JP7846843B2 - Slide-type switching valve and refrigeration cycle system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a slide-type switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system.

In general, sliding type switching valves are known for switching flow paths in refrigeration cycle systems. As such a sliding type switching valve, a four-way valve in which the valve body is located within an accumulator has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the four-way valve described in Patent Document 1, variations in the position and orientation of the four brazed pipes are prone to occur. By brazing three of the pipes to the accumulator, the positional accuracy of the connections with the other pipes is improved.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-050637

However, connecting pipes to slide-type switching valves by brazing tended to increase assembly time. Furthermore, removing the pipes for inspection or replacement was difficult. On the other hand, attempting to simplify the connection method could compromise the airtightness at the connection point. In other words, achieving both ease of connection and airtightness was challenging.

The object of the present invention is to provide a slide-type switching valve that can improve workability while ensuring airtightness, and a refrigeration cycle system equipped with the slide-type switching valve.

The present invention relates to a slide-type switching valve comprising a cylindrical valve body, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface provided within the valve body, and a valve element having a sliding contact surface that slides against the valve seat surface and is housed within the valve body. The valve body has an opening formed on its side surface where the valve seat member is positioned. The valve seat member has the valve seat surface and an open surface formed on the opposite side and open to the outside of the valve body. A through hole is formed extending from the valve seat surface to the open surface. The through hole has a cylindrical portion and an inclined surface portion located outside the cylindrical portion of the valve body and expanding in diameter outward. The open surface is provided with a fixed portion to which a predetermined fixing part can be fixed.

According to the present invention as described above, by inserting the pipe member through the through hole from the open side and fixing the fixing part to the part to be fixed, the pipe member can be fixed to the valve body and valve seat member, thereby improving workability. In this case, because the through hole has an inclined surface, by placing a sealing member such as an O-ring on the outer circumference of the pipe member and moving it toward the inside of the valve body, the O-ring is compressed by the inclined surface, ensuring airtightness between the pipe member and the through hole.

In this case, in the slide-type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the opening surface is positioned outside the side surface of the valve body, and that the valve seat member has a through-port that penetrates the opening. With such a configuration, the inner periphery of the opening and the outer periphery of the through-port can be connected around the entire circumference, for example by brazing, making it easier to ensure airtightness between the valve body and the valve seat member.

Furthermore, in the slide-type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the valve seat member has a plurality of through holes, and that the number of fixed portions is less than the number of through holes. With this configuration, the number of connection points can be reduced by connecting multiple pipe members together to the valve seat member.

Furthermore, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, the valve seat member may be provided with more fixed portions than the number of through holes. Such a configuration allows for individual connection of pipe members, improving the degree of freedom during installation. In this case, it is more preferable that multiple pairs of through holes and fixed portions are formed, where the number of through holes and fixed portions are equal, and the distance between the through holes and fixed portions is equal. Such a configuration allows for the common fixing structure in each pair.

Furthermore, in the slide-type switching valve of the present invention, a second opening is further formed on the side surface of the valve body, and a mounting portion is provided in the second opening. The mounting portion preferably has a second through-hole communicating the inside and outside of the valve body, and a second fixed portion provided on the surface of the valve body that is open to the outside and capable of fixing a predetermined fixing portion. With this configuration, even at the second opening, the pipe member can be fixed to the valve body by inserting it through the second through-hole from the outside of the valve body and fixing the fixing portion to the second fixed portion, thereby improving workability.

Furthermore, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the valve seat member is configured such that a tubular member is inserted into the cylindrical portion, the fixed portion is a female threaded portion, and the tubular member is fixed by screw fastening. With such a configuration, the tubular member can be easily fixed to the valve seat member.

The refrigeration cycle system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant fluid; a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in cooling mode; a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in cooling mode; an expansion means for expanding and reducing the pressure of the refrigerant between the first and second heat exchangers; and a sliding switch valve. According to this refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, it is possible to improve workability while ensuring airtightness in the sliding switch valve as described above.

The slide-type switching valve and refrigeration cycle system of the present invention make it possible to improve workability while ensuring airtightness.

