Four-way valve

Abstract

The four-way valve comprises a valve body and a valve element movably inserted into a valve cavity of the valve body, and the valve body is provided with a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole and a fourth through hole. The valve element can move between a first working position and a second working position in the axial direction of the valve element. The valve element comprises at least one sealing section, a plurality of sealing pieces are arranged between each sealing section of the valve element and the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the sealing pieces are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the valve element, so that during axial movement of the valve element, at least one of the sealing pieces is kept in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity. Therefore, during the movement of the valve core, even if some of the sealing elements are just positioned at the opening position of the inlet / outlet and lose the sealing function, the other sealing elements can be kept in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity, so that the sealing function is reliably executed, and the phenomena of blow-by and the like caused by leakage of fluid during the movement of the valve core are prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of air conditioning, and in particular to a four-way valve. Background Art

[0002] A four-way valve is a control valve with four inlets and outlets, which are connected to external pipes respectively to achieve the reversal of fluid flow. Therefore, a four-way valve is an indispensable component in an air conditioning system. In an air conditioning system, a four-way valve can switch between cooling mode and heating mode, ensuring that the air conditioner can output both cold and hot air.

[0003] In the prior art, a four-way valve usually performs a sealing function by using a seal in conjunction with direct contact between the valve cavity and the valve core. However, during the movement of the valve core in the valve cavity, if the seal happens to pass through a position corresponding to a certain inlet or outlet, the sealing function can only be guaranteed by direct contact between the valve cavity and the valve core. Affected by the production process, there is often a tolerance radial clearance between the valve cavity and the valve core. Using the tolerance radial clearance to perform sealing can easily lead to leakage in the valve body and cause phenomena such as air cross-talk, resulting in poor working performance of the entire four-way valve. Moreover, in the prior art, the electromagnetic module that controls the movement of the valve core in the valve cavity is often set at one axial end of the valve core, which results in the four-way valve having the disadvantages of a long longitudinal length and a large required installation space.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a four-way valve with good sealing effect, small size and compact structure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a four-way valve with good sealing effect, small volume and compact structure.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a four-way valve, comprising a valve body and a valve core movably inserted into a valve cavity of the valve body, the valve body being provided with a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole and a fourth through hole; the valve core being able to move between a first working position and a second working position along the axial direction of the valve core, so that in the first working position, the first through hole and the third through hole are connected and the second through hole and the fourth through hole are connected, and in the second working position, the first through hole and the fourth through hole are connected and the second through hole and the third through hole are connected; the valve core comprises at least one sealing section, a plurality of sealing members are provided between each sealing section of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve cavity, the plurality of sealing members are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the valve core, so that during the axial movement of the valve core, at least one of the plurality of sealing members remains in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sealing section includes a first sealing section and a second sealing section arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the valve core, the first sealing section is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of the first through hole during the axial movement of the valve core, and the second sealing section is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of the second through hole during the axial movement of the valve core; a plurality of first seals are provided between the first sealing section of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the plurality of first seals are configured so that during the axial movement of the valve core, at least one of the plurality of first seals remains in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity; a plurality of second seals are provided between the second sealing section of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the plurality of second seals are configured so that during the axial movement of the valve core, at least one of the plurality of second seals remains in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a chamfered structure is formed at an opening edge of each of the first through hole, the second through hole, the third through hole and the fourth through hole close to the valve cavity.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve core includes a first connecting section connected between the first sealing section and the second sealing section along the axial direction of the valve core, and a radial gap is formed between the first connecting section and the inner wall of the valve cavity, so that when the valve core is located at the first working position, the first through hole is connected to the third through hole via the radial gap, and when the valve core is located at the second working position, the second through hole is connected to the third through hole via the radial gap.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve core also includes a hollow hole with closed ends and extending along the axial direction of the valve core, a second connecting section arranged in the first sealing section and away from the first connecting section, and a third connecting section arranged in the second sealing section and away from the first connecting section; the second connecting section is provided with a first through hole, so that when the valve core is located in the second working position, the first through hole is connected to the fourth through hole via the first through hole; the third connecting section is provided with a second through hole, so that when the valve core is located in the first working position, the second through hole is connected to the fourth through hole via the second through hole.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve core also includes a first end and a second end arranged opposite to each other along the axial direction of the valve core, the first end of the valve core is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body and defines a first chamber in the valve cavity, and the second end of the valve core is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body and defines a second chamber in the valve cavity; the four-way valve is configured to move the valve core between the first working position and the position by selectively injecting high-pressure gas into the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the four-way valve further comprises a valve seat abutting against one of the first end and the second end of the valve core, and the valve seat is sealed with an inner wall of the valve body.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the four-way valve also includes an electromagnetic module arranged on the valve body, and the electromagnetic module is configured to control the movement of the valve core between the first working position and the second working position, wherein the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic module is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve core.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the four-way valve further comprises a cover mounted on a side of the valve body close to the valve seat, and the cover and the valve seat together define the second chamber.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the four-way valve also includes an electromagnetic module arranged on the valve body, and the electromagnetic module is configured to control the movement of the valve core between the first working position and the second working position, wherein the electromagnetic module is arranged at one end of the valve core along the longitudinal direction of the valve body, and the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic module is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve core.

