JP7403182B2 - flow path switching valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve, and more particularly, to a rotary type flow path switching valve that switches a flow path by rotating and sliding a ball-shaped valve element (ball valve element) within a valve chamber.

This type of conventional flow path switching valve includes a valve body (ball valve body) made of an elastic body and having an inflow path and an outflow path, a valve chamber in which the valve body is rotatably accommodated, and a valve chamber in which the valve body is rotatably accommodated. a valve body (valve case) having an inlet channel and a plurality of outlet channels, the inlet channel is always in communication with the inlet channel, and the outflow channel is opened by rotation of the valve body. A device (ball valve) that selectively communicates with any one of the plurality of outlet channels is known (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

In the conventional flow path switching valve (ball valve) described in Patent Document 1, the flow path is switched by rotationally driving the valve body via the valve shaft by a motor placed on the upper part of the valve body. It looks like this.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-223418

By the way, in the conventional flow path switching valve as described above, the valve stem connected to the valve body is inserted from above into the insertion hole formed in the valve body, and the flange portion formed on the outer periphery of the valve stem is inserted. The valve stem is fixed to the valve body so as not to come off by being engaged with the upper part of the valve body and a holding plate made of metal or the like which is fixed to the upper part of the valve body with a screw or the like.

Therefore, the conventional flow path switching valve described above requires a holding plate to prevent the valve stem from coming off and a fixing member (such as a screw) to fix the holding plate to the valve body, which increases the number of parts and weight. There was a concern that this would happen.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a flow path switching valve that can reduce the number of parts and weight.

In order to solve the above problems, a flow path switching valve according to the present invention includes a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein and a plurality of inlets and outlets opening into the valve chamber; A valve that is rotatably disposed within a valve chamber and has a flow path formed therein; and a valve that engages the valve body and the valve body in a rotational axis direction and transmits rotational force to the valve body. A flow path switching valve, comprising: a shaft, the communication state of the plurality of inlets and outlets being selectively switched through the flow path of the valve body by rotating the valve body; The body is provided with a vertical through hole through which the valve shaft can be inserted in the direction of the rotation axis and engaged in a relatively non-rotatable manner, and the valve shaft has a lower engagement hole that engages with the vertical through hole of the valve body. and an intermediate body part smaller than the lower engaging part and connected to the lower engaging part, and the outer circumference of the valve shaft has a size of the outer circumference of the lower engaging part and the intermediate body part. A step portion is provided based on the difference in size from the outer circumference, and the vertical through hole of the valve body is set to be larger than the outer shape of the valve stem , so that the entire valve stem can be inserted in the rotation axis direction. It is characterized by

In a preferred embodiment, the valve stem is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body with the valve body being sandwiched between the stepped portion and a drive gear fixed to the valve stem.

In another preferred embodiment, the valve body is a base member having a circular opening larger than or equal to the outer diameter of the valve body in each of a rotational axis direction, an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction, and a direction opposite to the orthogonal direction. and a holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening in the rotational axis direction of the base member, and the surface of the holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening of the base member is a part of the circular shape. It is formed into a curve along the

According to the present invention, the valve shaft connected to the valve body in order to transmit the rotational force of the rotary drive unit to the valve body is connected to the vertical through hole passing through the valve body in the rotational axis direction (vertical direction) and the valve body. It is inserted into the provided fitting hole, and a drive gear that constitutes the rotational drive section is fixed to the part that protrudes from the fitting hole, and is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body by the drive gear. For example, compared to conventional flow path switching valves that use fixing members such as holding plates and screws, the number of parts and weight can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a flow path switching valve (three-way valve) according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1; It is a figure which shows the valve body of FIG. 2, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a partially cut away (90 degree center angle part is notched in plan view) perspective view. 4 is a hexagonal view of the valve body in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an assembly procedure (a procedure for installing a valve body in a valve chamber) of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an assembly procedure (a procedure for supporting and fixing a valve shaft to a valve body) of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the valve body of the flow-path switching valve shown in FIG. 1, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a partially cutaway (90 degrees center angle part is notched in plan view) perspective view. 8 is a hexagonal view of the valve body in FIG. 7. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In each figure, gaps formed between members, separation distances between members, etc. may be exaggerated in order to facilitate understanding of the invention and for convenience in drawing. be. Furthermore, in this specification, descriptions expressing positions and directions such as up and down, left and right, front and rear, etc. are based on the direction arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and do not refer to positions and directions in actual use. .

