Combination valve

Abstract

A combination valve is provided with: a main body block provided with a plurality of joints through which a fluid flows in and out; and a first four-way valve and a second four-way valve provided inside the main body block and configured to selectively discharge a fluid flowing in from any one of the joints from any of the other joints, a shaft of an operating lever valve of one of the first four-way valves being provided on one side of the main body block and a shaft of an operating lever valve of the other one of the first four-way valves being provided on the other side of the main body block. And a shaft of the operating rod valve of the other second four-way valve is arranged on the opposite side of one side of the main body block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a composite valve. Background Art

[0002] As a composite valve in which a plurality of valves are integrated, for example, there is known a composite valve described in Patent Document 1. In the composite valve described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-249860, a three-way valve and an on-off valve are provided in a valve body.

[0003] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, as a composite valve for switching multiple flow paths, two four-way valves may be provided inside the valve body. However, simply arranging the two four-way valves inside the valve body cannot make the overall size of the composite valve compact. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a composite valve capable of reducing the overall size in a compact manner.

[0006] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0007] The composite valve involved in the present invention comprises: a valve body, which has a plurality of joints for fluid inlet and outlet; and two four-way valves, which are arranged inside the valve body and are used to allow the fluid flowing in from any one joint to selectively flow out from any other joint, the axis of the operating valve core of one of the four-way valves being arranged on one side of the valve body, and the axis of the operating valve core of the other four-way valve being arranged on the opposite side of the one side of the valve body.

[0008] In the composite valve, the axis of the operating valve core of one four-way valve is provided on one side of the valve body, and the axis of the operating valve core of the other four-way valve is provided on the opposite side of the one side of the valve body. Therefore, compared with the case where the axis of the operating valve core of one four-way valve and the axis of the operating valve core of the other four-way valve are provided only on one side of the valve body or only on the other side, the composite valve described in claim 1 can be compact in size as a whole.

[0009] In the compound valve, the valve element may be a rotary valve element.

[0010] In the composite valve, an axis line of the shaft for operating the valve element of one of the four-way valves and an axis line of the shaft for operating the valve element of the other four-way valve may be arranged on the same line.

[0011] In the compound valve, it may also be that the valve body is formed in a cross shape and has a first part and a second part, the first part extends in a first direction, the second part intersects with the first part and extends in a direction intersecting with the first direction, the first four-way valve drive device that transmits rotational driving force to the axis of the valve core operating one of the four-way valves is arranged on the cross surface on one side of the valve body formed in the cross shape, and the second four-way valve drive device that transmits rotational driving force to the axis of the valve core operating another four-way valve is arranged on the cross surface on the other side of the valve body formed in the cross shape.

[0012] In the composite valve, four three-way valves may be provided inside the valve body, and the four three-way valves are used together with the two four-way valves to allow the fluid flowing in from any one of the connectors to selectively flow out from any other one of the connectors, and four three-way valve driving devices for driving the three-way valves are dispersedly arranged in the four corner parts formed by the first part and the second part.

[0013] In the composite valve, it may also be that in the first part, one of the four-way valves is provided in the central part in the long side direction, and the three-way valves are provided on both sides of the one four-way valve, and the one four-way valve and the two three-way valves are arranged along the long side direction of the first part, and in the second part, another four-way valve is provided in the central part in the long side direction, and the remaining three-way valves are provided on both sides of the other four-way valve, and the one four-way valve and the remaining two three-way valves are arranged along the long side direction of the second part.

[0014] In the composite valve, four connectors may be arranged along the long side of the first portion of the cross surface on one side, and another four connectors may be arranged along the long side of the second portion of the cross surface on the other side.

[0015] In the composite valve, the valve body may include eight joints.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the composite valve of the present invention, the overall size can be made compact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a composite valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The front view of the composite valve is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A rear view of the composite valve is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of the composite valve is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Left side view of the compound valve shown.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The right side view of the compound valve is shown.

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of the composite valve is shown.

[0025] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the composite valve taken along line AA is shown.

[0026] Fig. 9 yes Figure 2 A BB line cross-sectional view of the composite valve is shown.

