Sliding switch valve and refrigeration cycle system

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system that does not require difficult processing such as flanging, thereby reducing product costs. The pilot valve (2) has a stainless steel valve body (20), a valve core (40) that can slide within the valve body (20), and a D-tube (11d) through which the refrigerant passes. The D-tube (11d) has an expanding section (11d1) provided at one end in the axial direction (L2), a contracting section (11d2) provided at one end closer to the expanding section (11d1) and with a radial dimension smaller than that of the expanding section (11d1), and a locking section (11d3) connecting the expanding section (11d1) and the contracting section (11d2). A filter (11d4) is housed in the expanding section (11d1). With the constricted tube (11d2) inserted into the connecting hole (h5) of the valve body (20) and the locking part (11d3) abutting against the periphery (h51) of the connecting hole (h5), the D-tube (11d1) is connected to the valve body (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration circulation system. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, as a switching valve that connects at least one pair of connectors among a plurality of connectors and allows switching of the connector to be connected, a sliding switching valve, such as a four-way switching valve, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In conventional sliding switching valves, a plurality of connectors are connected to the peripheral wall of a cylindrical main valve housing, allowing a sliding valve core disposed inside to slide axially, thereby connecting the connectors to each other in a switchable manner. The sliding movement of the sliding valve core is achieved by allowing drive fluid to flow through a pilot valve relative to a pair of spaces axially clamping the sliding valve core inside the main valve housing. The sliding switching valve and the pilot valve are connected by a plurality of thin copper tubes for allowing the drive fluid to flow.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-121131 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the past, the main valve body of the sliding switching valve and the solenoid that serves as the pilot valve body were generally machined or stamped from copper alloy. But when the raw material is changed from copper alloy to stainless steel and stamped, it is necessary to perform flanging and other processing on the piping used for fixing joints, etc., which results in high processing difficulty and difficulty in reducing processing costs.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration circulation system that do not require difficult processing such as flanging, and can reduce product costs.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objective, the sliding switching valve of the present invention comprises: a stainless steel valve body; a valve core capable of sliding within the valve body; and a piping for fluid flow. The sliding switching valve is characterized in that the piping comprises: an expanding portion disposed at one axial end; a contracting portion disposed at a position closer to the expanding portion at that end, and having a radial dimension smaller than the expanding portion; and a locking portion connecting the expanding portion and the contracting portion. A filter is housed in the expanding portion. The piping is connected to the valve body when the contracting portion is inserted into a connection hole in the valve body, and the locking portion abuts against the periphery of the connection hole.

[0011] According to the present invention, the piping can be connected to the valve body with the constricted portion of the piping inserted into the connection hole of the valve body and the locking portion abutting against the periphery of the connection hole. That is, for the processing of connecting the piping, only the connection hole needs to be formed in the stainless steel valve body; processing that is difficult and costly, such as flanging, is not required. Therefore, a sliding switching valve that eliminates the need for difficult processing such as flanging and reduces product cost can be provided. Furthermore, by abutting the periphery of the connection hole against the locking portion, the piping can be positioned in the valve body; therefore, brazing can be easily performed, for example, in this state.

[0012] Preferably, the valve housing is cylindrical, with the periphery of the connecting hole located on the outer circumferential surface of the valve housing, and the locking portion abutting against the periphery. With this structure, the piping can be connected to the valve housing while the locking portion of the piping abuts against the periphery of the connecting hole on the outer circumferential surface of the valve housing. Therefore, compared to a structure requiring a mechanism for fixing the piping within the valve housing, piping connection can be performed more simply.

[0013] Furthermore, preferably, the connection hole has a guide surface formed along the wall thickness of the valve body, and the constricted portion is disposed along the guide surface through the connection hole. With this structure, the constricted portion of the piping can pass through the connection hole along the guide surface, thus enabling smooth connection of the piping to the valve body compared to a structure without a guide surface.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the piping is made of stainless steel. With this structure, since the piping is made of the same material as the valve body, namely stainless steel, it is easier to fix the piping to the valve body when, for example, it is desired to fix the piping to the valve body by welding or the like, compared to a structure where the piping is made of a different material than the valve body.

