WO2016076678A1

WO2016076678A1 - Four-way refrigerant valve for refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2016076678A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/012303
Authority: WO
Inventors: 우갑택; 김동연
Original assignee: 주식회사 에스 씨디
Priority date: 2014-11-14
Filing date: 2015-11-16
Publication date: 2016-05-19

Abstract

The present invention provides a four-way refrigerant valve for controlling the refrigerant flow of a refrigerant. The four-way refrigerant valve comprises: a driving part; a valve plate having an inlet and first to third outlets; a valve housing which is sealedly coupled to the valve plate and defines a chamber in which a refrigerant flows along the valve plate; and a valve body which is arranged within the chamber and selectively opens and closes the first to third outlets. The valve body has: a closing part which closes at least one of the first to third outlets; and an opening part which opens at least one of the first to third outlets and allows the refrigerant to flow.

Description

4-way refrigerant valve for refrigerator

The present invention relates to a four-way refrigerant valve installed in the refrigerant passage of the refrigerator to control the flow of the refrigerant.

Prior art four-way refrigerant valves for refrigerator refrigerant control having one inlet and three outlets typically operate in a mode of opening and closing only one outlet of the three outlets. Therefore, such a four-way refrigerant valve of the prior art has a limitation in use, and from this, it is impossible to expect a differential pressure action related to energy saving.

In order to cope with this problem, it is known in the art to add a two-way refrigerant valve to the refrigerant passage. However, the addition of the two-way refrigerant valve complicates the structure of the refrigerant passage and increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, since four-way refrigerant valves and two-way refrigerant valves are used, energy saving cannot be achieved.

As an example of the four-way refrigerant valve of the prior art, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-0084784 proposes a four-way refrigerant valve having an operating mode of closing both outlets using two valve bodies. However, using two valve bodies complicates the internal structure of the valve, increases the volume and manufacturing cost of the valve, and does not achieve energy saving.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a four-way refrigerant valve having an improved maneuverability due to switching of several refrigerant flow paths using a single valve body and a small area occlusion portion.

The four-way refrigerant valve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit, the valve plate having an inlet and the first to third outlet, and sealingly coupled to the valve plate to form a chamber in which the refrigerant flows with the valve plate And a valve body disposed in the chamber and rotated by the driving part to open and close the first to third outlets. The valve body includes a blocking portion for blocking at least one of the first to third outlets, and an opening for opening at least one of the first to third outlets to flow the refrigerant.

In one embodiment, the centers of the first to third outlets are located in a fan shape centered on the center of rotation of the valve body and having a central angle of 300 degrees or less. In addition, the center of each of the first to third outlets may be located at the circumference of a circle around the center of rotation of the valve body. In addition, the centers of the first to third outlets may be equidistantly spaced from the center of rotation of the valve body.

In one embodiment, the blocking portion has a blocking surface for closing the first to third outlets. The closure surface has a fan shape centered at least on the center of rotation of the valve body.

In one embodiment, the center of rotation of the valve body is located in the closure portion, the closure portion and the opening is formed to be circular in the valve body.

In one embodiment, the closure portion has a second edge extending between an arcuate first edge and both ends of the first edge, the second edge may have a linear or corrugated shape.

In one embodiment, the drive unit rotates the valve body in the forward and reverse directions such that the valve body is positioned in the first switching position, the second switching position, the third switching position and the fourth switching position. In the first switching position, all of the first to third outlets are blocked by the blocking portion. In the second, third and fourth switching positions the opening is located in any one of the first to third outlets and the other two are occluded by the occlusion.

In one embodiment, the closure portion includes a recess groove extending from the outer periphery of the closure portion toward the rotation center of the valve body in the radial direction of the rotation center of the valve body. The concave groove is formed in the closure portion so as to be located in any one of the first to third outlets. The opening portion includes a first opening portion located opposite the closure portion in the valve body and a second opening portion positioned in the concave groove.

In this embodiment, the occlusion portion comprises a first occlusion portion and a second occlusion portion separated by the concave groove. As an example, the first closure portion has a fan shape centered at least on the center of rotation of the valve body and has a central angle of 90 degrees to 180 degrees, and the second closure portion is centered on at least the center of rotation of the valve body and has a center angle. It has a fan shape of 90 degrees or less.

Further, in this embodiment, the valve body has a first switching position, a second switching position, a third switching position, a fourth switching position, a first intermediate switching position between the first and second switching positions, the second And the drive unit rotates the valve body in the forward and reverse directions so as to be located at the second intermediate switching position between the third switching position and the third intermediate switching position between the third and fourth switching positions. In the first switching position, all of the first to third outlets are blocked by the blocking portion. In the second, third and fourth switching positions the first opening is located at any one of the first to third outlets and the other two are occluded by the occlusion. In the first, second and third intermediate switching positions, the first opening is located at any one of the first to third outlets, the second opening is located at the other of the first to third outlets, The occlusion blocks the other of the first to third outlets.

