JP5557534B2 - Multi-way switching valve and heat pump device using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-way switching valve such as a four-way switching valve suitable for use as a flow path switching valve in a refrigeration cycle in which a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flow simultaneously in a circuit. The present invention relates to a multi-way switching valve that can improve heat efficiency (refrigeration capacity) by suppressing heat conduction from a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant.

  In general, a refrigeration cycle (heat pump device) used for an air conditioner, a refrigerator, etc. includes a flow path (flow direction) switching means in addition to a compressor, a gas-liquid separator, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, and the like. As a four-way selector valve (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  An example of the refrigeration cycle provided with this four-way switching valve will be described with reference to FIGS. The refrigeration cycle 300 in the illustrated example is of an air conditioner, and the operation mode (cooling operation and heating operation) is switched by a four-way switching valve 320. That is, the compressor 310, the gas-liquid separator 312, the condenser (outdoor heat exchanger) 314, the evaporator (indoor heat exchanger) 316, and the expansion valve 318 are provided. , A condenser 314 and an evaporator 316, a four-way switching valve 320 having first to fourth four ports (entrance / exit) a, b, c, d (see FIG. 6) is arranged. Has been.

  The devices are connected by a flow path formed by a conduit (pipe) or the like. Specifically, a suction flow path 321 for guiding the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 312 to the compressor 310, a discharge flow path 322 for guiding the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 310 to the first port a of the four-way switching valve 320, The condenser-side return flow path 323 connecting the second port b of the four-way switching valve 320 and the first flow port 314a of the condenser 314, the third port c of the four-way switching valve 20, and the first flow port of the evaporator 316. An evaporator-side return flow path 324 that connects 316 a, a return path 325 that connects the fourth port d of the four-way switching valve 320 and the return port 312 a of the gas-liquid separator 312, and a second flow port of the condenser 314 A flow path 326 that connects 314b and the expansion valve 318, and a flow path 327 that connects the expansion valve 318 and the second flow port 316b of the evaporator 316 are provided.

  In the refrigeration cycle 300 having such a configuration, when the cooling operation mode is selected, the four-way switching valve 320 is connected to the discharge passage 322 and the condenser-side return passage 323 as shown in FIG. And the evaporator-side return flow path 324 and the return flow path 325 are switched to each other. At this time, as indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. 6, the low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 312 is sucked into the compressor 310 via the suction flow path 321 and is discharged from the discharge port 310a of the compressor 310 at high temperature and high pressure. Of the refrigerant is led to the condenser 314 through the discharge flow path 322, the four-way switching valve 320, and the condenser side return flow path 323, and is condensed by exchanging heat with the outdoor air in the condenser 314. The refrigerant is introduced into the expansion valve 318 through the flow path 326. The expansion valve 318 decompresses the high-pressure refrigerant, and the decompressed low-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator 316 via the flow path 327, where it evaporates by exchanging heat (cooling) with room air. From 316, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is returned to the gas-liquid separator 312 via the evaporator-side return flow path 324, the four-way switching valve 320, and the return flow path 325.

  On the other hand, when the heating operation mode is selected, the four-way switching valve 320 allows the discharge passage 322 and the evaporator-side return passage 324 to communicate with each other as shown in FIG. The side feed-back flow path 323 and the return flow path 325 are switched to a communication state. At this time, as indicated by broken line arrows in FIG. 6, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator 312 is sucked into the compressor 310 via the suction flow path 321, and at a high temperature and high pressure from the discharge port 310 a of the compressor 310. The refrigerant is guided to the evaporator 316 via the discharge flow path 322, the four-way switching valve 320, and the evaporator-side return flow path 324, and is evaporated by exchanging heat with room air (heating) in the evaporator 316. A two-phase refrigerant is introduced into the expansion valve 318 via the flow path 327. The expansion valve 318 decompresses the high-pressure refrigerant, and the decompressed low-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the condenser 314 via the flow path 326, where it is condensed by exchanging heat with outdoor air. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is returned to the gas-liquid separator 312 via the condenser-side feed-back flow path 323, the four-way switching valve 320, and the return flow path 325.