<Configuration and operation of flow path switching valve 1>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a flow path switching valve according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 3A and 3B are views showing the valve body of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 4 is a hexagonal view of the valve body of FIG. 3;

The flow path switching valve 1 of the illustrated embodiment is used as a rotary-type three-way valve that switches the flow path of fluid flowing in, for example, the engine room of an automobile in multiple directions, and basically has a valve chamber 11. In order to rotate the valve body 10, a ball-shaped valve body (also referred to as a ball valve body) 20 rotatably arranged in the valve chamber 11, and the valve body 20 around a rotation axis (center line) O, The rotary drive unit 5 includes a motor 8, a drive gear 9, etc. arranged from the rear to the top of the main body 10. Here, the valve body 10 and the rotational drive section 5 are integrally formed. Note that a rotation axis O (an axis extending in the vertical direction) of the valve body 20 housed in the valve chamber 11 is coaxial with an inlet p10 and a center line of a valve shaft 28, which will be described later.

The valve body 10 is composed of a rectangular cylindrical base member 12 with a ceiling portion 12a made of synthetic resin or metal, for example, and a holder member 15. A valve chamber 11 is formed, and a horizontal outlet (inlet/outlet) p11 and an outlet (inlet/outlet) p12 opening into the valve chamber 11 are provided on the left and right sides of the valve chamber 11, respectively. Ports #11 and #12 made of pipe joints are integrally connected to the outer periphery of the base member 12 so as to communicate with the outflow ports p11 and p12. Further, the ceiling portion 12a of the base member 12 is provided with a fitting hole 13 through which the valve shaft 28 (the intermediate body portion 28b) connected to the valve body 20 is inserted, and the fitting hole 13 is provided on the left and right sides of the fitting hole 13. (More specifically, around the insertion hole 13, a step portion 28s between a lower engaging portion 28a and an intermediate body portion 28b of the valve shaft 28, which will be described later, is slightly closer to the left and right than the portion where they are abutted and locked). Projections 14a and 14b for positioning the annular sheet members 31 and 32 protrude (downward) over approximately half the circumference (see also FIG. 5). At the lower end opening of the base member 12, a holder member 15 having a port #10 made of a pipe joint provided with a vertical inlet (inlet/outlet) p10 opening into the valve chamber 11 is attached by ultrasonic welding or screwing. , is internally fitted and fixed by press-fitting, caulking, etc. (in the illustrated example, ultrasonic welding).

That is, the valve body 10 is provided with an inlet port p10 opened at the bottom of the valve chamber 11, and outlet ports (side inlet/outlet) p11 and p12 opened at the side of the valve chamber 11. They are provided at angular intervals of .degree. (in other words, opposite to the rotational axis O of the valve body 20).

A motor case portion 16 that accommodates a motor 8 constituting a rotation drive portion 5 for rotating the valve body 20 (the valve shaft 28 connected thereto) is integrally provided at the rear of the base member 12 of the valve body 10. A gear case part 17 is integrally formed in the upper part (upper surface side of the ceiling part 12a) and houses a drive gear 9 etc. connected to the motor 8 and transmitting the rotational force of the motor 8 to the valve shaft 28. is formed.

The valve body 20 is made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal, and is designed to selectively communicate with the inlet p10 and the two outlet ports p11 and p12 provided in the valve body 10, in other words, the inlet port p10 and the two outlet ports p11 and p12. A flow path (internal flow path) 25 is provided inside to selectively switch the communication state of the two outlet ports p11 and p12.

The internal flow path 25 is composed of a through hole that penetrates the inside of the valve body 20 from its lower part to the side part, and its lower opening is always in communication with the inflow port p10, and its side opening is connected to two outflow ports. It is configured to selectively communicate with either p11 or p12.

In detail, as can be clearly seen by referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve body 20 has a substantially hexagonal cross section (that is, A vertical through hole 21 with a substantially hexagonal opening at the upper and lower ends is formed, and a horizontal hole 22 with a substantially hexagonal cross section that joins the center of the vertical through hole 21 from the outer periphery (side) of the valve body 20 ( (in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis O of the valve body 20).

The vertical through hole 21 (the lower opening thereof) always communicates with the inlet p10, and the horizontal hole 22 (the side opening thereof) selectively communicates with either of the two outlet ports p11 and p12. The lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22 form the internal flow path 25 (within the valve body 20), which has an inverted L shape when viewed from the side.

