Detection device of four-way valve and air conditioner

CN116592175BActive Publication Date: 2026-08-21GUANGDONG CHIGO HEATING & VENTILATION EQUIP CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202310595394.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-05-24
Publication Date
2026-08-21
Estimated Expiration
2043-05-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

四通阀能正常换向的前提是两端的腔体内的的压力差大于滑阀的滑动摩擦力,实际空调系统运行过程中,常因脏堵、压力差小于滑阀的滑动摩擦力等原因导致四通阀换向失败而发生串气,影响空调系统的运行稳定性;或者滑阀堵死后无法换向导致制热模式下空调内机运行制冷或者制冷模式下空调内机运行制热

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Abstract

The application provides a detection device of a four-way valve and an air conditioner. The four-way valve comprises a valve body and a sliding valve. The valve body is internally formed with a valve cavity. The sliding valve is arranged in the valve cavity and divides the valve cavity to form left and right chambers at two ends of the valve cavity. The left and right chambers are respectively provided with a first conductive valve cap and a second conductive valve cap. The first conductive valve cap and the second conductive valve cap are respectively fixed with end portions of the sliding valve. The left chamber is provided with a first positive electrode lead wire and a first negative electrode lead wire. The right chamber is provided with a second positive electrode lead wire and a second negative electrode lead wire. Under the action of a pressure difference, the first positive electrode lead wire and the first negative electrode lead wire are in conduction or the second positive electrode lead wire and the second negative electrode lead wire are in conduction. Whether the sliding valve is reversed in place is detected by measuring the resistance between the first positive electrode lead wire and the first negative electrode lead wire and / or the second positive electrode lead wire and the second negative electrode lead wire. The application has short detection time and is beneficial to saving energy consumption.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, specifically to a detection device for a four-way valve and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioners with cooling and heating modes mostly use electromagnetic pilot-operated four-way valves, which change the refrigerant flow direction to change the air conditioner's operating mode. The prerequisite for a four-way valve to switch normally is that the pressure difference between the two chambers is greater than the sliding friction of the slide valve. In actual air conditioning system operation, the four-way valve often fails to switch due to dirt blockage, pressure difference less than the sliding friction of the slide valve, etc., resulting in gas leakage and affecting the operational stability of the air conditioning system; or the slide valve may become blocked and unable to switch, causing the indoor unit of the air conditioner to operate in cooling mode in heating mode or in heating mode in cooling mode.

[0003] To address the above situation, most existing technologies collect data on indoor coil temperature, outdoor coil temperature, and compressor exhaust temperature, and determine whether these temperatures meet preset conditions to assess the status of the four-way valve. However, this type of technology requires a long detection time. By the time the status of the air conditioner's four-way valve can be determined, the air conditioner has already been running for some time. If the four-way valve is faulty, this energy consumption has already been wasted, impacting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the above problems, this invention provides a detection device for a four-way valve and an air conditioner. When a pressure difference is generated during air conditioner operation, the device can determine whether the four-way valve has switched to the correct position based on the resistance value between the first positive wire and the first negative wire and / or the second positive wire and the second negative wire. The detection time is short, and it can quickly identify whether the four-way valve is faulty, thus avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0005] This invention provides a detection device for a four-way valve. The four-way valve includes a valve body and a slide valve. A valve cavity is formed inside the valve body. The slide valve is disposed in the valve cavity and divides the valve cavity into a left chamber and a right chamber located at both ends of the valve cavity. A first conductive valve cap is disposed in the left chamber, and a second conductive valve cap is disposed in the right chamber. The first and second conductive valve caps are respectively fixed to the ends of the slide valve. A first positive wire and a first negative wire are disposed in the left chamber, and a second positive wire and a second negative wire are disposed in the right chamber. Under the action of a pressure difference, the slide valve moves to a first position or a second position. In the first position, the first conductive valve cap is connected to the first positive wire and the first negative wire. In the second position, the second conductive valve cap is connected to the second positive wire and the second negative wire. The device detects whether the slide valve has switched to the correct position by measuring the resistance between the first positive wire and the first negative wire and / or the second positive wire and the second negative wire.

[0006] After the air conditioner compressor starts, a pressure difference is formed across the slide valve. The resistance value between the first positive wire and the first negative wire and / or the second positive wire and the second negative wire can be used to determine whether the slide valve has switched to the correct position. The detection time is short, which helps to save energy and can detect faults in the operation of the air conditioner in a timely manner, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner and the user experience.