[0016] According to the four-way valve of the present invention, by making at least one of the multiple seals arranged on at least one sealing section of the valve core keep contact with the inner wall of the valve core during the axial movement of the valve core, during the movement of the valve core, even if some of the seals lose their sealing function because they are located exactly at the opening position of the inlet and outlet, other seals can keep contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity, thereby reliably performing the sealing function to prevent the fluid from leaking during the movement of the valve core and causing gas cross-talk, etc. In addition, according to the four-way valve of the present invention, by installing the electromagnetic module perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve core, the longitudinal length of the entire four-way valve can be shortened, making its structure more compact, thereby improving space utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The features, advantages and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 It shows a structural schematic diagram of a four-way valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention when it is located at a first working position;

[0019] Figure 2 It shows a structural schematic diagram of a four-way valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention when it is located at a first intermediate position;

[0020] Figure 3 It shows a schematic structural diagram of a four-way valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention when it is located at a second intermediate position;

[0021] Figure 4 It shows a structural schematic diagram of a four-way valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention when it is located at a second working position;

[0022] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The schematic structural diagrams of the four-way valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention taken along different directions are shown respectively.

[0023] However, the drawings are not necessarily drawn according to the actual scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following is a further detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples, wherein the same or similar components in the drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of the present invention by way of example, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, i.e., the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0025] In the following description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means more than two; the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "inside", "outside", "left", "right", etc. are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. The directional words appearing in the following description are all directions shown in the drawings, and do not limit the specific structure of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0027] The four-way valve of the present invention can be specifically applied to an air conditioning system to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode, thereby ensuring that the air conditioner can output both cold air and hot air. Figures 1 to 4 A four-way valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a four-way valve in a first working position according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a four-way valve in a first intermediate position according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a four-way valve in a second intermediate position according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a four-way valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention when the valve is located at a second working position is shown.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the four-way valve 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body 10 and a valve core 20, and the valve core 20 is movably inserted into the valve cavity of the valve body 10 and can move in the valve cavity along the axial direction of the valve core 20. The valve body 10 is provided with a first through hole 11, a second through hole 12, a third through hole 13 and a fourth through hole 14. Each of the first through hole 11, the second through hole 12, the third through hole 13 and the fourth through hole 14 is connected to the valve cavity. These four through holes are used to communicate with an external pipeline or a pipe connector to serve as an inlet and outlet for realizing the outflow or inflow of an external working medium. The first through hole 11, the second through hole 12, the third through hole 13 and the fourth through hole 14 are arranged on the outer wall of the valve body 10 axially and circumferentially. It can be understood that the cross section of the through hole can be circular, and of course it can also be set to other shapes.

[0029] The valve core 20 can move between a first working position and a second working position along the axial direction of the valve core 20. In the first working position, the first through hole 11 is connected to the third through hole 13, and the second through hole 12 is connected to the fourth through hole 14; in the second working position, the first through hole 11 is connected to the fourth through hole 14, and the second through hole 12 is connected to the third through hole 13. Thus, the fluid (such as liquid or gas) flowing through a through hole on the valve body 10 can flow out from another through hole on the valve body 10 through the movement of the valve core 20 in the valve cavity, and when applied to an air conditioning system, the switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode can also be realized.

