Sliding type switching valve and refrigeration cycle system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sliding-type switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system capable of improving operational stability and durability. A sliding switching valve (2) is provided with: a valve housing (20); a cylindrical piston (50) housed in the valve housing (20) and moving in the direction of the axis (X); a connecting member (40) that fixes the piston (50) by means of a fixing screw (61); a valve body (70) held by the connecting member (40); a valve seat section (23) on which the valve body (70) slides; and a plurality of valve ports provided in the valve seat section (23). The connecting member (40) is provided with: a main body section (41) that holds the valve body (70); and a piston fixing part (45) having a fixing surface (46) which protrudes from the main body part (41) toward one side in the height direction (Z) intersecting the direction of the axis (X) and which extends continuously in the width direction (Y). The piston (50) is fixed to the connecting member by a fixing screw (61) in a state in which the piston (50) is in contact with the fixing surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, a sliding switching valve (sliding valve) was known, which divides the space in the valve housing by a piston housed in a cylindrical valve housing (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the sliding switching valve described in Patent Document 1, a pair of pistons are connected by a connecting plate extending in the axial direction, and can move forward and backward in the valve housing in the axial direction. At the axial end of the connecting plate, vertical plates bent at an offset from each other are formed on one side and the other side of the thickness direction intersecting the axial direction, and the piston is fixed to the connecting plate in a state where the end face of the vertical plate abuts against the plate surface of the piston. The piston can move in the valve housing in the axial direction until it abuts against the edge of the lid-shaped cap that closes the valve housing.

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6378114 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the sliding valve described in Patent Document 1, since the axial ends of the connecting plate are bent to one side and the other side in the thickness direction to be offset from each other to form a vertical plate, it is difficult for the plate surfaces of the vertical plates to be located on the same plane, and it is conceivable that the vertical plates are offset in the axial direction and the cross-axial direction. In this assumed case, the piston is inclined relative to the axis, and when it abuts against a stopper such as the edge of the cap, a so-called local collision may occur in which only a portion of the piston abuts. Assuming a local collision occurs, stress is concentrated on this portion, and there is a possibility that the movement of the piston is unstable and the durability of the piston and the connecting plate is reduced.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system, which can improve working stability and durability.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the sliding switching valve of the present invention includes: a valve housing having a valve chamber inside; a cylindrical piston housed in the valve chamber and moving forward and backward in the axial direction; a connecting member fixing the piston through a fixing member; a valve element held by the connecting member; a valve seat portion having a valve seat surface on which the valve element slides; and a plurality of valve ports provided in the valve seat portion. The sliding switching valve is characterized in that the connecting member includes: a main body portion holding the valve element; and a piston fixing portion provided with a fixing surface that protrudes from the main body portion toward one side in the height direction intersecting the axial direction and continuously extends in the width direction intersecting the height direction. The piston is fixed to the connecting member by the fixing member in a state of abutting against the fixing surface.

[0011] According to the present invention configured as described above, a fixing surface that extends in the height direction and the width direction, that is, extends on the same plane and abuts against the piston, is provided in the piston fixing portion of the connecting member. Therefore, the piston fixed by the fixing member can be stably supported on the same plane. In addition, according to the structure of the fixing surface, it is easy to increase the contact area between the connecting member and the piston, and the frictional resistance between the connecting member and the piston can be increased. Therefore, it is difficult for the piston to displace relative to the connecting member. As a result, by preventing the piston from tilting relative to the axis, the above-described local collision of the piston can also be prevented, so that the operation of the piston can be stabilized and the durability of the piston can be improved. In addition, according to this structure, for example, the piston fixing portion can also be formed by bending the end portion of the connecting member. In this case, the bending direction of the connecting member can be one direction in the height direction, and the piston fixing portion is not divided and extends equally in the height direction and the width direction. Therefore, it is easy to improve the strength of the piston fixing portion and the durability of the piston fixing portion can be improved. Therefore, a sliding switching valve can be provided that can improve the working stability and durability.

[0012] In addition, at this time, it is preferable that the position of the main body portion of the connecting member is offset by a predetermined amount from the axis toward the other side in the height direction. According to such a structure, the main body portion of the connecting member is offset by a predetermined amount from the axis of the piston toward the other side in the height direction. Thus, for example, it is easy to secure a space in a portion on the height direction side of the connecting member in the valve housing, and by using this space, for example, the thickness of the valve element can be increased in the height direction. As a result, the strength of the valve element can be improved and the switching operation of the sliding switching valve can be stabilized. In addition, according to this structure, the main body portion of the connecting member is offset toward the other side in the height direction. Thus, for example, when the piston is fixed to the piston fixing portion that protrudes from the main body portion toward the height direction side by the fixing member, it is easy to make the center of gravity of the fixing member located near the axis of the piston. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of a moment that tilts the piston around the axis of the piston from near the fixing member and prevent the above-described local collision of the piston.

