first and third switching paths.

Next, a flow switching device for warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a flow switching rotor that is rotated forward and backward in an airtight housing, and the flow switching rotors communicate with each other. A first switching path, a second switching path, and a third switching path are provided.

When the flow switching rotor is rotated in the forward direction, the low pressure warm refrigerant gas from one end of the condenser is supplied to the low pressure inlet of the compressor through the second switching path and the first switching path. And a low-pressure switching mechanism for supplying the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the other end of the condenser to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor through the third switching path and the first switching path when is rotated in the opposite direction.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, there is provided a flow path switching device having the above structure, wherein the flow path switching rotor is formed by a three-way branch pipe, and the first, second, and third pipes are formed by each branch pipe.
A switching path is formed, and the flow path switching rotor is pivotally supported so as to rotate forward and backward around a branch pipe forming the first switching path.

According to the present invention, the passage switching rotor has a three-way branch pipe structure to reduce the weight and cost of the rotor and the switching device, thereby facilitating the production.

In addition, a structure is employed in which the switching rotor is rotated around a branch pipe forming the first switching path, and high-pressure warm refrigerant gas is introduced or low-pressure warm refrigerant gas is led out from the central branch pipe. Thus, the pipe structure of the flow path switching rotor is properly achieved, and the rotor design is significantly facilitated.

The branch pipe forming the second switching path and the branch pipe forming the third switching path are arranged symmetrically with respect to the branch pipe forming the first switching path.
The pressure of the warm refrigerant gas added to the switching rotor is balanced, and the inclination of the switching rotor due to the pressure imbalance and the airtight defect of the sliding portion caused by the inclination are prevented.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment (See FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIG. 5) The first embodiment shows a case where a switching path for high-pressure warm refrigerant gas is formed by a flow path switching rotor.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, an airtight housing 1 includes
A flow path switching rotor 3 that is rotated forward and backward at a constant rotation angle about a shaft 2 in the hermetic housing 1; The rotation angle of the rotor 3 is suitably set to a rotation angle of 90 degrees or less. The shaft 2 is provided at the center of the rotor (on the rotation axis Y) and protrudes outward from the center of the housing 1. The shaft end is provided with a rotational driving force by an electromagnet or a motor. Thus, shaft 2 is the drive shaft.

The housing 1 is formed of a cylindrical body, and the rotor in the cylindrical body is formed of a three-way branch pipe, and a first switching path 6 is formed by a first branch pipe 6 'of the three-way branch pipe. The branch pipe 7 'forms the second switching path 7, and the third branch pipe 8' forms the third switching path 8. First,
The second and third branch pipes 6 ', 7', 8 'communicate with each other and are open at the free ends of each pipe.

The first branch pipe 6 'forming the first switching path 6 is provided on the same axis so as to have its axis on the rotation axis Y of the flow path switching rotor 3.

On the other hand, the second branch pipe 7 'forming the second switching path 7 and the third branch pipe 8' forming the third switching path 8 are arranged axially symmetric about the first branch pipe 6 '. One end of each pipe 7 ', 8' is directly connected to the first branch pipe 6 'to form a three-way communication structure.

In the example shown, the second branch pipe 7 'and the third branch pipe 8' are connected to the first branch pipe 6 'by 18
It is arranged symmetrically on the opposite side by 0 degrees.

The first branch pipe 6 'and the second and third branch pipes 7' and 8 'open 180 degrees in opposite directions, and the opening at the free end of the first branch pipe 6' is the cylindrical housing 1. The openings of the free ends of the second and third branch pipes 7 ′ and 8 ′ face the other second end wall 13 while being opposed to the first end wall 12 opposed to each other. The pipes 7 ', 8' are centered on the first branch pipe 6 '(axis Y
Open on a circular locus).

The present invention includes the preferred embodiment described above, and furthermore, the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' are formed at an angle other than 180 degrees on a circular locus about the first branch pipe 6 '. Including the case where it is arranged. As an example, a branch pipe 7 ',
This corresponds to the case where the 8's are arranged so that the mutual opening angles are 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and the like.