This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle equipped with a sliding switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view showing the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a cross-sectional view showing how a pipe member is connected to the aforementioned slide-type switching valve. This is a side view showing the aforementioned slide-type switching valve. This is a cross-sectional view showing the valve seat member of the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a plan view showing the valve seat member of the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a side view showing a pipe member connected to the aforementioned slide-type switching valve. These are cross-sectional and plan views showing members for fixing a pipe member to the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a bottom view showing how the tubular member is connected to the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a plan view showing the aforementioned slide-type switching valve. This is a plan view showing how the tubular member is connected to the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a plan view showing a valve seat member in a slide-type switching valve according to a modified example of the present invention. This is a bottom view showing how the tubular member is connected to the aforementioned sliding type switching valve. This is a plan view showing a slide-type switching valve according to another modification of the present invention. This is a plan view showing how the tubular member is connected to the aforementioned sliding type switching valve.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The four-way switching valve (slide-type switching valve) 10 of this embodiment is installed, for example, in a refrigeration cycle 1, as shown in Figure 1. The refrigeration cycle 1 is used in air conditioners such as car air conditioners and comprises a compressor 2 for compressing the refrigerant as a fluid, an outdoor heat exchanger 3 as a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in cooling mode, an indoor heat exchanger 4 as a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in cooling mode, an expansion valve 5 as an expansion means for expanding and reducing the pressure of the refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the indoor heat exchanger 4, a four-way switching valve 10, and a pilot solenoid valve 6 for switching and controlling the flow path of the four-way switching valve 10. These components are connected by refrigerant piping. Note that the expansion means is not limited to the expansion valve 5; a capillary valve may also be used. Furthermore, the circulating refrigerant, as described above, contains lubricating oil (refrigerant oil) to ensure smooth operation of the compressor 2.

This refrigeration cycle 1, in the cooling mode (cooling operation) shown in Figure 1, constitutes a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the following order: compressor 2, four-way directional valve 10, outdoor heat exchanger 3, expansion valve 5, indoor heat exchanger 4, four-way directional valve 10, and compressor 2. Conversely, in the heating mode (heating operation), it constitutes a heating cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the following order: compressor 2, four-way directional valve 10, indoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, outdoor heat exchanger 3, four-way directional valve 10, and compressor 2. Switching between this heating cycle and the cooling cycle is performed by the switching operation of the four-way directional valve 10 by the pilot solenoid valve 6.

As shown in Figures 2-4, the four-way switching valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylindrical valve body 11 and a valve element 12 slidably mounted inside the valve body 11. Hereinafter, the sliding direction of the valve element 12 will be defined as the X direction, the two directions perpendicular to the X direction and mutually perpendicular to each other will be defined as the Y and Z directions, and the left/right directions in the X direction and the up/down directions in the Z direction will be based on Figures 2-4. As will be described later, the four-way switching valve 10 is connected to a high-pressure side pipe member 13 communicating with the discharge port of the compressor 2, a low-pressure side pipe member 14 communicating with the suction port of the compressor 2, an indoor side pipe member 15 communicating with the indoor heat exchanger 4, and an outdoor side pipe member 16 communicating with the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

The cylindrical valve body 11 has plugs 17 and 18 that close its axial ends, and a valve seat member 19 fixed inside the valve body 11, forming a sealed cylinder. Conduits communicating with the pilot solenoid valve 6 are connected to the plugs 17 and 18, respectively. The valve seat member 19 is shaped to allow connection of pipe members 14 to 16, as will be described later. The upper surface of the valve seat member 19 is a guide surface, i.e., the valve seat surface 19A, that slides the valve body 12.

The valve body 11 has multiple ports 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D formed on its side surface 111. Specifically, there is an inlet port 11A, which serves as an opening for the high-pressure pipe member 13 to be connected and allow refrigerant to flow into the valve body 11; and a first port 11C, a second port 11D, and an outlet port 11B, formed on the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19 on the radially opposite side of the valve body 111 from the inlet port 11A. The outlet port 11B is located approximately in the center in the X direction, the first port 11C is located adjacent to the outlet port 11B to the left in the X direction, and the second port 11D is located to the right in the X direction relative to the outlet port 11B. In other words, the three ports 11B to 11D are arranged in a straight line along the X direction.

The low-pressure pipe member 14 is connected to the outflow port 11B, and the indoor pipe member 15 is connected to the first port 11C, thereby forming the indoor port. The outdoor pipe member 16 is connected to the second port 11D, thereby forming the outdoor port.