[0030] The valve core 20 includes at least one sealing section, each of which is configured to be in sealing contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity. Each sealing section is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of one of the first through hole 11, the second through hole 12, the third through hole 13 and the fourth through hole 14 during the axial movement of the valve core 20. A plurality of sealing members are provided between each sealing section of the valve core 20 and the inner wall of the valve cavity. The plurality of sealing members are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the valve core 20, so that during the axial movement of the valve core 20, at least one of the plurality of sealing members maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity. Thus, even if some of the plurality of sealing members lose their sealing function due to being located at the opening position of at least one of the first through hole 11, the second through hole 12, the third through hole 13 and the fourth through hole 14 during the movement of the valve core 20, other sealing members can also maintain contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity, thereby reliably performing the sealing function to prevent the fluid from leaking during the movement of the valve core 20 and causing gas leakage and the like. Exemplarily, the number of at least one sealing section is, for example, two.

[0031] Reference below Figures 1 to 4 The specific structure of the valve core 20 including two sealing sections according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described. The valve core 20 includes a hollow hole 21 extending along the axial direction of the valve core 20, a first end 22 and a second end 23 arranged opposite to each other along the axial direction of the valve core 20, a first sealing section 24 and a second sealing section 25 arranged between the first end 22 and the second end 23 and spaced apart along the axial direction of the valve core 20, a first connecting section 26 connected between the first sealing section 24 and the second sealing section 25 along the axial direction of the valve core 20, a second connecting section 27 connected between the first end 22 and the first sealing section 24 along the axial direction of the valve core 20, and a third connecting section 28 connected between the second sealing section 25 and the second end 23 along the axial direction of the valve core 20.

[0032] The two ends of the valve core 20 define two chambers in the valve cavity. Specifically, the first end 22 of the valve core 20 is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body 10 (for example, through a seal), and the first end 22 of the valve core 20 is provided with a groove opening to the left, and defines a first chamber A in the valve cavity, while the second end 23 of the valve core 20 is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body 10, and the second end 23 of the valve core 20 is provided with a groove opening to the right, and defines a second chamber B in the valve cavity. When the first chamber A and the second chamber B are selectively injected with fluid (for example, high-pressure gas) to cause a pressure difference between the first chamber A and the second chamber B, the valve core 20 can be pushed to move between the first working position and the second working position.

[0033] The outer diameter of the first connecting section 26 is smaller than the outer diameters of the first sealing section 24 and the second sealing section 25, thereby forming a radial gap 29 between the first connecting section 26 and the inner wall of the valve cavity. Therefore, when the valve core 20 is located in the first working position, the first through hole 11 can be communicated with the third through hole 13 via the radial gap 29, and when the valve core 20 is located in the second working position, the second through hole 12 can be communicated with the third through hole 13 via the radial gap 29. The outer diameter of the second connecting section 27 can be provided with a first through hole 271, thereby when the valve core 20 is located in the second working position, the first through hole 11 can be communicated with the fourth through hole 14 via the first through hole 271, the hollow hole 21. The outer diameter of the second connecting section 27 can be equal to or smaller than the outer diameters of the first sealing section 24 and the second sealing section 25. The third connecting section 28 is provided with a second through hole 281, thereby when the valve core 20 is located in the first working position, the second through hole 12 is communicated with the fourth through hole 14 via the second through hole 281 and the hollow hole 21. The outer diameter of the third connecting segment 28 may be equal to or smaller than the outer diameters of the first sealing segment 24 and the second sealing segment 25 .