[0007] In an optional technical solution of the present invention, the slide valve includes a slider, a reversing bracket and a sealing ring. The slider is slidably disposed in the valve cavity, the reversing bracket is laterally fixed to the slider, and the two ends of the reversing bracket extend toward the two ends of the valve cavity respectively. A sealing ring is fixed to the two ends of the reversing bracket respectively, and the outer peripheral surface of the sealing ring is matched with the inner wall of the valve cavity.

[0008] According to this technical solution, the slide valve is a conventional structure in the field, which helps to reduce the complexity of the four-way valve detection device and save costs.

[0009] In an optional technical solution of the present invention, the valve body has a D-tube, an E-tube, an S-tube, and a C-tube. The D-tube is located at the upper part of the valve body, and the E-tube, S-tube, and C-tube are located at the lower part of the valve body, arranged side by side along the axial direction of the valve body. The first positive wire and the first negative wire respectively pass through the left chamber, and the second positive wire and the second negative wire respectively pass through the right chamber. The end of the first negative wire and the end of the second negative wire are connected to form a common end. In the refrigeration mode, the slide valve moves to the first position, and the E-tube and S-tube are connected, and the D-tube and C-tube are connected. If the resistance between the first positive wire and the common end is infinitesimal, the four-way valve is switched to the correct position. If the resistance between the second positive wire and the common end is infinitesimal, the four-way valve is not switched.

[0010] According to the technical solution, in the cooling mode, when the four-way valve is switched to the correct position, the slide valve moves to the first position, and the first conductive valve cap makes the first positive wire and the first negative wire connected, and the resistance between the first positive wire and the common terminal is infinitely small; if the four-way valve is not switched, the second positive wire and the second negative wire are connected, and the resistance between the second positive wire and the common terminal is infinitely small.

[0011] In the optional technical solution of the present invention, in the heating mode, the slide valve moves to the second position, the D tube is connected to the E tube, and the S tube is connected to the C tube. If the resistance between the second positive wire and the common terminal is infinitely small, the four-way valve is switched in place; if the resistance between the first positive wire and the common terminal is infinitely small, the four-way valve is not switched.

[0012] According to the technical solution, in the heating mode, when the four-way valve is switched to the correct position, the slide valve moves to the second position, and the second positive wire and the second negative wire are connected, so the resistance between the second positive wire and the common terminal is infinitely small; if the four-way valve is not switched, the first conductive valve cap makes the first positive wire and the first negative wire connected, and the resistance between the first positive wire and the common terminal is infinitely small.

[0013] In an optional technical solution of the present invention, a resistor is connected in series with the common terminal, the first positive conductor, and the second positive conductor.

[0014] According to this technical solution, the reliability of the device can be improved by connecting a resistor. Short circuits in the positive and negative wires, as well as situations where the valve is fully switched, will result in an infinitely small resistance value, affecting the judgment of whether the four-way valve has completed its switching. By connecting a resistor and detecting its resistance value (normally a specific value, such as R1±Rm), the possibility of a short circuit and an infinitely small resistance value is eliminated, thus improving the accuracy of the four-way valve switching determination. Furthermore, this device can preferably use 5V low-voltage electricity, which has a small current draw and high safety.

[0015] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the left chamber further includes:

[0016] An insulating base is provided, and the ends of the first positive conductor and the first negative conductor are respectively connected to the insulating base.

[0017] The upper and lower limit plates are set opposite to each other, with one end of each plate fixed to the side wall of the left chamber. The upper and lower limit plates define a guide channel for accommodating the insulating base, which moves along the guide channel under the push of the slide valve.

[0018] According to the technical solution, the first positive electrode wire and the first negative electrode wire are positioned by an insulating base, which improves the positional stability of the wires. Furthermore, the wires slide along the guide channel with the insulating base under the action of pressure difference, ensuring the positional stability of the wires during movement.

[0019] In an optional technical solution of the present invention, the interior of the insulating base has two conductive sheet channels that are connected at both ends. Each of the two conductive sheet channels is provided with a conductive sheet. The ends of the two conductive sheets away from the sidewalls extend out of the conductive sheet channels and are bent and wrapped around the end face of the insulating base. The ends of the two conductive sheets near the sidewalls are respectively connected to the first positive electrode wire and the first negative electrode wire. The two conductive sheets are spaced apart.

