Rotary valve

Abstract

The invention provides a rotary valve capable of reducing sliding resistance. A rotary valve is provided with a rotor (2) that rotates about an axial center and has a cylindrical rotor body (21) in which a rotor opening (21H) through which a fluid flows is formed, and a seal (4) that is disposed in the circumferential direction (DC) of the rotor body (21), the rotor body (21) including two facing sections (211a) that face each other in the circumferential direction (DC) among edge sections (211) constituting the rotor opening (21H). The seal (4) has a seal body (41) that is disposed on the outside in the radial direction with respect to the rotor body (21) and in which a seal opening (41H) capable of communicating with the rotor opening (21H) is formed, and an inner annular bead (422) that is disposed so as to surround the seal opening (41H) and protrudes from the seal body (41) toward the inside in the radial direction. The inner annular bead (422) includes an inclined bead section (422b) that forms an acute angle with the facing section (211a).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a multi-channel valve for the purpose of enabling switching of multiple flow paths and improving the sealing performance between each channel. The multi-channel valve disclosed in patent document 1 includes a housing, a valve core and a first sealing member, and is configured so that the valve core can rotate in a valve cavity provided in the housing. The switching flow path provided in the valve core is configured to be able to communicate with a fluid flow path provided in the housing, and the first sealing member is provided in the valve cavity in a manner surrounding the outer periphery of the valve core. In the first sealing member, the first avoidance through hole is provided at intervals along the circumferential direction and corresponds to the fluid flow path. The valve core contacts a rib provided in the first sealing member. The rib includes a first rib extending along the rotation axis direction of the valve core, and a second rib extending along the circumference of the valve core, and a lattice-shaped rib is formed by the intersection of the first rib and the second rib, and the periphery of the switching flow path is surrounded by the rib. Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Chinese Utility Model Specification No. 218582336 Summary of the invention

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the first convex rib is parallel to the rotation axis of the valve core, that is, orthogonal to the circumferential direction, the rotation torque of the valve core when it passes over the convex rib becomes larger, and the sliding resistance of the valve core increases. If the sliding resistance of the valve core increases, there are concerns about energy loss and reduced durability of the seal. Therefore, people are looking for a rotary valve that can reduce the sliding resistance.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary valve capable of reducing sliding resistance.

[0006] The rotary valve according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a rotor and a seal, wherein the rotor has a cylindrical rotor main body formed with a rotor opening for fluid circulation and rotates around an axis, wherein the seal is arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotor main body, wherein the rotor main body includes two opposing portions that are opposed to each other in the circumferential direction in an edge portion constituting the rotor opening, wherein the seal has a seal main body and an inner annular rib, wherein the seal main body is arranged radially outward relative to the rotor main body and has a seal opening that can communicate with the rotor opening, wherein the inner annular rib is arranged to surround the seal opening and protrude from the seal main body toward the inner side in the radial direction, wherein the inner annular rib includes an inclined rib portion that forms an acute angle with the opposing portion.

[0007] According to this structure, the inclined rib portion included in the inner annular rib arranged to surround the seal opening is inclined so as to form an acute angle with the circumferentially opposed portion of the edge portion constituting the rotor opening. That is, the rotor body gradually climbs onto the inclined rib portion during rotation, thereby reducing the peak value of the rotation torque of the rotor. As a result, the sliding resistance of the rotor can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the rotary valve according to the embodiment. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a rotor according to an embodiment. Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of the rotor opening is shown. Figure 4A To show along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross section of IVA-IVA is shown. Figure 4B To show along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross section of IVB-IVB is shown. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a portion of the radially outer side of a seal according to an embodiment. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a portion of the radially inner side of a seal according to an embodiment. Figure 7 A diagram showing a rotor opening and a seal opening according to an embodiment. Fig. 8A A diagram showing the inner axial rib and the steeply inclined portion according to an embodiment. Figure 8B A diagram showing the inner axial rib and the steeply inclined portion according to an embodiment. Figure 8C A diagram showing the inner axial rib and the steeply inclined portion according to an embodiment. Fig.9A A diagram showing the inner axial rib and the gently inclined portion according to an embodiment. Fig. 9B A diagram showing the inner axial rib and the gently inclined portion according to an embodiment. Fig. 9C A diagram showing the inner axial rib and the gently inclined portion according to an embodiment. Fig.10 This is a diagram showing changes in the rotational torque of the rotor with respect to the rotation angle according to the embodiment. Fig.11 The present invention is a perspective view showing a rotor according to another embodiment. Fig.12 This is a diagram showing a portion of the radial inner side of a seal according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a rotary valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope not departing from the gist thereof.