[0015] Furthermore, preferably, at least one weld joint is formed throughout the piping and the valve housing, and the piping and the valve housing are joined by brazing covering the weld joint and extending throughout the circumference of the piping. With this structure, since at least one weld joint is formed throughout the piping and the valve housing, the piping can be joined to the valve housing by brazing throughout its circumference even when it is so-called temporarily fixed to the valve housing. Therefore, positioning of the piping during brazing is unnecessary, thus reducing brazing time.

[0016] Alternatively, a ring protruding towards one end can be inserted into the inner diameter of the expanding section, with the protruding portion of the ring constituting the shrinking section, and the end face of the expanding section at that end constituting a locking portion. With this structure, by inserting the ring into the inner diameter of the expanding section to form the shrinking section, and by using the end face of the expanding section as a locking portion, it is not necessary to form the shrinking section at the axial end of the pipe through processes such as deep drawing, thus reducing the pipe forming time.

[0017] Alternatively, a frame-shaped anti-detachment member can be inserted inside the filter, and the filter is clamped and fixed to the expansion tube by the anti-detachment member and the inner peripheral wall of the expansion tube. With this structure, even if the filter deforms, the anti-detachment member will prevent it from detaching, preventing the filter from passing through the shrinking tube and falling off. Furthermore, it is preferable that when the expansion tube is drawn to form the shrinking tube, the drawing amount is adjusted to ensure that the filter will not detach from the expansion tube and to ensure the degree of contact between the locking part and the periphery of the connecting hole. However, when using an anti-detachment member as in this structure, the locking part may not necessarily have the function of preventing the filter from detaching, thus allowing for easier drawing.

[0018] The refrigeration circulation system according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the sliding switching valve described in any one of the preceding claims. Based on this structure, a refrigeration circulation system can be provided that allows the application of the aforementioned sliding switching valve, thus eliminating the need for complex processing such as flanging during piping connection and enabling cost reduction.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] According to the present invention, a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration circulation system can be provided that reduce product costs without requiring difficult processing such as flanging. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the pilot valve that constitutes the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle system.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the aforementioned pilot valve.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cutaway view of the portion where the piping connects to the aforementioned pilot valve.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the part where the piping is connected to the aforementioned pilot valve.

[0026] Figure 6 Figures (A) and (B) respectively show variations of the front end of the piping.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] h5—Connecting hole; h51—Peripheral; L2—Axial; 1—Four-way valve (sliding switching valve); 2—Pilot valve (sliding switching valve); 20—Valve body; 11d—D-thin tube (piping); 11d1—Expanding section; 11d2—Contracting section; 11d3—Clocking section; 11d4—Filter. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The following is based on Figures 1-5 The embodiments of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 The present invention illustrates a refrigeration cycle system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The refrigeration cycle system 100 includes a four-way valve 1, a pilot valve 2, an indoor heat exchanger 3, a throttling device 4, an outdoor heat exchanger 5, and a compressor 6.

[0030] The four-way valve 1 is a valve device that switches the refrigerant flow path by switching the connection state of four piping pipes, and together with the pilot valve 2, it constitutes the sliding switching valve of the present invention. The four-way valve 1 has a structure in which a sliding valve core 16 (valve core) capable of sliding movement is provided within the valve housing 10. The valve housing 10 is a tubular component closed at both ends, comprising a cylindrical valve body 10A and cover components 10B that respectively close the openings at both ends of the valve body 10A. The valve body 10A and cover components 10B are formed by stamping or other processes on stainless steel sheets, and each cover component 10B is fixed to the valve body 10A by welding. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central axis of the valve body 10A is the axis L of the valve housing 10.