The flow path switching rotor 3 comprising the three-way branch pipe and the housing 1 are formed of a metal pipe made of iron, copper, aluminum or the like. Alternatively, both 1, 3 or one of them is formed of a synthetic resin or ceramic. The above housing 1
A space 4 is provided between the rotor 3 and the entire circumference of the rotor 3.
And the space 4 is filled with a low-pressure warm refrigerant gas described later.

The first end wall 12 of the housing 1 has a first
A first connection port 15 is provided which is always in communication with the opening of the first branch pipe 6 ′ forming the switching path 6. The first connection port 15 is arranged at the center of the first end wall 12, that is, at the center of the housing 1, and is arranged so as to have a center on the axis Y.

On the other hand, a second end wall 13 of the housing 1 is selectively connected to the openings of the second and third branch pipes 17 'and 18' forming the second and third switching paths 17 and 18. ,
Third connection ports 17 and 18 are provided.

The second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are mutually positioned at the same open angle on the same circular locus as the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' open. Displace them. That is, the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are symmetrically arranged on a circular locus about the first branch pipe 6 '.
The second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' are arranged symmetrically on the circular locus on which the circles 7 and 18 are arranged and are opened.

As described above, the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 and the openings of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' are arranged on an equal diameter circular gauge centered on the first branch pipe 6 '. When the rotor 3 is rotated at a fixed angle in the forward direction, the rotor 3 is shifted from the position shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the second branch pipe 7 'and the connection port 17 communicate with each other in an airtight manner, and at the same time, the third branch pipe 8'
When the rotor 3 is rotated in the opposite direction by a fixed angle, the third branch pipe 8 'and the third connection port 18 are air-tightly communicated with each other at the same time as the second branch, as shown in FIG. The pipe 7 ′ is closed on the inner surface of the second end wall 13.

The first, second and third branch pipes 6 ',
7 ', 8' openings and first, second, third connection ports 15, 1
Airtight communication is provided between the sealing members 7 and 18 via the sealing material 11. The sealing material 11 provided at the free ends of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' slides on the inner surface of the second end wall 13 as the rotor 3 rotates.

The first connection port 15 is connected to the compressor 14
, The second connection port 17 is always connected to one end of the condenser 16, and the third connection port 18 is always connected to the other end of the condenser 16. The first connection port 15 always communicates with the first branch pipe 6 ', and the second and third branch pipes 7' and 8 'rotate the rotor 3 forward and backward, that is, the first branch of the three-way branch pipe, as described above. It is selectively connected to the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 by forward and reverse rotation about the pipe 6 '.

Accordingly, the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the compressor 14 is introduced into the first branch pipe 6 'and is selectively supplied to one of the second and third branch pipes 7' and 8 '. The high-pressure warm refrigerant gas is connected to one end or the other end of the condenser 16 through one of the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 selectively communicated with one of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8'. Supply.

When one of the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 is selectively in communication with one of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8', the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are provided. The other is opened into the housing 1 to introduce the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from one end or the other end of the condenser 16 into the internal space 4 of the housing 1.

Further, the second end wall 13 is provided with a fourth connection port 19 which is opened in the housing 1 and is connected to the low pressure inlet of the compressor 14. The fourth connection port 19 is always open in the housing 1 and the space 4 in the housing 1
The compressor 14 has a function of supplying a low-pressure gas that satisfies the above condition to the compressor 14, and its installation position is not limited. For example, the fourth connection port 19 can be provided in the first end wall 12 or the cylindrical wall of the housing 1.

Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described, and its configuration will be further clarified. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the rotor 3 (three-way branch pipe) is rotated forward,
The second connection port 17 communicates with the second switching path 7 (second branch pipe 7 ′), and the third switching path 8 (third branch pipe 8 ′) comes into close contact with the inner surface of the second end wall 13. A state where the third connection port 18 is opened in the housing 1 while being closed is formed.

Therefore, the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the condenser 16 introduced into the space 4 in the housing 1 through the third connection port 18 is supplied to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor 14 through the fourth connection port 19.