In one embodiment, the four-way refrigerant valve has a valve body spring biasing the valve body toward the valve plate. The valve body spring has a plurality of positioning legs in resilient contact with the inner surface of the valve housing.

According to the four-way refrigerant valve according to the embodiment, the center of each of the first to third outlets is arranged in a fan shape centering on the rotational center of the valve body and having a central angle of 300 degrees or less, thereby reducing the area of the occlusion portion and Improved maneuverability

The occlusion and opening of the valve body block all of the first to third outlets of the valve plate at each switching position of the valve body, or open one of them and close the rest. Therefore, the four-way refrigerant valve can supply the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant | coolant from a compressor to each storage chamber of a refrigerator. In addition, since the closing part of the valve body can close all of the first to third outlets at the first switching position, the pressure of the compressor can be maintained when the compressor is turned off, and the start time of the compressor when the compressor is turned on later is In other words, it can act as a differential pressure to save energy. In addition, since the closing portion of the valve body closes all of the first to third outlets, the differential pressure effect is maximized. In addition, the closing portion of the valve body has two recessed openings of the first to third outlets, and one outlet has a concave groove for closing the outlet, thereby realizing more switching of the refrigerant passage.

In addition, since the four-way refrigerant valve of the embodiment has one valve body, it realizes a compact and simple structure, easy switching to various modes, and reduction in manufacturing cost.

1 is a perspective view of a four-way refrigerant valve according to an embodiment.

2 is a perspective view of a four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment showing the interior of the valve housing by cutting the valve housing.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment showing components located within the valve housing, the valve plate, and the valve housing.

4 is a lower perspective view showing the valve body rotating mechanism and the valve plate.

5 is a bottom view illustrating the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating a portion of a valve plate of a four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment. FIG.

7 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment in the home position.

8 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment in the first switching position.

9 is a bottom view illustrating the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment in the second switching position.

10 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment in the third switching position.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to one embodiment in the fourth switching position. FIG.

12 is a bottom view illustrating a valve body of a four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view illustrating the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the home position.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the first switching position. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the first intermediate switching position. FIG.

16 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the second switching position.

17 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the second intermediate switching position.

18 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the third switching position.

19 is a bottom view showing the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the third intermediate switching position.

20 is a bottom view illustrating the valve body of the four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment in the fourth switching position.

An embodiment of a four-way refrigerant valve will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding components or parts.

1 to 11, the four-way refrigerant valve 100 according to an embodiment includes a drive unit 110, one inlet 121, and first to third to rotate the valve body 140 in stages. A valve plate 120 having

outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C, a valve housing 131 sealingly coupled to the valve plate 120 to form a chamber VC, which is a space in which refrigerant flows, and a chamber VC And a valve body 140 disposed therein and rotated by the drive unit 110 to selectively open and close the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. Accordingly, the four-way refrigerant valve 100 may control three refrigerant passages through which the refrigerant flows from the inlet 121 to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C, and selectively selects the valve body 140. The three refrigerant passages are switched individually or in combination by an opening and closing operation.

1 to 3, the driving unit 110 includes a stator 111 and a rotor 112 as a power source for driving. The stator 111 has a donut shape and includes a wound coil. The stator 111 generates magnetic force by feeding. In the four-way refrigerant valve 100 of one embodiment, the stator 111 is disposed inside the stator housing 132. The stator housing 132 holding the stator 111 is removably coupled to the bracket 133 and positioned to surround the valve housing 131. The bracket 133 is engaged with the valve plate 120 at its opening 134. The bracket 133 has a pair of hook fixing hook fingers 135 facing each other, and the stator housing 132 is attached to the bracket 133 by a locking engagement between the hook finger 135 and the outer surface of the stator housing 132. In combination, the stator 111 is positioned to surround the rotor 112. The valve housing 131 has a cylindrical large diameter portion 131LD having a size substantially covering the valve plate 120 and a cylindrical shape extending coaxially from the large diameter portion 131LD and having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 131LD. The small diameter part 131SD is provided. The rotor 112 includes a cylindrical body in which a bore is vertically bored, and includes a magnet. The rotor 112 is disposed inside the small diameter portion 131SD of the valve housing 131. The rotor 112 rotates in the forward and reverse directions stepwise by the magnetic force generated by the stator 111.