[0010] [Rotary valve] Figure 1 The cross section along the axis AX of the rotary valve 100 is shown. In the present embodiment, the rotary valve 100 is used to control the fluid flowing to a cooling target device such as a battery or a motor mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The fluid is cooling water such as a long-life coolant (LLC). It should be noted that the fluid may also be a paraffin-based insulating oil, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) or other refrigerant.

[0011] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotary valve 100 includes a rotor 2 accommodated in a housing 1, a bushing 3 supporting the rotor 2 in a rotatable manner, a seal 4 disposed between the housing 1 and the rotor 2, and an actuator 5 connected to the rotor 2. The actuator 5 transmits a rotational force to the rotor 2. The rotor 2 rotates around the axis AX as the center by transmitting the rotational force from the actuator 5, thereby controlling the flow of the fluid.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction along the axis AX of the rotor 2 is referred to as the "axial direction DX", the circumferential direction of the rotor 2 is referred to as the "circumferential direction DC", and the radial direction of the rotor 2 is referred to as the "radial direction DR". In addition, the side of the axial direction DX where the actuator 5 is arranged relative to the rotor 2 is referred to as the "axial direction first side DX1", and the opposite side is referred to as the "axial direction second side DX2". In addition, the inner side of the radial direction DR is referred to as the "radial inner side DR1", and the opposite side is referred to as the "radial outer side DR2".

[0013] [case] The housing 1 has a housing wall 11 that divides a space for accommodating the rotor 2. A plurality of ports 111 are formed along the circumferential direction DC on the housing wall 11. The plurality of ports 111 are arranged at predetermined intervals and connected to different external flow paths. The external flow path is connected to a cooling target device such as a battery or a motor.

[0014] [Rotor] Figure 2 2 is a three-dimensional diagram showing the rotor 2. Figure 2As shown, the rotor 2 includes a shaft portion 20 coaxial with the axis AX, and a cylindrical rotor body 21 capable of rotating integrally with the shaft portion 20. The rotor 2 is made of resin or the like, and the shaft portion 20 and the rotor body 21 are formed integrally. In the present embodiment, when viewed along the radial direction DR, the rotor body 21 is a cone (truncated cone) whose diameter gradually decreases as it moves toward the second side DX2 in the axial direction, and with respect to the dimension (length) in the radial direction DR, the dimension on the second side DX2 in the axial direction is smaller than the dimension on the first side DX1 in the axial direction.

[0015] A plurality of rotor openings 21H are formed on the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor main body 21. The rotor openings 21H communicate with a valve flow path L formed inside the rotor main body 21, and in the rotor 2 in a predetermined posture, the fluid passes through the rotor openings 21H.

[0016] When viewed in the radial direction DR, the rotor opening 21H is substantially rectangular, with the circumferential direction DC as the short side direction and the direction (hereinafter referred to as the "orthogonal direction") perpendicular to the circumferential direction DC in the direction along the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor body 21 as the long side direction. As described above, the rotor body 21 is formed in a tapered shape, so the orthogonal direction is not strictly parallel to the axial direction DX, and therefore, the following description assumes that they are substantially parallel.

[0017] The rotor body 21 has an edge portion 211 constituting a rotor opening 21H. The edge portion 211 includes two circumferentially opposed portions 211a (an example of opposed portions) opposed in the circumferential direction DC, and two axially opposed portions 211b opposed in the axial direction DX.

[0018] The circumferentially opposed portion 211a is composed of two sides (hereinafter referred to as "circumferentially opposed sides") that are edges (boundaries) with the rotor opening 21H in the circumferential direction DC of the rotor body 21. Each of the circumferentially opposed sides extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotor opening 21H.

