A four-way valve

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of valve devices, and particularly to a four-way valve. The four-way valve includes a circumferential seal, an axial seal, and a pressure block. A circumferential groove is formed along the circumference of the valve core, and an axial groove is formed along the axial direction of the valve core. The circumferential groove and the axial groove communicate with each other. The circumferential seal is fitted inside the circumferential groove and at least partially protrudes from the circumferential groove. The axial seal is received inside the axial groove and at least partially protrudes from the axial groove. Along the axial direction of the valve core, the axial seal abuts against one side of the circumferential seal, and the pressure block is fixed and abuts against the other side of the circumferential seal to compress the circumferential seal and deform it towards the side wall of the valve cavity, so that the circumferential seal abuts against the side wall of the valve cavity. This application applies axial pressure to the circumferential seal by adjusting the distance between the pressure block and the axial seal, increasing the contact area between the circumferential seal and the side wall of the valve cavity, effectively preventing fluid leakage and providing excellent sealing performance; at the same time, it prevents the circumferential seal from loosening and improves the reliability of the seal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of valve devices, and in particular to a four-way valve. Background Technology

[0002] Existing four-way valves enhance their sealing performance by incorporating sealing elements to prevent fluid leakage outside the valve and to prevent internal leakage caused by fluid flow between the first and second flow channels.

[0003] However, despite the installation of seals, existing four-way valves still exhibit fluid leakage and internal fluid leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The applicant's research revealed that the reason existing four-way valves still leak is that the sealing element in the prior art is an O-ring. The O-ring makes line contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity rather than surface contact, resulting in a small contact area. When the piston rotates, gaps easily form between the O-ring and the inner wall of the valve cavity, leading to fluid leakage. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a four-way valve to address the aforementioned technical problem.

[0005] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows:

[0006] A four-way valve includes a valve body and a valve core. The valve body has a valve cavity, and the valve core is rotatably disposed within the valve cavity. The valve core has a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The four-way valve also includes a circumferential seal, an axial seal, and a pressure block. A circumferential groove is formed along the circumference of the valve core, and an axial groove is formed along the axial direction of the valve core, with the axial groove located between the first flow channel and the second flow channel. The circumferential groove communicates with the axial groove. The circumferential seal is sleeved within the circumferential groove and at least partially protrudes from the circumferential groove. The axial seal is received within the axial groove and at least partially protrudes from the axial groove. Along the axial direction of the valve core, the axial seal abuts against one side of the circumferential seal, and the pressure block is fixed and abuts against the other side of the circumferential seal to compress the circumferential seal towards the side wall of the valve cavity, so that the circumferential seal abuts against the side wall of the valve cavity.

[0007] Understandably, this application employs a circumferential seal, an axial seal, and a pressure block. The axial seal and the pressure block abut against both sides of the circumferential seal. By adjusting the distance between the pressure block and the axial seal, axial pressure is applied to the circumferential seal, causing it to deform towards the valve cavity sidewall. This results in a tight seal between the circumferential seal and the valve cavity sidewall, increasing the contact area. During piston rotation, the outer surface of the circumferential seal remains in contact with the inner sidewall of the valve cavity, effectively preventing fluid leakage and providing excellent sealing performance. Furthermore, the pressure block is fixed to the circumferential seal to prevent it from loosening and affecting the sealing effect.

[0008] In one embodiment, the pressure block partially abuts against the circumferential seal and partially abuts against the end of the axial seal to press the axial seal toward the valve cavity sidewall, the axial seal abutting against the valve cavity sidewall.

[0009] It is understandable that the pressure block abuts against both the axial seal and the axial seal. When the pressure block moves toward the axial seal, the axial seal is also compressed, thus giving the axial seal a tendency to deform toward the side wall of the valve cavity. This makes the axial seal closer to and fit more tightly with the inner wall of the valve cavity, enhancing the sealing effect.

[0010] In one embodiment, a receiving groove extending axially is provided on the end face of the valve core, the receiving groove communicating with the circumferential groove and the axial groove, and the pressure block is received in the receiving groove.

[0011] Understandably, the pressure block is housed in the receiving groove, which facilitates the positioning and installation of the pressure block and prevents it from shifting, thus improving the reliability of the seal.

[0012] In one embodiment, a fixing member is also included; one end of the fixing member extends axially through the pressure block and is detachably connected to the valve core to fix the pressure block and adjust the distance between the pressure block and the axial seal.

[0013] It is understandable that by setting a fixing component, the distance between the pressure block and the axial seal can be adjusted, and the pressure block can be fixed on the valve core to prevent the pressure block from falling off and losing its limiting and squeezing effect on the axial and circumferential seals, thus affecting the sealing effect.

