Manifold

Abstract

The invention provides a manifold which is not easily restricted by the height of a valve. A manifold (300) is provided with: a resin manifold body (302) comprising a plurality of shells (310, 330) joined to each other and having a plurality of flow paths therein; and a rotary valve (340) for controlling the flow of a fluid flowing through the flow path, in which a first housing (310), which is one of two housings having joining parts (324, 332) that are joined to each other among a plurality of housings (310, 330) constituting the manifold body (302), has a cylindrical valve housing part (316) capable of housing and supporting the rotary valve (340). At least a portion of the valve housing section (316) protrudes further toward a second housing (330) side than the joining sections (324, 332), the second housing (330) being the other of the two housings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to manifolds. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, automobiles equipped with motors (hybrid electric vehicles (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), battery vehicles (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle), fuel cell vehicles (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), etc.) have become popular as driving sources. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned automobiles are collectively referred to as electric vehicles. In electric vehicles, there are many devices that need to be cooled, such as motors (including internal combustion engines such as engines), batteries, air conditioners, ECUs, etc., so a cooling circuit that circulates coolant, refrigerant, and oil is formed to cool them. At this time, by forming a flow path of the cooling circuit in the manifold, the flow path structure can be simplified without the need for winding of piping, and the cooling circuit can be miniaturized.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a manifold in which two housings are joined together and valve housing portions are formed in the respective housings to house control valves.

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2023 / 104347

[0005] In the manifold of Patent Document 1, since two housings are joined and valve housings are formed in each housing to house the control valves, the height of the manifold needs to be higher than the height of the control valves. That is, the height of the manifold is restricted by the height of the control valves, and there is room for improvement. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, a manifold that is less constrained by the height of the valves is desired.

[0007] One embodiment of the manifold of the present invention comprises: a manifold body made of resin, which is composed of a plurality of shells joined to each other and has a plurality of flow paths inside; and a rotary valve, which controls the flow of a fluid flowing in the above-mentioned flow paths, and one of the two shells having a joint portion joined to each other among the plurality of shells constituting the above-mentioned manifold body, namely, the first shell, has a cylindrical valve housing portion capable of housing and supporting the above-mentioned rotary valve, and at least a portion of the above-mentioned valve housing portion protrudes further toward the other of the two shells, namely, the second shell, than the above-mentioned joint portion.

[0008] According to this embodiment, at least a portion of the valve housing portion formed in the first housing protrudes further toward the second housing than the joint portion. By configuring in this way, the height of the manifold body can be reduced compared to a structure in which at least a portion of the valve housing portion formed in the first housing does not protrude further toward the second housing than the joint portion. Thus, a manifold that is not easily restricted by the height of the rotary valve can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the manifold according to the present embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the manifold.

[0011] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the manifold body.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow on line IV-IV.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a side view showing the manifold in a state of being fixed to the support frame.

[0014] Description of Reference Numerals

[0015] 300: manifold, 302: manifold body, 310: first housing (housing), 312: flow path, 316: first valve chamber (valve receiving portion), 316a: first opening (opening), 316c: first bottom wall (bottom wall), 316d: lower groove (groove), 318: second valve chamber (valve receiving portion), 318a: second opening (opening), 318c: second bottom wall (bottom wall), 324: first partition wall (joining portion), 326: support plate (fixing portion), 330: second Housing (housing), 332: second dividing wall (joint), 340: first rotary valve (rotary valve), 341: first actuator (cover), 341a: upper groove (groove), 342: first valve body (rotor), 343: first seal (seal), 350: second rotary valve (rotary valve), 351: second actuator (cover), 352: second valve body (rotor), 353: second seal (seal), 380: supporting frame, AX: rotating axis core (center axis). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the manifold of the present invention will be described in detail using the accompanying drawings. In addition, the embodiment described below is an example for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented in various forms as long as it does not deviate from the purpose.