[0034] The first sealing section 24 is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of the first through hole 11 during the axial movement of the valve core 20, and the second sealing section 25 is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of the second through hole 12 during the axial movement of the valve core 20. A plurality of first sealing members 31 are provided between the first sealing section 24 of the valve core 20 and the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the plurality of first sealing members 31 are configured so that during the axial movement of the valve core 20, at least one of the plurality of first sealing members 31 maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity. Exemplarily, the number of the plurality of first sealing members 31 can be two, and the two first sealing members 31 are arranged at intervals along the axis of the valve core 20. A plurality of second sealing members 32 are provided between the second sealing section 25 of the valve core 20 and the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the plurality of second sealing members 32 are also configured so that during the axial movement of the valve core 20, at least one of the plurality of second sealing members 32 maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity. For example, the number of the plurality of second sealing members 32 may be two, and the two second sealing members 32 are disposed at intervals along the axis of the valve core 20 .

[0035] The first sealing member 31 and the second sealing member 32 may have the same or different structures. In the present invention, the structures of the first sealing member 31 and the second sealing member 32 are completely the same. Figures 1 to 4As shown, the first seal 31 can be accommodated in the first groove formed in the first sealing section 24, and the second seal 32 can be accommodated in the second groove formed in the second sealing section 25. The first seal 31 and the second seal 32 can be elastic seals, which are made of elastic materials (such as rubber, plastic or a combination of the two). When the first seal 31 and the second seal 32 are respectively accommodated in the first groove and the second groove, the respective sealing lips protrude from the first groove and the second groove and tightly abut against the inner wall of the valve cavity to generate a very excellent sealing effect.

[0036] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 4 Hereinafter, the working process of the valve core 20 will be described. Figure 1 As shown, when the valve core 20 is located at the first working position, that is, when the valve core 20 is located at the leftmost end of the valve cavity, the first through hole 11 is connected to the third through hole 13 via the radial gap 29 between the first connecting section 26 and the inner wall of the valve cavity to form a first flow channel, and the second through hole 12 is connected to the fourth through hole 14 via the second through hole 281 on the third connecting section 28 and through the hollow hole 21 to form a second flow channel. Among the two first sealing members 31 of the first sealing section 24, the first sealing member 31 located on the left side contacts the inner wall of the valve cavity to perform the sealing function, and the first sealing member 31 located on the right side loses the sealing function due to being in the opening position of the first through hole 11; among the two second sealing members 32 of the second sealing section 25, both of the two second sealing members 32 maintain contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity to perform the sealing function.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, when the valve core 20 is located at the first intermediate position between the first working position and the second working position, that is, when the valve core 20 moves a distance to the right away from the leftmost end of the valve cavity, among the two first sealing members 31 of the first sealing section 24, the first sealing member 31 located on the left side still maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity and performs the sealing function, while the first sealing member 31 located on the right side is still in the opening position of the first through hole 11 and loses the sealing function; among the two second sealing members 32 of the second sealing section 25, the second sealing member 32 located on the left side still maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity and performs the sealing function, but the second sealing member 32 located on the right side is just in the opening position of the second through hole 12 and loses the sealing function.

[0038] like Figure 3As shown, when the valve core 20 is located at the second middle position between the first working position and the second working position, that is, when the valve core 20 leaves the first middle position and continues to move a distance to the right, among the two first sealing members 31 of the first sealing section 24, the first sealing member 31 located on the left side loses its sealing function because it is at the opening position of the first through hole 11, while the first sealing member 31 located on the right side contacts the inner wall of the valve cavity and performs the sealing function; among the two second sealing members 32 of the second sealing section 25, the second sealing member 32 located on the left side is just at the opening position of the second through hole 12 and loses its sealing function, while the second sealing member 32 located on the right side contacts the inner wall of the valve cavity and performs the sealing function.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, when the valve core 20 is located at the second working position, that is, when the valve core 20 is located at the rightmost end of the valve cavity, the first through hole 11 is connected to the fourth through hole 14 via the first through hole 271 on the second connecting section 27 and the hollow hole 21 to form a third flow channel, and the second through hole 12 is connected to the third through hole 13 via the radial gap 29 between the first connecting section 26 and the inner wall of the valve cavity to form a fourth flow channel. Among the two first sealing members 31 of the first sealing section 24, the first sealing member 31 located on the left side maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity to perform the sealing function, while the first sealing member 31 located on the right side is in the opening position of the third through hole 13 and loses the sealing function; among the two second sealing members 32 of the second sealing section 25, both of the two second sealing members 32 maintain contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity to perform the sealing function.