[0020] According to this technical solution, the conductive sheet can increase the contact area between the first positive electrode wire, the first negative electrode wire, and the first conductive valve cap, avoiding poor contact, improving conductivity, and preventing repeated contact breakage of the wires with the first conductive valve cap, thus extending the service life of the first positive electrode wire and the first negative electrode wire. Furthermore, the fixing method of the conductive sheet is simple, which helps to reduce the difficulty of the four-way valve detection device and save costs.

[0021] In an optional technical solution of the present invention, the left chamber further includes a spring, the two ends of which are fixed to the end of the insulating base away from the first conductive valve cap and the side wall of the left chamber, respectively.

[0022] According to the technical solution, the spring connects the left chamber sidewall to the insulating base, which improves the connection stability of the insulating base. When the first conductive valve cap moves to the left, it will compress the spring. The elastic potential energy generated by the spring has the tendency to drive the insulating base to move in the opposite direction, which can buffer the movement of the insulating base, prevent the insulating base from hitting the sidewall of the left chamber, and improve the structural stability of the valve body.

[0023] In an optional technical solution of the present invention, the upper limit plate extends downward from one end away from the side wall to form an upper baffle, and an upper protrusion is formed on the upper surface of the insulating base near the side wall. The upper baffle blocks the upper protrusion when it moves away from the side wall.

[0024] Alternatively, the lower limit plate can extend upward from the end away from the side wall to form a lower baffle, and the lower surface of the insulating base near the side wall can form a lower protrusion. When the lower protrusion moves away from the side wall, the lower baffle blocks the lower protrusion.

[0025] According to this technical solution, the convex ribs and baffles prevent the insulating base from detaching from the guide channel under the elastic force of the spring, thus ensuring the operational stability and reliability of the four-way valve detection device.

[0026] The present invention also provides an air conditioner, including a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger, characterized in that it further includes the detection device of the above-mentioned four-way valve, wherein pipe E is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, pipe C is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, pipe D is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor, and pipe S is connected to the return port of the compressor. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the detection device for the four-way valve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the detection device for the four-way valve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the internal structure of the left chamber in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of the positive and negative conductors in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the common terminal series resistor in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a three-core interface formed by connecting the first positive conductor, the second positive conductor, and the common terminal in series with a resistor in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a two-core interface formed by the first positive conductor, the second positive conductor, and the common terminal in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure label:

[0035] Valve body 1; valve chamber 10; left chamber 11; right chamber 12; slide valve 2; slider 21; reversing bracket 22; through hole 221; sealing ring 23; first conductive valve cap 31; second conductive valve cap 32; first positive electrode wire L1; first negative electrode wire C1; second positive electrode wire L2; second negative electrode wire C2; ​​insulating base 41; upper convex rib 411; upper limit plate 42; upper baffle 421; lower limit plate 43; conductive sheet 5; spring 6; pilot valve 71; electromagnetic coil 72; first capillary tube 73; second capillary tube 74; third capillary tube 75; fourth capillary tube 76; screw 8. Detailed Implementation

[0036] 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 some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. 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.

[0037] like Figure 1As shown, this invention provides a detection device for a four-way valve. The four-way valve includes a valve body 1 and a slide valve 2. A valve cavity 10 is formed inside the valve body 1. The slide valve 2 is disposed in the valve cavity 10 and divides the valve cavity 10 into a left chamber 11 and a right chamber 12 located at both ends of the valve cavity 10. A first conductive valve cap 31 is provided in the left chamber 11, and a second conductive valve cap 32 is provided in the right chamber 12. The first conductive valve cap 31 and the second conductive valve cap 32 are respectively fixed to the ends of the slide valve 2. A first positive electrode wire L1 and a first negative electrode wire C1 are provided in the left chamber 11, and a second positive electrode wire L2 and a second negative electrode wire C2 are provided in the right chamber 12. A common terminal COM is formed by connecting the second negative wire C2, which exits from the left chamber 11 and exits from the right chamber 12; the first positive wire L1 exits from the left chamber 11 and the second positive wire L2 exits from the right chamber 12; under the action of pressure difference, the slide valve 2 moves to the first position or the second position. In the first position: the first conductive valve cap 31 is connected to the first positive wire L1 and the first negative wire C1; in the second position: the second conductive valve cap 32 is connected to the second positive wire L2 and the second negative wire C2; ​​whether the slide valve 2 has switched to the correct position is detected by measuring the resistance between the first positive wire L1 and / or the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM.