[0017] 〔Structure of manifold〕

[0018] The manifold 300 of the present embodiment is used for electric vehicles (such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)) that have motors as driving sources. The manifold 300 is a component that integrates a flow path for the flow of a coolant (an example of a fluid) used to cool the motor (including internal combustion engines such as engines), batteries, air conditioners, ECUs, and other devices that need to be cooled in the electric vehicle, a rotary valve that controls the flow of the coolant, and a water pump that pressurizes the coolant.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the manifold 300 includes a first rotary valve 340 (an example of a rotary valve), a second rotary valve 350 (an example of a rotary valve), a first water pump 360, a second water pump 370, and a manifold body 302 having a plurality of flow paths 312 through which the coolant flows. The manifold body 302 is formed by joining a plurality of shells together by welding or the like, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the first housing 310 (an example of a housing) and the second housing 330 (an example of a housing) are joined together to form a cooling liquid. The cooling liquid is cooling water such as long-life coolant (LLC) or insulating oil such as paraffin.

[0020] Figure 1 to Figure 3 The plurality of flow paths 312 shown are a concept including both an inflow path for the coolant to flow into the first rotary valve 340 or the second rotary valve 350 and an outflow path for the coolant to flow out of the first rotary valve 340 or the second rotary valve 350. The plurality of flow paths 312 are a concept including all flow paths for the coolant to flow inside the manifold body 302, such as a flow path formed only in the first housing 310, a flow path formed only in the second housing 330, and a flow path formed from the first housing 310 across the second housing 330.

[0021] In the flow path 312 of the present embodiment, the flow path 312 having a portion protruding outward from the outer wall 310a of the first housing 310 is provided with a plurality of (in the present embodiment, five) first flow paths 312a on the side close to the second housing 330 and a plurality of (in the present embodiment, four) second flow paths 312b on the side away from the second housing 330 in the direction along the rotation axis AX (an example of a central axis) of each of the first rotary valve 340 and the second rotary valve 350. The flow path 312 is a general term for the first flow paths 312a and the second flow paths 312b. The protruding directions of the nine flow paths 312 are all perpendicular to the rotation axis AX (refer to Figure 2 ). Hereinafter, the direction (height direction) parallel to the rotation axis AX is referred to as the "Z direction". In addition, the direction of the first housing 310 relative to the second housing 330 in the Z direction is referred to as the Z1 direction, and the direction of the second housing 330 relative to the first housing 310 is referred to as the Z2 direction.

[0022] In the manifold body 302 of this embodiment, the first rotary valve 340, the second rotary valve 350, the first water pump 360, and the second water pump 370 are all installed in the first housing 310. The first rotary valve 340 and the first water pump 360 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the second rotary valve 350 and the second water pump 370 are arranged adjacent to each other. Figure 2 As shown, the rotation axis AX of the first rotary valve 340 is parallel to the rotation axis AX of the second rotary valve 350, and the rotation axis BX of the first water pump 360 is parallel to the rotation axis BX of the second water pump 370. Moreover, the rotation axis AX of the first rotary valve 340 and the second rotary valve 350 and the rotation axis BX of the first water pump 360 and the second water pump 370 are perpendicular to each other. Only a part of the plurality of flow paths 312 is formed in the second housing 330 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0023] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the first rotary valve 340 includes a first actuator 341 (an example of a cover), a first valve body 342 (an example of a rotor), and a first seal 343 (an example of a seal). The second rotary valve 350 includes a second actuator 351 (an example of a cover), a second valve body 352 (an example of a rotor), and a second seal 353 (an example of a seal). The first actuator 341 and the second actuator 351 are fixed to the first housing 310 in a state where they are exposed on the surface of the first housing 310. The first valve body 342 and the first seal 343 are accommodated in a first valve chamber 316 (an example of a valve housing portion) formed in the first housing 310. The second valve body 352 and the second seal 353 are accommodated in a second valve chamber 318 (an example of a valve housing portion) formed in the first housing 310. The first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318 are arranged between a pair of opposing outer walls 310a of the first housing 310 and in a central area 310b (see Figure 3 ).

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of reserve chambers 314 are formed around each of the first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318 of the first housing 310. A plurality of reserve chambers 314 are formed between the flow path 312 and the first valve chamber 316, and between the flow path 312 and the second valve chamber 318, and the flow path 312 and the first valve chamber 316, and the flow path 312 and the second valve chamber 318 are connected via the reserve chamber 314. The reserve chamber 314 is a concept that includes both an inflow reserve chamber connected to the inflow path and an outflow reserve chamber connected to the outflow path. In the present embodiment, the reserve chamber 314 is arranged in all the flow paths 312 connected to the first valve chamber 316 and all the flow paths 312 connected to the second valve chamber 318. The plurality of flow paths 312 and the plurality of reserve chambers 314 are radially arranged to surround each of the first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318.