[0040] Therefore, according to the four-way valve 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, during the axial movement of the valve core 20, at least one of the multiple first seals 31 can maintain contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity to perform a sealing function, and at least one of the multiple second seals 32 can also maintain contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity to perform a sealing function, thereby preventing the fluid from leaking during the movement of the valve core 20 and causing air cross-talk between the first flow channel and the second flow channel and air cross-talk between the third flow channel and the fourth flow channel.

[0041] Exemplarily, the opening edge of each of the first through hole 11, the second through hole 12, the third through hole 13 and the fourth through hole 14 close to the valve cavity is formed with a chamfered structure. This structure can reduce the friction between the first seal 31, the second seal 32 and the inner wall of the valve cavity, so that during the movement of the valve core 20, the first seal 31 and the second seal 32 can smoothly keep in contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity again after passing the opening position, and reliably perform the sealing function.

[0042] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 4According to an embodiment of the present invention, the valve body 10 further includes a valve seat 40 and an electromagnetic module 50. The valve seat 40 is accommodated in the valve cavity and is disposed near the second end 23 of the valve core 20. The valve seat 40 partially extends into the rightward opening groove formed at the second end 23 of the valve core 20 to close the hollow hole 21 of the valve core 20, and partially protrudes from the groove and is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body 10 (for example, via a seal). The electromagnetic module 50 is installed at one end of the valve body 10 near the valve seat 40 along the axial direction of the valve core 20, so that the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic module 50 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve core 20, and is configured to control the valve core 20 to move between the first working position and the second working position.

[0043] Specifically, the valve body 10 is provided with a first flow channel (not shown) leading to the first chamber A and a second flow channel (not shown) leading to the second chamber B. The electromagnetic module 50 can selectively fill the first chamber A and the second chamber B with fluid (e.g., high-pressure gas) by controlling the opening / closing of the first flow channel and the second flow channel to cause a pressure difference between the first chamber A and the second chamber B, thereby pushing the valve core 20 to move between the first working position and the second working position. For example, when the electromagnetic module 50 controls the opening of the first flow channel leading to the first chamber A, the first chamber A will be filled with high-pressure fluid, thereby forcing the valve core 20 to move from the first working position to the second working position, and when the electromagnetic module 50 controls the opening of the second flow channel leading to the second chamber B, the second chamber B will be filled with high-pressure fluid, thereby forcing the valve core 20 to move from the second working position to the first working position. Therefore, the four-way valve 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a simple structure and a good sealing effect.

[0044] Reference below Figure 5A and Figure 5B A four-way valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein: Figure 5A and Figure 5B The four-way valve 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same in structure as the four-way valve 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and only the differences are described in detail below.

[0045] like Figure 5A As shown, the four-way valve 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes, in addition to the valve body 10, valve core 20, multiple first sealing members 31, multiple second sealing members 32 and valve seat 40 and other components that are the same as those of the four-way valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a cover 60 is installed on the side of the valve body close to the valve seat 40 to define a second chamber B together with the valve seat 40.

[0046] In addition, in the four-way valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5BAs shown, the electromagnetic module 50A is installed on the valve body 10 so that the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic module 50A is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve core 20, that is, it is also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve body 10. For example, the electromagnetic module 50A is fixed to the outer side of the valve body 10 by screws at a substantially central position of the valve body 10. Compared with the configuration in which the electromagnetic module 50 is installed at one end of the valve core along the longitudinal direction of the valve core, installing the electromagnetic module 50A perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve core can shorten the longitudinal length of the entire four-way valve, making its structure more compact, thereby improving space utilization. In addition, when the electromagnetic module is installed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve core, the positions of the first flow channel and the second flow channel in the valve body will also change accordingly, as long as the electromagnetic module can realize the function of pushing the valve core to move between the first working position and the second working position by selectively filling the first chamber A and the second chamber B with fluid via the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

[0047] The above describes an example in which the valve core includes two sealing sections, but according to actual sealing requirements, one sealing section may be provided, or more than two sealing sections may be provided. In addition, the above describes that the number of the first sealing member and the second sealing member are two respectively, but in order to achieve better sealing performance, more than two first sealing members and second sealing members may also be provided.