Further, the outer periphery (outer periphery sealing surface) of the valve body 20, specifically, the back side of the side opening of the side hole 22 on the outer periphery of the valve body 20 and the side of the side opening of the side hole 22 are provided with a valve chamber at the time of assembly. Hexagonal holes (hexagonal recessed holes in side view) 26 and 27 are provided as rotational engagement portions for rotating and installing the valve body 20 within the valve body 11 (described in detail later).

A stepped valve shaft 28 (lower part of the lower engaging portion 28a of the valve body 20) that transmits the rotational force of the motor 8 to the valve body 20 is connected to the valve body 20 (the upper part of the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20). .

In detail, as can be clearly understood by referring to FIG. 6 in conjunction with FIG. ) or a lower engaging portion 28a that is slightly smaller than the vertical through hole 21, an intermediate body portion 28b that is slightly smaller than the lower engaging portion 28a and has a circular cross section, and an intermediate body portion 28b that has approximately the same outer diameter as the intermediate body portion 28b and a substantially hexagonal cross section. It is composed of an upper connecting part 28c and a D-cut convex part 28d for circumferential positioning which is provided protrudingly on the upper connecting part 28c, and the lower engaging part 28a (the lower part thereof) is connected to the vertical through hole 21. The intermediate body portion 28b is inserted into the insertion hole 13 of the valve body 10, and the upper connecting portion 28c is inserted into the insertion hole 13 above the insertion hole 13 (on the upper surface side of the ceiling portion 12a). ) has become prominent. An O-ring 29 serving as a sealing member is interposed in two stages in (the annular groove formed on the outer periphery of) the intermediate body portion 28b, which is rotatably inserted into the insertion hole 13.

By fitting the lower engaging portion 28a into the vertical through hole 21, the valve body 20 is engaged with the valve shaft 28 so as not to be relatively rotatable around the rotation axis O, and the valve shaft 28 and the valve body 20 are They are designed to rotate as one.

Further, the stepped portion 28s formed between the lower engaging portion 28a and the intermediate body portion 28b of the valve shaft 28 contacts around the fitting hole 13 in the ceiling portion 12a of (the base member 12 of) the valve body 10. The drive gear 9 of the rotary drive unit 5 is externally fitted and fixed to the upper connecting portion 28c protruding from the insertion hole 13 by press-fitting, caulking, etc., and the upper surface of the stepped portion 28s ( ) and the driving gear 9 (lower surface) sandwich the ceiling portion 12a of the valve body 10, so that the valve shaft 28 is rotatably supported (without vertical movement) with respect to the valve body 10. .

As mentioned above, since the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 is set larger than the outer shape of the valve stem 28, the valve stem 28 can be inserted through the vertical through hole 21 in the vertical direction (rotation axis O direction). (more details later).

In addition, around each of the outflow ports p11 and p12 on the inner wall surface of the valve body 10 (the left and right end surfaces of the valve chamber 11), there is an opening made of Teflon (registered trademark) or the like corresponding to each of the outflow ports p11 and p12. Annular sheet members 31 and 32 are arranged. That is, in the valve chamber 11 of the valve body 10, a pair of sheet members are arranged opposite to each other with respect to the rotation axis O of the valve body 20, corresponding to the pair of left and right outlet ports p11 and p12. 31 and 32 are disposed, and the valve body 20 is rotatably and slidably disposed between the pair of seat members 31 and 32 (on the inside). In each of the sheet members 31 and 32, a portion of the inner periphery (surface) around the opening is composed of a curved surface (a part of a concave spherical surface), and is in contact with the outer peripheral sealing surface (curved surface) of the valve body 20 when forming the flow path. The inner circumferential sealing surface is On the other hand, in this example, the height H in the vertical direction (rotation axis O direction) of the valve body 20 disposed between the pair of seat members 31 and 32 is equal to or less than the distance L between the seat members 31 and 32. Or it may be slightly smaller (more on this later).

Moreover, between each seat member 31, 32 and the valve body 10 (around each outlet p11, p12) (specifically, the left surface of the seat member 31 (the surface on the outlet p11 side) and the right surface O-rings (elastic members) 33 and 34 as sealing members made of an elastic material such as rubber are interposed (in a compressed state) in the annular groove formed on the surface on the outflow port p12 side. ing. The elastic force (repulsion force) of the O-rings 33 and 34 presses each seat member 31 and 32 (inner circumferential sealing surface) into close contact with the valve body 20 (outer circumferential sealing surface) side, and thereby The space between the body 20 and each outlet p11, p12 is airtightly sealed.