[0013] In addition, it is preferred that the valve core is formed into a bowl shape that opens toward the valve seat portion, the main body of the connecting member faces the valve seat surface and extends along the axial direction, the piston fixing portion is protrudingly arranged to one side in the height direction, i.e., the valve seat portion side, and the portion of the opposing surface of the main body that faces the valve seat surface and is located closest to the valve seat portion is offset by a specified amount to the other side in the height direction relative to the axis. According to such a structure, the portion of the opposing surface that is located closest to the valve seat portion is offset by a specified amount to the other side in the height direction relative to the axis, thereby making it easy and reliable to increase the distance between the valve core and the valve seat portion. Furthermore, in this case, the space for the offset amount can be used to make the opening edge of the bowl-shaped valve core thicker in the height direction, which can improve the durability of the valve core and the stability of the valve core when it is seated.

[0014] In addition, at this time, it is preferred that at least two of the fixing components are arranged separately from each other, and through holes for holding the fixing components are formed in the piston fixing parts, respectively, and the position of the central axis of the through hole is set at the same position as the axis of the piston in the height direction. According to such a structure, the piston can be fixed to the connecting part by at least two fixing components arranged separately. In addition, at least two fixing components are connected to each other through the through holes inserted respectively and the piston fixing parts connecting the through holes. Therefore, for example, in the case where a moment that causes the piston and the piston fixing part to rotate relative to one fixing component is generated, a moment that resists the moment can be obtained by other fixing components. Thus, the relative rotation of the piston and the connecting part around the axis of one fixing component is suppressed by other fixing components. In addition, since the position of the central axis of the through hole is set at the same position as the axis of the piston in the height direction, it is easier to make the center of gravity of the fixing parts held in each through hole near the axis. Therefore, the piston fixed to the connecting part is difficult to tilt, which can improve the working stability of the piston and the valve core. In addition, according to the structure of the fixing surface, since at least two fixing parts are arranged on the same plane, it is easy to evenly distribute the load such as the sliding resistance between the valve housing and the piston when the piston moves in the valve housing to each fixing part, which can prevent the fixing parts from being damaged.

[0015] In addition, it is preferred that ribs extending toward the valve seat portion are formed at both edge portions in the width direction of the main body. According to such a structure, by forming the ribs, the bending strength when an axial load is applied to the main body can be improved. In addition, by extending the ribs toward the valve seat portion, for example, the ribs can also be made to abut against the valve core. Therefore, for example, when the valve core is about to float from the valve seat portion due to pressure changes in the valve housing, the ribs can also function as a stopper to suppress the floating of the valve core. Thereby, the working stability of the piston portion and the valve core can be improved.

[0016] In addition, preferably, the main body portion is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the axial direction. With such a structure, for example, it is possible to easily form the connecting member by bending a plate member made of metal or the like.

[0017] In addition, the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention is characterized by including the sliding switching valve according to any one of the above. According to the present invention, it is possible to configure a refrigeration cycle system using a sliding switching valve that can improve the working stability and durability.

[0018] Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sliding switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system that can improve the working stability and durability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing the state during refrigeration of a refrigeration cycle system including a sliding switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of the sliding switching valve cut along the axis of the piston.

[0022] Figure 3 FIG. is a perspective view of a connecting member constituting the sliding switching valve.

[0023] Figure 4 FIG. is Figure 2 an enlarged view of the main part of the sliding switching valve in

[0024] Figure 5 FIG. is a front view of the piston.

[0025] Figure 6 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of the sliding switching valve cut along the thickness direction intersecting the axis.

[0026] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0027] X: Axis; Y: Width direction; Z: Height direction; 2: Sliding switching valve; 20: Valve housing; 23: Valve seat portion; 23a: Valve seat surface; 24: E port (multiple valve ports); 25: S port (multiple valve ports); 26: C port (multiple valve ports); 29: Valve chamber; 40: Connecting member; 41: Main body portion; 45: Piston fixing portion; 46: Fixing surface; 50: Piston; 61: Fixing screw (fixing member); 70: Valve core. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, based on Figures 1 to 6An embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the extending direction of the axis X of the piston 50 to be described later is referred to as the "axis X direction", one side in the axis X direction is referred to as "side X1", and the other side is referred to as "side X2". In addition, the direction orthogonal (crossing) to the axis X direction and the depth direction of the spool 70 to be described later is referred to as the "height direction Z", one side in the height direction Z is referred to as "lower side Z2", and the other side is referred to as "upper side Z1". In addition, the direction orthogonal to the axis X direction and the height direction Z is referred to as the "width direction Y", one side in the width direction Y is referred to as "left side Y1", and the other side is referred to as "right side Y2". The definitions of these directions are only for convenience of description, and are not necessarily consistent with the directions in the actual use state of the present invention, etc., and do not limit the directions.