[0031] On the peripheral wall of the valve body 10A, i.e., the peripheral wall of the valve housing 10, connecting holes h1, h2, h3, and h4 are formed through the valve housing 10, communicating with the inside and outside of the valve housing 10, for connecting four pipes made of stainless steel or the like: D-connector pipe 11 (pipe), E-connector pipe 12 (pipe), S-connector pipe 13 (pipe), and C-connector pipe 14 (pipe). At the middle of the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 10A along the axis L, a valve seat portion 15 is provided, extending along the axis L, for sliding contact with the sliding valve core 16. Connecting holes h2, h3, and h4, corresponding to the aforementioned E-connector pipe 12, S-connector pipe 13, and C-connector pipe 14, are arranged in a straight line along the axis L, penetrating the valve seat portion 15. Connecting hole h1, corresponding to the aforementioned D-connector pipe 11, is formed opposite to the valve seat portion 15. Furthermore, the E-connector pipe 12, serving as a conduit, is connected to connecting hole h2. The C-connector pipe 14, also serving as a conduit, is connected to connecting hole h4. An S-connector pipe 13, serving as a low-pressure pipe, is connected to the connection hole h3. A D-connector pipe 11, serving as a high-pressure pipe, is connected to the connection hole h1, which is opposite to the valve seat portion 15.

[0032] The sliding valve core 16 is configured to slide along the axis L within the valve body 10A, and is a component for switching the connection states of the four pipes 11, 12, 13, and 14. The sliding valve core 16 includes a valve core 16A, a pair of pistons 16B, a connecting plate 16C, and a limiting plate 16D. The valve core 16A has a bowl-shaped recess 16A1 opening toward the valve seat portion 15, and the opening edge of the bowl-shaped recess 16A1 is formed in a manner that it slides in contact with the valve seat portion 15. The valve core 16A... Figure 1 The left-hand position shown connects connector 12 (E) to connector 13 and connector 11 (S), and connector 11 (D) to connector 14. Furthermore, if from this position... Figure 1 If the pipe moves to the right side of the pipe and then to the right end position (not shown), then the C connector pipe 14 will be connected to the S connector pipe 13, and the D connector pipe 11 will be connected to the E connector pipe 12.

[0033] A pair of pistons 16B are arranged to clamp the valve core 16A in the direction of axis L. This arrangement of pistons 16B divides the interior of the valve housing 10 into high-pressure chambers s1 and s2, each clamped by a piston. Figure 1 The first working chamber s2, which is adjacent to the left side of the high-pressure chamber s1, and in Figure 1 The second chamber, S3, is adjacent to the right side of the high-pressure chamber S1. The driving fluid (fluid) originates from... Figure 2The pilot valve 2 shown flows into the first working chamber s2 and the second working chamber s3. The piston 16B receives driving force through this driving fluid and reciprocates in the direction of axis L while pressing the gasket 16B1 against the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 10A. The connecting plate 16C, made of metal plate, is mounted between the pistons 16B in a manner that connects them, and is positioned on the axis L. The valve core 16A is held in the center of the connecting plate 16C. In addition, a through hole 16C1 is formed in the connecting plate 16C, through which the high-pressure refrigerant in the high-pressure chamber s1 can pass. The limiting plate 16D is a plate member provided on the surface of the cover member 10B of each piston 16B, which restricts the movement of the piston 16B in the direction of axis L by abutting against the cover member 10B.

[0034] exist Figure 1 In the refrigeration cycle system 100 shown, connector 11 (D-connector) is connected to the discharge port of compressor 6, and connector 13 (S-connector) is connected to the suction port of compressor 6. Additionally, connector 14 (C-connector) is a conduit connected to outdoor heat exchanger 5, and connector 12 (E-connector) is a conduit connected to indoor heat exchanger 3. Outdoor heat exchanger 5 and indoor heat exchanger 3 are connected via throttling device 4. Thus, the refrigeration cycle system 100 is constructed via the path formed by connector 14 (C-connector), outdoor heat exchanger 5, throttling device 4, indoor heat exchanger 3, and connector 12, and via the path formed by connector 13 (S-connector) from compressor 6 and connector 11.