[0027] Fig.10 It is an exploded perspective view showing the first four-way valve and the first four-way valve driving motor.

[0028] Fig.11 (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views showing the first four-way valve.

[0029] Fig.12 It is an exploded perspective view showing the first three-way valve and the first three-way valve driving motor.

[0030] Fig.13 (A) to (C) are cross-sectional views showing the first three-way valve.

[0031] Fig.14 (A) is a circuit diagram showing an example of fluid flow, and (B) is a circuit diagram showing Fig.14 1 is an explanatory diagram of the open and closed state of the three-way valve in the circuit diagram shown in (A).

[0032] Fig.15 This is a circuit diagram showing another example of the flow of fluid.

[0033] Fig.16 This is a circuit diagram showing another example of the flow of fluid.

[0034] Fig.17 It is a cross-sectional view showing a composite valve according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] [First embodiment]

[0036] use Figures 1 to 16 , a composite valve 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0037] In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the direction of arrow F indicates the direction of the front side of the compound valve 10, the direction of arrow B indicates the direction of the back side of the compound valve 10, the direction of arrow U indicates the direction of the upper surface of the compound valve 10, the direction of arrow D indicates the direction of the lower surface of the compound valve 10, the direction of arrow R indicates the direction of the right side of the compound valve 10, and the direction of arrow L indicates the direction of the left side of the compound valve 10.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the composite valve 10 includes a main body block 12 as an example of a valve body made of synthetic resin, and the main body block 12 is in a cross shape when viewed from the front. The cross shape may also be referred to as a plus sign (+) shape.

[0039] The main body block 12 includes a first portion 14 extending in the horizontal direction and a second portion 16 extending in the vertical direction at a right angle to the first portion 14. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first portion 14 and the second portion 16 are formed to have the same length. Thus, the main body block 12 is provided with a front cross surface 18 formed in a cross shape on the front side. Figure 3 As shown, a back cross surface 20 having a cross shape is provided on the back side.

[0040] (Appearance and structure of composite valve)

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, on the front cross surface 18 of the main body block 12 , an H joint 22 , a G joint 24 , an E joint 26 , and an F joint 28 are provided at intervals in the first portion 14 from the arrow L direction side toward the arrow R direction side.

[0042] like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the H joint 22, the G joint 24, the E joint 26, and the F joint 28 are inserted into the hole 12A of the main body block 12 and pressed by the plate P1 screwed to the main body block 12. In addition, an O-ring 39 is installed on the outer periphery of the large diameter portion of the H joint 22, the G joint 24, the E joint 26, and the F joint 28 to seal the gap between the hole 12A.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a first four-way valve driving motor 30 as an example of a first four-way valve driving device described later is screwed along the longitudinal direction of the second portion 16 on the front cross surface 18 on the arrow F side of the main body block 12 .

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, on the back cross surface 20 of the main body block 12, the B joint 34, the C joint 32, the D joint 38 and the A joint 36 are provided at intervals in the second portion 16 from the arrow U direction side toward the arrow D direction side. Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, the B joint 34, the C joint 32, the D joint 38, and the A joint 36 are inserted into the hole 12B of the main body block 12 and pressed by the plate P1 screwed to the main body block 12. In addition, an O-ring 39 is installed on the outer periphery of the large diameter portion of the B joint 34, the C joint 32, the D joint 38, and the A joint 36 to seal the gap between the hole 12B.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, a second four-way valve driving motor 40 as an example of a second four-way valve driving device described later is screwed to the rear cross surface 20 of the main body block 12 along the longitudinal direction of the first portion 14 .

[0046] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the figure, a first three-way valve driving motor 42 as an example of a three-way valve driving device described later is arranged at a corner formed by the upper surface of the first part 14 on the arrow L direction side of the second part 16 and the side surface of the arrow L direction side of the second part 16. The first three-way valve driving motor 42 is screwed to the side surface of the second part 16.

[0047] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in the figure, a second three-way valve driving motor 44 as an example of a three-way valve driving device described later is arranged at a corner formed by the upper surface of the first part 14 on the arrow R direction side of the second part 16 and the side surface of the second part 16 on the arrow R direction side. The second three-way valve driving motor 44 is screwed to the upper surface of the first part 14.