[0019] The shaft-facing portion 211b is composed of two sides (hereinafter referred to as "shaft-facing sides") that are edges (boundaries) with the rotor opening 21H in the axial direction DX of the rotor body 21. Each shaft-facing side extends in the short-side direction of the rotor opening 21H.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, each of the circumferentially opposite portions 211a has a chamfered area 212 formed on the inner side of the radial direction DR. Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of the rotor opening 21H is shown.

[0021] The chamfered area 212 is formed by Figure 4A as well as Figure 4BThe imaginary edge portion 211c and its vicinity shown are formed by three-dimensionally chamfering. It should be noted that the imaginary edge portion 211c is the intersection of the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor body 21 and the flow path wall surface 21L. In addition, the flow path wall surface 21L is a surface including the radial direction DR and the substantially axial direction DX (orthogonal direction), and constitutes the valve flow path L formed inside the rotor body 21. The flow path wall surface 21L is a surface including the above-mentioned circumferential relative edge (circumferential relative portion 211a).

[0022] like Figure 3 As shown, the chamfered region 212 includes a gently inclined portion 212 a (an example of a second contact portion) and a steeply inclined portion 212 b (an example of a first contact portion).

[0023] like Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B As shown, the steeply inclined portion 212b is chamfered so that its length in the circumferential direction DC is smaller and its length in the radial direction DR is larger than that of the gently inclined portion 212a. That is, the steeply inclined surface constituting the steeply inclined portion 212b is more steeply inclined than the gently inclined surface constituting the gently inclined portion 212a.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the gently inclined portion 212a and the steeply inclined portion 212b are arranged substantially point-symmetrically (or point-symmetrically) with respect to the center P of the rotor opening 21H. The center P is the intersection of the diagonal lines of the rotor opening 21H.

[0025] The gently inclined portion 212a is configured to be located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 2 compared to the steeply inclined portion 212b. The steeply inclined portion 212b and the gently inclined portion 212a are connected to each other and constitute a continuous inclined surface. In detail, the chamfered area 212 is an inclined surface from the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor body 21 toward the radial inner side DR1, and the inclination angle relative to the outer peripheral surface 21G is different in the circumferential direction DC and the approximately axial direction DX. That is, the chamfered area 212 is configured to be more gently inclined as it approaches the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 2. It should be noted that the rotor body 21 can rotate in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction when viewed along the axial direction DX.

[0026] [Seals] like Figure 1 As shown, the seal 4 is arranged along the outer peripheral surface 21G (circumferential direction DC) of the rotor body 21. The seal 4 is composed of a component that can be elastically deformed and is compressed by the housing 1 and the rotor 2 to prevent leakage of the liquid (fluid flowing into other flow paths). The seal 4 is made of rubber such as nitrile rubber (NBR), fluororubber (FKM), and polyurethane rubber (U).

[0027] The seal 4 includes a seal main body 41 disposed on the radially outer side DR2 with respect to the rotor main body 21. The seal main body 41 is disposed in a substantially annular shape along the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor main body 21.

[0028] Furthermore, a seal opening 41H that penetrates the seal body 41 and allows a fluid to pass therethrough is formed in the seal body 41. The seal opening 41H can communicate with the rotor opening 21H, and communicates with the rotor opening 21H in the rotor 2 in a predetermined posture.

[0029] Figure 5 A diagram showing a portion of the outer side of the seal 4 in the radial direction DR. Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a portion of the inner side of the seal 4 in the radial direction DR. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the seal opening 41H includes a first opening H1 formed on the surface (outer surface) on the radially outer side DR2, and a second opening H2 formed on the surface (inner surface) on the radially inner side DR1. It should be noted that the inner surface of the seal 4 is the surface of the seal 4 that faces the outer peripheral surface 21G in the radial direction DR when the seal 4 is arranged along the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor body 21, and the outer surface is the surface on the opposite side thereof.

[0030] The seal opening 41H is a hole having a first opening H1 and a second opening H2 as ends, and the first opening H1 and the second opening H2 communicate with each other. Hereinafter, the first opening H1 is referred to as "outer opening H1" and the second opening H2 is referred to as "inner opening H2".

[0031] When viewed in the radial direction DR, the outer opening H1 and the inner opening H2 have different sizes (areas). Specifically, when viewed in the radial direction DR, the outer opening H1 has a larger size (area) than the inner opening H2.