[0035] Figure 2 The pilot valve 2 and the four-way valve 1 shown both constitute the sliding switching valve of the present invention. The pilot valve 2 is a direct-acting electromagnetic sliding valve that allows the driving fluid for moving the sliding valve core 16 to flow between it and the four-way valve 1. The pilot valve 2 includes a valve body 20 formed by stamping a metal sheet such as stainless steel, an electromagnetic drive unit 30, and a valve core 40 that slides within the valve body 2 on the valve seat portion 20B1 of the valve seat component 20B (described later) via the electromagnetic drive unit 30.

[0036] The valve housing 20 includes a valve body 20A formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape and a valve seat component 20B that fits into the valve body 20A via a mounting hole 21 (described later). Inside the valve body 20A, a partition plate 22 is provided with a through hole 22A extending along the axis L in the central portion. This partition plate 22 divides the interior of the valve body 20A into a plunger configuration chamber 20A1 on the side of the electromagnetic drive unit 30 and a valve chamber 20A2 on the side opposite to the electromagnetic drive unit 30. A connection hole h5 communicating with the valve chamber 20A2 and a mounting hole 21 opposite to the connection hole h5 are formed on the peripheral wall of the valve body 20A.

[0037] Connection hole h5 is the hole for connecting the D-type thin tube 11d (pipe) used as high-pressure piping, such as... Figure 4As shown, the valve body 20A includes a guide surface h50 and a peripheral edge h51. The guide surface h50 is a flat surface that extends along the wall thickness of the valve body 20A in a manner orthogonal to the surface and back of the valve body 20A (valve housing 20). This guide surface h50 extends along the insertion direction of the D-tube 11d (in this embodiment, the radial direction of the valve body 20A), such that its entire surface abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the constricted portion 11d2 of the D-tube 11d, which will be described later. The peripheral edge h51 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 20A (valve housing 20) and is the portion that abuts against the locking portion 11d3 of the D-tube 11d, which will be described later. When the thin tube 11d is inserted into the connecting hole h5, the guide surface h50 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the thin tube 11d and guides the thin tube 11d in the insertion direction, and the periphery h51 abuts against the locking part 11d3, so the thin tube 11d is positioned on the valve body 20A. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform flanging or other processing on the valve body 20A for fixing the piping.

[0038] D-tube 11d is a conduit for the passage of driving fluid, made of stainless steel or the like, and communicates with the aforementioned D-connector tube 11. A valve seat component 20B is fitted into the mounting hole 21. The valve seat component 20B is cylindrical, and a valve seat portion 20B1 is formed inside the valve chamber 20A2. The valve seat portion 20B1 has recesses opening towards the valve chamber 20A2 in a direction orthogonal to the axis L, namely, recess E 12e1, recess S 13s1, and recess C 14c1.

[0039] Recess E 12e1, Recess S 13s1, Recess C 14c1 are in Figure 2 The sections shown are arranged in a straight line along the axis L on the same plane. A connecting hole h6 is formed in a communicating manner in recess E 12e1. A connecting hole (not shown) is formed in a communicating manner in recess S 13s1. This connecting hole is the same as connecting hole h6. A connecting hole h7 is formed in a communicating manner in recess C 14c1. These connecting holes h6, h7, and the connecting hole (not shown) all open to the outer side of valve chamber 20A2.