The valve body 12 comprises a pair of left and right piston bodies 21 and 22 that slide against the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 11, a connecting member 23 that connects the pair of piston bodies 21 and 22 and extends along the X direction, and a bowl-shaped valve member 24 supported by the connecting member 23. The internal space of the valve body 11 is divided into a high-pressure chamber R1 formed between the pair of piston bodies 21 and 22, a first operating chamber R2 formed between one piston body 21 and the plug body 17, and a second operating chamber R3 formed between the other piston body 22 and the plug body 18.

The connecting member 23 is made of a metal plate and is formed with a connecting plate portion 23A that extends along the axial direction of the valve body 11 and is provided parallel to the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19, a fixing piece portion 23B at one end of the connecting plate portion 23A which is bent and fixed to the piston body 21, and a fixing piece portion 23C at the other end of the connecting plate portion 23A which is bent and fixed to the piston body 22. The connecting plate portion 23A has a retaining hole 23D for holding the valve member 24 and two through holes 23E for circulating the refrigerant.

The valve member 24 is a one-piece molded member made of synthetic resin, and is formed having a bowl portion 25 that opens concavely toward the valve seat member 19, and a flange portion 26 that extends outward from the opening edge of the bowl portion 25. The bowl portion 25 is formed in a dome shape with an oval shape in plan view and is inserted into the holding hole 23D of the connecting member 23. Inside the bowl portion 25, a communication space R4 is formed such that the outflow port 11B and the first port 11C are connected but the second port 11D is not, or the outflow port 11B and the second port 11D are connected but the first port 11C is not.

The flange portion 26 has a sliding contact surface 26A on its lower surface (the surface facing the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19) 260, and a valve opening 25A that communicates with the inside of the bowl portion 25. This flange portion 26 is positioned between the valve seat member 19 and the connecting member 23. The pressure difference between the high and low pressures acting on the valve member 24 causes the sliding contact surface 26A to come into close contact with the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19, thereby closing the communication space R4 of the bowl portion 25 relative to the valve seat member 19.

In the four-way switching valve 10 described above, when high-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the second working chamber R3 via the pilot solenoid valve 6 and conduit, the piston body 22 is pressed, causing the valve body 12 to slide to the left in the X direction, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and move to the first position. Furthermore, when high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 is introduced into the first working chamber R2 via the pilot solenoid valve 6 and conduit, the piston body 21 is pressed, causing the valve body 12 to slide to the right in the X direction of the valve body 11, and move to the second position.

When the valve body 12 is in the second position, the bowl portion 25 of the valve member 24 connects the outlet port 11B and the second port 11D through its communication space R4. Furthermore, since the bowl portion 25 is located to the right in the X direction of the first port 11C, the first port 11C is connected to the inlet port 11A via the inside of the valve body 11 (high-pressure chamber R1). In other words, when the valve body 12 is in the second position, the inlet port 11A and the first port 11C are connected, and the outlet port 11B and the second port 11D are connected, resulting in a heating mode (heating operation).

In this heating mode, high-pressure refrigerant H discharged from compressor 2 is introduced into the high-pressure chamber R1 via the high-pressure side pipe member 13 and the inlet port 11A. The high-pressure refrigerant H that has passed through this high-pressure chamber R1 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 4 via the first port 11C and the indoor side pipe member 15. Furthermore, low-pressure refrigerant L is introduced from the outdoor heat exchanger 3 via the outdoor side pipe member 16 and the second port 11D into the communication space R4 of the bowl section 25. The low-pressure refrigerant L that has passed through this communication space R4 is returned to compressor 2 via the outlet port 11B and the low-pressure side pipe member 14.

On the other hand, when the valve body 12 is in the first position, the bowl portion 25 of the valve member 24 connects the outlet port 11B and the first port 11C through its communication space R4. Furthermore, since the bowl portion 25 is located to the left in the X direction of the second port 11D, this second port 11D is connected to the inlet port 11A via the inside of the valve body 11 (high-pressure chamber R1). In other words, when the valve body 12 is in the first position, the inlet port 11A and the second port 11D are connected, and the outlet port 11B and the first port 11C are connected, resulting in a cooling mode (cooling operation).

Here, we will describe the details of the connection structure of the pipe members 13-16 to the four-way switching valve 10. The pipe members 13-16 extend, for example, from other equipment mounted on the vehicle, and these pipe members 13-16 are directly connected to the four-way switching valve 10.