[0029] Figure 1 The state during refrigeration of the refrigeration cycle system 100 showing an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The refrigeration cycle system 100 includes a pilot valve 1, a sliding switching valve 2, an indoor heat exchanger 3, a throttling device 4, an outdoor heat exchanger 5, and a compressor 6. The pilot valve 1 is a valve device that allows a driving fluid for moving the spool 70 of the sliding switching valve 2 to flow between the pilot valve 1 and the sliding switching valve 2. As Figure 1 shown, the pilot valve 1 includes a valve body 10. The valve body 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape by stamping a material made of metal such as stainless steel. A D fine pipe 11, a first working fine pipe 12, an S fine pipe 13, and a second working fine pipe 14 that communicate with the inside of the valve body 10 are fixed to the side wall of the valve body 10 by brazing or the like. The D fine pipe 11 is a high-pressure pipe through which a high-pressure driving fluid flows, and is connected to and communicates with a D joint pipe 22a to be described later of the sliding switching valve 2.

[0030] On the other hand, the first working fine pipe 12, the S fine pipe 13, and the second working fine pipe 14 are pipes through which a high-pressure driving fluid and a low-pressure driving fluid flow. The first working fine pipe 12 communicates with a first working chamber 29b to be described later of the sliding switching valve 2. The S fine pipe 13 communicates with an S joint pipe 25a to be described later of the sliding switching valve 2. The second working fine pipe 14 communicates with a second working chamber 29c to be described later of the sliding switching valve 2. A plunger (not shown) disposed inside the valve body 10 and an electromagnetic driving unit 15 for moving the spool are installed at the end on the other side X2 of the valve body 10. The electromagnetic driving unit 15 includes an electromagnetic coil 16. When a voltage is applied to the electromagnetic driving unit 15, the electromagnetic coil 16 is excited, and the spool is moved inside the valve body 10 by the magnetic force generated between the electromagnetic coil 16 and the plunger. And, the communication states of the D fine pipe 11, the first working fine pipe 12, the S fine pipe 13, and the second working fine pipe 14 are switched by the moving spool.

[0031] The sliding switching valve 2 is a valve device that switches the refrigerant flow path by switching the connection states of four pipes. As Figure 2 shown, the sliding switching valve 2 includes a valve housing 20 formed in a cylindrical shape using a metal material such as stainless steel. The valve housing 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction X. On the side wall of the cylindrical portion 21, a D port 22 penetrating in the height direction Z is formed by flanging or the like, and a D joint pipe 22a serving as a high-pressure pipe communicating with the D port 22 is fixed by brazing or the like. On the inner surface of the side wall of the cylindrical portion 21, a plate-shaped valve seat portion 23 opposed to the D port 22 and extending in the axial direction X is provided. The valve seat portion 23 has a valve seat surface 23a on which the valve core 70 can slide and is formed in a plate shape. On the valve seat surface 23a, an E port 24, an S port 25, and a C port 26 penetrating in the height direction Z are formed in order from one side X1 to the other side X2. That is, a plurality of valve ports are formed in the valve seat portion 23.

[0032] An E joint pipe 24a communicating with the E port 24, an S joint pipe 25a communicating with the S port 25, and a C joint pipe 26a communicating with the C port 26 are respectively fixed to the side wall of the cylindrical portion 21 by brazing or the like. The E joint pipe 24a, the S joint pipe 25a, and the C joint pipe 26a are pipes through which the refrigerant flows, and function as high-pressure pipes or low-pressure pipes. Cover members 27 are respectively provided at the openings at both ends of the cylindrical portion 21 in the axial direction X. The cover member 27 is formed in a substantially bowl shape opening inward in the axial direction X, and is fixed by welding or the like in a state of being fitted into a mounting step portion 28 formed by expanding the diameter at both ends of the cylindrical portion 21 in the axial direction X. Thus, the inside of the valve housing 20 is sealed between the cylindrical portion 21 and the cover member 27, and a valve chamber 29 is formed. The valve chamber 29 is divided into three spaces, a first working chamber 29b, a high-pressure chamber 29a, and a second working chamber 29c in order from one side X1 to the other side X2 by a piston 50 described later.