  As a rotary type four-way switching valve incorporated in the refrigeration cycle (heat pump device) as described above, as described in the following Patent Document 2, etc., a valve body provided with a refrigerant passage inside, and the valve body are rotated. A valve housing that is movably held; and a flow path switching actuator for rotating the valve body. The valve housing includes a valve chamber, a high temperature refrigerant introduction port, a low temperature refrigerant outlet port, and a first refrigerant inlet / outlet port. , And a second refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and by rotating the valve body, either the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port or the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port and the introduction of the high temperature refrigerant through the valve body passage and the valve chamber There are known ones in which the flow path is switched by selectively communicating with either the port or the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port.

JP 2002-221375 A JP 2001-295951 A

  In the refrigeration cycle as described above, the thermal efficiency (refrigeration capacity) can be increased as the temperature difference between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant simultaneously flowing in the circuit increases. Because the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flow in close proximity within the valve, the amount of heat conduction (heat transfer) from the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant increases, resulting in heat loss that cannot be ignored. There is a problem that the thermal efficiency is lowered.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, for example, in a slide type four-way switching valve, between a portion where a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows and a portion where a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows (valve seat portion) Is provided with a slit groove for heat insulation. However, in the case where the slit groove for heat insulation is provided in the valve seat portion in this way, the heat conduction suppressing effect is insufficient (a considerable amount of heat is conducted through the valve body or the valve housing), and In addition, it takes a lot of time and labor to form the heat-shut slit groove, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

  In addition, in order to reduce the weight of this type of multi-way switching valve, there is a demand to use aluminum as a material for components such as a valve housing. However, since aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, a material for a valve housing or the like. When aluminum is used for the steel, the weight can be reduced, but there is a concern about a further decrease in thermal efficiency.

  In addition, when the connecting conduit connected to each port of the multi-way switching valve is made of aluminum, if the valve housing or the like is made of brass, there is a risk of causing corrosion at the connecting portion. In this case, as in the case described above, when aluminum is used as the material for the valve housing or the like, corrosion can be prevented, but there is a concern that the thermal efficiency is further lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to change from a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant to a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant even when aluminum is used as a material for a valve housing or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-way selector valve that can suppress heat conduction as much as possible, and that can effectively improve thermal efficiency in a refrigeration cycle while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

In order to achieve the above object, a multi-way switching valve according to the present invention includes a valve chamber, a valve housing provided with a low-temperature refrigerant outlet port, a high-temperature refrigerant inlet port, and a plurality of refrigerant inlet / outlet ports connected to the valve chamber; In order to selectively guide the refrigerant from the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port to the plurality of refrigerant inlet / outlet ports, a valve body that is rotatably or slidably disposed in the valve chamber, and the valve body is rotated or slid. And a heat insulating member disposed at a key point in the valve housing to suppress heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature refrigerant. The valve housing includes the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port and the refrigerant inlet / outlet. An upper divided body provided with a port and a lower divided body provided with the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port. The upper divided body and the lower divided body define the valve chamber, and the valve chamber A ceiling portion, the also serves as a heat insulating member, the plurality of coolant and out ports communicating each plurality of valve seat member valve port is formed is characterized in that it is arranged.

More preferably, the valve housing includes a valve body provided with a passage through which a refrigerant flows, a valve housing that rotatably holds the valve body, and an actuator for rotating the valve body. A valve chamber, a high-temperature refrigerant introduction port, a low-temperature refrigerant outlet port, a first refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and a second refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and by rotating the valve body, the valve body passage and the valve chamber pass through the valve chamber. In the multi-way selector valve configured to switch the flow path by selectively communicating either the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port or the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port with either the high temperature refrigerant inlet port or the low temperature refrigerant outlet port. Covering the inner surface of at least one of the valve body passage, the valve chamber, the high temperature refrigerant introduction port, the low temperature refrigerant outlet port, the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port Heat insulating member is disposed, said valve housing, said cold refrigerant outlet port, a first refrigerant and out port, and the lower split second refrigerant and out ports the hot refrigerant introduction port and upper split body provided is provided The first refrigerant inlet / outlet port and the second refrigerant are formed by a body, and the upper divided body and the lower divided body define the valve chamber, and the ceiling portion of the valve chamber also serves as the heat insulating member A valve seat member formed with a first valve port and a second valve port respectively connected to the input / output port is provided.