First, the connection structure on the lower side in the Z direction will be explained with reference to Figures 5-9. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the valve seat member 19 integrally comprises an upper surface, the valve seat surface 19A, and a lower surface, the open surface 19B, formed on the opposite side of the valve seat surface 19A. In this embodiment, the valve seat member 19 is entirely constructed from a single type of material. The open surface 19B is open to the outside of the valve body 11. The open surface 19B is the surface facing outwards from the valve body 11. Because the valve seat surface 19A is positioned inside the valve body 11, and the open surface 19B is positioned outside the side surface 111 of the valve body 11, the valve seat member 19 penetrates the opening 112 formed in the side surface 111 of the valve body 11. That is, the outer peripheral surface 19C of the rectangular parallelepiped valve seat member 19 becomes the penetration point.

The valve seat member 19 has three through holes 191 extending from the valve seat surface 19A to the open surface 19B and along the Z direction. Each through hole 191 has a cylindrical portion 192 extending along the Z direction with a substantially constant inner diameter, and an inclined surface portion 193 located outside the valve body 11 and expanding in diameter towards the outside. The shape of the cylindrical portion 192 is not limited to a cylindrical shape; it may be a rectangular tube, for example. The inclined surface portion 193 may have a straight cross-section as shown in the figure, or it may have a curved cross-section such as a concave or convex shape.

The open surface 19B of the valve seat member 19 has two female threaded portions 194 formed therein, which serve as fixed parts for the screw 29 described later. The two female threaded portions 194 are positioned to the left of the through hole 191 in the center of the X direction and on one side of the Y direction, and to the right of the X direction and on the other side of the Y direction, respectively, and they clamp the through hole 191 from a direction inclined with respect to the X direction. That is, if the open surface 19B is virtually rotated 180° with the Z direction as the axial direction, the female threaded portions 194 do not overlap before and after the rotation.

The ends of the pipe members 14-16 are fitted with O-rings (sealing members) 27 on their outer circumference, and these ends are inserted into the through-hole 191 from below. In the illustrated example, the pipe members 14-16 have a constricted shape that allows for the placement of the O-rings 27, but the shape for placing the O-rings is not limited to this. In its natural state (before being inserted into the through-hole 191), the outer diameter of the O-ring 27 is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 192 and smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the inclined surface portion 193 (the inner diameter at the lower end in the Z direction).

To secure the pipe members 14-16, a retaining member 28 and two screws 29, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, are used. The retaining member 28 is formed in a plate shape so as to overlap the open surface 19B, and has three openings 281 through which each of the pipe members 14-16 is inserted, and two openings 282 through which the screws 29 are inserted. The openings 282 are formed in positions that overlap the female screw portion 194.

The pipe members 14-16 have large-diameter portions 141-161 that are formed to be larger in diameter than the other parts. These large-diameter portions 141-161 are sandwiched from the Z direction by the open surface 19B of the valve seat member 19 and the retaining member 28. Furthermore, the screw 29 that passes through the opening 282 engages with the female screw portion 194, thereby fixing the retaining member 28 to the valve seat member 19 (Figure 9), and holding the pipe members 14-16 in place.

Because the O-ring 27 has the dimensions described above, when the pipe members 14-16 are inserted into the through hole 191, the O-ring 27 is gradually compressed as it passes through the inclined surface portion 193 toward the upward direction in the Z-direction. The O-ring 27 is positioned in the cylindrical portion 192 and, due to its restoring force, adheres tightly to the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipe members 14-16 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 192.

In this embodiment, the number of female threaded portions 194 is provided in the valve seat member 19 less than the number of through holes 191 (i.e., the number of pipe members 14-16). This allows multiple pipe members 14-16 to be fixed together. Furthermore, as described above, the lack of symmetry in the female threaded portions 194 with respect to 180° rotation prevents the left and right pipe members 15 and 16 from being connected to the wrong through hole 191.

Next, the connection structure on the upper side in the Z direction will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11. As described above, an inlet port 11A is formed on the side portion 111 of the valve body 11. This inlet port 11A functions as a second opening, and a mounting portion 30 is provided on the outside of the side portion 111 at a position corresponding to the inlet port 11A. The mounting portion 30 is formed separately from the valve body 11 and is fixed to the valve body 11 by welding, brazing, or the like. Note that the mounting portion and the valve body may be formed integrally.