[0032] In addition, the shapes of the outer opening H1 and the inner opening H2 are also different. Specifically, the outer opening H1 is rectangular, and the inner opening H2 is substantially parallelogram (or parallelogram). It should be noted that the shape and size of the outer opening H1 are determined according to the interface 111 formed on the shell wall 11 (see Figure 1 ) is designed according to the shape and size of the rotor opening 21H, and the shape and size of the inner opening H2 are designed according to the shape and size of the rotor opening 21H.

[0033] [convex rib] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 9 , the seal body 41 has a rib group 42 protruding from the seal body 41 toward the radial direction DR. The rib group 42 is composed of a plurality of annular ribs 420 arranged to surround the seal opening 41H. The annular rib 420 includes an outer annular rib 421 arranged to surround the outer opening H1 (see FIG. 9 ). Figure 5), and an inner annular rib 422 configured to surround the inner opening H2 (see Figure 6 ).

[0034] [Outer annular rib] Figure 5 The outer annular rib 421 shown projects radially outward DR2 from the seal body 41 (see Figures 8A to 9C ). When viewed along the radial direction DR, the outer annular rib 421 includes an outer circumferential rib 421a extending along the circumferential direction DC, and an outer axial rib 421b extending in a manner intersecting the outer circumferential rib 421a.

[0035] The outer circumferential rib 421a is arranged opposite to the outer opening H1 in the long side direction (approximately in the axial direction DX) of the outer opening H1. The outer axial rib 421b is arranged opposite to the outer opening H1 in the short side direction (circumferential direction DC) of the outer opening H1. The shape of the first window portion 421w formed by the outer annular rib 421 (the outer edge of the first window portion 421w surrounded by the outer circumferential rib 421a and the outer axial rib 421b) is rectangular, and the first window portion 421w extends in the long side direction (approximately in the axial direction DX) of the outer opening H1.

[0036] [Inner annular rib] Figure 6 The inner annular rib 422 shown projects radially inwardly DR1 from the seal body 41 (see Figures 8A to 9C When viewed along the radial direction DR, the inner annular rib 422 includes an inner circumferential rib 422a (an example of an inner circumferential rib portion) extending along the circumferential direction DC, and an inner axial direction rib 422b (an example of an inclined rib portion) extending in a manner intersecting the inner circumferential rib 422a.

[0037] The inner circumferential rib 422a is arranged relative to the inner opening H2 in the long side direction (approximately the axial direction DX) of the inner opening H2. The inner axial rib 422b is arranged relative to the inner opening H2 in the short side direction (circumferential direction DC) of the inner opening H2. It should be noted that in this embodiment, when viewed along the axial direction DX, the inner axial rib 422b is arranged to span the two outer axial ribs 421b (see Figures 8A to 9C ).

[0038] When the seal body 41 is arranged along the outer peripheral surface 21G of the rotor body 21, and the rotor 2 is in a posture such that the rotor opening 21H and the seal opening 41H face each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 7As shown, the inner axial direction rib 422b extends obliquely relative to the circumferentially opposite portion 211a (based on the circumferentially opposite side). Specifically, the inner axial direction rib 422b extends in a manner that forms an inclination angle θ with the circumferentially opposite portion 211a (circumferentially opposite side). That is, the angle formed by the extending direction of the inner axial direction rib 422b and the circumferentially opposite side of the circumferentially opposite portion 211a (the extending direction of the circumferentially opposite portion 211a) is the inclination angle θ. The inclination angle θ is an acute angle, and in this embodiment, is 1 degree.

[0039] That is, Figure 6 As shown, the shape of the second window portion 422w formed by the inner annular rib 422 (the outer edge of the first window portion 421w surrounded by the inner circumferential rib 422a and the inner axial rib 422b) is formed into a parallelogram.