[0033] In the cover member 27, one end portion of the first working capillary 12 is inserted through the wall surface of the cover member 27 disposed on one side X1, whereby the inside of the valve body 10 of the pilot valve 1 communicates with the first working chamber 29b. On the other hand, one end portion of the second working capillary 14 is inserted through the wall surface of the cover member 27 disposed on the other side X2 of the cover member 27, whereby the inside of the valve body 10 of the pilot valve 1 communicates with the second working chamber 29c. In addition, in the present embodiment, by inserting one end portion of the first working capillary 12 through the cover member 27, one end portion of the first working capillary 12 communicates with the first working chamber 29b, but it is not limited thereto, and one end portion of the first working capillary 12 may also communicate with the first working chamber 29b by being inserted through the wall surface of the cylindrical portion 21 of the valve housing 20. Similarly, one end portion of the second working capillary 14 may also communicate with the second working chamber 29c by being inserted through the wall surface of the cylindrical portion 21 of the valve housing 20.

[0034] The inner diameter of the lid member 27 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21. Thus, the opening end surface 27a of the lid member 27 can abut against a piston portion 30 described later in the axial direction X of the axis. And, with this structure, the opening end surface 27a of the lid member 27 functions as a stopper that restricts the displacement of the piston portion 30 accommodated in the valve chamber 29 in the axial direction X of the axis. In addition, the function as this stopper is merely an example. For example, the central portion of the inner surface of the lid member 27 may be protruded inward in the axial direction X, and the protruding end portion thereof may be set to be able to abut against the piston portion 30, and this protruding end portion may be used as the stopper. The piston portion 30 is a part that divides the inside of the cylindrical portion 21 into three spaces: a high-pressure chamber 29a, a first working chamber 29b, and a second working chamber 29c, and includes a connecting member 40 that extends in the axial direction X of the axis and holds a valve element 70 described later.

[0035] The connecting member 40 is formed by bending a metal plate such as stainless steel, etc., and includes a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 41 that extends in the axial direction X of the axis. The main body portion 41 is arranged to be offset upward in the Z1 direction by a predetermined amount with respect to the axis X, and the surface on the lower side Z2 thereof extends so as to face the valve seat surface 23a in the height direction Z, and this surface on the lower side Z2 constitutes an opposing surface 41a. An oval-shaped valve element holding portion 42 that penetrates in the height direction Z is formed at the center portion of the main body portion 41, and the valve element 70 is arranged in the valve element holding portion 42 so as not to fall off in the axial direction X and the height direction Z. That is, the valve element 70 is held by the main body portion 41 of the connecting member 40 via the valve element holding portion 42. The valve element 70 includes: a bowl-shaped portion 71 that has a concave portion 72 that opens toward the valve seat surface 23a; and a flange portion 73 that protrudes outward from the opening edge portion of the concave portion 72, and the valve element 70 is formed in a bowl shape that opens toward the valve seat portion 23.

[0036] The valve element 70 is usually pressed toward the valve seat surface 23a by the differential pressure between the high-pressure chamber 29a and the E connection pipe 24a, the S connection pipe 25a, or the C connection pipe 26a. Thus, while the valve element 70 is held by the connecting member 40, it can move forward and backward in the axial direction X while making the sealing surface 74 formed by the end surface on the lower side Z2 of the flange portion 73 slide-contact with the valve seat surface 23a. The opening of the concave portion 72 of the valve element 70 is formed to have a size that covers two adjacent openings among the E port 24, the S port 25, the C port 26. Thus, the valve element 70 moves forward and backward in the axial direction X, thereby switching the communication states of the E port 24 (E connection pipe 24a), the S port 25 (S connection pipe 25a), the C port 26 (C connection pipe 26a), and the D port 22 (D connection pipe 22a). Specifically, the concave portion 72 is in Figure 1At the position of side X1 shown, the E port 24 (E joint pipe 24a) is connected to the S port 25 (S joint pipe 25a) internally, and the D port 22 (D joint pipe 22a) is connected to the C port 26 (C joint pipe 26a) externally.