[0040] The connecting holes h6, h7 and other connecting holes not shown in the valve seat component 20B are located in... Figure 2 The cross-section shown indicates that the elements are arranged in a straight line along the axis L. Additionally, in... Figure 2 The leftmost connecting hole h6 and the rightmost connecting hole h7 shown in the cross-section are arranged on the same plane, and the central connecting hole (not shown) is positioned at... Figure 2 On the inner side, they are arranged in a way that creates a height difference. Additionally, in Figure 2The leftmost connecting hole h6 is connected to a first working tube 12e2 that communicates with the first working chamber s2 mentioned above. The connecting hole in the center is connected to an S-tube 13s2 that communicates with the S-connector tube 13 mentioned above. The rightmost connecting hole h7 is connected to a second working tube 14c2 that communicates with the second working chamber s3 mentioned above.

[0041] The electromagnetic drive unit 30 includes: a plunger 31 disposed in a plunger housing chamber 20A1; a connecting shaft 32 disposed at the center of the plunger 31 and extending into the valve chamber 20A2 through the aforementioned through hole 22A; a suction member 33 disposed opposite to the plunger 31 on the opposite side of the connecting shaft 32; and a plunger spring 34 disposed between the plunger 31 and the suction member 33. Additionally, it includes: an electromagnetic coil 36 with a winding wound on a winding tube 35 disposed on the outer periphery of the valve body 20A; and a housing 37 housing the winding tube 35 and the electromagnetic coil 36.

[0042] With this structure, when the electromagnetic drive unit 30 is not energized, the plunger 31 and the connecting shaft 32 are driven by the force of the plunger spring 34. Figure 2 Applying force to the left side causes the valve core 40 (described later) to... Figure 2 The left end position moves. On the other hand, when energized, the suction member 33 is energized, thereby generating an attraction between the plunger 31 and the suction member 33, and the plunger 31, connecting shaft 32 and valve core 40 move to the right.

[0043] Valve core 40 and connecting shaft 32 Figure 2 The left front end of the valve is connected to the valve seat component 20B and has a bowl-shaped recess 40A that opens toward the valve seat component 20B and whose opening edge slides in contact with the valve seat component 20B. This bowl-shaped recess 40A... Figure 2 As shown in the left-hand position, the first working capillary tube 12e2 is connected to the S capillary tube 13s2, and the D capillary tube 11d is connected to the second working capillary tube 14c2. In this state, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber 20A2 through the D capillary tube 11d flows into the second working chamber s3 through the second working capillary tube 14c2. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the bowl-shaped recess 40A through the S capillary tube 13s2 flows into the first working chamber s2 through the first working capillary tube 12e2. As a result, a pressure difference is generated between the first working chamber s2 and the second working chamber s3, and the sliding valve core 16 of the four-way valve 1 moves towards... Figure 1 The left end position shown has been moved.

[0044] Furthermore, if the valve core 40 changes from this state to... Figure 2When the valve core 40 moves to the right end position (not shown), the second working capillary tube 14c2 connects to the S capillary tube 13s2, and the D capillary tube 11d connects to the first working capillary tube 12e2. In this state, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber 20A2 through the D capillary tube 11d flows into the first working chamber s2 through the first working capillary tube 12e2. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the bowl-shaped recess 40A through the S capillary tube 13s2 flows into the second working chamber s3 through the second working capillary tube 14c2. As a result, a pressure difference is generated between the first working chamber s2 and the second working chamber s3, and the sliding valve core 16 of the four-way valve 1 moves to the right end position (not shown).

[0045] Through the above structure, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 6 flows into the high-pressure chamber s1 from the D connector pipe 11. In cooling mode, the high-pressure refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 5 from the C connector pipe 14. In heating mode, with the sliding valve core 16 switched, the high-pressure refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from the E connector pipe 12. That is, in cooling mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 circulates via the following path: C connector pipe 14 → outdoor heat exchanger 5 → throttling device 4 → indoor heat exchanger 3 → E connector pipe 12. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator for cooling. The throttling device 4 causes the refrigerant to expand and depressurize between the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and the indoor heat exchanger 3. In heating mode, the refrigerant circulates in the opposite direction, with the indoor heat exchanger 3 functioning as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functioning as an evaporator for heating.