[0040] [Changes in rotational torque when the rotor rotates] Next, refer to Figures 8A to 10 , the change of the rotational torque generated when the rotor 2 rotates is explained. Figures 8A to 9C This is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the seal body 41 near the inner axial rib 422b and the rotor body 21 near the chamfered area 212 along the radial direction DR. Figure 8A to Figure 8C To schematically show a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner axial rib 422b and the steeply inclined portion 212b in the chamfered area 212 along the radial direction DR, Figures 9A to 9C The figure schematically shows a cross section obtained by cutting the inner axial rib 422b and the gently inclined portion 212a in the chamfered area 212 along the radial direction DR. Fig. 8A and Fig.9A , Figure 8B and Fig. 9B ,as well as Figure 8C and Fig. 9C The rotor 2 is shown in the same posture (same rotation angle), that is, the rotor body 21 and the seal body 41 at the same time. Figures 8A to 9C , the rotor 2 rotates along the arrow D.

[0041] Like reference Figure 3 to Figure 4B As described above, the gently inclined portion 212a is disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 2 compared to the steeply inclined portion 212b. Therefore, the timing of contact with the inner axial rib 422b is different in the gently inclined portion 212a and the steeply inclined portion 212b. Fig. 8A As shown, at the moment when the steeply inclined portion 212b contacts the inner axial rib 422b, as shown in FIG. Fig.9A As shown, the gently inclined portion 212a has not yet contacted the inner axial rib 422b. Figure 8B and Fig. 9B ,as well as Figure 8C and Fig. 9C As shown, the gently inclined portion 212a contacts the inner axial rib 422b of the seal 4 later than the steeply inclined portion 212b, and passes over the inner axial rib 422b later than the steeply inclined portion 212b. As described above, the steeply inclined portion 212b and the gently inclined portion 212a are composed of continuous inclined surfaces, so the chamfered area 212 gradually passes over the inner axial rib 422b.

[0042] Fig.10 The figure schematically shows the rotation torque Nm that changes according to the rotation angle ω of the rotor 2 when the inner axial direction rib 422 b contacts the chamfered area 212 . The vertical axis represents the rotation torque Nm of the rotor 2 , and the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle ω of the rotor 2 .

[0043] As described above, the gently inclined portion 212a contacts the inner axial direction rib 422b later than the steeply inclined portion 212b, and passes over the inner axial direction rib 422b later. Fig.10 As shown, the moment (rotation angle ω2) when the rotational torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the gently inclined portion 212a reaches a peak value (first peak value P1) is later than the moment (rotation angle ω1) when the rotational torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the steeply inclined portion 212b reaches a peak value (second peak value P2).

[0044] Fig.10 The dashed line G1 shown represents the change of the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the gently inclined portion 212a, and the dashed line G2 represents the change of the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the steeply inclined portion 212b. The solid line G3 is obtained by synthesizing the dashed line G1 and the dashed line G2, and represents the change of the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the chamfered area 212. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the gently inclined portion 212a is referred to as "the rotation torque Nm caused by the gently inclined portion 212a", and the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial direction rib 422b and the steeply inclined portion 212b is referred to as "the rotation torque Nm caused by the steeply inclined portion 212b".

[0045] Since the first peak P1 and the second peak P2 occur at different times, Fig.10 As shown by the solid line G3, when the entire chamfered area 212 is viewed, the rotation torque Nm (third peak value P3) caused by the contact with the inner axial rib 422b can be reduced.

[0046] Furthermore, by reducing the third peak value P3, the change (rise) of the rotation torque Nm until reaching the third peak value P3 can be made gentle. That is, compared with a structure in which the extending direction of the inner axial rib 422b is parallel to the edge portion 211 (circumferentially opposite sides) of the rotor opening 21H, the rotation torque Nm at the peak can be reduced and the change of the rotation torque Nm can be made gentle.

[0047] In addition, as reference Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B As described above, the gently inclined portion 212a is chamfered so that the length in the radial direction DR is smaller than that of the steeply inclined portion 212b. Fig.10 As shown by the dashed line G1 and the dotted line G2, a first peak value P1 of the rotation torque Nm caused by the gently inclined portion 212a is smaller than a second peak value P2 of the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact with the steeply inclined portion 212b.