Further, the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 14 and discharged from the high-pressure outlet is supplied to the first connection port 1.
5, flows into the communication path formed by the first branch pipe 6 ′ and the second branch pipe 7 ′, and the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas discharged from the second branch pipe 7 ′ passes through the second connection port 17 to the condenser 16. The low-pressure gas from the condenser 16 is supplied to the space 4 in the housing 1 through the third connection port 18 to fill the space inside the housing 1, and the fourth space is filled with the fourth gas.
It is supplied to the low pressure inlet of the compressor 14 through the connection port 19. Thus, for example, a heating state is formed.

Next, when the rotor 3 is rotated backward as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the third connection port 18 and the third branch pipe 8 'communicate with each other, and the second branch pipe 7' is connected to the second end wall. 13
And the second connection port 17 is opened in the housing 1.

Thus, the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the condenser 16 introduced into the space 4 in the housing 1 through the second connection port 17 is supplied to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor 14 through the fourth connection port 19.

Further, the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 14 and discharged from the high-pressure outlet is supplied to the first connection port 1.
5, flows into a communication path formed by the first branch pipe 6 ′ and the third branch pipe 8 ′, and the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas discharged from the third branch pipe 8 ′ is supplied to the condenser 16 through the third connection port 18. To supply the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the condenser 16 through the second connection port 17 to the housing 1.
The inside of the housing 1 is supplied to the space 4 inside the housing 1, and is supplied to the compressor 14 through the fourth connection port 19. Thus, for example, a cooling state is formed.

Second Embodiment (FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A and 4B)
Also, see FIG. 5) The second embodiment shows a case in which a switching path for a low-pressure warm refrigerant gas is formed by a flow path switching rotor.

The device for switching the flow path of the warm refrigerant gas in this cooling / heating device includes an airtight housing 1 as shown in FIG.
A flow path switching rotor 3 that is rotated forward and backward at a constant rotation angle about a shaft 2 in the hermetic housing 1; The rotation angle of the rotor 3 is suitably set to a rotation angle of 90 degrees or less. The shaft 2 is provided at the center of the rotor (on the rotation axis Y) and protrudes outward from the center of the housing 1. The shaft end is provided with a rotational driving force by an electromagnet or a motor. Thus, shaft 2 is the drive shaft.

The housing 1 is formed of a cylindrical body, and the rotor in the cylindrical body is formed of a three-way branch pipe. A first branch pipe 6 'of the three-way branch pipe forms a first switching path 6, and The branch pipe 7 'forms the second switching path 7, and the third branch pipe 8' forms the third switching path 8. First,
The second and third branch pipes 6 ', 7', 8 'communicate with each other and are open at the free ends of each pipe.

The first branch pipe 6 'forming the first switching path 6 is provided on the same axis so as to have the axis on the rotation axis Y of the flow path switching rotor 3.

On the other hand, the second branch pipe 7 'forming the second switching path 7 and the third branch pipe 8' forming the third switching path 8 are arranged axially symmetric about the first branch pipe 6 '. One end of each pipe 7 ', 8' is directly connected to the first branch pipe 6 'to form a three-way communication structure. In the illustrated example, the second branch pipe 7 'and the third branch pipe 8' are connected to the first branch pipe 6 '.
Are symmetrically arranged on the opposite side by 180 degrees.

The first branch pipe 6 'and the second and third branch pipes 7' and 8 'open 180 degrees in opposite directions, and the opening at the free end of the first branch pipe 6' is the cylindrical housing 1. The openings of the free ends of the second and third branch pipes 7 ′ and 8 ′ face the other second end wall 13 while being opposed to the first end wall 12 opposed to each other. The pipes 7 ', 8' are centered on the first branch pipe 6 '(axis Y
Open on a circular locus).

The present invention includes the above-described preferred embodiment. Further, the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' are arranged at an angle other than 180 degrees on a circular locus about the first branch pipe 6 '. Including the case where it is arranged. As an example, a branch pipe 7 ',
This corresponds to the case where the 8's are arranged so that the mutual opening angles are 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and the like.