Moreover, the drive part 110 is equipped with the valve body rotating mechanism for rotating the valve body 140 by receiving the rotational force which the stator 111 and the rotor 112 generate | occur | produce. In this embodiment, the valve body rotation mechanism is coupled to the drive gear 113 and the drive gear 113 and the drive gear 113 that is detachably coupled to the lower end of the rotor 112 and rotates with the rotor 112, the drive gear. The driven gear 114 which rotates by the rotation of 113 is provided. The drive gear 113 includes a cylindrical body in which a bore 113BR into which the rotor rotation shaft 124 is inserted is bored in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of fittings formed at equal intervals on the upper end of the gear tooth 113GT. The groove 113FG is provided. The rotor 112 has a part (not shown) that fits in the gap between the fitting groove 113FG at its lower end to effect a separable engagement between the rotor 112 and the drive gear 113. The rotor 112 is supported against the valve plate 120 by the drive gear 113. The driven gear 114 has a gear tooth 114GT engaged with the gear tooth 113GT of the drive gear 113 around it. In addition, the driven gear 114 has a pair of stoppers 114ST which protrude more than the gear teeth 114GT at its upper periphery, and the stopper 114ST is in contact with a cylindrical portion in the middle of the drive gear 113. Do. If the stopper 114ST of the driven gear 114 comes into contact with the cylindrical portion of the drive gear 113 while the driven gear 114 is rotated by the rotation of the rotor 112, the valve body ( Gear transmission to 140 is stopped.

2 and 3, the four-way refrigerant valve 100 includes a valve body spring 150 disposed in the valve housing 131 and biasing the valve body 140 to the valve plate 120, and a rotor ( A rotor spring 160 biasing 112 toward the drive gear 113. The valve body spring 150 is disposed between the stepped portion 113SP of the drive gear 113 and the upper surface of the valve plate 120. The rotor spring 160 is disposed between the upper inner surface of the valve housing 131 and the upper end of the rotor 112. The valve body spring 150 may be biased toward the valve plate 120 by the elastic force of the rotor spring 160.

The valve body spring 150 has a disc portion 151, two support legs 152 bent downward from the outer circumference of the disc portion 151, and three positions bent downwardly between the support legs 152. Has a set leg 153. The support leg 152 and the positioning leg 153 are located outside the drive gear 113 and the driven gear 114. The support leg 152 is in contact with the upper surface of the valve plate 120. The length of the positioning leg 153 is shorter than the length of the support leg 152 and has a protrusion 154 protruding outward on the outer surface. The positioning leg 153 is bent relative to the disc portion 151 such that its lower end is located outside the lower end of the support leg 162, for example, the large diameter portion of the valve housing 131 at the protrusion 154. 131LD) elastic contact with the inner surface. Therefore, the valve body spring 150 is positioned in the large diameter portion 131LD by the elastic force that the positioning leg 153 exerts on the inner surface of the large diameter portion 131LD of the valve housing 131, and the positioning leg 153 ) Is not easily separated from the large diameter portion 131LD due to the elastic force applied to the large diameter portion 131LD through the protrusion 154.

In addition, the through hole 155 through which the rotor rotation shaft 124 of the valve plate 120 passes and the valve body rotation shaft 125 of the valve plate 120 are fitted into the disc portion 151 of the valve body spring 150. The through hole 156 is formed. The valve body spring 150 is provided with a spring for pressing the driven gear 114 and the valve body 140 elastically downward to closely adhere the valve body 140 to the valve plate 120. In this embodiment, as the spring, the valve body spring 150 includes a leaf spring 157 extending in an arc shape from the disk portion 151. The leaf spring 157 is formed in the disk portion 151 in the form of a cantilever. The leaf spring 157 is slightly bent with respect to the disk portion 151 so that its tip is positioned lower than the disk portion 161. The through hole 156 into which the valve body rotating shaft 125 is fitted is drilled at the tip of the leaf spring 157.

The valve body spring 150 also has a holder arm 158 that projects in an arc shape from the disk 151 on the outside of the leaf spring 157. The holder arm 158 can be fitted into a groove 114HG formed in the circumferential direction at the top of the driven gear 114. For example, when assembling the valve housing 131 to the valve plate 120, the holder arm 158 is inserted into the groove 114HG of the driven gear 114 to separate the valve body 140 from the valve plate 120. Assembly can be performed in the state.

The rotor spring 160 has three elastic legs 161 that are bent upward, and a through hole 162 into which the rotor rotation shaft 124 of the valve plate 120 is fitted is drilled in the center thereof. The rotor spring 160 is slightly deformed so that the resilient leg 161 applies spring force to the rotor 112 and is disposed between the rotor 112 and the top inner surface of the valve housing 131. The rotor 112 is biased toward the valve body spring 150 by the rotor spring 160.