[0037] In this state, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber 29 through the D joint pipe 22a flows toward the valve seat portion 23 side through the pressure equalizing hole 43 described later, and flows toward the C joint pipe 26a not covered by the concave portion 72. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the concave portion 72 through the S joint pipe 25a flows toward the E joint pipe 24a. In contrast, when the valve element 70 moves from the side X1 position to the other side X2 and is located at Figure 2 the other side X2 position shown, the concave portion 72 connects the C port 26 (C joint pipe 26a) to the S port 25 (S joint pipe 25a) internally, and connects the D port 22 (D joint pipe 22a) to the E port 24 (E joint pipe 24a) externally. In this state, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the valve chamber 29 through the D joint pipe 22a flows toward the valve seat portion 23 side through the pressure equalizing hole 43, and flows toward the E joint pipe 24a not covered by the concave portion 72. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the concave portion 72 through the S joint pipe 25a flows toward the C joint pipe 26a.

[0038] As Figure 2 shown, in the connecting member 40, circular pressure equalizing holes 43 penetrating in the height direction Z are respectively formed on one side X1 and the other side X2 of the valve element holding portion 42 that holds the valve element 70. The pressure equalizing hole 43 is a hole portion that connects the upper Z1 portion and the lower Z2 portion of the main body portion 41 inside the valve housing 20. By forming this pressure equalizing hole 43, the above-mentioned D joint pipe 22a, the inside of the valve housing 20, the E joint pipe 24a, the S joint pipe 25a, and the C joint pipe 26a can be connected. As Figure 3 shown, both edge portions in the width direction Y of the main body portion 41 are bent downward to the lower side Z2 and protrude downward. By forming this protruding portion, the dimension in the height direction Z of both edge portions in the width direction Y of the main body portion 41 is larger than other portions, and this protruding portion constitutes a rib 44. That is, ribs 44 are provided on both edge portions in the width direction Y of the opposing surface 41a of the main body portion 41, and the ribs 44 are formed to continuously extend in the axis X direction.

[0039] By forming the rib 44, the bending strength is improved, particularly when a load in the X-axis direction is applied to the main body 41. The lower surface 44a of the rib 44 faces the valve seat surface 23a in the Z-axis (height direction) in the same manner as the lower surface Z2 of the main body 41 described above, forming an opposing surface 41a. The opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44 is located closer to the valve seat surface 23a (valve seat portion 23 side) than the opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface Z2 of the main body 41. That is, the opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44 is the portion of the opposing surface 41a that is closest to the valve seat surface 23a (valve seat portion 23 side). Moreover, as Figure 6 shown, the opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44 can abut against the upper end surface 75 of the flange portion 73 of the valve element 70. As described above, the valve element 70 that is normally pressed against the valve seat surface 23a side functions as a stopper when it accidentally floats upward due to pressure fluctuations in the high-pressure chamber 29a, pressure fluctuations in the E-connection pipe 24a, S-connection pipe 25a, or C-connection pipe 26a, etc.

[0040] As Figure 3 shown, both ends of the main body 41 in the X-axis direction are bent downward to the Z2 side (one side in the Z-axis (height direction), valve seat portion 23 side), and the bent portions form a pair of piston fixing portions 45 for fixing the piston 50 by fixing screws 61 (fixing members) of the fixing unit 60 described later. That is, the piston fixing portions 45 are respectively provided on one side X1 and the other side X2 of the main body 41 and protrude toward the valve seat portion 23 side. In addition, the piston fixing portion 45 and the piston 50 described later fixed to the piston fixing portion 45 by the fixing screws 61 (fixing members) shown in Figure 4 have the same structure on one side X1 and the other side X2. Therefore, in the following description, the detailed description of the structure of the portion on one side X1 is omitted, and the structure of the portion on the other side X2 is described in detail. As Figure 3 shown, the piston fixing portion 45 has the same thickness as the main body 41 and extends along the Y-axis (width direction) and the Z-axis (height direction) respectively. The surfaces on the outer side of the piston fixing portion 45 in the X-axis direction form fixing surfaces 46 that abut against the piston 50. The fixing surfaces 46 are continuous with the main body 41, protrude downward to the Z2 side, and extend continuously in the Y-axis (width direction). A plurality of (at least two) through holes 47 penetrating in the X-axis direction (plate thickness direction) are provided in the piston fixing portion 45.

[0041] Specifically, in the present embodiment, two through holes 47 are formed and arranged at intervals in the width direction Y such that their central axes x1 parallel to the axis X are at the same position as the axis X in the height direction Z. Internal threads 62 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through holes 47 and are screwed with external threads 65 of fixing screws 61 described later. By arranging the through holes 47 and the internal threads 62, at least two fixing screws 61, which are an example of fixing members described later, are arranged separately from each other in the width direction, and the fixing screws 61 screwed with the internal threads 62 are held in the through holes 47. As Figure 4 shown, a cylindrical piston 50 is fixed to the fixing surface 46 of the piston fixing portion 45. The piston 50 includes a gasket 51. The gasket 51 is a part that divides the valve chamber 29 into a high-pressure chamber 29a, a first working chamber 29b, and a second working chamber 29c, and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by a disc-shaped bottom 52 and a side wall 53 standing upright from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom 52 toward the inner side in the direction of the axis X.