[0038] After the air conditioner compressor starts, a pressure difference is formed at both ends of the slide valve 2 (left chamber 11 and right chamber 12). By detecting the resistance value between the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM or the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM, it can be determined whether the slide valve 2 has switched to the correct position. The detection time is short, which helps to save energy and can detect faults in the operation of the air conditioner in a timely manner, thereby improving the reliability of the air conditioner and the user experience.

[0039] Specifically, the valve body 1 is provided with a D pipe, an E pipe, an S pipe, and a C pipe. The D pipe is located at the upper part of the valve body 1, and the E pipe, S pipe, and C pipe are located at the lower part of the valve body 1 and are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the valve body. The left chamber 11 and the right chamber 12 are located on the left and right sides of the valve body 1, respectively.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left chamber 11 and the right chamber 12 have the same and symmetrical structure. The following description takes the left chamber 11 as an example.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the side wall of the left chamber 11 (the wall opposite to the first conductive valve cap 31) has an opening, and a sealing plug 111 is installed in the opening. The sealing plug 111 has a slit for the first positive electrode wire L1 and the first negative electrode wire C1 to pass through. Preferably, the space between the first positive electrode wire L1, the first negative electrode wire C1 and the slit is filled with sealant, and the space between the sealing plug and the inner wall of the opening is filled with sealant to improve the sealing performance of the left chamber 11.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left chamber 11 further includes: an insulating base 41, to which the ends of the first positive electrode wire L1 and the first negative electrode wire C1 are respectively connected; an upper limit plate 42 and a lower limit plate 43 are disposed opposite to each other, one end of the upper limit plate 42 and the lower limit plate 43 are respectively fixed to the side wall of the left chamber 11, and a guide channel for accommodating the insulating base 41 is defined between the upper limit plate 42 and the lower limit plate 43. The insulating base 41 moves along the guide channel under the pushing action of the slide valve 2. The first positive electrode wire L1 and the first negative electrode wire C1 are positioned by the insulating base 41, which improves the positional stability of the wires, and the wires slide along the guide channel with the insulating base 41 under the action of pressure difference, ensuring the positional stability of the wires during movement.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the insulating base 41 has two through-hole conductive channels inside, each containing a conductive sheet 5. The ends of the conductive sheets 5 away from the sidewalls extend out of the conductive channels and are bent to cover the end face of the insulating base 41. The ends of the conductive sheets 5 near the sidewalls are connected to the first positive electrode wire L1 and the first negative electrode wire C1, respectively. The two conductive sheets 5 are spaced apart. In this way, the conductive sheets 5 increase the contact area between the first positive electrode wire L1, the first negative electrode wire C1 and the first conductive valve cap 31, avoiding poor contact, improving conductivity, and preventing repeated contact breakage of the wires with the first conductive valve cap 31, thus extending the service life of the first positive electrode wire L1 and the first negative electrode wire C1. The fixing method of the conductive sheets 5 is simple, which helps to reduce the difficulty of the four-way valve detection device and save costs.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left chamber 11 further includes a spring 6, the two ends of which are fixed to the end of the insulating base 41 away from the first conductive valve cap 31 and the side wall of the left chamber 11, respectively. The spring 6 connects the side wall of the left chamber 11 to the insulating base 41, improving the connection stability of the insulating base 41. During the leftward movement of the first conductive valve cap 31, the spring is compressed, and the elastic potential energy generated by the spring tends to drive the insulating base 41 to move in the opposite direction. This buffers the movement of the insulating base 41, preventing it from impacting the side wall of the left chamber 11, thus improving the structural stability of the valve body 1 and the stability of the four-way valve's reversing.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper limit plate 42 extends downward from one end away from the side wall to form an upper baffle 421, and the upper surface of the insulating base 41 near the side wall is formed with an upper protrusion 411. The upper baffle 421 blocks the upper protrusion 411 when it moves away from the side wall.