The valve plate 120 having the inlet 121 through which the refrigerant flows into the chamber VC and the first through

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C through which the refrigerant flows out of the chamber VC has a disk portion 126. Include. The inlet 121 and the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed through the disk portion 126. The rotor shaft 124 penetrating the rotor 112 and the drive gear 113 extends upward from the center of the upper surface of the disk portion 126. In addition, a circular valve seat 123 is provided on the upper surface of the disk portion 126 in surface contact with the blocking portion 142 of the valve body 140. The first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed in the disk portion 126 through the valve seat 123. Moreover, the valve body rotating shaft 125 which penetrates the driven gear 114 from the center of the upper surface of the valve seat 123 extends upwards. The inlet 121 is located opposite the valve seat 123 with respect to the rotor rotation shaft 124.

Referring to FIG. 4, an inlet pipe mount 127 for connection with an inlet pipe IP (see FIG. 1) is provided on the lower surface of the valve plate 120 corresponding to the inlet port 121. Further, in the lower surface of the valve plate 120,

fitting holes

128A, 128B, and 128C corresponding to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed, respectively, and the outlet pipe OP (see Fig. 1). Is provided with an outlet pipe mount 128 for connection. The first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C open at the

fitting holes

128A, 128B, and 128C. Outflow pipe IP is fitted in

fitting holes

128A, 128B, and 128C, respectively.

The valve housing 131 is sealingly coupled with the disc portion 126 of the valve plate 120. That is, the outer circumference of the large diameter portion 131LD of the valve housing 131 and the outer circumference of the disk portion 126 of the valve plate 120 are joined by welding, so that the valve housing 131 and the valve plate 120 are joined. A chamber VC through which the refrigerant flows is formed. The small diameter portion 131SD of the valve housing 131 is inserted into the cylindrical space in the stator 111.

The valve body 140 is coupled with the driven gear 114. Therefore, by the rotation of the rotor 112 and the drive gear 113 and the driven gear 114, the valve body 140 is rotated relative to the valve plate 120 to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, 122C) is opened and closed. The valve body 140 may be integrated with the driven gear 114 or may be provided separately and coupled to the driven gear 114. The valve body 140 may be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise by the forward and reverse rotation of the rotor 112.

4 and 5, the valve body 140 includes a disk portion 141, a closure portion 142, and an opening portion 143. The valve body 140 may be formed by injection using a plastic material having good abrasion resistance. The obstruction 142 occludes one or more or all of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. The obstruction part 142 is formed in the pad shape which protrudes slightly downward from the disc part 141. As shown in FIG. The opening 143 opens one of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. The opening part 143 becomes a space which subtracted the space of the obstruction part 142 from the disc-shaped space which has the thickness of the height which protrudes from the disc part 141. Therefore, corresponding to the shape of the disk portion 141, the closure portion 142 and the opening portion 143 form a circular disk shape in the valve body 140. In the valve body 140, the opening portion 143 faces the blocking portion 142. When the obstruction 142 closes one or more of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C, the remaining outlet communicates with the chamber VC through the opening 143, such that the refrigerant exits the remaining outlet. Let it flow into the sphere. The through-hole 145 which penetrates the disk part 141 and the blocking part 142, and the valve body rotation shaft 125 of the valve plate 120 is fitted is formed. Therefore, the center of rotation RC of the valve body 140 becomes the center of the through hole 145 or the valve body rotating shaft 125 and is located in the closure portion 142.

3 to 6, when the valve plate 120 is viewed from above or below, the centers 122AC, 122BC, and 122CC of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed of the valve body 140. The first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed in the valve plate 120 so as to be located in the sector FS centered on the rotation center RC of the valve. In this case, the center angle CA1 of the sector FS may be, for example, 300 degrees or less, preferably 180 degrees or less. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the center angle of the fan FS is about 180 degrees. In addition, the centers 122AC, 122BC, and 122CC of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C have a rotational center RC of the valve body 140 rather than the outer periphery of the disc portion 141 of the valve body 140. Disposed close to). In addition, the centers 122AC, 122BC, and 122CC of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed in the valve body 140 more than the centers of the

fitting holes

128A, 128B, and 128C of the outlet pipe mount 128. It is disposed close to the center of rotation RC. That is, the centers 122AC, 122BC, 122CC of the

outlets

122A, 122B, 122C and the centers of the

fitting holes

128A, 128B, 128C are not concentric. In addition, the centers 122AC, 122BC, and 122CC of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are formed around the circumference of one virtual circle IC centered on the center of rotation RC of the valve body 140. Can be deployed. In addition, the centers 122AC, 122BC, and 122CC of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C may be spaced apart from each other at an equilibrium with respect to the center of rotation RC of the valve body 140. In this embodiment, the centers 122AC, 122BC, 122CC of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are spaced at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the center of rotation RC of the valve body 140, for example. . That is, the center angle with respect to the center of rotation RC between any one of the centers of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C and the other is half of the center angle CA1 of the fan shape FS described above.