[0048] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, a third three-way valve driving motor 46 as an example of a three-way valve driving device described later is arranged at a corner formed by the lower surface of the first part 14 on the arrow L direction side of the second part 16 and the side surface of the arrow L direction side of the second part 16. The third three-way valve driving motor 46 is screwed to the lower surface of the first part 14.

[0049] like Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown in the figure, a fourth three-way valve driving motor 48 as an example of a three-way valve driving device described later is arranged at a corner formed by the lower surface of the first part 14 on the arrow R direction side of the second part 16 and the side surface of the second part 16 on the arrow R direction side. The fourth three-way valve driving motor 48 is screwed to the side surface of the second part 16.

[0050] (Internal structure of eight-way valve)

[0051] like Figure 8 As shown in the cross-sectional view, inside the main body block 12, a first four-way valve 50 driven by a first four-way valve driving motor 30 is provided on the side in the direction of arrow F, and a second four-way valve 52 driven by a second four-way valve driving motor 40 is provided on the side in the direction of arrow B.

[0052] The first four-way valve 50 and the second four-way valve 52 have the same structure, so the first four-way valve 50 will be described below as a representative.

[0053] (First four-way valve)

[0054] like Figure 8 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the first four-way valve 50, a stem valve 56 as an example of a rotary valve core is rotatably arranged inside a valve chamber 54 formed in the main body block 12. A shaft 56A for rotating the stem valve 56 is integrally provided in the stem valve 56. The top end of the shaft 56A is connected to the first four-way valve driving motor 30, and the stem valve 56 is driven to rotate by the first four-way valve driving motor 30. In addition, the first four-way valve driving motor 30 is driven to rotate by the first four-way valve driving motor 30. Fig.10 The plate 68 is shown being threadedly secured to the body block 12 .

[0055] The first four-way valve driving motor 30 is formed in an elongated box shape and is screwed to the second portion 16 of the front cross surface 18 so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the longitudinal direction of the second portion 16 .

[0056] The stem valve 56 is formed to be substantially fan-shaped when viewed from the axis (rotation axis) direction. When viewed from a right-angled section of the axis, an L-shaped passage 58 is formed inside the stem valve 56. An L-shaped recess 60 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stem valve 56 on the opposite side of the passage 58 with the axis sandwiched therebetween. By arranging the stem valve 56 inside the valve chamber 54, the L-shaped recess 60 becomes an L-shaped passage for fluid to pass through.

[0057] like Fig.11As shown, in the stem valve 56, both ends of the passage 58 are open at the outer peripheral surface on the opposite side to the recess 60, and an O-ring 64 and an annular valve seat 66 are embedded in annular grooves 62 formed in the respective opening portions. The gap between the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 54 and the outer peripheral surface of the stem valve 56 on the opposite side to the recess 60 is sealed by the O-ring 64 and the valve seat 66.

[0058] like Figure 8 As shown, the stem valve 56 and the annular valve pressing member 70 are sequentially inserted into the valve chamber 54 . Fig.10 The plate 68 shown is screwed to the outer surface of the main body block 12 together with the first four-way valve driving motor 30, and presses the valve pressing member 70 and the stem valve 56 so that the valve pressing member 70 and the stem valve 56 stay at a predetermined position in the valve chamber 54. In addition, the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 passes through the valve pressing member 70 and protrudes from the main body block 12 in the direction of the arrow F.

[0059] like Figure 8 and Fig.10 As shown, an O-ring 72 is installed on the outer periphery of the valve pressing member 70 to seal the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 54, and an O-ring 74 is installed on the outer periphery of the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 to seal the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the valve pressing member 70.

[0060] Furthermore, the valve pressing member 70 is provided with a protrusion 70A as a stopper for the stem valve 56 , and the first four-way valve 50 is configured such that the rotation angle of the stem valve 56 is restricted by the side surface of the stem valve 56 abutting against the protrusion 70A.