[0046] Alternatively, the lower limit plate 43 can extend upward from the end away from the side wall to form a lower baffle (not shown in the figure), and the lower surface of the insulating base 41 near the side wall has a lower protrusion (not shown in the figure). The lower baffle blocks the lower protrusion when it moves away from the side wall. The protrusion and baffle prevent the insulating base 41 from dislodging from the guide channel under the elastic force of the spring 6, ensuring the operational stability and reliability of the four-way valve detection device.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slide valve 2 includes a slider 21, a reversing bracket 22, and a sealing ring 23. The slider 21 is slidably disposed within the valve cavity 10. The sliding of the slider 21 allows the E pipe and S pipe to be connected, or the C pipe and S pipe to be connected. The reversing bracket 22 is flat and is laterally fixed to the slider 21. Both ends of the reversing bracket 22 extend towards both ends of the valve cavity 10, and both ends of the reversing bracket 22 are respectively provided with through holes 221 (allowing the refrigerant entering through the D pipe to pass through the through holes 221 and enter the E pipe or C pipe). The two ends of the reversing bracket 22 are respectively fixed with sealing rings 23. The outer peripheral surface of the sealing ring 23 is matched with the inner wall of the valve cavity 10. The sealing ring 23 and the side wall of the left chamber 11 form a sealed left chamber 11. In this embodiment, the slide valve 2 is a conventional structure in the art, which helps to reduce the complexity of the four-way valve detection device and save costs.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the first conductive valve cap 31 and the second conductive valve cap 32 have good conductivity. The first conductive valve cap 31 and the second conductive valve cap 32 are respectively fixed to the sealing ring 23 by screws 8. The sealing ring 23 has no conductivity.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1As shown, the four-way valve also includes a pilot valve 71, an electromagnetic coil 72, a first capillary tube 73, a second capillary tube 74, a third capillary tube 75, and a fourth capillary tube 76. The pilot valve 71 controls the switching by whether the electromagnetic coil 72 is energized. The first capillary tube 73 is connected to the D tube, the second capillary tube 74 is connected to the left chamber 11, the third capillary tube 75 is connected to the S tube, and the fourth capillary tube 76 is connected to the right chamber 12. The four-way valve conducts the second capillary tube 74 or the fourth capillary tube 76 through the pilot valve 71, realizing the pressure change in the left chamber 11 and the right chamber 12 and generating a pressure difference, which promotes the lateral movement of the slide valve 2 in the chamber 10. The D tube is a high-pressure exhaust pipe, the S tube is a return pipe, the E tube is connected to the indoor heat exchanger (not shown in the figure), and the C tube is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (not shown in the figure). In heating mode, when pilot valve 71 is connected to the second capillary tube 74, the pressure in the left chamber is greater than the pressure in the right chamber. Slide valve 2 moves to the right, connecting tubes D and E, and tubes S and C. In cooling mode, when pilot valve 71 is connected to the fourth capillary tube 76, the pressure in the right chamber is greater than the pressure in the left chamber. Under the pressure difference, slide valve 2 moves to the left, connecting tubes D and C, and tubes E and S.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, combined with Figure 4 As shown, in cooling mode, slide valve 2 moves to the first position, connecting tube E and tube S, and tube D and tube C. If the resistance between the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM is infinitesimally small (approaching 0) when measured by connecting a power supply (5V), the four-way valve is switched in place. If the resistance between the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM is infinitesimally small (approaching 0), the four-way valve is not switched. In cooling mode, when the four-way valve is switched in place, slide valve 2 moves to the first position, and the first conductive valve cap 31 connects to the first positive wire L1 and the first negative wire C1, shorting the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM, resulting in an infinitesimally small resistance, approximately 0. If the four-way valve is not switched, the second positive wire L2 and the second negative wire C2 connect, shorting the second positive wire and the common terminal COM, resulting in an infinitesimally small resistance (approaching 0).

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in heating mode, the slide valve 2 moves to the second position, connecting pipes D and E, and S and C. If the resistance between the second positive conductor L2 and the common terminal COM is infinitesimally small (approaching 0), the four-way valve is switched in place; if the resistance between the first positive conductor L1 and the common terminal COM is infinitesimally small (approaching 0), the four-way valve is not switched. In heating mode, when the four-way valve is switched in place, the slide valve 2 moves to the second position, connecting the second positive conductor L2 and the second negative conductor C2, shorting the second positive conductor and the common terminal COM, with the resistance approaching infinitesimally small, approximately 0. If the four-way valve is not switched, the first conductive valve cap 31 connects the first positive conductor L1 and the first negative conductor C1, shorting the first positive conductor L1 and the common terminal COM, with the resistance approaching infinitesimally small, approximately 0.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 As shown, a resistor is connected in series with the common terminal COM. Connecting a resistor improves the reliability of the device. Short circuits in the positive and negative wires, or the valve switching being complete, will result in an infinitely small detected resistance value, affecting the judgment of whether the four-way valve has switched in place. By connecting the resistor and detecting its resistance value (normally a specific value, such as R1±Rm), the possibility of a short circuit and an infinitely small resistance value is eliminated, improving the accuracy of the four-way valve switching judgment. Furthermore, this device can preferably use 5V low-voltage power, which has low current and high safety. Further, the first positive wire L1, the second positive wire L2, and the common terminal COM form a three-core interface, which is connected to the air conditioner's main control board (not shown in the figure). The main control board has a sampling module and a chip processing module. The sampling module is used to collect the resistance value, and the chip processing module is used to determine whether the four-way valve has switched in place based on the resistance value.