[0042] The outer surface of the side wall 53 of the gasket 51 can slide in a state of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve housing 20. A first reinforcing plate 54 is arranged on one side X1 of the gasket 51. The first reinforcing plate 54 is formed into a disc shape having substantially the same size as the bottom 52 of the gasket 51 and a coaxial central axis. On the other hand, a second reinforcing plate 55 is arranged on the other side X2 of the gasket 51. The second reinforcing plate 55 is formed into a disc shape having a diameter larger than that of the bottom 52 of the gasket 51 and a coaxial central axis. Moreover, at least two insertion holes 56a penetrating in the direction of the axis X are formed in the piston 50 formed in this way. Specifically, two insertion holes 56a are formed, one of the two insertion holes 56a is arranged on the upper side Z1 of the axis X, and the other of the two insertion holes 56a is arranged on the lower side Z2 of the axis X. As Figure 5 shown, the two insertion holes 56a are formed at positions where their central axes x2 are separated from the axis X by the same distance in the height direction Z. In addition, the central axes x2 of the two insertion holes 56a are located at the same position as the axis X in the width direction Y. A rivet 56 extending in the direction of the axis X is inserted through the insertion hole 56a, and through this rivet 56, the gasket 51, the first reinforcing plate 54, and the second reinforcing plate 55 are fixed together in a state of being in close contact with each other in the direction of the axis X. In addition, Figure 4 as shown, the central axes x3 of the two rivets 56 are coaxial with the central axis x2 of the insertion hole 56a, and the central axis x2 of the insertion hole 56a is arranged as described above. Therefore, the two rivets 56 are separated from the axis X by the same distance in the height direction Z and are located at the same position as the axis X in the width direction Y. Therefore, the center of gravity of the rivet 56 is located near the axis X.

[0043] In the piston 50 fixed by the rivet 56, the end surface of the other side X2 of the first reinforcing plate 54 is in close contact with the end surface of one side X1 of the bottom 52 of the gasket 51, and the end surface of one side X1 of the second reinforcing plate 55 is in close contact with the end surface of the other side X2 of the bottom 52 of the gasket 51. The gasket 51 is clamped by the first reinforcing plate 54 and the second reinforcing plate 55 in the axial direction X. Moreover, as Figure 4 shown, the piston 50 formed in this way is fixed to the piston fixing portion 45 by the fixing unit 60. The fixing unit 60 is composed of, for example, fixing screws 61 (fixing members) such as bolts and internal threads 62 formed in the through holes 47. The fixing screws 61 are prepared in accordance with the number of the through holes 47 (two in this embodiment), and include a head 63, a shaft portion 64 extending from the head 63 to one side X1, and an external thread 65 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 64. The surface of one side X1 of the head 63 abuts against the end surface of the other side X2 of the second reinforcing plate 55 of the piston 50.

[0044] The shaft portion 64 is inserted through a second through hole (not shown) having the same diameter and the same axis as the through hole 47 of the piston fixing portion 45, and further inserted through the through hole 47 and extends in the axial direction X. And the external thread 65 is screwed with the internal thread 62 in the through hole 47. In addition, as described above, the central axes x1 of the two through holes 47 through which the shaft portion 64 is inserted are parallel to the axis X and are located at the same position as the axis X in the height direction Z. Therefore, as Figure 5 shown, the central axis x4 of the fixing screw 61 is also located at substantially the same position as the axis X in the height direction Z, whereby the center of gravity of the fixing screw 61 is located near the axis X.

[0045] In addition, in this embodiment, as an example of the fixing member, fixing screws 61 such as bolts are illustrated, but the fixing member is not limited thereto. For example, a set screw without a head 63 can also be used as the fixing member. In addition, the fixing member can also be the above-mentioned rivet 56, a cylindrical or cylindrical protruding piece accommodated in the through hole 47. In this case, the formation of the internal thread 62 in the through hole 47 of the piston fixing portion 45 is omitted, and the piston 50 can be fixed to the piston fixing portion 45 by providing the above-mentioned rivet 56 in the through hole 47. In addition, by pressing and fixing the above-mentioned protruding piece into the through hole 47 or performing spot welding, the piston 50 can be fixed to the piston fixing portion 45.