[0061] (Second four-way valve)

[0062] The second four-way valve 52 has the same structure as the first four-way valve 50, but Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 is provided in a direction opposite to that of the first four-way valve 50 so as to protrude from the main body block 12 in the direction of arrow B. In the present embodiment, the axis of the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the axis of the shaft 56A of the second four-way valve 52 are on the same line CL. In addition, in the second four-way valve 52, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures as those of the first four-way valve 50.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the second four-way valve driving motor 40 is formed in an elongated box shape similarly to the first four-way valve driving motor 30 , and is disposed on the first portion 14 of the rear cross surface 20 with its long side direction along the long side direction of the first portion 14 .

[0064] (Three-way valve)

[0065] like Figure 8As shown, in the first portion 14 of the main body block 12 , a first three-way valve 80 is provided on the arrow R direction side of the first four-way valve 50 , and a second three-way valve 82 is provided on the arrow L direction side of the first four-way valve 50 .

[0066] In addition, if Fig. 9 As shown, in the second portion 16 of the main body block 12, a third three-way valve 84 is provided on the arrow U direction side of the second four-way valve 52, and a fourth three-way valve 86 is provided on the arrow D direction side of the second four-way valve 52. The first three-way valve 80, the second three-way valve 82, the third three-way valve 84, and the fourth three-way valve 86 of this embodiment are connected to three flow paths whose directions differ by 90 degrees, and the flow paths are switched between a straight direction and an L-shaped direction.

[0067] (First three-way valve)

[0068] The first to fourth three-way valves 80 to 86 have the same structure, and therefore the first three-way valve 80 will be described as a representative example below.

[0069] like Figure 8 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, in the first three-way valve 80, a ball valve core 90 as an example of a rotary valve core is rotatably arranged inside a valve chamber 88 formed in the main body block 12. The ball valve core 90 is connected to a rod 92 and a connecting shaft 94 for rotating the ball valve core 90. In addition, the rod 92 and the connecting shaft 94 are connected in a non-rotatable manner.

[0070] The connecting shaft 94 of the first three-way valve 80 protrudes to the outside of the main body block 12 and is connected to the first three-way valve driving motor 42 that drives the ball valve core 90. In addition, the axis of the rod 92 that rotates the ball valve core 90 and the connecting shaft 94 are oriented in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the shaft 56A of the first four-way valve 50 and the axis of the shaft 56A of the second four-way valve 52.

[0071] A first three-way valve driving motor 42 is disposed between the main body block 12. Fig.12 The annular pressing member 96 is shown. The pressing member 96 is screwed to the main body block 12.

[0072] A protrusion 98 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pressing member 96. A protrusion 100 is formed on the base 94A of the connecting shaft 94 that passes through the pressing member 96, and the protrusion 100 is provided so as to be able to abut against the protrusion 98 of the pressing member 96. The protrusion 98 of the pressing member 96 and the protrusion 100 of the connecting shaft 94 constitute a stopper that limits the rotation angle of the ball valve core 90.

[0073] like Fig.13As shown, when the ball valve element 90 is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the axis (rotation axis), a T-shaped passage 90A is formed inside the ball valve element 90 , and three openings are formed on the outer surface of the ball valve element 90 .

[0074] The valve chamber 88 is formed by closing the opening of the circular hole 102 formed in the main body block 12 with the E joint 26. An O-ring 104 is attached to the outer periphery of the large diameter portion of the E joint 26 inserted into the circular hole 102 to seal the gap with the circular hole 102.

[0075] The ball valve element 90 , an annular valve seat 106 sandwiching the ball valve element 90 from both sides, and an O-ring 108 for pressing the valve seat 106 against the ball valve element 90 are inserted into the valve chamber 88 .

[0076] (Connection of connector, four-way valve and three-way valve)

[0077] Next, the connections of the flow paths of the H connector 22, G connector 24, E connector 26, F connector 28, C connector 32, B connector 34, A connector 36, D connector 38, the first four-way valve 50, the second four-way valve 52, the first three-way valve 80, the second three-way valve 82, the third three-way valve 84 and the fourth three-way valve 86 are described.