[0025] The first housing 310 is formed with a partitioned flow path 312, a first valve chamber 316, a second valve chamber 318, a reserve chamber 314, and a first vortex chamber 320 (see Figure 2 ) and two adjacent first partition walls 324 (an example of a joint) in the second vortex chamber 322. The first housing 310 is composed only of the flow path 312, the first valve chamber 316, the second valve chamber 318, the reserve chamber 314, the first vortex chamber 320, the second vortex chamber 322 and the first partition wall 324.

[0026] The second housing 330 includes a second partition wall 332 (an example of a joint portion) that partitions a portion of the plurality of flow paths 312 formed in the second housing 330 and two adjacent ones of the preparatory chamber 314. The manifold body 302 is formed by joining the first partition wall 324 of the first housing 310 and the second partition wall 332 of the second housing 330 by welding or the like.

[0027] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the first valve chamber 316 formed in the first housing 310 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a first opening 316a (an example of an opening), a first side wall 316b and a first bottom wall 316c (an example of a bottom wall) (see Figure 4 ). The central axis of the first valve chamber 316 is a core coaxial with the rotating shaft core AX in the state where the first rotary valve 340 is accommodated. That is, the central axis of the first valve chamber 316 is also the rotating shaft core AX. The inner diameter of the first valve chamber 316 is formed to become smaller as it moves from the first opening 316a toward the first bottom wall 316c. That is, the first side wall 316b has a tapered shape toward the Z2 direction. Thus, the first valve body 342 and the first seal 343 of the first rotary valve 340 can be smoothly inserted into the first valve chamber 316 from the first opening 316a. In addition, the first valve body 342 and the first seal 343 can be reliably positioned relative to the first valve chamber 316 in the Z direction.

[0028] A portion of the first side wall 316b and the first bottom wall 316c of the first valve chamber 316 protrude further downward (in the Z2 direction) than the first partition wall 324. That is, a portion of the first side wall 316b and the first bottom wall 316c protrude further toward the second housing 330 than the first partition wall 324. A first through hole 334 is formed at a position opposite to the first valve chamber 316 of the second housing 330, and a portion of the first side wall 316b and the first bottom wall 316c of the first valve chamber 316 are fitted into the first through hole 334 of the second housing 330 by joining the first housing 310 and the second housing 330. The first bottom wall 316c does not protrude further downward (in the Z2 direction) than the second housing 330.

[0029] Similarly, the second valve chamber 318 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the bottomed cylindrical shape has a second opening 318a (an example of an opening), a second side wall 318b, and a second bottom wall 318c (an example of a bottom wall). The central axis of the second valve chamber 318 is a core coaxial with the rotating shaft core AX in the state where the second rotary valve 350 is stored. That is, the central axis of the second valve chamber 318 is also the rotating shaft core AX. The inner diameter of the second valve chamber 318 is also formed to become smaller as it moves from the second opening 318a toward the second bottom wall 318c. That is, the second side wall 318b has a tapered shape toward the Z2 direction. As a result, the second valve body 352 and the second seal 353 of the second rotary valve 350 can be smoothly inserted into the second valve chamber 318 from the second opening 318a. In addition, the second valve body 352 and the second seal 353 can be reliably positioned relative to the second valve chamber 318 in the Z direction.

[0030] A portion of the second side wall 318b and the second bottom wall 318c of the second valve chamber 318 protrude further downward (in the Z2 direction) than the first partition wall 324. That is, a portion of the second side wall 318b and the second bottom wall 318c protrude further toward the side of the second housing 330 than the first partition wall 324. A second through hole 335 is formed at a position opposite to the second valve chamber 318 of the second housing 330, and a portion of the second side wall 318b and the second bottom wall 318c of the second valve chamber 318 are inserted into the second through hole 335 of the second housing 330 by joining the first housing 310 and the second housing 330. The second bottom wall 318c does not protrude further downward (in the Z2 direction) than the second housing 330.