[0014] In one embodiment, the fastener is threadedly connected to both the pressure block and the valve core.

[0015] In one embodiment, the portion of the circumferential seal that protrudes from the circumferential groove is a first protrusion, and the axial cross-section of the first protrusion is rectangular.

[0016] Understandably, the axial cross-section of the first protrusion is rectangular, thus the outer surface of the first protrusion is in surface contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity. This helps to increase the contact area between the circumferential seal and the circumferential groove, avoids gaps between the circumferential seal and the circumferential groove, and further ensures the sealing effect.

[0017] In one embodiment, the axial cross-section of the circumferential seal is rectangular.

[0018] It is understandable that the axial cross-section of the circumferential seal is rectangular, which allows the circumferential seal to contact the groove wall surface of the circumferential groove. This helps to increase the contact area between the circumferential seal and the circumferential groove, avoids gaps between the circumferential seal and the circumferential groove, and further ensures the sealing effect.

[0019] In one embodiment, an elastic element is further included, disposed between the axial groove and the axial seal, to push the axial seal against the inner wall of the valve cavity at all times.

[0020] Understandably, the elastic element itself can deform elastically, constantly pushing the axial seal to flexibly fill the gap between the valve core and the valve cavity, preventing fluid leakage. It also prevents the axial seal from fitting too tightly with the valve cavity, avoiding the valve core and valve body from getting stuck.

[0021] In one embodiment, a plurality of elastic elements are provided, and the plurality of elastic elements are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the axial groove.

[0022] It is understandable that multiple elastic elements are axially and evenly distributed between the axial groove and the axial seal, so that multiple parts of the axial seal fit tightly with the valve cavity, thereby ensuring sealing reliability.

[0023] In one embodiment, the bottom of the axial groove is partially recessed to form a first receiving hole, and the axial seal is provided with a second receiving hole on the side facing the elastic member, the second receiving hole corresponding to the first receiving hole; one end of the elastic member is received in the first receiving hole, and the other end is received in the second receiving hole.

[0024] Understandably, the elastic element is housed in the first and second receiving holes, making installation convenient and stable, and preventing the elastic element from shifting when the valve core rotates.

[0025] The advantages of the above technical solution compared to the existing technology are:

[0026] This application incorporates a circumferential seal, an axial seal, and a pressure block. The axial seal and the pressure block abut against both sides of the circumferential seal. By adjusting the distance between the pressure block and the axial seal, axial pressure is applied to the circumferential seal, causing it to deform towards the valve cavity sidewall. This ensures a tight seal between the circumferential seal and the valve cavity sidewall. During piston rotation, the outer surface of the circumferential seal remains in contact with the inner sidewall of the valve cavity, effectively preventing fluid leakage and providing excellent sealing performance. Furthermore, the pressure block is fixed to the circumferential seal to prevent it from loosening and affecting the sealing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a four-way valve in the prior art;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a four-way valve in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the four-way valve in the image;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a valve core according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Label Explanation:

[0032] 100. Valve core; 1. First flow channel; 2. Second flow channel; 3. Circumferential seal; 4. Circumferential groove; 5. Axial seal; 6. Axial groove; 7. Pressure block; 8. Receiving groove; 9. Fixing element; 10. First protrusion; 11. Elastic element; 12. First receiving hole; 13. Second receiving hole; 14. O-ring seal; 15. Valve cavity; 200. Valve body; 300. Four-way valve. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "mounted on" another component, it can be directly mounted on the other component or may be interspersed with a component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or may be interspersed with a component. When a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly fixed to the other component or may be interspersed with a component.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0036] This invention provides a four-way valve 300, see reference. Figure 2-4 The four-way valve 300 includes a valve body 200 and a valve core 100. The valve body 200 has a valve cavity 15, and the valve core 100 is rotatably disposed in the valve cavity 15. The valve core 100 has a first flow channel 1 and a second flow channel 2. Driving the valve core 100 to rotate can switch the connection between the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 and the external channel, thereby realizing the reversal of the flow path.

[0037] Furthermore, the four-way valve 300 also includes a circumferential seal 3, an axial seal 5, and a pressure block 7; wherein a circumferential groove 4 is formed on the outer wall of the valve core 100 along the circumferential direction, and the circumferential groove 4 extends circumferentially along both ends of the valve core 100; an axial groove 6 is formed on the outer wall of the valve core 100 along the axial direction, and the axial groove 6 is located between the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2; the circumferential groove 4 and the axial groove 6 are connected.

