JP3947817B2 - Electric four-way valve - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an electric four-way valve that is used to switch a cold / hot water supply pipe in order to selectively supply cold water or hot water to an indoor radiator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to cool the indoor radiator by supplying cold water in the summer and supplying hot water in the winter for heating, a pipe for cold water and a pipe for hot water are connected to the radiator. An electric four-way valve is used to switch the path appropriately. As this electric four-way valve, there are four pipe lines in the valve body: a pipe line leading to the radiator, a pipe line for supplying cold water, a pipe line for supplying hot water, and a pipe line for bypassing hot water or cold water to return. A valve-shaped valve body having four openings in the valve body and having two flow paths each connecting the two openings is rotatably provided by a motor. Yes. Thereby, the first flow path in the valve body communicates the cold water introduction hole and the pipe to the radiator, and the second flow path in the valve body communicates the hot water introduction hole and the bypass pipe to the first position. A second position where the second water passage in the valve body communicates the hot water introduction hole and the pipe to the radiator, and the first flow passage in the valve body communicates the cold water introduction hole and the bypass pipe; Is switched so that can be selectively positioned.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the electric four-way valve as described above, the valve element having four openings must be held in close contact with the valve seat having four openings so that water leakage does not occur. On the other hand, the valve body thus kept in close contact must slide and rotate on the valve seat when switching the flow path, and the contact force to prevent water leakage is great. The larger the rotation, the greater the frictional force generated between the contact surface of the valve seat and the valve body.
[0004]
Due to this frictional force, when the valve body rotates, both of them are greatly worn, and the valve seat and the valve body have four openings. The edge portion is caught, and particularly in this portion, great wear and damage are caused. Such wear and damage causes water leakage between the valve seat and the valve body, resulting in malfunction of the valve. In particular, the valve body that forms the flow path in the inside is manufactured from ceramic, etc., and the valve seat that contacts the valve body is often manufactured from an elastic body such as rubber with good sealing performance. In order to prevent water leakage, when the valve body is pressed against the valve seat with a large force, the valve body bites into the rubber of the valve seat, and when the valve body rotates in this bite state, the rubber valve seat is made of ceramic. The valve body is worn out in a short period of time, and the valve seat must be replaced frequently.
[0005]
Further, when rust, dust, sand, or the like of the pipe is caught between the valve seat and the valve body, these wear into the valve seat or the like due to the rotation of the valve body, and the above-described wear is more likely to occur. Furthermore, if the valve body is pressed strongly against the valve seat to improve the sealing performance, a strong frictional force is generated when the valve body is rotated, so that a large load is applied to the electric device, resulting in malfunction of the electric valve. If a powerful electric device is used as a countermeasure, the valve must be expensive.
[0006]
As a countermeasure for this, the applicant has made the valve body rotate so as to float from the valve seat when the valve is switched, and firmly closes the valve seat when the switching operation is completed. The body is firmly attached to the valve seat by the holding spring, and when switching the valve body, the cam can be used to move the valve body in the direction to float against the holding spring, and the valve body is rotated in this state. In the switching end position, an electric multi-way valve has been proposed in which the valve body is firmly brought into close contact with the valve seat by a pressing spring again.
[0007]
However, in this electric multi-way valve, besides providing a torsion spring between the valve body shaft and the valve body, the transmission mechanism from the electric motor to the valve body is complicated, the number of parts is increased, the assembly man-hour is increased, It had to be expensive.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention reduces the wear of the valve seat and the like and reduces the load on the electric device by reducing the pressing force of the valve body against the valve seat when the valve body rotates, and the valve body when used as the valve body. An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive electric four-way valve that has a simple structure, a small number of parts, and can improve sealing performance by strongly pressing a body against a valve seat.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is configured such that a cam cylinder having an upper cam formed on an operating shaft driven by an electric device is fitted integrally with the operating shaft and is slidable in the axial direction. A lower cam is provided on the upper surface of the valve body that rotates about the operating shaft at a position facing the upper cam, an upper protrusion is provided on the lower surface of the valve body, and is fixed to the operating shaft and faces the upper protrusion. And an electric four-way valve provided with an auxiliary member having a lower projection.