[0048] The above description describes that the first seal is accommodated in the first groove formed in the first sealing section of the valve core and the second seal is accommodated in the second groove formed in the second sealing section of the valve core, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first groove and the second groove may be formed on the inner wall of the valve body, respectively, for the first seal and the second seal to be inserted therein.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made thereto and elements thereof may be replaced by equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A four-way valve, comprising a valve body and a valve core movably inserted into a valve cavity of the valve body, wherein the valve body is provided with a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole and a fourth through hole; The valve core is movable between a first working position and a second working position along the axial direction of the valve core, so that in the first working position, the first through hole is communicated with the third through hole and the second through hole is communicated with the fourth through hole, and in the second working position, the first through hole is communicated with the fourth through hole and the second through hole is communicated with the third through hole; and The valve core includes at least one sealing section, and a plurality of seals are provided between each sealing section of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve cavity. The plurality of seals are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the valve core, so that during the axial movement of the valve core, at least one of the plurality of seals maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity.

2. The four-way valve according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sealing segment comprises a first sealing segment and a second sealing segment arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the valve core, the first sealing segment is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of the first through hole during the axial movement of the valve core, and the second sealing segment is configured to at least partially pass through the opening position of the second through hole during the axial movement of the valve core; A plurality of first seals are provided between the first sealing section of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve cavity, wherein the plurality of first seals are configured such that during the axial movement of the valve core, at least one of the plurality of first seals maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity; A plurality of second seals are provided between the second sealing section of the valve core and the inner wall of the valve cavity, and the plurality of second seals are configured so that during the axial movement of the valve core, at least one of the plurality of second seals maintains contact with the inner wall of the valve cavity.

3. The four-way valve according to claim 1, wherein: An opening edge of each of the first through hole, the second through hole, the third through hole, and the fourth through hole close to the valve cavity is formed with a chamfered structure.

4. The four-way valve according to claim 2, wherein: The valve core includes a first connecting section connected between the first sealing section and the second sealing section along the axial direction of the valve core, and a radial gap is formed between the first connecting section and the inner wall of the valve cavity, so that when the valve core is located at the first working position, the first through hole is connected to the third through hole via the radial gap, and when the valve core is located at the second working position, the second through hole is connected to the third through hole via the radial gap.

5. The four-way valve according to claim 4, wherein: The valve core further comprises a hollow hole with closed ends and extending along the axial direction of the valve core, a second connecting section arranged at the first sealing section and away from the first connecting section, and a third connecting section arranged at the second sealing section and away from the first connecting section; The second connecting section is provided with a first through hole, so that when the valve core is located at the second working position, the first through hole is connected with the fourth through hole via the first through hole; The third connecting section is provided with a second through hole, so that when the valve core is located at the first working position, the second through hole is communicated with the fourth through hole via the second through hole.

6. The four-way valve according to claim 4, wherein: The valve core further comprises a first end and a second end which are arranged opposite to each other along the axial direction of the valve core, the first end of the valve core is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body and defines a first chamber in the valve cavity, and the second end of the valve core is sealed with the inner wall of the valve body and defines a second chamber in the valve cavity; The four-way valve is configured to move the valve core between the first working position and the position by selectively injecting high-pressure gas into the first chamber and the second chamber. 7 . The four-way valve according to claim 6 , further comprising a valve seat abutting against one of the first end and the second end of the valve core, the valve seat being sealed against an inner wall of the valve body.

8. The four-way valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an electromagnetic module disposed on the valve body, the electromagnetic module being configured to control the valve core to move between the first working position and the second working position, wherein: The longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic module is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve core.

9. The four-way valve according to claim 8 as referenced by claim 7, further comprising a cover installed on a side of the valve body close to the valve seat, the cover defining the second chamber together with the valve seat.

10. The four-way valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an electromagnetic module disposed on the valve body, the electromagnetic module being configured to control the valve core to move between the first working position and the second working position, wherein: The electromagnetic module is arranged at one end of the valve core along the longitudinal direction of the valve body, and the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic module is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve core.

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