[0031] In the present embodiment, a portion of the first side wall 316b and the first bottom wall 316c of the first valve chamber 316, and a portion of the second side wall 318b and the second bottom wall 318c of the second valve chamber 318 protrude further downward than the first partition wall 324. Furthermore, in a state where the first housing 310 and the second housing 330 are joined, the protruding portions are respectively embedded in the first through hole 334 and the second through hole 335 of the second housing 330. By configuring in this way, the length (height) of the manifold body 302 along the Z direction can be shortened compared to a structure in which the first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318 do not protrude further downward than the first partition wall 324. Thus, the manifold 300 can be miniaturized.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first valve body 342 is housed in the first valve chamber 316 of the first housing 310, and the first actuator 341 is fixed to the first housing 310 and is provided as a cover covering the first opening 316a. Thus, one end of the first rotating shaft 342a of the first valve body 342 is connected to the first actuator 341, and the other end is supported by the first bushing 316f formed on the first bottom wall 316c (see Figure 4). In this way, the first actuator 341 fixed to the first housing 310 and the first bushing 316f formed on the first housing 310 support both ends of the first rotating shaft 342a, thereby making it easier for the rotating shaft core AX to be parallel to the Z direction compared to a structure in which the first rotating shaft 342a is supported by the first housing 310 and the second housing 330, thereby enabling smooth rotation of the first valve body 342.

[0033] In addition, the second valve body 352 is accommodated in the second valve chamber 318 of the first housing 310, and the second actuator 351 is fixed to the first housing 310 and is set as a cover covering the second opening 318a. Thus, one end of the second rotating shaft 352a of the second valve body 352 is connected to the second actuator 351, and the other end is supported by a second bushing (not shown) formed on the second bottom wall 318c. In this way, the two ends of the second rotating shaft 352a are supported by the second actuator 351 fixed to the first housing 310 and the second bushing formed on the first housing 310, thereby, compared with the structure in which the second rotating shaft 352a is supported by the first housing 310 and the second housing 330, the rotating shaft core AX is easier to be parallel to the Z direction, thereby enabling smooth rotation of the second valve body 352.

[0034] like Figure 1 to Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the first housing 310 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) support plates 326 (an example of a fixing portion) for fixing the manifold 300 to the support frame 380 of the electric vehicle. The support plates 326 extend and protrude in the Z2 direction.

[0035] 〔Structure of rotary valve〕

[0036] Next, the structures of the first rotary valve 340 and the second rotary valve 350 are described. In this embodiment, the first rotary valve 340 and the second rotary valve 350 have the same structure except for the structure of the first valve body 342 and the second valve body 352 of the switching flow path 312 (see Figure 2 Therefore, below, only the structure of the first rotary valve 340 is described, and the detailed description of the structure of the second rotary valve 350 is omitted.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, in the first rotary valve 340, the first seal 343 is arranged in contact with the first side wall 316b and the first bottom wall 316c of the first valve chamber 316. In addition, the first valve body 342 is arranged radially inside the first seal 343 in contact with the first seal 343.

[0038] The first valve body 342 has a cylindrical shape (refer to Figure 2), a flow path is formed inside. The first rotating shaft 342a of the first valve body 342 is configured to become a core coaxial with the rotating shaft core AX when the first valve body 342 is accommodated in the first valve chamber 316. One end of the first rotating shaft 342a is connected to the first actuator 341, and the first rotating shaft 342a is rotated by driving the first actuator 341 to rotate the first valve body 342. The other end of the first rotating shaft 342a is supported by a first bushing 316f formed on the first bottom wall 316c. By rotating the first valve body 342, the combination of the flow path 312 of the cooling water flowing into the first valve chamber 316 and the flow path 312 of the cooling water flowing out of the first valve chamber 316 can be changed. In this way, the first rotary valve 340 can control the flow of the cooling water flowing in the flow path 312. In addition, in the first rotary valve 340, when the first valve body 342 rotates, the first seal 343 does not rotate. Since the first valve body 342 is in contact with the first seal 343 , the first valve body 342 rotates while sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the first seal 343 .