4 and 5, the blocking portion 142 blocking the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C protrudes from the lower surface of the disk portion 141 to a substantially uniform thickness. This occlusion surface 142S is formed, and the occlusion surface 141S is in surface contact with the valve seat 123. For example, when the valve body 140 is viewed from below, the occlusion surface 142S of the occlusion portion 142 is at least about a rotational center RC of the valve body 140 and has a central shape of, for example, 300 degrees or less, Preferably, it may have a shape that can cover all of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. That is, the closed surface 142S of the closed portion 142 has a shape slightly larger than the semicircle when the valve body 140 is viewed from below. In this embodiment, the obstruction 142 has a corrugated second edge 142WE extending between an arcuate first edge 142CE and both ends of the first edge 142CE. As another example, the second edge 142WE may have a linear shape. The arc 142CE of circular arc shape corresponds to the circular arc of the fan shape FS centering on the rotation center RC of the valve body 140 mentioned above. Due to the second edge 142WE of the waveform, the obstruction 142 has a pair of recesses 142CP at the second edge 142WE. The recess 142CP is located closer to the center of rotation RC of the valve body 140 than the edge of the valve body 140. When the valve body 140 rotates, the recess 142CP may be positioned adjacent to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. The opening 143 is formed with a protrusion 144 that protrudes less than the closing surface 142S, and the protrusion 144 is for engagement with the driven gear 114.

In the four-way refrigerant valve 100 of one embodiment, the valve body 140 rotates relative to the valve plate 120, so that the closing portion 142 and the opening portion 143 of the valve body 140 are first to first. The

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are selectively opened and closed. The rotation of the valve body 140 is performed by the rotation of the rotor 112, the drive gear 113, and the driven gear 114 which rotate by the magnetic force of the stator 111. Pulse power is applied to the stator 111. The following pps is an abbreviation of Pulse Per Second, which means the number of pulses per second, and the pulse refers to a short flow of electricity. Power in the form of a pulse is applied to the stator 111 so that the rotor 112 rotates intermittently, so that the driven gear 114 meshing with the driving gear 113 that rotates together with the rotor 112 also stator. It rotates intermittently in accordance with the number of pulses per second of the power of the pulse form applied to the (111).

The four-way refrigerant valve 100 of one embodiment is relative to the valve plate 120 of the valve body 140 (clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) around the center of rotation (RC)) ), The flow path of the refrigerant passing through the four-way refrigerant valve 100 is switched. For example, the valve body 140 of the four-way refrigerant valve 100 of one embodiment performs a switching operation between the first to fourth switching positions to switch the flow path of the refrigerant.

The 1st switching position is the position of the valve body 140 shown in FIG. 8, In the 1st switching position, the blocking part 142 of the valve body 140 is the 1st outlet 122A of the valve plate 120, Both the second outlet 122B and the third outlet 122C are closed. Therefore, in the first switching position, the refrigerant does not flow from the outlet 121 to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. The 2nd switching position is the position of the valve body 140 shown in FIG. 9, and the valve body 140 is rotated counterclockwise from the said 1st switching position. In the second switching position, the first outlet 122A communicates with the inlet 121 of the valve plate 120 by the opening 143 of the valve body 140, and the second outlet 122B and the third outlet 122C is blocked by the blocking portion 142. Therefore, in the second switching position, the refrigerant flows from the inlet 121 to the first outlet 122A. The third switching position is the position of the valve body 140 shown in FIG. 10, and the valve body 140 is further rotated counterclockwise from the second switching position. In the third switching position, the second outlet 122B communicates with the inlet 121 by the opening 143 of the valve body 140, and the first outlet 122A and the third outlet 122C are closed. It is blocked by the part 142. Therefore, in the third switching position, the refrigerant flows from the inlet 121 to the second outlet 122B. The fourth switching position is the position of the valve body 140 shown in FIG. 11, and the valve body 140 is rotated counterclockwise from the third switching position. In the fourth switching position, the third outlet 122C is in communication with the inlet 121 by the opening 143, and the first outlet 122A and the second outlet 122B are closed by the obstruction 142. do. Therefore, in the fourth switching position, the refrigerant flows from the inlet 121 to the third outlet 122C.