[0048] Furthermore, the gently inclined portion 212a is more gently inclined than the steeply inclined portion 212b, and the rotation torque Nm (first peak value P1) caused by the gently inclined portion 212a at the peak is smaller than the rotation torque Nm (second peak value P2) caused by the steeply inclined portion 212b at the peak. Fig.10 As shown, the change in the rotation torque Nm caused by the gently inclined portion 212a (the dashed line G1) is more gradual than the change in the rotation torque Nm caused by the steeply inclined portion 212b (the dotted line G2).

[0049] On the other hand, the steeply inclined portion 212b is chamfered in a manner that the length in the radial direction DR is larger (that is, the second peak value P2 is larger than the first peak value P1), and is more steeply inclined than the gently inclined portion 212a, so the change in the rotation torque Nm caused by the steeply inclined portion 212b (the dashed line G2 compared to the dashed line G1) becomes larger. In addition, the steeply inclined portion 212b has a smaller length in the circumferential direction DC than the gently inclined portion 212a, that is, the range of the rotation angle ω of the rotor 2 is smaller. It can be obtained from this that the width of the peak value of the rotation torque Nm caused by the steeply inclined portion 212b (the range of the rotation angle ω at which the second peak value P2 is obtained) is smaller than the width of the peak value of the rotation torque Nm caused by the gently inclined portion 212a (the range of the rotation angle ω at which the first peak value P1 is obtained), and the change in the rotation torque Nm caused by the steeply inclined portion 212b is larger.

[0050] like Fig.10 As shown by the dotted line G2, the time for the relatively large peak rotation torque Nm to be generated (the range of the rotation angle ω from the time when the steeply inclined portion 212b climbs onto the inner axial rib 422b to the time when it completely crosses the inner axial rib 422b) is relatively short. Fig.10As shown by the dotted line G1, the time for the relatively small peak rotation torque Nm to be generated (the range of the rotation angle ω from the time when the gently inclined portion 212a ascends the inner axial direction rib 422b to the time when it completely crosses the inner axial direction rib 422b) is relatively long. Fig.10 As shown by the solid line G3, the rotation torque Nm (third peak value P3) when viewed from the entire chamfered area 212 can be reduced. In addition, the change in the rotation torque Nm can also be reduced. That is, according to this embodiment, the rotation torque Nm of the rotor 2 can be reduced compared to the structure in which the extending direction of the inner axial direction rib 422b is parallel to the edge portion 211 (circumferential opposite side) of the rotor opening 21H. Therefore, the sliding resistance of the rotor 2 can be reduced.

[0051] [Overview of the above embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the following structure is conceivable.

[0052] (1) A rotary valve 100 includes a rotor 2 and a seal 4, wherein the rotor 2 has a cylindrical rotor body 21 having a rotor opening 21H through which a fluid flows and rotates about an axis AX, wherein the seal 4 is arranged along a circumferential direction DC of the rotor body 21, wherein the rotor body 21 includes two circumferentially opposed portions 211a (opposing portions) opposed to each other in the circumferential direction DC in an edge portion 211 constituting the rotor opening 21H, wherein the seal 4 includes a seal body 41 and an inner annular rib 422, wherein the seal body 41 is arranged radially outward DR2 relative to the rotor body 21 and has a seal opening 41H that can communicate with the rotor opening 21H, wherein the inner annular rib 422 is arranged to surround the seal opening 41H and protrude from the seal body 41 toward a radially inward DR1, wherein the inner annular rib 422 includes an inner axial direction rib 422b (inclined rib portion) that forms an acute angle with the circumferentially opposed portion 211a (opposing portion).

[0053] According to this structure, the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) included in the inner annular rib 422 configured to surround the seal opening 41H is inclined in a manner that forms an acute angle with the circumferential relative portion 211a (relative portion) that is opposite in the circumferential direction DC in the edge portion 211 constituting the rotor opening 21H. That is, when the rotor body 21 rotates, it will gradually climb onto the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion), so that the time of climbing onto (crossing over) the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) can be partially staggered. As a result, the peak value of the rotation torque Nm of the rotor 2 can be reduced, and the sliding resistance of the rotor 2 can be reduced.

[0054] (2) In the rotary valve 100 of (1), preferably, the inner annular rib 422 further includes an inner circumferential rib 422a extending along the circumferential direction DC, and when observed along the radial direction DR, the shape formed by the inner circumferential rib 422a (inner circumferential rib portion) and the inner axial direction rib 422b (inclined rib portion) is a parallelogram.