[0038] Understandably, see Figure 1The reason why existing four-way valves still leak is that the sealing element in the prior art is an O-ring 14. The O-ring 14 makes line contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity 15 rather than surface contact, resulting in a small contact area. When the piston rotates, a gap is easily generated between the O-ring 14 and the inner wall of the valve cavity 15, leading to fluid leakage. In contrast, the four-way valve 300 of this invention accommodates the circumferential seal 3 in the circumferential groove 4 and the axial seal 5 in the axial groove 6. This makes the assembly of the circumferential seal 3 and the axial seal 5 convenient and quick, and they are not easy to fall off during the rotation of the valve core 100. Furthermore, the circumferential seal 3 protrudes at least partially from the circumferential groove 4, and the axial seal 5 protrudes at least partially from the axial groove 6, so that the axial seal 5 and the circumferential seal 3 are always in contact with the side wall of the valve cavity 15, increasing the contact area with the side wall of the valve cavity 15. This ensures that the axial seal 5 and the circumferential seal 3 are always in an interference fit with the side wall of the valve cavity 15, enhancing the sealing effect. Along the axial direction of the valve core 100, the axial seal 5 abuts against one side of the circumferential seal 3, and the pressure block 7 is fixed and abuts against the other side of the circumferential seal 3. Thus, the axial seal 5 and the pressure block 7 apply axial pressure to the circumferential seal 3, causing the circumferential seal 3 to tend to deform toward the side wall of the valve cavity 15 or to undergo slight deformation toward the side wall of the valve cavity 15. Thus, the circumferential seal 3 always tightly abuts against the side wall of the valve cavity 15, preventing the formation of a leakage channel between the circumferential seal 3 and the valve cavity 15, effectively preventing fluid leakage, and providing excellent sealing performance. Secondly, the pressure block 7 fixes and presses the circumferential seal 3 to prevent the circumferential seal 3 from loosening and affecting the sealing effect.

[0039] See Figure 3 The pressure block 7 abuts against the circumferential seal 3 on one side facing the axial seal 5, and also against the end of the axial seal 5. Thus, when the pressure block 7 moves toward the axial seal 5, it simultaneously presses against both the axial seal 5 and the circumferential seal 3. This causes both the circumferential seal 3 and the axial seal 5 to either deform toward or towards the sidewall of the valve cavity 15, ensuring that they remain tightly against the sidewall of the valve cavity 15. This increases the contact area, enhances the seal, and improves the efficiency of adjusting the pressure on both the axial seal 5 and the circumferential seal 3. In other embodiments, the pressure block 7 may only press against the circumferential seal 3, or it may be configured to press against both the circumferential seal 3 and the axial seal 5 separately.

[0040] See Figure 2-4The valve core 100 has an axially extending receiving groove 8 on its end face, which communicates with the circumferential groove 4 and the axial groove 6. A pressure block 7 is housed within the receiving groove 8, a circumferential seal 3 is fitted into the circumferential groove 4, and an axial seal 5 is fitted into the axial groove 6. When the pressure block 7 moves toward the axial seal 5, it simultaneously compresses both the axial seal 5 and the circumferential seal 3. The pressure block 7 is housed within the receiving groove 8, facilitating its positioning and installation. The circumference of the pressure block 7 is constrained by the receiving groove 8, preventing displacement and ensuring reliable sealing. Furthermore, when the seals are worn and need replacement, simply disassemble the pressure block 7, remove the damaged circumferential seal 3 and axial seal 5, insert the axial seal 5 into the axial groove 6 from the receiving groove 8 and the axial groove 6, and then fit the new circumferential seal 3 into the circumferential groove 4. This improves assembly efficiency.

[0041] Preferably, referring to 2-4, the four-way valve 300 further includes a fixing member 9; one end of the fixing member 9 passes through the pressure block 7 axially and is detachably connected to the valve core 100 inside the valve core 100. The fixing member 9 can fix the pressure block 7 on the valve core 100 and adjust the distance between the pressure block 7 and the axial seal 5, thereby applying axial pressure to the circumferential seal 3 and the axial seal 5.

[0042] Furthermore, the pressure block 7 has a first through hole extending axially, and a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole is formed along the axial direction of the valve core 100. The inner walls of the first and second through holes have threaded portions, and the periphery of the fixing member 9 also has threaded portions. Thus, the fixing member 9 passes through the first through hole and is inserted into the second through hole, achieving a threaded connection between the fixing member 9 and the pressure block 7 and the valve core 100. When it is necessary to adjust the distance between the pressure block 7 and the axial sealing member 5, it is only necessary to screw on the fixing member 9. Of course, in other embodiments, the connection method between the fixing member 9 and the pressure block 7 and the valve core 100 is not limited to the above description.