[0046] Next, with Figure 3 Taking the D-capillary tube 11d as an example, the detailed structure of the piping of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the D-capillary tube 11d is merely an example, and is a piping connected to the four-way valve 1. This piping structure can be applied to any one or all of the aforementioned D-connector tube 11, E-connector tube 12, S-connector tube 13, and C-connector tube 14 as piping for refrigerant (fluid) passage. Figure 3 As shown, the thin tube 11d of the D-type tube includes: an expanding section 11d1, which is provided at the front end side (one end side) of the axial direction L2; a shrinking section 11d2, which is provided at the front end side of the expanding section 11d1 and has a radial dimension smaller than that of the expanding section 11d1; a locking section 11d3, which connects the expanding section 11d1 and the shrinking section 11d2; and a filter 11d4, which is housed within the expanding section 11d1.

[0047] The expanding section 11d1 is the part that houses the filter 11d4, and is formed by deforming the front end of the D-tube 11d such that its radial dimension is larger than the radial dimension of the other parts of the D-tube 11d. In this embodiment, the shrinking section 11d2 is formed by drawing the front end of the expanding section 11d1, etc., so that its radial dimension is smaller than the radial dimension of the expanding section 11d1. The outer peripheral surface of the shrinking section 11d2 can abut against the guide surface h50 of the connecting hole h5. When the D-tube 11d is connected to the valve housing 20, this outer peripheral surface abuts against the guide surface h50, thereby guiding the D-tube 11d in the insertion direction.

[0048] The locking portion 11d3 is formed by a stepped portion between the expanding portion 11d1 and the contracting portion 11d2. This locking portion 11d3 functions as an anti-detachment component for the filter 11d4 and as a stop component for the insertion amount of the D-tube 11d into the valve housing 20. Furthermore, the locking portion 11d3 is configured to abut against the periphery h51 of the aforementioned connecting hole h5 when the D-tube 11d is fixed to the valve housing 20, facilitating positioning during the brazing process described later. Additionally, when forming the contracting portion 11d2, in order to effectively utilize the locking portion 11d3, the drawing depth is preferably adjusted to a level that prevents the filter 11d4 from detaching from the expanding portion 11d1 and ensures the abutment between the locking portion 11d3 and the periphery h51.

[0049] When connecting the thin tube 11d to the valve body 20, as follows: Figure 3 , 4 As shown, firstly, the shrink tube portion 11d2 is inserted into the connecting hole h5, and the locking portion 11d3 abuts against the periphery h51 of the connecting hole h5 to position the thin tube 11d. In this state, the shrink tube portion 11d2 is disposed along the aforementioned guide surface h50 through the connecting hole h5. Furthermore, in this state, as... Figure 5 As shown, at least one weld is made across the D-tube 11d and the valve body 20A (valve housing 20) to form a welded section w. This process is called a temporary fixing process. Next, the D-tube 11d is joined to the valve housing 20 by brazing over the welded section w and throughout the entire circumference of the D-tube 11d. In the figure, the symbol b represents the brazing filler metal that has been cured by brazing. Thus, the D-tube 11d is connected to the valve housing 20. In this way, the tube portion 11d2 is inserted into the connection hole h5 of the valve housing 20, and the D-tube 11d is connected to the valve housing 20 with the locking portion 11d3 abutting against the periphery h51 of the connection hole h5.

[0050] In summary, according to the present invention, the reduced portion 11d2 of the D-tube 11d can be inserted into the connection hole h5 of the valve housing 20, and the D-tube 11d can be connected to the valve housing 20 with the locking portion 11d3 abutting against the periphery h51 of the connection hole h5. That is, for the processing of connecting the piping, only the connection hole h5 needs to be formed in the stainless steel valve housing 20, without the need for processing that is difficult and costly, such as flanging. Therefore, it is possible to provide a four-way valve 1 and a pilot valve 2 (sliding switching valve) that can reduce product costs without the need for difficult processing such as flanging. In addition, by abutting the periphery h51 of the connection hole h5 against the locking portion 11d3, the D-tube 11d can be positioned in the valve housing 20, thus facilitating the brazing process.