The flow path switching rotor 3 comprising the three-way branch pipe and the housing 1 are formed of a metal pipe such as iron, copper, or aluminum. Alternatively, both 1, 3 or one of them is formed of a synthetic resin or ceramic. The above housing 1
A space 4 is provided between the rotor 3 and the entire circumference of the rotor 3.
And the space 4 is filled with a high-pressure warm refrigerant gas described later.

The first end wall 12 of the housing 1 has a first
A first connection port 15 is provided which is always in communication with the opening of the first branch pipe 6 ′ forming the switching path 6. The first connection port 15 is arranged at the center of the first end wall 12, that is, at the center of the housing 1, and is arranged so as to have a center on the axis Y.

On the other hand, the second end wall 13 of the housing 1 is selectively connected to the openings of the second and third branch pipes 17 'and 18' forming the second and third switching paths 17 and 18. ,
Third connection ports 17 and 18 are provided.

The second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are mutually positioned at the same open angle on the same circular locus as the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' open. Displace them.

That is, the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are symmetrically arranged on a circular locus about the first branch pipe 6 '.
The second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' are symmetrically arranged and opened on a circular locus on which the two 17 and 18 are arranged.

As described above, the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 and the openings of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' are arranged on an equal diameter circular gauge centered on the first branch pipe 6 '. When the rotor 3 is rotated by a fixed angle in the forward direction, the position is shifted, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the second branch pipe 7 'and the connection port 17 communicate with each other in an airtight manner, and at the same time, the third branch pipe 8'
When the rotor 3 is rotated in the opposite direction by a fixed angle, the third branch pipe 8 'and the third connection port 18 are airtightly communicated with each other as shown in FIG. The pipe 7 ′ is closed on the inner surface of the second end wall 13.

The first, second and third branch pipes 6 ',
7 ', 8' openings and first, second, third connection ports 15, 1
Airtight communication is provided between the sealing members 7 and 18 via the sealing material 11. The sealing material 11 provided at the free ends of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' slides on the inner surface of the second end wall 13 as the rotor 3 rotates.

The first connection port 15 is connected to the compressor 14
, The second connection port 17 is always connected to one end of the condenser 16, and the third connection port 18 is always connected to the other end of the condenser 16. The first connection port 15 always communicates with the first branch pipe 6 ', and the second and third branch pipes 7' and 8 'rotate the rotor 3 forward and backward, that is, the first branch of the three-way branch pipe, as described above. It is selectively connected to the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 by forward and reverse rotation about the pipe 6 '.

Accordingly, the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the condenser 16 is introduced into the second branch pipe 7 'or the third branch pipe 8' and supplied to the first branch pipe 6 '. The low-pressure warm refrigerant gas is supplied to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor 14 through the first connection port 15 communicating therewith.

When one of the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 is selectively in communication with one of the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8', the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are provided. The other is opened into the housing 1 and the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas introduced from the high-pressure outlet of the compressor 14 into the internal space 4 of the housing 1 is supplied to one end or the other end of the condenser 16 through one of the second and third connection ports 17 and 18. Supply.

Further, a fourth connection port 19 opened in the housing 1 and connected to the high pressure outlet of the compressor 14 is provided in the second end wall 13. The fourth connection port 19 is always open in the housing 1 and the space 4 in the housing 1
Has a function of supplying a high-pressure gas satisfying the above condition to the condenser 16, and the installation position does not matter. For example, the fourth connection port 19 can be provided in the first end wall 12 or the cylindrical wall of the housing 1.

Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described, and its configuration will be further clarified. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the rotor 3 (three-way branch pipe) is rotated forward,
The second connection port 17 communicates with the second switching path 7 (second branch pipe 7 ′), and the third switching path 8 (third branch pipe 8 ′) comes into close contact with the inner surface of the second end wall 13. A state where the third connection port 18 is opened in the housing 1 while being closed is formed.