[0078] like Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.14 As shown in (A) and (B), connected to the first four-way valve 50 are: a flow path 110 connected to the A connector 36, a flow path 112 connected to the second three-way valve 82, a flow path 114 connected to the B connector 34, and a flow path 116 connected to the first three-way valve 80.

[0079] The second four-way valve 52 is connected to a flow path 118 connected to the F connector 28 , a flow path 120 connected to the third three-way valve 84 , a flow path 122 connected to the H connector 22 , and a flow path 124 connected to the fourth three-way valve 86 .

[0080] In addition to the flow path 116 , the first three-way valve 80 is also connected to an E-connector 26 and a flow path 128 connected to the flow path 118 .

[0081] In addition to the flow path 112 , the second three-way valve 82 is also connected to a G-joint 24 and a flow path 132 connected to the flow path 122 .

[0082] In addition to the flow path 120 , the third three-way valve 84 is also connected to the C-joint 32 and a flow path 136 connected to the flow path 114 .

[0083] In addition to the flow path 124 , the fourth three-way valve 86 is also connected to the D-connector 38 and a flow path 138 connected to the flow path 110 .

[0084] (Function, Effect)

[0085] The first four-way valve 50 can switch the stem valve 56 to the position where the first four-way valve 50 is driven by the first four-way valve driving motor 30. Fig.11 The first state (stem valve angle 0°) shown in (A) and Fig.11 The second state (stem valve angle 90°) shown in (B) is shown in FIG. 1 . In the first state, the flow path 110 is connected to the flow path 112, and the flow path 114 is connected to the flow path 116. On the other hand, in the second state, the flow path 110 is connected to the flow path 116, and the flow path 112 is connected to the flow path 114.

[0086] Although illustration based description is omitted, the second four-way valve 52 can also switch the communication state of each flow path similarly to the first four-way valve 50 .

[0087] The first three-way valve 80 can switch the ball valve element 90 to the position where the first three-way valve 80 is opened by driving the first three-way valve driving motor 42. Fig.13 The first state shown in (A) (ball valve core angle 0°), Fig.13 The second state shown in (B) (ball valve core angle 90°) and Fig.13 The third state shown in (C) (ball valve core angle 180°).

[0088] Although illustration is omitted, the second three-way valve 82 , the third three-way valve 84 , and the fourth three-way valve 86 can switch the communication state of each flow path similarly to the first three-way valve 80 .

[0089] As an example, Fig.14 (A) Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown, the composite valve 10 of this embodiment can switch the flow of fluid at each joint. Fig.14 (A) Fig.15 and Fig.16 In the circuit diagram, arrows A to H indicate the direction of fluid in and out of each joint. Fig.14 In the first three-way valve 80, the second three-way valve 82, the third three-way valve 84 and the fourth three-way valve 86 shown in the circuit diagram of (A), the hollow triangle indicates an open state, and the black triangle indicates a closed state (refer to Fig.14 (B)).

[0090] For example, in Fig.14In the state shown in (A), the fluid flowing in from the A connector 36 is discharged from the G connector 24 via the first four-way valve 50 and the second three-way valve 82, the fluid flowing in from the B connector 34 is discharged from the E connector 26 via the first four-way valve 50 and the first three-way valve 80, the fluid flowing in from the F connector 28 is discharged from the C connector 32 via the second four-way valve 52 and the third three-way valve 84, and the fluid flowing in from the H connector 22 is discharged from the D connector 38 via the second four-way valve 52 and the fourth three-way valve 86.

[0091] Furthermore, the composite valve 10 of the present embodiment can change the flow of the fluid into the following forms by switching the first four-way valve 50, the second four-way valve 52, and the first three-way valve 80 to the fourth three-way valve 86. Fig.14 (A) Fig.15 and Fig.16 A status other than that shown.

[0092] (Effect of valve configuration)

[0093] In the compound valve 10 of this embodiment, the shaft 56A of the operating rod valve 56 of a first four-way valve 50 is arranged on the front side of the main block 12 (the side indicated by the arrow F), and the shaft 56A of the operating rod valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 is arranged on the back side of the main block 12 (the side indicated by the arrow B).