In the flow path switching valve (three-way valve) 1 having such a configuration, when the valve body 20 is rotated within the valve chamber 11 by the rotary drive unit 5 consisting of the motor 8, the drive gear 9, etc. Through the flow path 25, the communication state of the inlet port p10 and the two outlet ports p11 and p12 provided in the valve body 10 is selectively switched.

Specifically, by rotating the valve body 20 by about 180 degrees, the inlet port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 and the outlet port p11 provided at the left side (the lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole The mode (first communication state) in which the inlet port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 and the outlet port p12 provided at the right side communicate (through the vertical through hole 21 Two modes are selectively available: a mode of communication (a second communication state) between the lower half of the main body and the inner flow path 25 consisting of the horizontal hole 22.

In the first communicating state, the opening of the seat member 32 corresponding to the right outlet p12 is closed by (the outer peripheral sealing surface of) the valve body 20 (here, the portion in which the hexagonal hole 26 is formed), and the opening of the seat member 32 corresponding to the right outlet p12 is closed. The flow path leading to is blocked, and the fluid flowing upward from the inlet p10 passes through the internal flow path 25 of the valve body 20 and flows out only from the left outlet p11. On the other hand, in the second communication state, the opening of the seat member 31 corresponding to the left outlet p11 is closed by (the outer peripheral sealing surface of) the valve body 20 (here, the portion in which the hexagonal hole 26 is formed), The flow path connected to the outflow port p11 is blocked, and the fluid flowing upward from the inflow port p10 passes through the internal flow path 25 of the valve body 20 and flows out only from the right outflow port p12.

<Assembling method of flow path switching valve 1>
The flow path switching valve (three-way valve) 1 having the above-mentioned configuration is assembled, for example, by the following procedure. 5 and 6 are diagrams explaining the assembly procedure of the flow path switching valve shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows the procedure for installing the valve body in the valve chamber, and FIG. It is a figure explaining the procedure of supporting and fixing.

In assembling the flow path switching valve 1, as shown in FIG. Before assembling the holder member 15 to the base member 12 (lower end opening), insert the seat members 31 and 32 with O-rings 33 and 34 through the lower end opening of the base member 12 (in other words, inside the valve chamber 11). ) (around the left and right outflow ports p11 and p12) (step 2). At this time, the projections 14a and 14b provided on the ceiling 12a of the base member 12 are used to align the respective seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11, and the interval between the seat members 31 and 32 is The height of the body 20 in the vertical direction (rotation axis O direction) is greater than or slightly greater than that.

Next, the valve body 20 in which the internal flow path 25 consisting of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22 is formed is laid down horizontally (that is, the rotational axis direction of the valve body 20 is oriented horizontally, or the valve body 20 is rotated. The lower opening of the base member 12 (the valve body 20 is in an attitude in which the axis is oriented in the left-right direction, the upper and lower end surfaces of the valve body 20 are in an attitude facing the left and right seat members 31 and 32), and the hexagonal hole 26 is in an attitude facing downward. It is arranged inside the body 20 (specifically, between the sheet members 31 and 32 arranged at each of the outlet ports p11 and p12 in the valve chamber 11) through an opening larger than the outer diameter of the body 20. (Step 3).

In this state, a rotating jig G such as a hexagonal wrench having a hexagonal cross-sectional head is inserted through the lower opening of the base member 12, and the head is inserted into the hexagonal hole (rotational engagement portion) of the valve body 20. ) 26 and rotates the rotation jig G by fitting (engaging) the rotation jig G, thereby rotating the valve body 20 approximately 90 degrees between the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11 (extending in the vertical direction). Rotate about 90 degrees counterclockwise around the axis (step 4). When the valve body 20 rotates, the outer circumference (outer seal surface) of the valve body 20 slides on (the inner seal surface of) the left and right seat members 31 and 32, and the outer circumference (the outer seal surface) of the valve body 20 slides on the left and right seat members 31 and 32 (inner circumference seal surfaces thereof). The O-rings 33 and 34 are slightly compressed, and the outer periphery (outer seal surface) of the valve body 20 is brought into pressure contact with (the inner seal surface of) the seat members 31 and 32.

Next, a rotation jig G similar to the above is inserted through port #12 on the right side of the base member 12, and its head is fitted into the hexagonal hole (rotation engagement part) 27 of the valve body 20 ( the rotation jig G is rotated, thereby rotating the valve body 20 approximately 90° between the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11 (around the axis extending in the left-right direction, viewed from the right). (step 5).