The mounting portion 30 has a second through-hole 301 that communicates with the inlet port 11A, thereby connecting the inside and outside of the valve body 11; a surface 302 that is open to the outside of the valve body 11; and a female threaded portion 303 provided on the surface 302 as a second fixed portion. The female threaded portion 303 is provided in two locations so as to sandwich the through-hole 301 from the X direction.

A retaining member 31 and two screws 32 are used to secure the pipe member 13. The retaining member 31 is formed in a plate shape so as to overlap the surface 302, and has an opening 311 through which the pipe member 13 is inserted, and two openings 312 through which the screws 32 are inserted. The openings 312 are formed in positions that overlap the female screw portion 303.

The pipe member 13 has a large-diameter portion 131 that is larger in diameter than the rest of the pipe member. This large-diameter portion 131 is sandwiched from the Z direction by the surface 302 of the mounting portion 30 and the holding member 31. Furthermore, the screw 32 that passes through the opening 312 engages with the female thread portion 303, thereby fixing the holding member 31 to the mounting portion 30 and holding the pipe member 13 (Figure 11).

In the connection structure on the upper side in the Z direction, similar to the connection structure on the lower side, the through hole 301 has a cylindrical portion 301A and an inclined surface portion 301B, and an O-ring 27 is provided at the tip of the pipe member 13. That is, in the upper connection structure as well, the O-ring 27 is compressed by the inclined surface portion 301B.

According to this embodiment, by inserting the pipe members 14-16 through the through hole 191 from the open surface 19B side and fixing the screw 29 to the female threaded portion 194, the pipe members 14-16 can be fixed to the valve body 11 and valve seat member 19, thereby improving workability. At this time, because the through hole 191 has an inclined surface portion 193, the O-ring 27 can be compressed, ensuring airtightness between the pipe members 14-16 and the through hole 191.

Furthermore, the connection structure described above eliminates the need for brazing or welding, and thus eliminates the need for pipe components that require these processes. In other words, pipe components extending directly from other equipment can be directly connected, making it easier to reduce the number of parts.

Furthermore, since the open surface 19B is positioned outside the side portion 111 of the valve body 11, and the outer peripheral surface 19C of the valve seat member 19 becomes a through-hole that penetrates the opening 112 formed in the valve body 11, the inner peripheral edge of the opening 112 and the outer peripheral surface 19C can be connected around the entire circumference, for example by brazing, making it easier to ensure airtightness between the valve body 11 and the valve seat member 19.

Furthermore, by providing fewer female threaded portions 194 than the through-holes 191 in the valve seat member 19, the number of connection points can be reduced by connecting multiple pipe members 14-16 to the valve seat member 19 together.

Furthermore, since an inlet port 11A is formed as a second opening on the side surface 111 of the valve body 11, and a mounting portion 30 is provided, the pipe member 13 can also be fixed to the valve body 11 on the inlet port 11A side by inserting it from the outside of the valve body 11 and fixing the screw 32 to the female screw portion 303, thereby improving workability. At this time, the through hole 301 of the mounting portion 30 has an inclined surface portion 301B, and an O-ring 27 is provided at the tip of the pipe member 13. The O-ring 27 is compressed by the inclined surface portion 301B, ensuring a tight seal between the pipe member 13 and the through hole 301.

Furthermore, a female threaded portion 194 is formed on the valve seat member 19 as a fixing portion, and the pipe members 14-16 can be easily fixed to the valve seat member 19 by screw fastening.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes other configurations that can achieve the objectives of the present invention, including the following modifications. For example, in the above embodiment, the valve seat member 19 is provided with fewer female threads 194 than the number of through holes 191, but as shown in Figure 12, the valve seat member 190 may have the same number of female threads 194 as the number of through holes 191. In such a configuration, as shown in Figure 13, each of the pipe members 14 to 16 can be individually connected using the retaining member 28B and the screw 29, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the work.

Furthermore, in the modified examples shown in Figures 12 and 13, three pairs of through-holes 191 and female threaded portions 194 are formed corresponding to each of the pipe members 14 to 16, and the distance between the through-hole 191 and the female threaded portion 194 (i.e., the center-to-center distance) is equal in each pair. With this configuration, the fixing structure can be standardized for each pair.