[0051] Furthermore, the D-tube 11d can be connected to the valve housing 20 while the locking part 11d3 of the D-tube 11d abuts against the periphery h51 of the valve housing 20 on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting hole h5. Therefore, compared with the structure that requires a mechanism for fixing the piping inside the valve housing 20, the piping connection can be performed simply.

[0052] In addition, the constricted portion 11d2 of the thin tube 11d can pass through the connecting hole h5 along the guide surface h50, so that the piping can be smoothly connected to the valve body 20 compared with the structure without the guide surface h50.

[0053] Furthermore, since the D-tube 11d is made of the same material as the valve body 20, namely stainless steel, when it is desired to fix the D-tube 11d to the valve body 20 by welding or the like, it is easier to fix the D-tube 11d to the valve body 20 compared to a structure in which the D-tube 11d is made of a different material than the valve body 20.

[0054] Furthermore, since at least one welded portion w is formed between the D-tube 11d and the valve body 20, the D-tube 11d can be joined to the valve body 20 by brazing the entire circumference of the D-tube 11d while the D-tube 11d is so-called temporarily fixed to the valve body 20. In this way, since positioning of the piping is not required during brazing, the brazing time can be reduced.

[0055] Furthermore, as described above, the refrigeration circulation system 100 is equipped with the four-way valve 1 and the pilot valve 2 of the present invention, thus enabling a refrigeration circulation system that can reduce product costs without requiring difficult processing such as flanging when connecting piping.

[0056] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Figure 6 Figures (A) and (B) respectively show the modified examples of the front end of the capillary tube 11d. Figure 6 The difference between this embodiment and the previous one is that the thin tube 11d shown in (A) has a washer, i.e., an annular member R1 (anti-detachment member), provided inside the expansion section 11d1 and on the inner side of the filter 11d4. Therefore, the filter 11d4 is fixed to the expansion section 11d1 by being clamped between the annular member R1 and the inner peripheral wall of the expansion section 11d1. Thus, even if the filter 11d4 deforms, the annular member R1 prevents it from falling off and prevents the filter 11d4 from passing through the shrinking section 11d2. Furthermore, when the shrinking section 11d2 is formed by deep drawing the expansion section 11d1, it may not necessarily have the anti-detachment function of the filter 11d4. Therefore, as long as the deep drawing process is performed on an amount that functions as a stop member as the locking section 11d3, the deep drawing process can be performed easily. In this modified example, the annular member R1 is formed in a circular shape, but the shape of the annular member R1 is not limited to this. For example, if the expansion tube 11d1 is formed into a square tube shape, the annular member R1 can also be formed into a square tube shape along its inner circumference. That is, the annular member R1 functions as an anti-detachment component of the filter 11d4, and can be formed into a frame shape in a way that does not clog the inside of the expansion tube 11d1.