[0055] According to this configuration, the timing at which the rotor 2 mounts on the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) can be partially delayed.

[0056] (3) In the rotary valve 100 of (1) or (2), it is preferable that the chamfered region 212 chamfered toward the inside in the radial direction DR is formed in the circumferential facing portion 211 a (facing portion).

[0057] According to this configuration, the circumferentially opposed portions 211 a (opposing portions) opposed in the circumferential direction DC of the edge portions 211 constituting the rotor opening 21H are chamfered toward the inside in the radial direction DR, thereby reducing the sliding resistance of the rotor 2 .

[0058] (4) In the rotary valve 100 of (3), preferably, the chamfered area 212 includes a steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion) capable of contacting the inner axial direction convex rib 422b (inclined convex rib portion), and a gently inclined portion 212a (second contact portion) arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotor 2 compared with the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion) and contacting the inner axial direction convex rib 422b (inclined convex rib portion) later than the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion), and the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion) is chamfered in a manner that is smaller in length in the circumferential direction DC and larger in length in the radial direction DR than the gently inclined portion 212a (second contact portion).

[0059] According to this structure, the gently inclined portion 212a (second contact portion) contacts the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) later than the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion), so the rotor body 21 gradually climbs onto the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) during rotation. That is, the time when the rotor body 21 climbs onto (crosses over) the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) can be offset at the gently inclined portion 212a (second contact portion) and the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion). That is, the time when the peak value of the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) and the gently inclined portion 212a (second contact portion) can be offset from the time when the peak value of the rotation torque Nm caused by the contact between the inner axial rib 422b (inclined rib portion) and the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion). Thus, the peak value of the rotation torque Nm of the rotor 2 can be reduced, and the sliding resistance of the rotor 2 can be reduced. In addition, the steeply inclined portion 212b (first contact portion) is chamfered in a manner that the length in the circumferential direction DC is smaller and the length in the radial direction DR is larger than that of the gently inclined portion 212a (second contact portion). Thus, the time from when the steeply inclined portion 212b mounts the inner axial direction rib 422b to when it completely passes over the inner axial direction rib 422b can be shortened relative to the time from when the gently inclined portion 212a mounts the inner axial direction rib 422b to when it completely passes over the inner axial direction rib 422b, and the rotation torque Nm when viewed from the entire chamfered area 212 can be reduced. Therefore, the sliding resistance of the rotor 2 can be reduced.

[0060] [Other embodiments] Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0061] (1) In the above embodiment, the case where two inner axial ribs 422b that are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction DC are inclined relative to the circumferentially opposite portion 211a (circumferentially opposite sides) is described, but only one inner axial rib 422b may be inclined relative to the circumferentially opposite portion 211a (circumferentially opposite sides). That is, the shape formed by the inner circumferential rib 422a and the inner axial rib 422b may be a trapezoid. It should be noted that when the rotation direction of the rotor 2 is one of clockwise and counterclockwise, it is preferred that only one inner axial rib 422b be inclined relative to the circumferentially opposite portion 211a (circumferentially opposite sides) according to the rotation direction of the rotor 2.

[0062] (2) In the above embodiment, the case where the inclination angle θ is 1 degree is described, but the inclination angle θ is not limited to 1 degree. As long as the flow path cross-sectional area that does not hinder the flow of the fluid through the seal opening 41H can be ensured and the sliding resistance of the rotor 2 can be reduced, the inclination angle θ can be appropriately changed, for example, it can be appropriately changed within the range of greater than 0 degrees and less than 5 degrees.

[0063] (3) In the above embodiment, the structure in which the gently inclined portion 212a is arranged on the downstream side of the steeply inclined portion 212b in the rotation direction of the rotor 2 is described as an example, but the gently inclined portion 212a may be arranged on the upstream side of the steeply inclined portion 212b in the rotation direction of the rotor 2. That is, the chamfered area 212 may be configured to be gradually inclined as it approaches the upstream side.