Furthermore, in each pair of through-holes and female threaded portions as described above, the distances between the through-holes and female threaded portions may differ. Such a configuration makes it easier to attach each pipe member to the correct position. Also, the number of female threaded portions may be greater than the number of through-holes. For example, multiple female threaded portions may be used to attach a single pipe member, or some female threaded portions may not be used.

Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows the mounting portion 30 having two female threaded portions 303, the number of female threaded portions (second fixed portions) provided on the mounting portion is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more. That is, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the mounting portion 300 may have only one female threaded portion 303, and only one female threaded portion 303 may be used for fixing the pipe member 14. In this case, a retaining member 31B and a screw 32 are used for fixing.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the opening surface 19B of the valve seat member 19 is positioned outside the side portion 111 of the valve body 11, but the opening surface may also be positioned inside the side portion. Such a configuration makes it easier to miniaturize the entire slide-type switching valve.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pipe member 13 is inserted through the outside of the valve body 11 on the inlet port 11A side and fixed by a screw 32. However, other fixing methods such as brazing or welding may be employed on the inlet port 11A side.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a female threaded portion 194 is formed as the fixed portion and a fixing method by screw fastening is employed. However, other fixing methods may be employed, and the valve seat member should be provided with a fixed portion of an appropriate form according to the fixing method. The same applies to the mounting portion. An example of another fixing method is one using a fixing pin.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the valve seat member 19 integrally has a valve seat surface 19A and an open surface 19B, and the entire structure is made of a single type of material. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the valve seat surface may be formed by providing a seat member made of a sliding material to the base of the valve seat member or by applying a coating. "The valve seat member integrally has a valve seat surface and an open surface" includes not only valve seat members originally constructed as a single part, but also valve seat members that are configured to be handled as a single part by integrating multiple parts that were originally constructed as separate parts. Also, in both cases, as described above, where the valve seat member is originally a single part and where multiple parts are integrated, the materials of each part of the valve seat member may be the same, or they may be different.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes or other modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention.

1…Refrigeration cycle, 2…Compressor, 3…Outdoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger), 4…Indoor heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), 5…Expansion valve (expansion means), 10…Four-way switching valve (slide-type switching valve), 11…Valve body, 111…Side section, 112…Opening, 11A…Inlet port (second opening), 12…Valve body, 13-16…Pipe members, 19…Valve seat member, 191…Through hole, 192…Cylindrical section, 193…Inclined surface section, 194…Female thread section (fixed section), 19A…Valve seat surface, 19B…Open surface, 19C…Outer peripheral surface (through section), 26A…Sliding contact surface, 30…Mounting section, 301…Second through hole, 303…Female thread section (second fixed section)

Claims (7)

A sliding type switching valve comprising a cylindrical valve body, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface provided within the valve body, and a valve element having a sliding contact surface that slides against the valve seat surface and is housed within the valve body,
An opening is formed in the side surface of the valve body, where the valve seat member is positioned.
The valve seat member has a valve seat surface and an open surface formed on the opposite side thereof and open to the outside of the valve body, and a through hole is formed extending from the valve seat surface to the open surface.
The through hole has a cylindrical portion and an inclined surface portion that is located outside the valve body beyond the cylindrical portion and whose diameter increases as it extends outward.
A sliding type switching valve characterized in that the open surface is provided with a fixed portion to which a predetermined fixed portion can be fixed. The aforementioned open surface is positioned outside the side portion of the valve body.
The sliding switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat member has a through portion that penetrates the opening. The slide-type switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve seat member has a plurality of through holes and is provided with a number of fixed portions less than the plurality of through holes. The sliding type switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve seat member is provided with a number of fixed portions equal to or greater than the number of through holes. A second opening is further formed on the side surface of the valve body.
A mounting portion is provided in the second opening.
The sliding switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting portion has a second through hole that connects the inside and outside of the valve body, and a second fixed portion provided on the surface of the valve body that is open to the outside and capable of fixing a predetermined fixing portion. The valve seat member is characterized in that a pipe member is inserted into the cylindrical portion, the fixed portion is a female threaded portion, and the pipe member is fixed by screw fastening, as described in claim 1 or 2. A refrigeration cycle system comprising: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant fluid; a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in cooling mode; a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in cooling mode; an expansion means for expanding and reducing the pressure of the refrigerant between the first and second heat exchangers; and the sliding switch valve described in claim 1.