[0046] Next, the assembly of the piston portion 30 in the sliding switching valve 2 will be described. First, a metal plate is bent to form a connecting member 40 having a main body portion 41, ribs 44, and a piston fixing portion 45. Moreover, a through hole 47 and an internal thread 62 are formed in the piston fixing portion 45. Specifically, in the present embodiment, there are two through holes 47, and the two through holes 47 are arranged at intervals in the width direction Y such that the central axes x1 parallel to the axis X are in the same position as the axis X in the height direction Z. Next, a piston 50 fixed with a gasket 51, a first reinforcing plate 54, and a second reinforcing plate 55 by a rivet 56 is mounted on the piston fixing portion 45 of the connecting member 40.

[0047] At this time, the piston 50 is arranged at a position where an unillustrated second through hole (not shown) in the piston 50 is coaxial with the through hole 47 and the internal thread 62 in the piston fixing portion 45, and while the surface on the side X1 of the first reinforcing plate 54 is in contact with the fixing surface 46 of the piston fixing portion 45, a fixing screw 61 is tightened into the internal thread 62. Thus, the piston 50 is fixed to the connecting member 40 by the fixing screw 61 in a state of being in contact with the fixing surface 46, and the assembly of the piston portion 30 is completed. In addition, in the present embodiment, two through holes 47 and internal threads 62 are formed, and two corresponding fixing screws 61 are prepared, but this is not limiting, and three or more through holes 47, internal threads 62, and fixing screws 61 may be provided. Further, in the present embodiment, two insertion holes 56a and rivets 56 are prepared, but this is not limiting, and three or more insertion holes 56a and rivets 56 may be provided. Thus, when three or more through holes 47, internal threads 62, fixing screws 61, insertion holes 56a, and rivets 56 are provided, by studying their arrangements, the center of gravity of the fixing screw 61 and the center of gravity of the rivet 56 are adjusted to be near the axis X in the same manner as in the present embodiment.

[0048] Moreover, the assembled piston portion 30 is housed in the valve housing 20. In addition, the position of the connecting member 40 in the valve housing 20 can be set appropriately. However, as Figure 6 shown, preferably, the opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44 of the main body portion 41 is offset upward (the other side in the height direction Z) from the axis X by a predetermined amount. Specifically, for example, as Figure 6As shown, the opposed surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44 of the main body portion 41 can extend on a virtual surface Y2 obtained by shifting a virtual surface Y, which is orthogonal to the axis X and extends in the width direction Y, upward in the Z1 direction. In this case, the space β of the shift amount can be used to increase the height dimension α of the flange portion 73 (opening edge portion) of the valve element 70. That is, the flange portion 73 of the valve element 70 can be thickened in the height direction Z, and the durability of the valve element 70 and the stability when the valve element 70 is seated can be improved, etc.

[0049] As Figure 2 As shown, the assembled piston portion 30 is disposed in the valve housing 20 and moves forward and backward in the direction of the axis X within the valve housing 20. However, at this time, in the portion where the fixing unit 60 is disposed, a load of the sliding resistance amount between the gasket 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve housing 20 is likely to be applied to the periphery thereof, whereby the piston 50 and the connecting member 40 are displaced relative to each other. For example, the piston 50 may be inclined with respect to the axis X. Further, if it is assumed that the inclined piston 50 abuts against the opening end surface 27a of the lid member 27, stress is concentrated on predetermined positions of the piston 50 and the connecting member 40, and the operating stability and durability of the sliding switching valve 2 may be reduced. However, in this structure, the fixing surface 46 of the piston fixing portion 45 extends in the height direction and the width direction Y, that is, extends on the same plane. Therefore, the fixed piston 50 is stably supported on the same plane, and thus the piston 50 is difficult to be inclined with respect to the axis X.

[0050] Further, since the fixing surface 46 extends on the same plane, it is easy to increase the contact area between the fixing surface 46 and the first reinforcing plate 54, and the frictional resistance between the piston fixing portion 45 and the piston 50 can be increased. Therefore, the piston 50 is difficult to be displaced relative to the piston fixing portion 45. Further, according to this structure, the bending direction of the piston fixing portion 45 may be in one direction. Therefore, the piston fixing portion 45 is not divided and extends in the height direction Z and the width direction Y in the same manner. Therefore, it is easy to improve the strength of the piston fixing portion 45, and the durability of the piston fixing portion can be improved. Further, in the piston fixing portion 45, at least two through holes 47 are provided separately from each other. Therefore, one fixing screw 61 and the other fixing screw 61, which are held in these through holes 47 and screwed into the internal threads 62 in the through holes 47, are connected to each other through the internal threads 62 screwed respectively and the piston fixing portion 45 connecting them.