  In a preferred aspect, a bottomed cylindrical heat insulating member is disposed in the valve chamber so as to cover an inner peripheral surface and a bottom surface thereof.

  In another preferred embodiment, a cylindrical heat insulating member is disposed at the refrigerant inlet / outlet port.

  In another preferred aspect, the refrigerant inlet / outlet port is formed in a cross-sectional inverted L shape consisting of a vertical hole and a horizontal hole connected to the valve port of the valve seat member, and the refrigerant inlet / outlet port covers the inner surface of the horizontal hole and the vertical hole A bottomed cylindrical heat insulating member in which an insertion opening is formed so as not to be blocked is disposed.

  The valve seat member that also serves as the heat insulating member is integrally provided with a cylindrical protruding portion that protrudes upward from the valve port and whose upper end portion is inserted into the insertion port of the heat insulating member disposed in the refrigerant inlet / outlet port. It is done.

  In another preferred embodiment, a tubular heat insulating member is disposed in the valve passage so as to cover at least the inner peripheral surface on the high temperature refrigerant introduction port side.

  The heat insulating member is preferably fixed by a technique such as press fitting, screwing, or adhesion.

  The valve housing is preferably made of aluminum.

  As the material for the heat insulating member, a resin material or a metal material such as stainless steel having a lower thermal conductivity than aluminum is preferably used.

  The valve body is preferably made of a resin material or a metal material such as stainless steel having a lower thermal conductivity than aluminum at least a part of the valve body passage.

  In another preferred embodiment, a heat insulating member is interposed between the upper divided body and the lower divided body of the valve housing.

  In another preferred embodiment, in order to suppress heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature refrigerant, between at least one port provided in the valve housing and a port adjacent to the port, the outer surface is directed inward. A slit groove for heat insulation to be cut is formed.

  In another preferred embodiment, a valve mounting fixing portion in which a female thread portion for mounting and fixing the multi-way switching valve is formed on the outer periphery of the inlet side end of the high temperature refrigerant introduction port in the base portion of the valve housing, Between the threaded end of the female thread portion in the valve mounting fixing portion and the base portion of the valve housing, there is a heat insulating slit groove that cuts inward from the outer surface to suppress heat conduction from the high temperature refrigerant to the low temperature refrigerant. It is formed.

  In another preferred embodiment, a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism is interposed between the actuator and the valve body.

  In another preferred embodiment, a heat insulating member is disposed at an outer end portion of at least one port provided in the valve housing so as to suppress heat conduction with a connection conduit connected to the port.

  On the other hand, the heat pump device according to the present invention uses the multi-way switching valve, and a heat insulating member is interposed between at least one port provided in the valve housing and a connection conduit connected to the port. It is characterized by being.

  In a preferred embodiment of the multi-way selector valve according to the present invention, some or all of the valve chamber, the refrigerant inlet / outlet port, the low temperature refrigerant outlet port, the valve body passage, and the high temperature refrigerant inlet port are covered (formed). Since the heat insulating member is arranged as described above, even if aluminum is used as the material of the valve housing, it is possible to effectively suppress the heat conduction from the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant to the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant. It is possible to improve the thermal efficiency in the refrigeration cycle.