[0010]
Since the present invention is configured as described above, in the normal state, the upper cam presses the valve body toward the valve seat side by the engagement of the upper cam and the lower cam, and the sealed state is maintained. When the upper cam is rotated by the electric device at the time of switching, the meshing state of the upper cam and the lower cam is changed, whereby the frictional force between the valve body and the valve seat is reduced, so that the lower cam rotates together with the upper cam. At this time, even when the valve body is in close contact with the valve seat, the upper protrusion on the lower surface of the valve body is pushed up by the lower protrusion provided on the shaft of the electric device, and the valve body is separated from the valve seat, so the lower cam is When the stopper which rotates with the upper cam and is formed on the outer periphery of the valve body comes into contact with the valve box portion, the rotation of the valve body is stopped and the flow path is switched. After this, the electric device rotates the upper cam by a predetermined amount, and the valve body is pressed to the valve seat side by the meshing of the upper cam and the lower cam, and the sealed state is held again.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A reference example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the lower part of the valve box 1, four connecting pipes 2, 3, 4 and 5 are provided radially at an angle of 90 degrees with each other, and they are raised at a right angle in the center and are cylindrical. The valve holes 6, 11, 12, and 13 are connected to the valve seat surface 7 of the valve storage 6. In the valve accommodating part 6, the valve body 16 which has the 1st flow path 14 and the 2nd flow path 15 which connect two adjacent valve holes is rotatably provided. The first channel 14 and the second channel are each formed as an annular channel extending in a range of 90 degrees, and a ring-shaped lower cam 17 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The lower cam 17 has an uneven shape in the vertical direction in the figure. A central protrusion 18 is formed at the lower center of the valve body 16, and the central protrusion 18 is fitted into a support hole 20 provided in the valve box 1, and is biased upward by a spring 21 contracted in the support hole. Has been.
[0012]
Protrusions 22-1 and 22-2 are provided on the outer periphery of the valve body 16 at positions 180 degrees apart from each other, and a stopper 23 with which the protrusions 22 abut on the inner surface of the valve storage portion 6 of the valve box 1 is shown in FIG. Four of them, 23-1, 23-2, 23-3 and 23-4, are provided. A ring-shaped upper cam 24 having the same diameter as that of the lower cam 17 is disposed above the lower cam 17, and the cam surface formed on the lower surface of the upper cam 24 is formed symmetrically with the cam surface of the lower cam 17. And are formed so as to mesh with each other. A shaft hole is provided at the center of the upper cam 24, and a tip of a shaft 30 of a motor 28 as an electric device provided at the upper portion of the valve box 1 is rotatable in an upper shaft hole 27 provided at the upper portion of the shaft hole. It is slidably fitted in the axial direction. Further, a projection 26 provided on the central upper surface of the valve body 16 is fitted in the lower shaft hole 25 provided in the lower part of the shaft hole so as to be slidable in the rotational direction and the axial direction.
[0013]
A lid body 32 is fixed to the upper portion of the cylindrical valve housing portion 6 of the valve box 1 via an O-ring 31 with screws 33, and a motor 28 is fixed to the upper surface of the lid body 32 with screws 34. A bearing portion 35 that supports the shaft 30 of the motor 28 is formed at the center of the lid 32. A shaft 36 is provided with a flange 36, and a disc spring 37 is provided between the lower surface of the flange 36 and the upper surface of the upper cam 24.
[0014]
The disc spring 37 is in the first state as shown in FIG. 5 in the normal cooling and heating state of the valve in FIG. 1, and the protrusion 40 of the upper cam 24 is the protrusion 41 of the lower cam 17. Since the upper cam 24 is lifted by the lower cam 17, the disc spring 37 is pressed and contracted, and the valve body 16 is pressed downward by the repulsive force. The seal 42 provided on the lower surface of the valve body 16 is pressed against the valve holes 10, 11, 12, 13 to achieve a sealing action. Further, the shaft 30 rotates and the upper cam 24 rotates. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper cam protrusion 40 fits into the lower cam recess 43, and the lower cam 17 protrusion 41 moves upward. When the upper cam 24 is not lifted by the lower cam 17 when fitted into the recess 44 of the cam 24, and the force to compress the disc spring 37 is eliminated, the valve body 16 has almost no downward pressure. On the contrary, a force that pushes upward by the spring 21 acts, and the valve body can be freely rotated.