[0039] The first seal 343 is arranged over substantially the entire circumference of the first valve chamber 316. More precisely, the first seal 343 is not arranged over the entire circumference of the first valve chamber 316 (not in an annular shape) in the circumferential direction, and has a substantially C-shape without a circumferential portion in a plan view (viewed in the Z direction) (see FIG. Figure 2 ). However, hereinafter, the entire circumference of the first seal 343 is also referred to as "the entire circumference". The first seal 343 is elastically deformable, and is compressed in the radial direction by being clamped by the first valve chamber 316 and the first valve body 342, thereby sealing the flow path to prevent the coolant from leaking from the flow path. The first seal 343 is formed of an elastically deformable rubber material such as nitrile rubber (NBR), fluororubber (FKM), and polyurethane rubber (U).

[0040] The first seal 343 has a plurality of flow ports 343a formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of reserve chambers 314 (flow paths 312) formed around the first valve chamber 316 of the first housing 310. This ensures sealing and allows cooling water to flow between the reserve chambers 314 and the first valve body 342.

[0041] An upper rib 344 and a lower rib 345 are formed on both ends of the first seal 343 along the Z direction over the entire circumference (see Figure 2 ). The upper rib 344 and the lower rib 345 extend and protrude along the Z direction, and have a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed in the Z direction. In the lower rib 345, a plurality of rotation stoppers 345a extend and protrude from the front end of the lower rib 345 along the Z2 direction. In the present embodiment, the rotation stoppers 345a are arranged in units of approximately 120 degrees, and a total of three are arranged.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, an annular upper groove 341a (an example of a groove) is formed on the surface of the first actuator 341 that is opposite to the first valve chamber 316, with the rotation axis AX as the center when viewed in the Z direction. By inserting the upper rib 344 of the first seal 343 into the upper groove 341a, the upper groove 341a clamps and holds the upper rib 344. The upper groove 341a is not annular when viewed in the Z direction, but may be a roughly C-shaped shape in which the upper rib 344 is embedded without a gap.

[0043] A circular lower groove 316d (an example of a groove) is formed on the first bottom wall 316c of the first valve chamber 316 around the rotating shaft core AX as viewed in the Z direction. By inserting the lower rib 345 of the first seal 343 into the lower groove 316d, the lower groove 316d clamps and holds the lower rib 345. The lower groove 316d is not circular in shape as viewed in the Z direction, but may be a substantially C-shaped shape in which the lower rib 345 is embedded without a gap.

[0044] A plurality of stopper grooves 316e (three in the present embodiment) into which the rotation stopper 345a is inserted are formed at the bottom of the lower groove 316d of the first bottom wall 316c formed in the first valve chamber 316. The stopper groove 316e has such a size that the rotation stopper 345a can be embedded without a gap. By inserting the rib 345 into the lower groove 316d in a state where the position of the rotation stopper 345a of the first seal 343 is consistent with the stopper groove 316e of the first bottom wall 316c, the lower rib 345 and the rotation stopper 345a can be clamped and held by the lower groove 316d and the stopper groove 316e. At this time, the flow port 343a of the first seal 343 is opposite to the preparatory chamber 314 formed around the first valve chamber 316.

[0045] In the first rotary valve 340 of the present embodiment, the first seal 343 has an upper rib 344 and a lower rib 345 at both ends along the Z direction, and the upper rib 344 and the lower rib 345 are clamped by the upper groove 341a and the lower groove 316d, respectively. Therefore, the first seal 343 can be positioned in the Z direction and can be prevented from being overturned by external force, the rotation of the first valve body 342, etc. In addition, the rotation stopper 345a is embedded in the stopper groove 316e, so even if the first valve body 342 rotates while sliding on the inner circumferential surface of the first seal 343, the first seal 343 can be prevented from being driven to rotate.

[0046] 〔Fix the manifold〕

[0047] Next, use Figure 5 A method of supporting the manifold 300 in the electric vehicle will be described. The manifold 300 is supported by being fixed to a support frame 380 of the electric vehicle by a method such as fastening the stay plate 326 with bolts 382 .

[0048] As described above, the support plates 326 are provided in the first housing 310 of the manifold body 302 with four (see Figure 3 In this embodiment, various auxiliary devices such as the first rotary valve 340, the second rotary valve 350, the first water pump 360, and the second water pump 370 are installed in the first housing 310, and on the other hand, only a part of the plurality of flow paths 312 is formed in the second housing 330 (refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 ). Therefore, compared with the second housing 330, the first housing 310 on which various auxiliary devices are installed is much heavier.