Accordingly, the low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the condenser 16 introduced into the second branch pipe 7 ′ through the second connection port 17 is supplied to the compressor 14 through the first branch pipe 6 ′ and the first connection port 15. It is supplied to the low pressure inlet.

Further, the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 14 and discharged from the high-pressure outlet is supplied to the fourth connection port 1.
It is introduced into the space 4 in the housing 1 through 9 and always fills the housing 1. The high-pressure warm refrigerant gas in the housing 1 is supplied to one end of the condenser 16 through the third connection port 18, and the low-pressure gas from the other end of the condenser 16 is supplied through the second connection port 17 and the second branch pipe 7 ′. Flows into the first branch pipe 6 ′ and is connected to the first connection port 1.
5 to the low pressure inlet of the compressor 14. Thus, for example, a heating state is formed.

Next, when the rotor 3 is rotated backward as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the third connection port 18 communicates with the third branch pipe 8 ', and the second branch pipe 7' is connected to the second end wall. 13
And the second connection port 17 is opened in the housing 1.

Accordingly, the low-pressure gas from the condenser 16 introduced into the third branch pipe 8 ′ through the third connection port 18 is supplied to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor 14 through the first branch pipe 6 ′ and the first connection port 15. Supplied.

Further, the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 14 and discharged from the high-pressure outlet is supplied to the fourth connection port 1.
9, the space 4 in the housing 1 is filled, and the high-pressure warm refrigerant gas in the housing 1 is supplied to the condenser 16 through the second connection port 17.
Flows into the third branch pipe 8 ′ through the third connection port 18 and is supplied to the low pressure inlet of the compressor 14 through the first branch pipe 6 ′ and the first connection port 15. Thus, for example, a cooling state is formed.

Next, another structural example which can be implemented in common with the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. The drive shaft 2 rotated at a fixed angle by the motor or the electromagnet or the like is connected to the three-way branch pipe at an end on the rotation axis Y of the three-way branch pipe opposite to the first branch pipe 6 '. I have.

As an example of the connection structure, the first branch pipe 6 ′ is further protruded from the connection with the second and third branch pipes 7 ′ and 8 ′ on the axis Y toward the second end wall 13. A shaft coupling pipe 6a is formed by the projecting portion, and an end of the drive shaft 2 is fitted to the shaft coupling pipe 6a to be integrally connected. The end of the drive shaft 2 also serves as a hermetic plug for preventing outflow of gas by fitting into the joint pipe 6a.

On the other hand, an open end of the first branch pipe 6 ′, that is, an end opposite to the shaft coupling pipe 6 a is supported by a connection pipe protruding into the housing 1 through the first connection port 15. More specifically, a connection pipe 15a is provided in a first connection port 15 provided at the center of the first end wall 12, and the pipe end projects into the housing.
5b, and the end of the first branch pipe 6 'is rotatably inserted or inserted into the bearing pipe 15b, thereby forming a rotating shaft support structure.

For example, the first branch pipe 6 ′ is inserted outside the bearing pipe 15 b via a cylindrical sealing material 11, and the end face of the sealing material 11 is brought into contact with the inner face of the first end wall 12 so that the hermetic seal at the bearing portion is formed. While forming a rotating shaft support structure.

As described above, the rotor 3 has a double-sided support structure, and stable rotation is guaranteed. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotor 3 is provided with a cylindrical sealing material 11 attached to the first branch pipe 6 ', and the end face of the sealing material 11 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the first end wall by simply rotating the rotor 3 on the axis Y. Is formed. In this case, the rotor 3 has a cantilevered support structure with the shaft 2.

Each of the sealing materials 11 provided on the second and third branch pipes 7 ', 8' is cylindrical, and each cylindrical sealing material 11 is formed of an elastic body made of synthetic resin, rubber, or the like.
This is tightly fitted in an opening provided at each free end of the first, second and third branch pipes 6 ', 7', 8 'and integrally attached with an adhesive or the like. , 13 closely. Alternatively, the sealing material 11 is formed of a hard member such as Teflon (trade name), hard rubber, metal, or the like, and is movably fitted without bonding using an O-ring disposed on the inner annular step portion of the opening as a seat. The end surface of the cylindrical sealing material 11 is pressed against the inner surfaces of the end walls 12 and 13 by the elastic force of the wearing O-ring to achieve airtightness.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described.