[0015]
In the electric four-way valve configured as described above, for example, in the first operating state for cooling the room, as shown in FIG. 5, the first cam state is in the first state, and the protruding portion 40 of the upper cam 24 protrudes from the lower cam 17. It stops in the state where it rides on the section 41, and power supply to the motor 28 is stopped. Therefore, the upper cam 24 is lifted by the lower cam 17, whereby the disc spring 37 is pressed and contracted, and the valve body 16 is pressed downward by the repulsive force and provided on the lower surface of the valve body 16. The seal 42 is pressed against the valve holes 10, 11, 12, and 13 to achieve a sealing action. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the first flow path 14 of the valve body 16 communicates the valve holes 10 and 11, and the second flow path 15 communicates the valve holes 12 and 13. Thereby, when this valve is used as a four-way valve for supplying cold water or hot water to the indoor radiator, by connecting the valve hole 10 communicating with the radiator and the valve hole 11 communicating with the cold water supply source, Cold water is supplied to the radiator, and the room can be cooled. At this time, the second flow path 15 communicates with the valve hole 13 communicating with the hot water supply source and the bypass flow path 12 communicating with the return flow path, whereby the hot water is not supplied to the radiator and is bypassed. At this time, the protrusion 22-1 provided on the valve body 16 is in contact with the stopper 23-1 of the valve box 1, and the protrusion 22-2 is in contact with the stopper 23-3.
[0016]
Next, for example, when setting the second operating state in which the room is heated, when the motor 28 is energized and the upper cam 24 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the protrusion 22-1 moves from the stopper 23-1. 22-2 rotate away from the stopper 23-3, and the protrusion 40 of the upper cam 24 is in the second state as shown in FIG. It gradually moves from 41 to the recess 44 side of the lower cam. At this time, the pressing force of the disc spring 37 acts on the valve body 16, the upper cam 24 moves downward by the pressing force of the disc spring 37, and the disc spring 37 decreases the pressing force.
[0017]
When the motor 28 further rotates, the state is changed to the third state as shown in FIG. 7, and when the upper cam protrusion 40 falls into the recess 43 of the lower cam 17, the pressing force of the disc spring 37 is almost lost, rather the valve body. Since the push-up force of the spring 21 works from the lower side of the valve 16, the valve body 16 is almost free. Therefore, the upper cam 24 and the lower cam 17 are fitted, the lower cam 17 receives a rotational force from the upper cam 24, and the valve body 16 that is in a free state rotates together with the upper cam 24. In this state, the upper cam 24 and the lower cam 17 continue to rotate integrally, the protrusion 22-1 of the valve body 16 contacts the stopper 23-4 of the valve box 1, and the protrusion 22-2 contacts the stopper 23-2. Since the rotation of the valve body 16 is stopped and the lower cam 17 does not rotate, only the upper cam 24 continues to rotate due to the rotational force of the motor 28.
[0018]
At this time, the valve body 16 is in the second operating state shown in FIG. 3, whereby the first flow path 14 of the valve body 16 communicates the valve hole 10 and the valve hole 13, and the second flow path 15. The valve hole 11 communicates with the valve hole 12. Thereby, the hot water is supplied to the radiator by heating the valve hole 10 communicating with the radiator and the valve hole 13 communicating with the hot water supply source, so that the room can be heated. At this time, the second flow path 15 returns to the valve hole 11 communicating with the cold water supply source and communicates with the bypass flow path communicating with the flow path, so that the radiator is bypassed without being supplied with the cold water.
[0019]
Only the upper cam 24 continues to rotate and enters the fourth state as shown in FIG. 8. The protrusion 40 of the upper cam 24 rides on the next protrusion 41 of the lower cam 17 and compresses the disc spring 37 gradually. Finally, when it finally rides completely over the protruding portion of the lower cam 17, the motor 28 stops rotating and returns to the state shown in FIG. This rotation stop position of the upper cam 24 is detected by a rotation stop position detection device provided in the motor or by a rotation stop position detection hall element (not shown) of the upper cam, and the energization of the motor is stopped. As a result, the valve body is in the state shown in FIG. 1, and the disc spring 37 presses the valve body 16 toward the valve seat 42 and holds the valve body in a reliable sealing state.