[0043] See Figure 3 , 4 The portion of the circumferential seal 3 that protrudes from the circumferential groove 4 is the first protrusion 10. The axial cross section of the first protrusion 10 is rectangular, so that the outer side of the first protrusion 10 is in surface contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity 15. This helps to increase the contact area between the circumferential seal 3 and the circumferential groove 4, avoids gaps between the circumferential seal 3 and the circumferential groove 4, and further ensures the sealing effect.

[0044] Furthermore, the axial cross-section of the circumferential seal 3 is rectangular, which makes the circumferential seal 3 fit the circumferential groove 4 better. The bottom and two sides of the circumferential seal 3 and the circumferential groove 4 are in surface contact, which helps to increase the contact area between the circumferential seal 3 and the circumferential groove 4, avoids gaps between the circumferential seal 3 and the circumferential groove 4, and further ensures the sealing effect.

[0045] See Figure 3The four-way valve 300 also includes an elastic element 11, which is disposed between the axial groove 6 and the axial seal 5 to push the axial seal 5 against the inner wall of the valve cavity 15. The elastic element 11 itself can elastically deform and always push the axial seal 5 to flexibly fill the gap between the valve core 100 and the valve cavity 15 to prevent fluid leakage. It also prevents the axial seal 5 from fitting too tightly with the valve cavity 15, thus avoiding the valve core 100 and the valve body 200 from getting stuck.

[0046] Preferably, there are multiple elastic elements 11, and the multiple elastic elements 11 are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the axial groove 6 between the axial groove 6 and the axial seal 5, so that multiple parts on the axial seal 5 are tightly fitted with the valve cavity 15, thereby ensuring sealing reliability.

[0047] See Figure 3 The bottom of the axial groove 6 is partially recessed to form a first receiving hole 12. The axial seal 5 is provided with a second receiving hole 13 on the side facing the elastic member 11. The second receiving hole 13 corresponds to the first receiving hole 12. One end of the elastic member 11 is received in the first receiving hole 12, and the other end is in the second receiving hole 13 and abuts against the axial seal 5. During assembly, the elastic member 11 is positioned quickly and can be quickly assembled into the first receiving hole 12 and the second receiving hole 13, effectively preventing the elastic member 11 from shifting when the valve core 100 rotates.

[0048] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A four-way valve, comprising a valve body and a valve core, wherein the valve body has a valve cavity, and the valve core is rotatably disposed within the valve cavity; the valve core has a first flow channel and a second flow channel; characterized in that, It also includes a circumferential seal, an axial seal, and a pressure block; a circumferential groove is formed along the circumference of the valve core, and an axial groove is formed along the axial direction of the valve core, wherein the axial groove is located between the first flow channel and the second flow channel; the circumferential groove communicates with the axial groove; the circumferential seal is sleeved in the circumferential groove and at least partially protrudes from the circumferential groove; the axial seal is received in the axial groove and at least partially protrudes from the axial groove; Along the axial direction of the valve core, the axial seal abuts against one side of the circumferential seal, and the pressure block is fixed and abuts against the other side of the circumferential seal to compress the circumferential seal toward the side wall of the valve cavity, so that the circumferential seal abuts against the side wall of the valve cavity. The valve core has an axially extending receiving groove on its end face, which communicates with the circumferential groove and the axial groove. The pressure block is received in the receiving groove. Part of the pressure block abuts against the circumferential seal and part of it abuts against the end of the axial seal to press the axial seal toward the valve cavity sidewall. The axial seal abuts against the valve cavity sidewall. The valve core also includes a fixing member. One end of the fixing member passes through the pressure block axially and is detachably connected to the valve core to fix the pressure block and adjust the distance between the pressure block and the axial seal.

2. The four-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing component is threadedly connected to the pressure block and the valve core, respectively.

3. The four-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The portion of the circumferential seal that protrudes from the circumferential groove is the first protrusion, and the axial cross-section of the first protrusion is rectangular.

4. The four-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The axial cross-section of the circumferential seal is rectangular.

5. The four-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an elastic element disposed between the axial groove and the axial seal to push the axial seal against the inner wall of the valve cavity at all times.

6. The four-way valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple elastic elements are provided, and the multiple elastic elements are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the axial groove.

7. The four-way valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the axial groove is partially recessed to form a first receiving hole. The axial seal is provided with a second receiving hole on the side facing the elastic member, and the second receiving hole corresponds to the first receiving hole. One end of the elastic member is received in the first receiving hole, and the other end is received in the second receiving hole.

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