[0064] (4) In the above embodiment, the steeply inclined portion 212b is chamfered so that the length in the circumferential direction DC is smaller than that in the gently inclined portion 212a and the length in the radial direction DR is larger. However, the steeply inclined portion 212b only needs to be more steeply inclined than the gently inclined portion 212a, and may be chamfered so that only the length in the circumferential direction DC is smaller than that in the gently inclined portion 212a. Alternatively, the steeply inclined portion 212b may be chamfered so that only the length in the radial direction DR is larger than that in the gently inclined portion 212a.

[0065] (5) In the above embodiment, the case where the chamfered region 212 is formed on the rotor body 21 is described. However, the chamfered region 212 may be omitted from the rotor body 21 .

[0066] (6) In the above embodiment, the inner axial rib 422b is arranged to straddle the two outer axial ribs 421b, but the inner axial rib 422b may not be arranged to straddle the two outer axial ribs 421b. As long as the sealing performance of the fluid can be ensured, the positional relationship between the inner axial rib 422b and the outer axial rib 421b may be appropriately changed. It should be noted that the number of the rib group 42 may also be appropriately changed.

[0067] (7) In the above embodiment, the number of rotor openings 21H formed in the rotor 2 can be appropriately changed according to the number of ports 111 formed in the housing wall 11, the number of switching fluid flow paths through which the fluid flows, and the like.

[0068] (8) In the above embodiment, the rotor body 21 is described as being tapered when viewed in the radial direction DR, but the rotor body 21 may be rectangular when viewed in the radial direction DR, that is, the rotor body 21 may be cylindrical. It should be noted that in this case, the orthogonal direction is parallel to the axial direction DX. It should be noted that the expressions "parallel" and "orthogonal" are not limited to the case of strictly "parallel" and "orthogonal", etc., but also include the case of being able to obtain the same function to a certain extent.

[0069] (9) Fig.11As shown, the rotor 2 may also be a double-layer structure with two internal flow paths formed side by side in an orthogonal direction (approximately in the axial direction DX). Fig.12 As shown, the seal 4 is also preferably a double-layer structure with two seal openings 41H formed in the orthogonal direction (approximately the axial direction DX). In the double-layer seal 4, the two inner axial ribs 422b arranged side by side in the orthogonal direction are configured so that their axes (virtual axes in the orthogonal direction) are located at different positions in the circumferential direction DC. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The present invention can be used in a rotary valve. Explanation of symbols

[0071] 2: rotor, 4: seal, 21: rotor body, 21H: rotor opening, 41: seal body, 41H: seal opening, 100: rotary valve, 211: edge portion, 211a: circumferential relative portion (relative portion), 212: chamfered area, 212a: gently inclined portion (second contact portion), 212b: steeply inclined portion (first contact portion), 420: annular rib, 422: inner annular rib, 422a: inner circumferential rib (inner circumferential rib portion), 422b: inner axial direction rib (inclined rib portion), AX: axis, DC: circumferential direction, DR: radial direction.

Claims

1. A rotary valve comprising: a rotor having a cylindrical rotor body formed with a rotor opening through which a fluid flows, and rotating around an axis; and a seal, wherein the seal is arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotor body, The rotor body includes two opposing portions that are opposed to each other in the circumferential direction in the edge portion that constitutes the rotor opening. The seal comprises a seal body and an inner annular rib, wherein the seal body is arranged radially outward relative to the rotor body and has a seal opening that can communicate with the rotor opening, and the inner annular rib is arranged to surround the seal opening and protrude from the seal body toward the radial inward. The inner annular rib includes an inclined rib portion forming an acute angle with the opposing portion.

2. The rotary valve according to claim 1, wherein: The inner annular rib further comprises an inner circumferential rib portion extending along the circumferential direction, When viewed along the radial direction, a shape formed by the inner circumferential rib portion and the inclined rib portion is a parallelogram.

3. The rotary valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The facing portion has a chamfered region chamfered toward the inside in the radial direction.

4. The rotary valve according to claim 3, wherein: The chamfered area includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion, the first contact portion being capable of contacting the inclined rib portion, the second contact portion being arranged on a downstream side in a rotational direction of the rotor compared to the first contact portion and contacting the inclined rib portion later than the first contact portion, The first contact portion is chamfered so as to have a smaller length in the circumferential direction and a larger length in the radial direction than the second contact portion.

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