[0053] Specifically, such as Figure 5As shown: When a resistor R1 is connected in series with the common terminal COM, in the air conditioner's cooling mode, the electromagnetic coil 72 is not energized. Under the pressure difference between the two ends, the slider 21 connects the E and S tubes. At this time, the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM form a circuit. When the resistance between the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM is detected to be R1±Rm, it can be determined that the four-way valve has switched to the correct position. Similarly, in the air conditioner's heating mode, under the force of the pressure difference between the two ends, the slider 21 connects the S and C tubes. At this time, the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM form a circuit. When the resistance between the second positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM is detected to be R1±Rm, it can be determined that the four-way valve has switched to the correct position. When the resistance between the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM is R1±Rm, it can be determined that the four-way valve has switched in place. Furthermore, if the resistance between the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM is R1±Rm in the air conditioner's cooling mode, it can be determined that the four-way valve has not switched in place. If the resistance between the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM is R1±Rm in the air conditioner's heating mode, it can be determined that the four-way valve has not switched in place. If the resistances between the first positive wire L1 and the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM are both infinite, it indicates that the slider 21 has not switched in place, resulting in air leakage. It should be understood that Rm is a detection fluctuation value, which can be optimally selected based on the accuracy of the resistance measuring equipment.

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown, a resistor R1 is connected in series with the common terminal COM, a resistor R2 is connected in series with the first positive wire L1, and a resistor R3 is connected in series with the second positive wire L2. In the air conditioner's cooling mode, the electromagnetic coil 72 is not energized. Under the pressure difference between the two ends, the slider 21 connects the E and S tubes. At this time, the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM form a circuit. When the resistance between the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM is detected to be (R1+R2)±Rm, it can be determined that the four-way valve has switched to the correct position. Similarly, in the air conditioner's heating mode, under the force of the pressure difference between the two ends, the slider 21 connects the S and C tubes. At this time, the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM form a circuit. When the resistance between the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM is detected to be (R1+R3)±Rm, it can be determined that the four-way valve has switched to the correct position.

[0055] Furthermore, if the resistance between the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM is detected as (R1+R3)±Rm in the air conditioner's cooling mode, it can be determined that the four-way valve has not switched. If the resistance between the first positive wire L1 and the common terminal COM is detected as (R1+R2)±Rm in the air conditioner's heating mode, it can be determined that the four-way valve has not switched. If the resistances between the first positive wire L1 and the second positive wire L2 and the common terminal COM are both infinite, it indicates that the slider 21 has not switched to the correct position, resulting in air leakage. It should be understood that Rm is a detection fluctuation value, which can be optimally selected based on the accuracy of the detection module.

[0056] It should be understood that the four-way valve in this embodiment is normally closed. For normally open four-way valves (when the electromagnetic coil 72 is not energized, the slider 21 is connected to the S and C tubes by default), the control principle is the same and should fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0057] It should be noted that although this invention demonstrates the ability to determine whether a four-way valve has switched on correctly by measuring the resistance between the first positive lead L1 and the common terminal COM or the second positive lead L2 and the common terminal COM, and the structure of the common terminal COM simplifies circuit design; in some embodiments, the first negative lead C1 and the second negative lead C2 may not be connected (i.e., the common terminal COM is omitted), and the resistance between the first positive lead L1 and the first negative lead C1, and the second positive lead L2 and the second negative lead C2 may be measured separately. In other embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first positive wire L1 and the second positive wire L2 can also be connected to form another common terminal interface L, and the first negative wire C1 and the second negative wire C2 can be connected to form a common terminal interface COM. The resistance between the other common terminal interface L and the common terminal interface M is measured to be (R1+R3)±Rm or (R1+R2)±Rm. If the resistance is (R1+R2)±Rm, then the first positive wire L1 is shorted to the common terminal COM, and the first positive wire L1 is connected to the first negative wire C1. If the resistance is (R1+R3)±Rm, then the second positive wire L2 is shorted to the common terminal COM, and the second positive wire L2 is connected to the second negative wire C2. This configuration optimizes the wiring harness and reduces costs.