In the first and second embodiments, the first branch pipe 6 '(first switching path 6) and the second and third branch pipes 7', 8 '(first and second switching paths 7, 8). ) To each other 180
FIGS. 6 and 7 show the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8' in the first and second embodiments in the same direction as the first branch pipe 6 '. The example shown in FIG. That is, the first, second, and third branch pipes 6 ′, 7 ′, and 8 ′ are opened facing the first end wall 12 of the housing 1.

Along with this, the second and third branch pipes 7 ′ and 7 ′ are formed on the first end wall 12 where the opening of the first branch pipe 6 ′ faces.
The openings 8 'are opposed to each other. According to this change, the second and third connection ports 17 are provided on the first end wall 12 provided with the first connection port 15.
18 and are disposed so as to selectively communicate with the second and third branch pipes 7 'and 8'.

The first branch pipe 6 'is provided at the center (rotation axis Y) of the first end wall 12 according to the first and second embodiments.
The second and third branch pipes 7 ′ and 8 ′ arranged on a circular locus centered on the first branch pipe 6 ′ are opened so as to face the first end wall 12. The second and third connection ports 17 and 18 arranged on the track are opened in the first end wall 12.

Each of the branch pipes 6 'of the above three-way branch pipe,
7 'and 8' face in the same direction, and communication with each connection port 15, 17, 18 is achieved in the same direction. The second and third branch pipes 7 ′ and 8 ′ are oriented toward the first end wall 12 provided with the first connection port 15, and the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are oriented.
Is the same as that of the first and second embodiments except that is provided on the first end wall 12.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the sealing material 11 of the first, second and third branch pipes 6 ', 7' and 8 'comes into close contact with the inner surface of the first end wall 12.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the fourth connection port 19 can be provided in the first end wall 12. Alternatively, the fourth connection port 19 can be provided in the second end wall 13 or the cylindrical wall of the housing 1.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the drive shaft 2 and the first, second, and third branch pipes 6 ', 7', 8 'are directed in opposite directions to each other, and penetrate the second end wall. A shaft 2 is provided.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a possible modification of the first and second embodiments. In the first and second embodiments, the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are connected to the second end wall 1.
3 is provided so as to penetrate vertically and open below the second end wall 13, but in FIG.
7, 18 are opened to the side.

The housing 1 extends so as to include the second end wall 13.
In other words, the housing 20 is continuously provided at the end of the housing 1, and the drive source 21 such as the motor or the electromagnet is built in the drive source housing 20 and extends into the housing 20. A rotational driving force is applied to the shaft 2 that has been rotated.

When the drive source housing 20 is provided, the second and third connection ports 17 and 18 are connected to the second and third connection ports 17 and 1 in order to avoid interference with the drive source 21.
8 is opened to the side of the housings 1 and 20. FIG. 8
Is the fourth connection port 19 and the first connection port 15
The case where it opened in the end wall 12 is shown.

The present invention is based on the basic idea that the flow switching rotor is formed by a three-way branch pipe, and various designs are possible according to this. This three-way branch pipe cuts an existing long pipe to form first, second, and third branch pipes 6 ', 7',
8 'is formed, and each end is welded to each other by brazing or the like to form a three-way branch pipe structure. Alternatively, the above-described three-way branch pipe structure can be obtained by pressing and bending a plate material.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the inside of the rotor 3 (in each of the switching paths 6, 7, 8) when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped.
In order to balance the pressure with the pressure in the housing 1 (in the space 4), a small diameter pipe is provided at an appropriate position of the branch pipes 6 ', 7', 8 'forming the rotor 3, for example, at the pipe wall of the first branch pipe 6'. Are provided. Therefore, when the operation of the cooling and heating device is stopped, the gas pressure in the rotor 3 and the gas in the housing 1 escape from the high pressure side to the low pressure side through the communication hole 22 to balance the pressure, and the start of the rotor 3 at the time of starting the cooling and heating device is smooth. To

[0080]

According to the present invention, the flow path switching rotor has a three-way branch pipe structure, so that the weight and cost of the rotor and the switching device can be reduced, and the rotor can be easily manufactured.