[0049] Assuming that the support plate 326 is disposed in the second housing 330 in the manifold 300, Figure 5 When the manifold 300 is fixed to the support frame 380 in the posture shown, the first housing 310 on which various auxiliary devices are mounted is supported at a position where the first partition wall 324 of the first housing 310 and the second partition wall 332 of the second housing 330 are joined by welding or the like. That is, the center of gravity of the manifold 300 is located closer to the first housing 310 than the position where the first housing 310 and the second housing 330 are joined, so a force that causes the first housing 310 to be disengaged due to the weight of the first housing 310 on which various auxiliary devices are mounted acts on the joined position. In such a state, if vibrations, impacts, etc. during the running of the electric vehicle act on the joint, there is a concern that the first housing 310 may be disengaged and fall off in the worst case.

[0050] However, since the manifold 300 of this embodiment is provided with the support plate 326 on the first housing 310 on which various auxiliary devices are mounted, the heavier first housing 310 is directly fixed to the support frame 380. Therefore, the force in the direction of engagement and disengagement of the engagement portion between the first partition wall 324 of the first housing 310 and the second partition wall 332 of the second housing 330 is only the force caused by the weight of the light second housing 330. Therefore, even if vibration, impact, etc. during the running of the electric vehicle act on the engagement portion, the risk of the engagement and disengagement and the second housing 330 falling off is small. Therefore, the manifold 300 can be reliably fixed to the support frame 380.

[0051] [Other implementation methods]

[0052] <1> In the above embodiment, the first valve chamber 316 and the second valve chamber 318 are covered by the first actuator 341 and the second actuator 351, respectively, but other components may be used as covers instead of actuators. In this case, an actuator for rotating the first valve body 342 and the second valve body 352 may be separately arranged outside the cover.

[0053] <2> In the above embodiment, the first through hole 334 and the second through hole 335 are formed in the second housing 330, into which the first bottom wall 316c of the first valve chamber 316 of the first housing 310 and the second bottom wall 318c of the second valve chamber 318 are embedded. However, they do not necessarily need to be through holes. Instead of through holes, a bottomed recess may be formed in the second housing 330, into which the first bottom wall 316c and the second bottom wall 318c are embedded.

[0054] <3> In the above embodiment, the first bottom wall 316 c and the second bottom wall 318 c are configured not to protrude downward from the second housing 330 , but may be configured to protrude downward from the second housing 330 .

[0055] <4> In the above embodiment, the first seal 343 is fixed to the first valve chamber 316 by the upper rib 344 and the lower rib 345 , but may be fixed to the first valve chamber 316 by either the upper rib 344 or the lower rib 345 . The same applies to the second seal 353 .

[0056] <5> In the above embodiment, the rotation stopper 345a of the first seal 343 is formed only on the lower rib 345, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The rotation stopper 345a may be formed on the lower rib 345 instead of the lower rib 345 or on the upper rib 344 in addition to the lower rib 345. The same applies to the second seal 353.

[0057] <6> In the above embodiment, the manifold body 302 is composed of the first housing 310 and the second housing 330 , but may be composed of a combination of three or more housings.

[0058] In the above-mentioned embodiment of the manifold 300, the following structure is conceivable.

[0059] (1) An embodiment of the manifold 300 comprises: a manifold body 302 made of resin, which is composed of a plurality of shells 310, 330 joined to each other and has a plurality of flow paths 312 inside; and rotary valves 340, 350, which control the flow of a fluid flowing in the flow path 312, wherein one of the two shells having mutually joined joints 324, 332 among the plurality of shells 310, 330 constituting the manifold body 302, namely, the first shell 310, has a cylindrical valve housing portion 316, 318 capable of housing and supporting the rotary valves 340, 350, and at least a portion of the valve housing portion 316, 318 protrudes further toward the other of the two shells, namely, the second shell 330, than the joints 324, 332.