Referring back to Figures 7 to 11, an operation example of the four-way refrigerant valve 100 of one embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 7, the stator 111 is not supplied with power, i.e., 0 pps, and the valve body 140 is in the home position. Referring to FIG. 8, 4pps of electric power is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 140 is slightly rotated counterclockwise (CCW). In the initial position shown in FIG. 7, the rotor 112 is slightly rotated by supplying 4pps of power to the stator 111 to prevent noise generated between the drive gear 113 and the driven gear 114. At the position of the valve body 140 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C are closed by the blocking portion 142 of the valve body 140, and the refrigerant is It may not flow from the inlet 121 to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. Therefore, the four-way refrigerant valve 100 performs the differential pressure action.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the stator 111 is supplied with 64pps of electric power, and the valve body 140 has an angle with respect to the rotational center RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW (for example, this embodiment). In the example by 90 degrees) and located at the second switching position from the first switching position. Then, the second outlet 122B and the third outlet 122C are closed by the blocking portion 142, and the opening 143 of the valve body 140 is positioned at the first outlet 122A, so that the inlet ( The refrigerant introduced into the chamber VC through 121 is discharged to the first outlet 122A.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, the power of 124pps is supplied to the stator 111 so that the valve body 140 rotates by an angle with respect to the center of rotation RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It is located in said 3rd switching position from a 2 switching position. Then, the first outlet 122A and the third outlet 122C are closed by the blocking portion 142, and the opening portion 143 of the valve body 140 is positioned at the second outlet 122B, so that the inlet opening ( The refrigerant introduced into the chamber VC through 121 is discharged to the second outlet 122B.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, the power of 184pps is supplied to the stator 111 so that the valve body 140 rotates by an angle with respect to the center of rotation RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It is located in said 4th switching position from 3 switching positions. Then, the first outlet 122A and the second outlet 122B are closed by the occlusion portion 142, and the opening 144 of the valve body 140 is positioned at the third outlet 122C, so that the inlet ( The refrigerant introduced into the chamber VC through 121 is discharged to the third outlet 122C.

In addition, electric power for rotating the valve body 140 in the clockwise direction CW is supplied to the stator 111 so that the valve body 140 may be located at any one of the first to fourth switching positions.

12 illustrates a valve body of a four-way refrigerant valve according to another embodiment.

The valve body 240 shown in FIG. 12 is configured to have an additional opening compared with the valve body 140 of the above-described embodiment. The valve body 240 of this embodiment can open one or more of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C, and close the rest. Therefore, the valve body 240 of this embodiment can flow a refrigerant through two refrigerant passages at the same time. The obstruction 242 of the valve body 240 is similar to the obstruction 142 described above, but some of the arcuate edges 142CE go deep into the center of rotation RC of the valve body 242. Accordingly, the obstruction 242 includes a concave recess 245 recessed from the outer circumference of the obstruction 242 (that is, the first edge 142CE) toward the center of rotation RC. Concave groove 245 extends in the radial direction of the center of rotation (RC). In addition, the concave groove 245 is formed in the closure portion 242 so as to be located at any one of the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C when the valve body 240 rotates. Accordingly, the valve body 240 has an additional opening by the recessed groove 245 of the closure portion 242. In this embodiment, the opening portion of the valve body 240 is the first opening portion 243A positioned opposite the closure portion 242 and the second opening positioned in the recessed groove 245 of the closure portion 242. Section 243B. The 1st opening part 243A of the valve body 240 has a shape substantially the same as the opening part 143 of the valve body 140 mentioned above.

In addition, the blocking part 242 of the valve body 240 is comprised by the 1st blocking part 242A and the 2nd blocking part 242B divided by the recessed groove 245. As shown in FIG. The first blocking portion 242A has a fan shape centered at least on the rotational center RC of the valve body 240 and having a central angle of 90 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less. The second obstruction 242B extends from the first obstruction 242A integrally with the first obstruction 242A. The second closure portion 242B has a fan shape centered at least on the center of rotation RC of the valve body 240 and having a central angle of 90 degrees or less. As shown in FIG. 12, the straight line L1 passing through the middle of the second blocking portion 242B and the rotational center RC in the radial direction and the radial direction passing through the middle of the concave groove 245 and the rotational center RC. When a straight line L2 is assumed to be, the angle CA2 positioned in the second occlusion portion 242B may be an angle smaller than 90, for example, 45 degrees, and the angle angle positioned in the first occlusion portion 242A. CA3 may be an angle obtained by subtracting the angle CA2 from 180 degrees.

The four-way refrigerant valve of another embodiment having such a valve body 240 is a four-way refrigerant by relative rotation (clockwise and counterclockwise rotation) with respect to the valve plate 120 of the valve body 240. The refrigerant passage through the valve 100 is switched. For example, the four-way refrigerant valve of another embodiment is between the first switching position, the first intermediate switching position, the second switching position, the second and third switching positions between the first and second switching positions. A switching operation is performed between the third intermediate switching position and the fourth switching position between the second intermediate switching position, the third switching position, and the third and fourth switching positions.