[0058] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A detection device for a four-way valve, the four-way valve comprising a valve body and a slide valve, wherein a valve cavity is formed inside the valve body, and the slide valve is disposed within the valve cavity and divides the valve cavity into a left chamber and a right chamber located at both ends of the valve cavity, characterized in that, The left chamber is provided with a first conductive valve cap, and the right chamber is provided with a second conductive valve cap. The first conductive valve cap and the second conductive valve cap are respectively fixed to the end of the slide valve. The left cavity is provided with a first positive wire and a first negative wire, and the right cavity is provided with a second positive wire and a second negative wire; The first positive wire and the first negative wire respectively pass out from the left chamber, and the second positive wire and the second negative wire respectively pass out from the right chamber. The end of the first negative wire and the end of the second negative wire are connected to form a common end. The common terminal, the first positive wire, and the second positive wire are all connected in series with a resistor; Under the action of pressure difference, the slide valve moves to the first position or the second position. At the first position: the first conductive valve cap is connected to the first positive wire and the first negative wire; at the second position: the second conductive valve cap is connected to the second positive wire and the second negative wire. The switching position of the slide valve is detected by measuring the resistance between the first positive wire and the first negative wire and / or the second positive wire and the second negative wire. The left chamber and the right chamber have the same and symmetrical structure, and the left chamber further includes: An insulating base, wherein the ends of the first positive electrode wire and the first negative electrode wire are respectively connected to the insulating base; An upper limit plate and a lower limit plate are set opposite to each other. One end of the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate are respectively fixed to the side wall of the left chamber. A guide channel for accommodating the insulating base is defined between the upper limit plate and the lower limit plate. The insulating base moves along the guide channel under the pushing action of the slide valve.

2. The detection device for the four-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide valve includes a slider, a reversing bracket, and a sealing ring. The slider is slidably disposed in the valve cavity. The reversing bracket is laterally fixed to the slider. Both ends of the reversing bracket extend toward both ends of the valve cavity. Sealing rings are fixed to both ends of the reversing bracket. The outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring matches the inner wall of the valve cavity.

3. The detection device for the four-way valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve body has a D-tube, an E-tube, an S-tube, and a C-tube. The D-tube is located at the upper part of the valve body, and the E-tube, the S-tube, and the C-tube are respectively located at the lower part of the valve body, and are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the valve body. In the cooling mode, the slide valve moves to the first position, and the E-tube and the D-tube are connected. In the heating mode, the slide valve moves to the second position, and the D-tube and the E-tube are connected. The S-tube and the C-tube are connected.

4. The detection device for the four-way valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The insulating base has two conductive sheet channels that pass through both ends. Each of the two conductive sheet channels contains a conductive sheet. The ends of the two conductive sheets away from the sidewall extend out of the conductive sheet channels and are bent to cover the end face of the insulating base. The ends of the two conductive sheets near the sidewall are respectively connected to the first positive electrode wire and the first negative electrode wire. The two conductive sheets are spaced apart.

5. The detection device for the four-way valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The left chamber also includes: A spring, the two ends of which are fixed to the end of the insulating base away from the first conductive valve cap and the side wall of the left chamber, respectively.

6. The detection device for the four-way valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper limit plate extends downward from the side wall to form an upper baffle. The upper surface of the insulating base near the side wall has an upper protrusion. The upper baffle blocks the upper protrusion when it moves away from the side wall. Alternatively, the lower limiting plate extends upward from one end away from the side wall to form a lower baffle, and the lower surface of the insulating base near the side wall has a lower protrusion. The lower baffle blocks the lower protrusion when it moves away from the side wall.

7. An air conditioner, comprising a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger, characterized in that, It also includes a detection device for the four-way valve according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the E pipe is connected to the indoor heat exchanger, the C pipe is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, the D pipe is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor, and the S pipe is connected to the return port of the compressor.

Citation Information

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