  In addition, the heat insulating member can be made in a simple shape (cylindrical shape, etc.), and can be manufactured relatively easily by using resin as its material, so that the manufacturing cost can be kept low. it can.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 3 showing an embodiment of the multi-way switching valve according to the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view according to the YY arrow line of FIG. 4 which shows one Example of the multiway switching valve which concerns on this invention. The right view which shows one Example of the multiway switching valve which concerns on this invention. The front view which shows one Example of the multiway switching valve which concerns on this invention. The top view which shows one Example of the multiway switching valve which concerns on this invention. The figure which shows an example of the refrigerating cycle in which the four-way switching valve was used. The figure which is provided for operation | movement description of the four-way selector valve shown by FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 show one embodiment of the multi-way switching valve according to the present invention, respectively. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 3 showing the right side surface, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the YY arrow line of FIG.

  The multi-way selector valve 10 of this embodiment has a high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11, a first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12, a second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13, and a low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14, and is a rotary four-way selector valve used in a heat pump device. As described in detail later, in order to suppress heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature refrigerant, a heat insulating member is disposed at a key point.

  The illustrated multi-way switching valve 10 includes a stepping motor 15 as a flow path switching actuator composed of a rotor 16 disposed on the inner peripheral side of a can 18 and a stator 17 fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the can 18. A valve body 30 that is rotated by a stepping motor 15 and a valve housing 20 that rotatably holds the valve body 30 are provided.

  A planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 40 is interposed between the rotor 16 and the valve body 30 (in the motor 15). The rotation of the rotor 16 is considerably reduced by the speed reduction mechanism 40 and transmitted to the valve body 30. It has become so. For details of the configuration of the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 40, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-101765 by the present applicant, if necessary.

  The valve housing 20 includes an upper box-shaped body (upper divided body) 20A and a lower lid-shaped body (lower divided) that are airtightly fastened by sandwiching a resin-made annular heat insulating plate 57 (described later) with three bolts 24. Body) 20B, and a cylindrical valve chamber 21 is defined by the upper box-like body 20A and the lower lid-like body 20B.

  The upper box-shaped body 20A includes a substantially convex upper base portion 20a and a cylindrical wall portion 20b that mainly defines a peripheral wall portion of the valve chamber 21 projecting downward from the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the upper base portion 20a. The left and right sides of the upper base portion 20a are provided with a first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 and a second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13 each having a reverse L-shaped cross section composed of a horizontal hole and a vertical hole, and the front surface of the upper portion of the cylindrical wall portion 20b. On the side, a low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14 connected to the valve chamber 21 is provided.

  On the other hand, the lower lid-like body 20B protrudes upward to the center of the upper surface of the stepped thick plate-like lower base portion 20c on which the lower end portion of the cylindrical wall portion 20b is externally fitted. It comprises a cylindrical protruding wall portion 20d provided and a valve mounting fixing portion (also serving as a high temperature refrigerant inlet forming portion) 20e protruding downward at the center of the lower surface of the lower base portion 20c. Is provided with a high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 that passes through the center (on the rotation axis O) and opens into the valve chamber 21. Note that aluminum is used as the material of the valve housing 20 (upper box-like body 20A and lower lid-like body 20B) in order to reduce the weight and the like.

  A valve seat member that also serves as a heat insulating member is formed in the ceiling portion 21a of the valve chamber 21 with a first valve port 26 and a second valve port 27 that are connected to the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 and the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13, respectively. 25 is disposed (screwed). The valve seat member 25 as a heat insulating member will be described later.

  The valve body 30 includes, in order from the top, a small-diameter shaft portion 31 connected to an output shaft 45 of the planetary gear type reduction mechanism 40 in the motor 15 so as to be integrally rotatable, a central hole 28 formed in the upper box-like body 20A, and A valve shaft member made of stainless steel (SUS) having a central shaft portion 32 inserted through an opening 29 formed in the center of the valve seat member 25 and a large-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 33 inserted into the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11. 30A and a stepped portion of the valve shaft member 30A from the lower end portion of the central shaft portion 32 located in the valve chamber 61 to the upper end of the central thick portion 33a of the large-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 33 or press molding or the like And an off-axis member 30B made of resin (PPS) that is externally fitted and fixed by the above.