[0060] In the present embodiment, at least a portion of the valve housing portions 316 and 318 formed in the first housing 310 protrudes further toward the second housing 330 than the joint portions 324 and 332. By configuring in this way, the height of the manifold body 302 can be reduced compared to a structure in which at least a portion of the valve housing portions 316 and 318 formed in the first housing 310 does not protrude further toward the second housing 330 than the joint portions 324 and 332. Thus, the manifold 300 that is less likely to be restricted by the height of the rotary valves 340 and 350 can be provided.

[0061] (2) In the manifold 300 of (1), the valve housing portions 316, 318 preferably have openings 316a, 318a into which the rotary valves 340, 350 can be inserted, and bottom walls 316c, 318c that can support the rotary valves 340, 350, and the inner diameter of the valve housing portions 316, 318 decreases from the openings 316a, 318a side toward the bottom walls 316c, 318c side.

[0062] Thus, the rotary valves 340 and 350 can be smoothly inserted from the openings 316a and 318a into the valve housings 316 and 318. In addition, the rotary valves 340 and 350 can be reliably positioned relative to the valve housings 316 and 318.

[0063] (3) In the manifold 300 of (2), it is preferred to further include covers 341, 351 which cover the openings 316a, 318a and are fixed to the first housing 310, and the rotary valves 340, 350 include: rotors 342, 352 which control the flow of the fluid by rotating around the central axis AX of the valve housing 316, 318, and seals 343, 353 arranged between the rotors 342, 352 and the valve housing 316, 318, and the bottom walls 316c, 318c of the valve housing 316, 318 and at least one of the covers 341, 351 have grooves 316d, 341a around the central axis AX, and the seals 343, 353 are retained by being inserted into the grooves 316d, 341a.

[0064] According to this, at least one of the bottom walls 316c, 318c of the valve housing portions 316, 318 of the first housing 310 and the covers 341, 351 has grooves 316d, 341a around the central axis AX, and the seals 343, 353 of the rotary valves 340, 350 are inserted into the grooves 316d, 341a and retained. Therefore, the seals 343, 353 can be positioned in the height direction and can be prevented from falling down due to external force, the rotation of the rotors 342, 352, etc.

[0065] (4) In any one of the manifolds 300 of (1) to (3), the first housing 310 preferably includes a fixing portion 326 fixed to the support frame 380 .

[0066] Accordingly, the fixing portion 326 is disposed on the first housing 310 that accommodates the rotary valves 340 and 350, so that the first housing 310 is directly fixed to the support frame 380. Therefore, the force in the direction of engagement and disengagement that acts on the engagement portion between the first housing 310 and the second housing 330 is only the force caused by the weight of the second housing 330 that is lighter than the first housing 310. Therefore, even if unexpected vibration, impact, etc. act on the engagement portion, the risk of the second housing 330 falling off due to engagement disengagement is reduced, and the manifold 300 can be reliably supported on the support frame 380.

[0067] [Possibility of Industrial Application]

[0068] The present invention can be used in manifolds.

Claims

1. A manifold comprising: a resin manifold body composed of a plurality of shells joined to each other and having a plurality of flow paths therein; and a rotary valve for controlling the flow of the fluid flowing in the above-mentioned flow path, One of the two housings having a joint portion joined to each other among the plurality of housings constituting the manifold body, namely, the first housing, has a cylindrical valve housing portion capable of housing and supporting the rotary valve. At least a portion of the valve housing portion protrudes toward the other of the two housings, that is, the second housing, beyond the joining portion.

2. The manifold according to claim 1, characterized in that The valve housing portion includes an opening into which the rotary valve can be inserted and a bottom wall that can support the rotary valve. The second housing has a through hole, and the bottom wall is arranged radially inward of the through hole of the second housing.

3. The manifold according to claim 2, characterized in that The inner diameter of the valve housing portion decreases from the opening side toward the bottom wall side.

4. The manifold according to claim 3, characterized in that Also available: a cover covering the opening and fixed to the first housing, The rotary valve includes: a rotor that controls the flow of the fluid by rotating around the central axis of the valve housing, and a seal disposed between the rotor and the valve housing. At least one of the bottom wall of the valve housing portion and the cover has a groove around the central axis. The seal is held by being inserted into the groove.

5. The manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first housing has a fixing portion fixed to the support frame.

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