In another embodiment, the first switching position is the position of the valve body 240 illustrated in FIG. 14, which is the same as the first switching position in the above-described embodiment, and the closing portion 242 of the valve body 240 is used. ) Closes the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, 122C. The first intermediate switching position is the position of the valve body 240 shown in FIG. 15, and the valve body 240 is rotated counterclockwise from the first switching position. In the first intermediate switching position, the first outlet 122A is in communication with the inlet 121 by the first opening 243A of the valve body 240, and the third outlet 122C is the valve body 240. Is communicated with the inlet 121 by the second opening 243B, and the second outlet 122B is blocked by the obstruction 242. In another embodiment, the second switching position is the position of the valve body 240 shown in FIG. 16, and the valve body 240 is rotated counterclockwise from the first intermediate switching position. In this second intermediate switching position, similarly to the second switching position of the above-described embodiment, the first outlet 122A is opened, and the second and

third outlets

122B and 122C are closed by the obstruction 242. do. The second intermediate switching position is the position of the valve body 240 shown in FIG. 17, and the valve body 240 is rotated counterclockwise from the second switching position. In the second intermediate switching position, the first outlet 122A and the second outlet 122B communicate with the inlet 121 by the first opening 243A of the valve body 240, and the third outlet 122C ) Is blocked by the blocking portion 242 of the valve body 240. In another embodiment, the third switching position is the position of the valve body 240 shown in FIG. 18, and the valve body 240 is rotated counterclockwise from the second intermediate switching position. In this third switching position, similarly to the third switching position of the above-described embodiment, the second outlet 122B is opened, and the first and

third outlets

122A and 122C are closed by the occlusion portion 242. . The third intermediate switching position is the position of the valve body 240 illustrated in FIG. 19, and the valve body 240 is rotated counterclockwise from the third switching position. In the third intermediate switching position, the second outlet 122B and the third outlet 122C communicate with the inlet 121 by the first opening 243A of the valve body 240, and the first outlet 122A. ) Is in communication with the inlet 121 by the second opening 243A of the valve body 240. The fourth switching position of another embodiment is the position of the valve body 240 shown in FIG. 20, and the valve body 240 is rotated counterclockwise from the third intermediate switching position. In this fourth switching position, similar to the fourth switching position of the above-described embodiment, the third outlet 122C is opened, and the first and

second outlets

122A and 122B are closed by the occlusion portion 242. .

Referring back to FIGS. 13 to 20 again, an operation example of the four-way refrigerant valve of another embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 13, the stator 111 is not powered, that is, at a state of 0 pps, and the valve body 240 is at a home position. Referring to FIG. 14, 4pps of electric power is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 240 is rotated slightly in the counterclockwise direction (CCW). At the position of the valve body 240 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and

second outlets

122A and 122B are closed by the first blocking portion 242A of the valve body 240, and the third The outlet port 122C is blocked by the second blocking portion 242B of the valve body 240. Therefore, the refrigerant does not flow from the inlet 121 to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C, thereby performing a differential pressure action.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, 34pps of electric power is supplied to the stator 111 so that the valve body 240 is half of the angle with respect to the rotational center RC of the outlet outlet adjacent in the counterclockwise direction CCW. For example, in this embodiment, by 45 degrees), it is located in the first intermediate switching position from the first switching position. Then, the second outlet 122B is closed by the first blocking portion 242A, and the first and second openings 243A and the second opening of the valve body 242 are opened at the first and

third outlets

122A and 122C. The portions 243B are positioned so that the refrigerant flowing into the chamber VC through the inlet 121 flows out into the first and

third outlets

122A and 122C. In the first intermediate switching position, a recess 245 between the first occlusion portion 242A and the second occlusion portion 242B is positioned at the third outlet 122C.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the power of 64pps is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 240 is an angle with respect to the rotation center RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It rotates by half and is located from the first intermediate switching position to the second switching position. Then, the second outlet 122B and the third outlet 122C are closed by the first blocking portion 242A, and the first opening 243A of the valve body 240 is positioned at the first outlet 122A. Thus, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet 121 is discharged to the first outlet 122A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, 94pps of electric power is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 240 has an angle with respect to the rotation center RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It rotates by half and is located from the second switching position to the second intermediate switching position. Then, the third outlet 122C is closed by the first blocking portion 242A, and the first opening 243A of the valve body 240 is positioned at the first and

second outlets

122A and 122B, Refrigerant introduced through the inlet 121 is discharged to the first and