  The valve shaft member 30A has a central shaft portion 32 and lower end portions of a large-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 33 supported by sleeve-shaped bearing members 46 and 47 so as to be slidably rotatable. Further, a Teflon lip seal 48 is interposed between the lower conical surface portion of the central thick portion 33 a in the large-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11. The bearing members 46 and 47 are made of a stainless steel pipe impregnated and coated with Teflon, for example, having a small friction coefficient and excellent wear resistance.

  The off-axis member 30B has a lateral projecting portion 34 projecting greatly to one side from the valve shaft member 30A. The large-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 33 and the lateral projecting portion 34 have a high temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 therein. Inverted L-shaped or crank-shaped valve body passage 35 is provided for selectively guiding the refrigerant to first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 and second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13. The valve body passage 35 has a large-diameter cylindrical shaft so that the passage 35a on the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 side, the passage 35b on the side of the valve seat member 25, and the passages 35a-35b communicate with each other. It consists of the communication path 35c provided in the vicinity of the upper end part of the part 33 and the lateral protrusion part 34.

  An O-ring 37 and a square ring 38 as a sealing material are attached to the outlet side end portion of the valve body passage 35 so as to be in airtight pressure contact with the valve seat member 25. The O-ring 37 is pressed radially outward by the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the valve body passage 35 and the cross section changes from a circular shape to an elliptical shape. One end surface of the rectangular ring 38 is utilized by utilizing the shape change of the O-ring 37. Is pressed against the valve seat member 25 to obtain a sealing effect.

  The valve body 30 is placed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical projecting wall portion 20d of the lower lid-like body 20B in order to press the outlet side end portion (square ring 38) of the valve body passage 35 against the valve seat member 25. A coil spring 39 that biases upward is contracted. Further, a sealing material such as an O-ring is attached to a key point such as between the contact surfaces of each member so that an undesirable leakage of the refrigerant does not occur.

  In the multi-way switching valve (four-way switching valve) 10 having such a configuration, the valve body 30 is rotated by the motor 15, and the outlet side end portion (square ring 38) of the valve body passage 35 is the first of the valve seat member 25. When reaching the position directly below the valve port 26 (the state shown in FIG. 1), the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 and the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 communicate with each other via the valve body passage 35, and the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port is connected from the connection conduit 71. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the refrigerant 11 flows into the valve body passage 35 → the first valve port 26 → the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 → the connection conduit 72, while being introduced into the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13 from the connection conduit 73. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant thus made flows from the second valve port 27 → the valve chamber 21 → the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14 → the connection conduit 74.

  Contrary to the above, when the outlet side end portion (rectangular ring 38) of the valve body passage 35 is rotated to a position directly below the second valve port 27 of the valve seat member 25, the high temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 and the second refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 from the connection conduit 71 is communicated with the inlet / outlet port 13 via the valve body passage 35, and the valve body passage 35 → second valve port 27 → second refrigerant inlet / outlet port. On the other hand, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant introduced from the connection conduit 72 to the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 flows through the first valve port 26 → the valve chamber 21 → the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14 → the connection conduit 74. It flows to.

  As described above, the multi-way switching valve 10 according to the present embodiment rotates the valve body 30 so that either the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 or the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13 passes through the valve body passage 35 and the valve chamber 21. By selectively communicating with either the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 or the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14, the flow path is switched. However, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flow in the multi-way switching valve 10 in close proximity, and the valve housing 20 is made of aluminum having high thermal conductivity. There is a possibility that the heat conduction amount (heat transfer amount) to the refrigerant increases and the thermal efficiency is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the multi-way switching valve 10 of the present embodiment, at least the inner peripheral surface of each of the valve chamber 21, the refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12, 13, the low temperature refrigerant outlet port 14, and the valve body passage 35 (the high temperature refrigerant inlet port 11). A heat insulating member is disposed so as to cover. Here, a resin material having a lower thermal conductivity than metal is used as the material of each heat insulating member, but a metal material such as stainless steel having a lower thermal conductivity than aluminum may be used instead. Hereinafter, the heat insulating member disposed in each part will be described.