Further, a structure is adopted in which the switching rotor is rotated around the branch pipe forming the first switching path, and high-pressure warm refrigerant gas is introduced from the central branch pipe or low-pressure warm refrigerant gas is led out. Thus, the pipe structure of the flow path switching rotor is properly achieved, and the rotor design is significantly facilitated.

The branch pipe forming the second switching path and the branch pipe forming the third switching path are arranged symmetrically with respect to the branch pipe forming the first switching path.
The pressure of the warm refrigerant gas added to the switching rotor is balanced, and the inclination of the switching rotor due to the pressure imbalance and the airtight defect of the sliding portion caused by the inclination are prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, in which A is a transverse sectional view of a switching device showing a heating cycle, and B is a longitudinal sectional view of the switching device.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a switching device showing a cooling cycle,
B is a longitudinal sectional view of the switching device.

3A and 3B show a second embodiment, in which A is a cross-sectional view of a switching device showing a heating cycle, and B is a longitudinal sectional view of the switching device.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a switching device showing a cooling cycle,
B is a longitudinal sectional view of the switching device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIGS. 1A and 3A of a switching rotor common to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a switching device showing another modified example common to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a switching device showing another modified example common to the first and second embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 airtight housing 2 shaft 3 flow path switching rotor 4 space 6 first switching path 6 ′ first branch pipe 7 second switching path 7 ′ second branch pipe 8 third switching path 8 ′ third branch pipe 14 compressor 16 condenser 15 First connection port 15a Connection pipe 15b Bearing pipe 17 Second connection port 18 Third connection port 19 Fourth connection port

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ryoji Suzuki 366 Kitawaki Nitta, Shimizu City, Shizuoka Pref. Matsuyama Engineering Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-10-246537 (JP, A) JP-A-10- 205923 (JP, A) JP-A-8-327183 (JP, A) JP-A-63-170667 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F25B 41/04 F16K 11 / 074

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A first switching path, a second switching path, and a third switching path communicating with each other; a first switching path, a second switching path, and a third switching path communicating with each other; When the flow path switching rotor rotates in the forward direction, high-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the compressor is supplied to one end of the condenser through the first switching path and the second switching path, and the flow path switching rotor rotates in the reverse direction. In the cooling / heating apparatus, the high-temperature warm refrigerant gas from the compressor is supplied to the other end of the condenser through the first switching path and the third switching path. The switching rotor is formed by a three-way branch pipe,
The first, second and third switching paths are formed by each branch pipe,
A flow path switching device for a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating device, wherein the flow path switching rotor is pivotally supported so as to rotate forward and backward around a branch pipe forming the first switching path. 2. An airtight housing comprising a forward / reverse rotating passage switching rotor, said passage switching rotor comprising a first switching path, a second switching path and a third switching path communicating with each other, When the flow path switching rotor is rotated in the forward direction, the low pressure warm refrigerant gas from one end of the condenser is supplied to the second switching path and the first switching path.
A low-pressure warm refrigerant gas from the other end of the condenser is supplied to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor through the third switching path and the first switching path when the switching rotor rotates in the opposite direction. In the apparatus for switching a flow path of a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating apparatus provided with a low-pressure switching mechanism, the flow path switching rotor is formed by a three-way branch pipe, and the first, second, and third switching paths are formed by each branch pipe. The flow path switching device for a warm refrigerant gas in a cooling and heating apparatus, wherein the flow path switching rotor is pivotally supported so as to rotate forward and backward around a branch pipe forming the first switching path. 3. The branch pipe forming the second switching path and the branch pipe forming the third switching path are axially symmetric with respect to the branch pipe forming the first switching path. The flow switching device for a warm refrigerant gas in the cooling and heating device according to claim 1 or 2.