second outlets

122A and 122B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, 122 ppms of electric power is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 240 has the angle of the angle with respect to the center of rotation RC of the said outlet outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It rotates by half and is located from the second intermediate switching position to the third switching position. Then, the first outlet 122A and the third outlet 122C are closed by the second closure portion 242B and the first closure portion 242A, respectively, and the first opening 243A of the valve body 240. Is positioned in the second outlet 122B, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet 121 flows into the second outlet 122B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the power of 154pps is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 240 has an angle with respect to the center of rotation RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It is rotated by half to position from the third switching position to the third intermediate switching position. Then, the second opening 243B of the valve body 240 is positioned at the first outlet 122A, and the first opening 243A of the valve body 240 is the second and

third outlets

122B and 122C. The refrigerant flowed in through the inlet 121 is discharged to the first to

third outlets

122A, 122B, and 122C. In the third intermediate switching position, the recess 245 between the first occlusion portion 242A and the second occlusion portion 242B is positioned at the first outlet 122A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the power of 184pps is supplied to the stator 111, and the valve body 240 has the angle of the angle with respect to the center of rotation RC of the neighboring outlet in the counterclockwise direction CCW. It is rotated by half to position from the third intermediate switching position to the fourth switching position. Then, the first outlet 122A and the second outlet 122B are closed by the first closure portion 242A and the second closure portion 242B, respectively, and the first opening 243A of the valve body 240. Is located in the third outlet 122C, the refrigerant introduced through the inlet 121 is discharged to the third outlet 122C.

In addition, electric power for rotating the valve body 240 in the clockwise direction CW is supplied to the stator 111 so that the valve body 240 is in the first to fourth switching positions and the first to third intermediate switching positions. It may be located at either.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

Drive unit,

A valve plate having an inlet port and first to third outlet ports,

A valve housing sealingly coupled to the valve plate to form a chamber in which refrigerant flows together with the valve plate;

A valve body disposed in the chamber and rotated by the driving part to open and close the first to third outlets,

The valve body includes a blocking portion for blocking at least one of the first to third outlets and an opening for opening at least one of the first to third outlets to flow the refrigerant.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

The centers of the first to third outlets are located in a fan shape centered on the center of rotation of the valve body and having a central angle of 300 degrees or less.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

The center of each of the first to third outlets is located at the circumference of a circle around the center of rotation of the valve body.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

Centers of the first to third outlets are equidistantly spaced from the center of rotation of the valve body.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

The blocking portion has a blocking surface for closing the first to third outlets,

The closed surface has a fan shape centered at least on the center of rotation of the valve body.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 5,

The center of rotation of the valve body is located in the closure portion, and the closure portion and the opening are formed to form a circle in the valve body.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 5,

The obstruction has a second edge extending between an arcuate first edge and both ends of the first edge, the second edge having a linear or corrugated shape.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

The valve body is rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the drive unit such that the valve body is positioned in a first switching position, a second switching position, a third switching position and a fourth switching position,

In the first switching position, all of the first to third outlets are blocked by the blocking portion,

In the second, third and fourth switching positions, the opening is located at any one of the first to third outlets and the other two are occluded by the closure.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

The closure portion includes a recess groove extending from the outer circumference of the closure portion toward the rotation center of the valve body in the radial direction of the rotation center of the valve body;

The concave groove is formed in the closure portion to be located in any one of the first to third outlet,

The opening part includes a first opening part located in the valve body opposite to the occlusion part and a second opening part located in the concave groove.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 9,

The occlusion portion includes a first occlusion portion and a second occlusion portion separated by the concave groove,

The first closure portion has a fan shape centered at least on the rotational center of the valve body and has a central angle of 90 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less, and the second closure portion has a center angle of at least 90 degrees and at least the center of rotation of the valve body. Fan-shaped

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 9,

The valve body is arranged between a first switching position, a second switching position, a third switching position, a fourth switching position, a first intermediate switching position between the first and second switching positions, and between the second and third switching positions. The valve body is rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the drive unit so as to be located at a second intermediate switching position and a third intermediate switching position between the third and fourth switching positions,

In the first switching position, all of the first to third outlets are blocked by the blocking portion,

In the second, third and fourth switching positions the first opening is located in any one of the first to third outlets and the other two are occluded by the occlusion,

In the first, second and third intermediate switching positions, the first opening is located at any one of the first to third outlets, the second opening is located at the other of the first to third outlets, The occlusion unit occludes the other one of the first to third outlets.

4-way refrigerant valve.
The method of claim 1,

A valve body spring biasing the valve body toward the valve plate,

The valve body spring has a plurality of positioning legs in resilient contact with the inner surface of the valve housing.

4-way refrigerant valve.