  (1) The valve chamber 21 is provided with a valve seat member 25 that also serves as a heat insulating member so as to cover the ceiling portion 21a, and the cylindrical protruding wall portion so as to cover the inner peripheral surface and the bottom surface thereof. A bottomed cylindrical heat-insulating member 51 having a bottom 51a having a wall thickness approximately the same as the protruding height of 20d and a cylindrical wall 51b capable of covering the entire inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 21 is disposed and fixed (for example, below The bottom 51a is screwed to the side lid 20B with bolts). A circular opening 51c having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring 39 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical protruding wall portion 20d of the lower lid-like body 20B is formed in the bottom portion 51a of the heat insulating member 51 for valve chamber, and a low temperature. Although the opening 51d corresponding to the refrigerant outlet port 14 is formed, the valve chamber heat insulating member 51, the valve seat member 25 also serving as the heat insulating member, and the heat insulating material disposed in the large-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 33 described later. The substantially entire inner surface of the valve chamber 21 is covered with the heat insulating material by the member 55 and the like. As a result, heat conduction between the valve housing 20 and the low-temperature refrigerant flowing in the valve chamber 21 is suppressed.

  (2) The inverted L-shaped refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12 and 13 cover the bottom surface (end surface) and inner peripheral surface (other than the outer end portion into which the connecting conduits 72 and 73 are fitted) of the horizontal hole portion constituting the reverse L-shaped refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12 and 13 The bottomed cylindrical heat insulating members 52 and 53 having insertion holes 52a and 53a are disposed and fixed by press-fitting or the like so as not to block the portions. In addition, the valve seat member 25 also serving as the heat insulating member projects upward from the valve ports 26 and 27, and the upper ends of the valve seat members 25 and 53 are provided in the refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12 and 13. Cylindrical protrusions 26a and 27a that are inserted into 53a and protrude slightly upward from the same are integrally provided. As a result, the substantially entire inner surfaces of the refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12 and 13 (other than the outer end portions into which the connection conduits 72 and 73 are fitted) are covered with the heat insulating material, and the valve housing 20 and the refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12 and 13 are connected. Heat conduction with the flowing refrigerant is suppressed.

  (3) A short cylindrical heat insulating member 54 is disposed and fixed to the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14 by press-fitting or the like so as to cover the inner peripheral surface (other than the outer end portion into which the connection conduit 74 is fitted). As a result, the substantially entire inner surface of the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14 (other than the portion in which the connection conduit 74 is fitted) is covered with the heat insulating material, and the gap between the valve housing 20 and the refrigerant flowing through the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14 is Heat conduction is suppressed.

  (4) The cylindrical heat insulating member 55 is disposed and fixed by press-fitting or the like so as to cover the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft inner passage 35a of the valve body passage 35, and the lateral protrusion inner passage 35b and the communication passage 35c. The off-axis member 30B on which is formed is made of a resin material (PPS) having a lower thermal conductivity than metal. As a result, the substantially entire inner surface of the valve body passage 35 is covered (formed) with the heat insulating material, and at the same time, almost all of the inner peripheral surface of the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 (the outside where the connection conduit 71 is fitted) is covered by the heat insulating member 55. The heat conduction between the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 and the valve body passage 35 and the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the valve housing 20 and the valve chamber 21 is performed. It is suppressed.

  As described above, in the multi-way selector valve 10 of the present embodiment, the valve chamber 21, the refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12, 13, the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port 14, and the valve body passage 35 (the high-temperature refrigerant inlet port 11) have their inner surfaces. Since the heat insulating members 25, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 30B are disposed so as to cover (form) the high temperature and high pressure even when aluminum is used as the material of the valve housing 20. The heat conduction from the refrigerant to the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant can be effectively suppressed, and the refrigerating capacity (thermal efficiency) can be improved.