[0094] Therefore, compared with the case where the shaft 56A of the operating rod valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the shaft 56A of the operating rod valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 are set on either the front cross surface 18 on the front side of the main body block 12 or the back cross surface 20 on the back side, the composite valve 10 of this embodiment can be compactly sized as a whole.

[0095] When it is desired to arrange the first four-way valve driving motor 30 and the second four-way valve driving motor 40 of an elongated box shape on either the front cross surface 18 or the back cross surface 20 in a manner that does not interfere with each other as in the present embodiment, the main body block 12 has to be enlarged, and the size of the composite valve 10 cannot be compacted.

[0096] In the composite valve 10 of this embodiment, the main body block 12 is formed into a cross shape by the first portion 14 and the second portion 16 extending in a direction intersecting the first portion 14. Therefore, the four corner portions formed by the first portion 14 and the second portion 16, i.e., four recessed portions, serve as dead zones.

[0097] In the compound valve 10 of the present embodiment, four three-way valve driving motors, namely the first three-way valve driving motor 42, the second three-way valve driving motor 44, the third three-way valve driving motor 46 and the fourth three-way valve driving motor 48, are dispersedly arranged in the above-mentioned four corner parts. Therefore, compared with the case where they are not dispersedly arranged in the four corner parts, the overall size of the compound valve 10 can be compactly converged.

[0098] [Second embodiment]

[0099] Next, according to Fig.17 A composite valve 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] like Fig.17 As shown, in the composite valve 10 of this embodiment, the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 are integrally formed with the connecting shaft 56B, and the second four-way valve driving motor 40 is omitted.

[0101] A protrusion 140 is formed at the top end of the connecting shaft 56B of the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50, and the protrusion 140 is engaged with a recessed portion 142 formed at the top end of the connecting shaft 56B of the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52, thereby the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 become one and can rotate.

[0102] In addition, a hole 144 through which the connecting shaft 56B passes is formed in the main body block 12. An O-ring 146 is mounted on the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 56B of the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 to seal the gap between the hole 144 and the connecting shaft 56B. In addition, in the composite valve 10 of the present embodiment, a cover 148 covering the connecting shaft 56B is screwed to the main body block 12 instead of the second four-way valve drive motor 40.

[0103] In this embodiment, by driving the first four-way valve driving motor 30, the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 can be rotated synchronously, and the second four-way valve driving motor 40 is not required. Therefore, the number of valve driving motors is reduced compared to the composite valve 10 of the first embodiment.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the first four-way valve driving motor 30 is retained and the second four-way valve driving motor 40 is omitted. However, the second four-way valve driving motor 40 may be retained and the first four-way valve driving motor 30 may be omitted.

[0105] [Other embodiments]

[0106] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above contents, and various modifications other than the above are of course possible within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0107] In the compound valve 10 of the above embodiment, it is a so-called eight-way valve having eight connectors, namely, the H connector 22, the G connector 24, the E connector 26, the F connector 28, the C connector 32, the B connector 34, the A connector 36 and the D connector 38. However, the number of connectors is not limited to eight and may be less than seven or more than nine.

[0108] In the compound valve 10 of the above embodiment, four three-way valves (a first three-way valve 80, a second three-way valve 82, a third three-way valve 84 and a fourth three-way valve 86) are provided in addition to the first four-way valve 50 and the second four-way valve 52, but valves other than the first four-way valve 50 and the second four-way valve 52 may also be switching valves or opening and closing valves, flow regulating valves, etc. having structures other than three-way valves.

[0109] In the composite valve 10 of the above embodiment, the number of valves other than the first four-way valve 50 and the second four-way valve 52 may be three or less, or five or more.

[0110] Figure 1 The posture (mounting direction) of the compound valve 10 shown is an example, and the posture of the compound valve 10 can be changed appropriately.

[0111] The valve cores of the first four-way valve 50 and the second four-way valve 52 can also be connected to Fig.10 , Fig.11 Similarly, the valve cores of the first three-way valve 80, the second three-way valve 82, the third three-way valve 84 and the fourth three-way valve 86 can also be different from the shapes shown in the figure. Fig.12 The valve cores may be any shape as long as they can switch the flow path by rotating, and may be, for example, cylindrical or other shapes.