[0020]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of the electric four-way valve is the same as that of the electric four-way valve of the reference example. In the electric four-way valve of this embodiment, an upper protrusion 101 protruding downward is provided at the lower end central portion 100 of the valve body 66, and the valve The most different point is that the electric four-way valve of the above reference example is improved by providing a lower projection 102 at the center of the box 51 so as to face the upper projection 101 so as to rotate together with the drive shaft. In addition, as described later in detail, the first embodiment is improved. In FIG. 9, the left side of the center line indicates the valve switching end state, and the right side indicates the valve switching state.
[0021]
In FIG. 9, a motor 78 is fixed to the upper end portion of a lid 82 provided on the upper portion of the valve storage portion 56, and a shaft 104 protruding from the motor 78 is provided with a gear 104. An operating shaft 106 is erected in a shaft hole 105 provided in the center of the valve box 51, and a fitting hole 107 provided in the center of the upper end of the operating shaft 106 is connected to a bearing 108 provided in the center of the lid 82. The supported spindle 110 is fitted so as to rotate integrally. A gear 111 is fixed to the upper end of the spindle 110, and the gear 111 meshes with a gear 104 driven by a motor.
[0022]
On the outer periphery of the upper part of the operating shaft 106 driven by the spindle 110, a cam cylinder 113 provided with a flange 112 formed with an upper cam 74 projecting downward on the lower surface side is rotatable integrally with the operating shaft 106 in the axial direction. It is slidably fitted. A first spring 87 is provided between the upper surface of the flange 112 and the central lower surface of the lid 82. A lower cam 67 is provided at a position facing the upper cam 74 on the upper surface of the central portion of the valve body 66 whose center is positioned on the operating shaft 106 and rotates. The upper cam 74, the lower cam 67, Operates in the same manner as the electric four-way valve of the first embodiment, and as shown on the left side of the center line in FIG. 9, the protruding portion of the upper cam 74 and the protruding portion of the lower cam 67 are opposed to each other. The cam cylinder 113 compresses the first spring 87 and moves upward, so that the seal body 114 on the lower end surface of the valve body 66 is applied to the valve seat on the upper surface of the valve box 51 by the force of the first spring 87. Are in pressure contact. At this time, the force of the second spring 115 provided in the valve box 51 is acting on the lower surface of the seal body 114 of the valve body 66, but the force of the second spring 115 is smaller than that of the first spring 87. Regardless of the second spring 115, the valve body 66 is given a sealing force by the first spring 87.
[0023]
In contrast to the upper projection 101 provided on the lower surface of the lower end central portion 100 of the valve body 66, a lower projection 102 fixed to the operating shaft 106 and opposed to the upper projection 101 is provided at the center of the valve box 51. The provided auxiliary member 116 is rotatably housed. The positional relationship and operation of the upper protrusion 101, the lower protrusion 102, the upper cam 74, and the lower cam 67 are schematically shown in FIGS.
[0024]
FIG. 10 shows a first state of meshing of the upper cam and the lower cam, which is the valve element switching end position, which is the same position as the position shown on the left side of the center line in FIG. The portion and the projecting portion of the lower cam 67 are opposed to each other, and are stationary here. At this time, the cam cylinder 113 is moved by the first spring 87 and the seal body 114 on the lower end surface of the valve body 66 is The valve seat is in pressure contact with the upper surface of the box 51. At this time, the upper protrusion 101 and the lower protrusion 102 are not opposed to each other.