  In addition, since the heat insulating member has a simple shape (cylindrical shape or the like) and is made of resin that can be easily mass-produced, the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

  In addition to the above (1) to (4), in the multi-way selector valve 10 of the present embodiment, the following heat insulating means is taken.

  (5) Between the upper box-shaped body 20A and the lower lid-shaped body 20B of the valve housing 20, a resin-made annular heat insulating plate 55 is interposed. Thereby, the heat conduction between the upper box-shaped body 20A and the lower lid-shaped body 20B is suppressed.

  (6) Between the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port 12 and the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13 in the upper box-like body 20A of the valve housing 20, as shown in FIGS. Insulating slit grooves 65 and 65 (two places on the front and rear sides across the center) are formed. Thereby, heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through one of the refrigerant inlet / outlet ports 12 and 13 to the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the other is suppressed.

  (7) As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-way switching valve 20 is connected to a resin insulation board 58 (for the outer end of the port 11) on a bracket 76 provided on a connection conduit 71 connected to the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port 11. In order to attach and fix with bolts 77 with the heat insulating member 61 integrated), a female screw part in which the bolts 77 are screwed onto the outer periphery of the inlet side end of the high temperature refrigerant introduction port 11 in the lower base part 20c of the valve housing 20. 29 is formed, and between the threaded end (or bottom) of the female threaded portion 29 and the lower base portion 20c in the valve mounting fixed portion 20c, from the outer surface to the inside. A heat-insulating slit groove 67 that cuts in the direction is formed. Thereby, heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the connection conduit 71 to the valve housing 20 is suppressed.

  (8) Between the outer end of each port 11, 12, 13, 14 provided in the valve housing 20 and the annular terrace end surface of the connection conduit 71, 72, 73, 74 connected to the port, An annular heat insulating member 61, 62, 63, 64 is interposed. Thereby, heat conduction between the refrigerant flowing through the connection conduits 71 to 74 and the valve housing 20 is suppressed. The heat insulating members 61 to 64 may be bonded and fixed in advance to the outer ends of the ports 11 to 14 with an adhesive or the like.

10 Multi-way switching valve (4-way switching valve)
11 High temperature refrigerant introduction port 12 First refrigerant inlet / outlet port 13 Second refrigerant inlet / outlet port 14 Low temperature refrigerant outlet port 15 Motor (actuator)
16 Rotor 17 Stator 20 Valve housing 20A Upper box-shaped body (upper divided body)
20B Lower lid (lower divided body)
21 Valve chamber 25 Valve seat member 26 First valve port 27 Second valve port 30 Valve body 30A Valve shaft member 30B Off-axis member 35 Valve body passage 40 Planetary gear type reduction mechanisms 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57 Member 61, 62, 63, 64 Heat insulation member 65 Slit groove 71, 72, 73, 74 for heat insulation Connection conduit

Claims (17)