[0112] Furthermore, the first four-way valve 50 , the second four-way valve 52 , the first three-way valve 80 , the second three-way valve 82 , the third three-way valve 84 , and the fourth three-way valve 86 may be switching valves having other structures than rotary valve elements.

[0113] In the compound valve 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the axis line of the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the axis line of the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 are arranged on the same line CL, but the axis line of the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the axis line of the shaft 56A of the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 may not be arranged on the same line CL.

[0114] For example, when the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 are rotated synchronously as in the second embodiment, the connecting shaft 56B of the stem valve 56 of the first four-way valve 50 and the connecting shaft 56B of the stem valve 56 of the second four-way valve 52 can also be connected using gears or the like.

[0115] In the composite valve 10 of the above embodiment, the main body block 12 is in a cross shape, but the main body block 12 may be in a shape other than the cross shape, for example, a cubic shape.

[0116] In the composite valve 10 of the above embodiment, the first four-way valve driving motor 30, the second four-way valve driving motor 40, the first three-way valve driving motor 42, the second three-way valve driving motor 44, the third three-way valve driving motor 46, and the fourth three-way valve driving motor 48 are mounted on the outside of the main body block 12. However, the main body block 12 may be formed in a cubic shape, and the first four-way valve driving motor 30, the second four-way valve driving motor 40, the first three-way valve driving motor 42, the second three-way valve driving motor 44, the third three-way valve driving motor 46, and the fourth three-way valve driving motor 48 may be built therein. In this case, the maximum outer dimensions of the composite valve 10 can be compactly reduced to the same degree as the maximum outer dimensions of the composite valve 10 of the above embodiment having the cross-shaped main body block 12.

[0117] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-96700 filed on June 15, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0118] All documents, patent applications, and technical specifications described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each document, patent application, or technical specification was specifically and individually described as being incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A composite valve comprising: a valve body having a plurality of joints for fluid inlet and outlet; and Two four-way valves are arranged inside the valve body and are used to selectively allow the fluid flowing in from any one of the joints to flow out from any other joint. The shaft of the operating valve core of the four-way valve is arranged on one side of the valve body. The shaft of the operating valve element of the other four-way valve is provided on the opposite side of the one side of the valve body.

2. The composite valve according to claim 1, wherein: The valve core uses a rotary valve core.

3. The composite valve according to claim 2, wherein: An axis line of the shaft for operating the valve body of one of the four-way valves and an axis line of the shaft for operating the valve body of the other four-way valve are arranged on the same line.

4. The composite valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The valve body is formed in a cross shape and includes a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion intersecting the first portion and extending in a direction intersecting the first direction. A first four-way valve driving device for transmitting a rotational driving force to the shaft for operating the valve element of one of the four-way valves is provided on a cross surface on one side of the valve body formed in a cross shape. A second four-way valve driving device for transmitting a rotational driving force to the shaft for operating the valve element of the other four-way valve is provided on a cross surface on the other side of the valve body formed in a cross shape.

5. The composite valve according to claim 4, wherein: The valve body is provided with four three-way valves inside, and the four three-way valves are used together with the two four-way valves to selectively allow the fluid flowing in from any one of the joints to flow out from any other one of the joints. Four three-way valve driving devices for driving the three-way valve are dispersedly arranged at four corner portions formed by the first portion and the second portion.

6. The composite valve according to claim 5, wherein: In the first part, one of the four-way valves is provided in the central part in the long side direction, and the three-way valves are provided on both sides of the one of the four-way valves, and the one of the four-way valves and the two of the three-way valves are arranged along the long side direction of the first part. In the second part, another four-way valve is arranged in the central part in the long side direction, and the remaining three-way valves are arranged on both sides of the other four-way valve. The one four-way valve and the remaining two three-way valves are arranged along the long side direction of the second part.

7. The composite valve according to claim 6, wherein: In the first part of the cross surface on the one side, the four joints are arranged along the long side direction of the first part, In the second portion of the cross surface on the other side, another four connectors are arranged along the long side direction of the second portion.

8. The composite valve according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7, wherein: The valve body includes eight of the joints.

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