[0057] Figure 6 The D-shaped tube 11d shown in (B) differs from this embodiment in that the ring R2, which abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the expanding tube 11d1, is inserted into the inner diameter of the expanding tube 11d1. The ring R2 is fixed to the expanding tube 11d1 by pressing or spot welding. The front end of the ring R2 protrudes axially L2 from the front end of the expanding tube 11d1, and this protruding portion constitutes the shrinking tube 11d2. Furthermore, the end face of the front end side of the expanding tube 11d1 constitutes the locking portion 11d3. With this structure, the shrinking tube 11d2 is formed by inserting the ring R2 into the inner diameter of the expanding tube 11d1, and the end face of the front end side of the expanding tube 11d1 can be used as the locking portion 11d3. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the shrinking tube 11d2 by deep drawing or the like, which reduces the piping formation time. In this modified example, the ring R2 is formed in a circular shape, but the shape of the ring R2 is not limited to this. For example, if the expanded tube 11d1 is formed into a square tube shape, the ring R2 can be formed into a square tube shape along its inner circumferential shape.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment and its variations, as an example of a sliding switching valve, a four-way valve 1 that switches the connection state of four pipes and a pilot valve 2 that allows the driving fluid used to move the sliding valve core 16 of the four-way valve 1 to flow between the four-way valve 1 and the four-way valve 1 are illustrated. The details of the D-pipe 11d, which serves as the pipe of the pilot valve 2, are mainly described. However, as mentioned above, the D-pipe 11d is merely an example. As described above, this pipe configuration can be applied to any one or all of the D-connector pipe 11, E-connector pipe 12, S-connector pipe 13, and C-connector pipe 14. Therefore, the pipe configuration of the present invention can naturally be applied to the aforementioned four-way valve 1. Furthermore, the sliding switching valve is not limited to these four-way valves 1 and pilot valves 2. A sliding switching valve only needs to have at least one pair of pipes connected to the valve body. For example, it can also be a three-way valve that uses a sliding valve core to switch the pipe to be connected when connecting one pair of three pipes. Alternatively, it can be a two-way valve that uses a sliding valve core to open and close two pipes to each other. Alternatively, the number of pipes to be connected can be further increased to create a multi-way valve. In this way, the number of pipes in the sliding switching valve, the method of switching the connection state, etc., can be changed according to the application of the sliding switching valve.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connection between the valve body 20A (valve housing 20) and the D-thin tube 11d has been described in particular. However, for example, the expansion section 11d1, contraction section 11d2, locking section 11d3, connection hole h5, guide surface h50, and periphery h51 of this embodiment can also be provided at the connection portion between the D-thin tube 11d and the D-connector tube 11. That is, the present invention can also be applied to the connection between pipes.

Claims

1. A sliding switching valve comprising: a stainless steel valve body; a valve core capable of sliding within the valve body; and piping for the flow of fluid. The sliding switching valve is characterized in that... The piping includes: an expanding section disposed at one axial end; a contracting section disposed at the same end closer to the expanding section, and having a smaller radial dimension than the expanding section; and a locking section connecting the expanding section and the contracting section. A filter is housed in the expansion section. With the constricted portion inserted into the connection hole of the valve housing and the locking portion abutting against the periphery of the connection hole, the piping is connected to the valve housing. The connecting hole has a guide surface. The guide surface is formed by a flat surface extending along the wall thickness of the valve housing in a manner orthogonal to the surface and back of the valve housing, and the length of the direction orthogonal to the surface and back of the valve housing is equal to the wall thickness of the valve housing. When the tube portion is inserted into the connecting hole, the guide surface abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion, guiding the tube portion in the insertion direction. The periphery of the connecting hole is located on the outer peripheral surface of the valve housing, and the locking part abuts against the periphery.

2. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve housing is cylindrical.

3. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The tube section is configured to extend through the connecting hole along the guide surface.

4. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The piping is made of stainless steel.

5. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one weld is formed throughout the piping and the valve housing, and the piping and the valve housing are joined by brazing that covers the weld and extends throughout the circumference of the piping.

6. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A ring protruding toward one end is inserted into the inner diameter of the expanding tube section. The protruding portion of the ring constitutes the shrinking tube section, and the end face of the one end of the expanding tube section constitutes the locking part.

7. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A frame-shaped anti-detachment component is inserted inside the filter. The filter is clamped and fixed to the expansion tube by the anti-detachment component and the inner peripheral wall of the expansion tube.

8. A refrigeration cycle system, characterized in that, The sliding switching valve is provided with any one of claims 1 to 7.

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