A valve housing provided with a valve chamber, a low-temperature refrigerant outlet port connected to the valve chamber, a high-temperature refrigerant inlet port, and a plurality of refrigerant inlet / outlet ports, and a refrigerant from the high-temperature refrigerant inlet port; A multi-way switching valve provided with a valve body rotatably or slidably disposed in the valve chamber and an actuator for rotating or sliding the valve body,
In order to suppress heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature refrigerant, a heat insulating member is disposed at a key point in the valve housing ,
The valve housing includes an upper divided body provided with the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port and a refrigerant inlet / outlet port and a lower divided body provided with the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port, and the upper divided body and the lower divided body include The valve chamber is defined, and a valve seat member having a plurality of valve openings each serving as the heat insulating member and connected to the plurality of refrigerant inlet / outlet ports is disposed on a ceiling portion of the valve chamber. A multi-way switching valve characterized by A valve body provided with a passage through which a refrigerant flows; a valve housing that rotatably holds the valve body; and an actuator for rotating the valve body, the valve housing having a valve chamber, A high-temperature refrigerant inlet port, a low-temperature refrigerant outlet port, a first refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and a second refrigerant inlet / outlet port are provided, and by rotating the valve body, the first refrigerant inlet / outlet through the valve body passage and the valve chamber A multi-way switching valve configured to switch a flow path by selectively communicating either the port or the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port with either the high-temperature refrigerant inlet port or the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port;
A heat insulating member is disposed so as to cover at least one inner surface of the valve body passage, the valve chamber, the high temperature refrigerant introduction port, the low temperature refrigerant outlet port, the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port ;
The valve housing includes an upper divided body provided with the low-temperature refrigerant outlet port, a first refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and a second refrigerant inlet / outlet port, and a lower divided body provided with the high-temperature refrigerant inlet port. The valve chamber is defined by the divided body and the lower divided body, and the first refrigerant inlet / outlet port and the second refrigerant inlet / outlet port respectively serving as the heat insulating member are formed in the ceiling of the valve chamber. A multi-way switching valve, characterized in that a valve seat member in which a valve port and a second valve port are formed is disposed . The multi-way switching valve according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a bottomed cylindrical heat insulating member is disposed in the valve chamber so as to cover an inner peripheral surface and a bottom surface thereof. The multi-way selector valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a cylindrical heat insulating member is disposed at the refrigerant inlet / outlet port. The refrigerant inlet / outlet port is formed in an inverted L-shaped cross section consisting of a vertical hole and a horizontal hole connected to the valve port of the valve seat member, so that the refrigerant inlet / outlet port covers the inner surface of the horizontal hole and does not block the vertical hole. The multi-way switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a bottomed cylindrical heat insulating member having an insertion port is disposed. The valve seat member that also serves as the heat insulating member is integrally provided with a cylindrical protruding portion that protrudes upward from the valve port and whose upper end portion is inserted into the insertion port of the heat insulating member disposed in the refrigerant inlet / outlet port. The multi-way switching valve according to claim 5 , wherein the multi-way switching valve is provided. It said valve body passage, so as to cover the inner peripheral surface of at least the high-temperature refrigerant inlet port side, multi-way selector valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the tubular insulating member is disposed. The multi-way switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the heat insulating member is fixed by a method such as press fitting, screwing, or adhesion. The multi-way selector valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the valve housing is made of aluminum. Wherein as the material of the insulating member, multi-way selector valve according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the metal material such as lower than the resin material or aluminum thermal conductivity stainless is used. The multi-way selector valve according to claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the valve body passage is made of a resin material or a metal material such as stainless steel having a thermal conductivity lower than that of aluminum. The multi-way switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein a heat insulating member is interposed between the upper divided body and the lower divided body of the valve housing. In order to suppress heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature refrigerant, a heat-insulating slit groove that cuts inwardly from the outer surface is provided between at least one port provided in the valve housing and a port adjacent to the port. The multi-way switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the multi-way switching valve is formed. On the outer periphery of the inlet side end of the high-temperature refrigerant introduction port in the base portion of the valve housing is provided with a valve mounting fixing portion in which a female thread portion for mounting and fixing the multi-way switching valve is formed, and the valve mounting fixing portion in the valve mounting fixing portion Between the threaded end of the female thread portion and the base portion of the valve housing, there is formed a heat insulation slit groove that cuts inward from the outer surface to suppress heat conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature refrigerant. The multi-way selector valve according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that The multi-way selector valve according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism is interposed between the actuator and the valve body. The heat insulation member is arrange | positioned in the outer end part of the at least 1 port provided in the said valve housing in order to suppress the heat conduction between the connection conduits connected with the said port. Item 16. The multi-way selector valve according to any one of Items 1 to 15 . A heat pump device using the multi-way switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 15 ,
A heat pump device, wherein a heat insulating member is interposed between at least one port provided in the valve housing and a connecting conduit connected to the port.

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