In this way, by rotating the valve body 20 between the seat members 31 and 32 in the valve chamber 11 around the two axes orthogonal to the rotation axis O, the valve body 20 can be rotated in the valve chamber 11 during use. (a posture in which the direction of the rotational axis O of the valve body 20 is oriented vertically, and the vertical through hole 21 is oriented in the vertical direction).

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the O-ring 29 is attached to the intermediate body portion 28b of the valve shaft 28 (step 6), and the rotation between the lower engaging portion 28a of the valve shaft 28 and the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 is prevented. With the positions (angular positions around the rotational axis O) aligned, the stepped portion 28s between the lower engaging portion 28a of the valve shaft 28 and the intermediate body portion 28b is aligned with the ceiling portion 12a of the base member 12 of the valve body 10. The valve shaft 28 is inserted into the vertical through hole 21 of the valve body 20 through the lower opening of the base member 12 until it comes into contact with (around the fitting hole 13 in). As a result, the lower engaging portion 28a of the valve shaft 28 (the lower part thereof) is fitted into the upper opening of the vertical through hole 21 (in a state in which it is engaged so as not to be relatively rotatable around the rotational axis O), and the The body portion 28b is inserted into the insertion hole 13 of the valve body 10, and the upper connecting portion 28c projects upward from the insertion hole 13 (step 7).

Then, the holder member 15 is attached to the lower opening of the base member 12 by ultrasonic welding, screwing, etc., and the drive gear 9 of the rotary drive unit 5 is press-fitted into the upper connecting portion 28c of the valve shaft 28 protruding from the insertion hole 13. Attach by caulking or the like to support and fix the valve shaft 28 to the valve body 10 in a rotatable and securely held state (step 8). Furthermore, the flow path switching valve 1 is assembled by assembling the motor 8 and the like constituting the rotation drive section 5 to the valve body 10.

In addition, in the above-mentioned flow path switching valve 1, in order to smoothly insert the valve body 20 into the valve chamber 11, the interval between the sheet members 31 and 32 arranged in the valve chamber 11 is adjusted in the vertical direction of the valve body 20. (in the direction of the rotational axis O), but even if the distance between the seat members 31 and 32 is slightly smaller than the height of the valve body 20 in the vertical direction, the insertion of the valve body 20 At times, the left and right O-rings 33, 34 are compressed via the sheet members 31, 32 (compressed with a force greater than the compressive force applied to the O-rings 33, 34 during normal use) to reduce the distance between the sheet members 31, 32. The valve body 20 may be disposed between the sheet members 31 and 32 by pushing and expanding them.

As explained above, in the flow path switching valve 1 of this embodiment, the valve shaft 28 connected to the valve body 20 in order to transmit the rotational force of the rotary drive unit 5 to the valve body 20 A rotation drive unit is inserted into the vertical through hole 21 penetrating in the direction of the rotation axis O (vertical direction) and the fitting hole 13 provided in the valve body 10, and is attached to the upper connecting portion 28c protruding from the fitting hole 13. 5 is fixed and rotatably supported by the drive gear 9 relative to the valve body 10, compared to conventional flow path switching valves that use fixing members such as holding plates and screws. Therefore, the number of parts and weight can be reduced.

It goes without saying that the configuration, shape, etc. of the internal flow path 25 formed inside the valve body 20 may be changed as appropriate depending on the intended use of the flow path switching valve 1.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in addition to the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22 described above, the valve body 20 is penetrated perpendicularly to the rotation axis O and intersects with the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22. A lateral through hole 23 having a substantially hexagonal cross section (that is, a side opening is hexagonal) may be formed so that the openings merge. In this case, the aforementioned hexagonal hole (rotary engagement portion) 27 is eliminated, but the lateral through hole 23 (the end opening thereof) may be used as the same rotational engagement portion as the hexagonal hole 27 described above. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower opening of the vertical through hole 21 has a circular shape that is slightly larger than the hexagonal upper opening in plan view. When using the valve body 20 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rotation of the valve body 20 by about 180° causes the inlet port p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 to be connected to the inlet port p10 provided at the left side of the valve body 10. A mode (first communication state) in which only the outflow port p11 communicates with each other (via the internal flow path 25 consisting of the lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22), and a mode in which only the inlet port p11 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 communicates A mode (second communication state), only the inlet p10 provided at the bottom of the valve body 10 and the outlet p12 provided at the right side of the valve body 10 (inner flow path 25 consisting of the lower half of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal hole 22) Three modes of communication (via the third communication state) can be selectively taken.