[0025]
When switching the flow path by rotating the valve body from this state, the motor is driven in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the spindle 110 is rotated by the meshing of the gear 104 and the gear 111, and the cam cylinder is connected via the operating shaft 106. 113 is rotated. Thus, when the upper cam rotates in the right direction as shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, the upper cam 74 and the lower cam 67 are opposed to each other, and the upper cam and the lower cam are in the second state. At this time, when the valve body is in close contact with the valve seat and does not leave the valve seat, the lower protrusion 102 that rotates integrally with the upper cam 74 contacts the upper protrusion 101 as shown by the solid line in FIG. Since the moving side inclined surface 120 presses the inclined surface 121 of the upper protrusion, a lifting force is generated with respect to the upper protrusion, whereby a force that lifts the entire valve body upwards acts. Even when the seat is in close contact with the seat, it can be pulled away by the rotational force of the motor. When the valve body is in a state of being immediately separated from the valve seat, if the upper cam 74 is removed from the position facing the lower cam 67, the pressing force from the first spring 87 decreases in the valve body . As indicated by the broken line, the second spring 115 moves upward. At that time, the upper protrusion 101 also rises as indicated by a broken line, and the lower protrusion 102 moves further without coming into contact with the upper protrusion 101.
[0026]
As described above, when the valve body 66 does not come in close contact with the valve seat, when the valve body 66 is forced to move upward due to the engagement of the lower protrusion 102 and the upper protrusion 101, or when the valve body 66 and the valve seat immediately move. 11, the state shown in FIG. 11 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 12, that is, the third state in which the upper cam 74 falls into the bottom between the adjacent lower cams 67, 67 on the upper surface of the valve body. After that, as in the first embodiment, when the upper cam 74 further rotates, the moving side slope of the upper cam 74 presses the opposing slope of the lower cam 67, and the valve body is rotated by the force. Thereafter, the protrusions around the valve body 66 engage with the protrusions of the valve box 51, the rotation of the valve body 66 stops, and when the upper cam 74 further rotates, the upper cam 74 rides on the lower cam 67 and the first spring 87 is reached. The valve body 66 is pressed against the valve seat side by the force of. The rotation position of the upper cam 74 at this time is detected by a detection means (not shown), and the driving of the motor is stopped.
[0027]
Thus, in the electric four-way valve of the embodiment , even when the valve body does not come in close contact with the valve seat, it is forcibly separated from the valve seat, so that the valve body is forcibly driven in the close contact state. to prevent damage to the valve seat and the valve body, without the need for excess driving force of a motor in consideration of the fact that forcibly rotate the coherent valve body, or the like can rotate easily valve body by a small motor There are various effects.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, wear of the valve seat and the like can be reduced by reducing the pressing force of the valve body against the valve seat when the valve body is rotated. Wear can be reduced, and rust and dust of the pipe are not caught between the valve body and the valve seat, and the load on the electric device for driving the valve body can be reduced. Furthermore, when used as a valve body, the valve body can be strongly pressed against the valve seat to improve the sealing performance. In addition, the transmission mechanism from the electric motor to the valve body is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the number of assembly steps is reduced, and an inexpensive electric four-way valve can be obtained.
[0029]
In addition to the above effects, even when the valve body does not come in close contact with the valve seat, it is forcibly separated from the valve seat, so that the valve seat and the valve body by forcibly driving the valve body in the close contact state There are various effects such as the ability to easily rotate the face plate with a small motor without the need for extra driving force of the motor in consideration of preventing damage and forcibly rotating the closely attached valve body. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a reference example of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the same.
4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line XX showing a switching state of the flow path of the valve body of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a first state of a lower cam and an upper cam.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the second state.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the third state.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing the fourth state.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a first state of the lower cam and the upper cam.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing the second state.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing the third state.

Claims (4)

A cam cylinder having an upper cam formed on an operating shaft driven by an electric device is fitted to the operating shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with the operating shaft and slidable in the axial direction. A lower cam is provided at a position facing the upper cam, an upper protrusion is provided on the lower surface of the valve body, and an auxiliary member is provided that is fixed to the operating shaft and has the lower protrusion facing the upper protrusion. Electric four-way valve characterized by   2. The electric four-way valve according to claim 1, wherein a spring for urging the upper cam to the lower cam side is provided, and the upper cam contracts the spring so that the valve body can be pressed against the valve seat. The electric four-way valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation stop position of the upper cam is detected by a rotation stop position detecting hall element provided in the motor, and energization to the motor is stopped.   The electric four-way valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a spring that biases the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat.

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