It is noted in detail that it is not always necessary to provide both the horizontal hole 22 and the horizontal through hole 23, and for example, the horizontal through hole 23 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be provided in place of the aforementioned horizontal hole 22. There's no need to do it.

Further, it goes without saying that the cross-sectional shapes of the vertical through hole 21, the horizontal hole 22, the horizontal through hole 23, and the hexagonal holes 26 and 27 as rotational engagement portions formed in the valve body 20 can be selected as appropriate. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the vertical through hole 21 and the horizontal through hole 23 may be a polygon other than a hexagon, an ellipse, etc., and the side opening of the horizontal hole 22 may be a polygon other than a hexagon, an ellipse, or a circular shape. etc. may also be used. Furthermore, if the valve body 20 can be rotated within the valve chamber 11 during assembly, the hexagonal holes 26 and 27 may be formed into polygonal or elliptical shapes other than hexagonal shapes.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the number and arrangement of the inlets and outlets (inflow port, outflow port) formed in the valve body 10 can be changed as appropriate depending on the application location of the flow path switching valve 1 and the like. In the above embodiment, as the flow path switching valve 1, the inlet port p10 is opened at the bottom of the valve chamber 11, and the two outlet ports p11 and p12 are opened at the side of the valve chamber 11 with an angular interval of 180°. The explanation has been given using a three-way valve as an example, but for example, a two-way valve in which the inlet on the bottom side is omitted and one of the outlet ports on the side is used as the inlet, an inlet opening in the valve chamber, It goes without saying that a four-way or more switching valve may be used by changing the number of outlets, arrangement, etc.

Further, the flow path switching valve 1 of the above embodiment is used for switching the flow path in the engine room of a vehicle (engine cooling circuit, electronic device cooling circuit, etc.), but for example, in a hot water supply facility. Of course, it may also be used for channel switching.

1 Flow path switching valve 5 Rotation drive part 8 Motor 9 Drive gear 10 Valve body 11 Valve chamber 12 Base member 12a Ceiling part 13 Fitting hole 15 Holder member 20 Valve body 21 Vertical through hole 22 Horizontal hole 23 Horizontal through hole 25 Internal flow path 26, 27 Hexagonal hole (rotating engagement part)
28 Valve shaft 28a Lower engaging part 28b Intermediate body part 28c Upper connecting part 28d D-cut convex part 28s Step part 29 O-rings 31, 32 Seat members 33, 34 O-ring (elastic member)
p10 Inlet (inlet/outlet)
p11 Outlet (side inlet/outlet)
p12 Outlet (side inlet/outlet)

Claims (4)

a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein and a plurality of inlets and outlets opening into the valve chamber;
a valve body rotatably disposed within the valve chamber and having a flow path formed therein;
a valve shaft that engages the valve body and the valve body in the rotation axis direction and transmits rotational force to the valve body;
A flow path switching valve configured to selectively switch the communication state of the plurality of inlets and outlets through the flow path of the valve body by rotating the valve body,
The valve body is provided with a vertical through hole through which the valve shaft can be inserted in the rotational axis direction and engaged with the valve shaft in a relatively non-rotatable manner,
The valve shaft has a lower engaging part that engages with the vertical through hole of the valve body, and an intermediate body part that is smaller than the lower engaging part and connected to the lower engaging part,
A stepped portion is provided on the outer periphery of the valve shaft based on a difference in size between the outer periphery of the lower engaging portion and the outer periphery of the intermediate body portion,
The flow path switching valve is characterized in that the vertical through hole of the valve body is set to be larger than the outer shape of the valve shaft , and the entire valve shaft can be inserted therethrough in the rotation axis direction . 2. The valve stem is rotatably supported relative to the valve body by sandwiching the valve body between the stepped portion and a drive gear fixed to the valve stem. The flow path switching valve described. The valve body includes a base member having a circular opening larger than the outer diameter of the valve body in each of a rotation axis direction, an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction, and a direction opposite to the orthogonal direction; It has a divided configuration with a holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening in the direction of the rotation axis,
3. The flow path switching device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the holder member that is connected and fixed to the opening of the base member is curved along a part of the circular shape. valve. The valve body is configured such that the valve shaft is inserted into the vertical through hole of the valve body from the intermediate body side, and the lower engaging part is opened with the intermediate body protruding from the lower engaging part. The flow path switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow path switching valve is engaged with the vertical through hole in a relatively non-rotatable manner.

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