[0051] Therefore, in the case where, due to the load of the above-described sliding resistance force, for example, a moment is generated that causes the piston 50 and the piston fixing portion 45 to rotate relative to each other about a fixing screw 61, a moment that overcomes this moment can be obtained through the other fixing screws 61. Therefore, the relative rotation of the piston 50 and the connecting member 40 about the axis of one fixing screw 61 is suppressed by the other fixing screws 61. In addition, the same applies when three or more through holes 47, internal threads 62, and fixing screws 61 are provided.

[0052] In addition, the position of the central axis x1 of the through hole 47 is set at the same position as the axis X of the piston 50 in the height direction Z. Therefore, as described above, the center of gravity of each fixing screw 61 (fixing member) is located near the axis X. Therefore, the piston 50 fixed to the connecting member 40 is less likely to tilt, and the working stability of the piston 50 and the valve element 70 is improved. In addition, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the center of gravity of the rivet 56 is also located near the axis X, so that the tilt of the piston 50 can be further suppressed. In addition, according to the structure of the fixing surface 46, at least two fixing screws 61 (fixing units 60) and at least two rivets 56 are arranged in the same plane. Therefore, when the piston 50 moves in the valve housing 20, loads such as the sliding resistance between the valve housing 20 and the piston 50 are evenly distributed to the fixing screws 61 and the rivets 56, preventing breakage of the fixing screws 61 and the rivets 56.

[0053] Next, the operation of the refrigeration cycle system 100 will be described. In the refrigeration cycle system 100, by changing the flow state of the driving fluid using the pilot valve 1, the valve element 70 of the sliding switching valve 2 is moved, thereby switching Figure 1 the refrigeration state shown and the heating state (not shown). In the refrigeration state, the high-pressure driving fluid flows into Figure 1 the second working chamber 29c of the sliding switching valve 2 shown through the second working capillary 14 of the pilot valve 1. In addition, the low-pressure driving fluid flows into Figure 1 the first working chamber 29b of the sliding switching valve 2 shown through the first working capillary 12 of the pilot valve 1. As a result, a pressure difference is generated between the first working chamber 29b and the second working chamber 29c, and the piston portion 30 of the sliding switching valve 2 moves to one side X1, so that the valve element 70 moves to Figure 1 the position on one side X1 shown. And in this state, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 6 flows into the high-pressure chamber 29a from the D joint pipe 22a and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 5 from the C joint pipe 26a through the pressure equalizing hole 43. That is, during refrigeration operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 circulates through the C joint pipe 26a, the outdoor heat exchanger 5, the throttling device 4, the indoor heat exchanger 3, and the E joint pipe 24a. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator.

[0054] On the other hand, in the heating state, the high-pressure driving fluid flows into the first working capillary 12 of the pilot valve 1 and into Figure 2 the first working chamber 29b of the sliding switching valve 2 shown. In addition, the low-pressure driving fluid flows into the second working capillary 14 of the pilot valve 1 and into Figure 2 the second working chamber 29c of the sliding switching valve 2 shown. As a result, a pressure difference is generated between the first working chamber 29b and the second working chamber 29c, and the piston portion 30 of the sliding switching valve 2 moves toward the other side X2, so that the valve core 70 moves toward Figure 2 the other side X2 position shown. And in this state, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 6 flows into the high-pressure chamber 29a from the D joint pipe 22a and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from the E joint pipe 24a through the pressure equalizing hole 43. That is, during heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 circulates in the E joint pipe 24a, the indoor heat exchanger 3, the throttling device 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 5, and the C joint pipe 26a. The indoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functions as an evaporator.

[0055] In addition, in the sliding switching valve 2, by repeatedly switching between the refrigeration state and the heating state, it is easy to apply a load in the X-axis direction to the connecting member 40. Therefore, assuming that the main body portion 41 is deformed or the like, the operation of the piston portion 30 and the valve core 70 may sometimes be unstable. However, in this structure, by forming the rib 44 on the main body portion 41 of the connecting member 40, the bending strength in the case of applying a load in the X-axis direction to the main body portion 41 is improved. In addition, thereby, the operating stability of the piston portion 30 and the valve core 70 is improved. In addition, in the sliding switching valve 2, there is a case where the valve core 70 that is normally pressed against the valve seat surface 23a side as described above accidentally floats upward to the upper side Z1 due to pressure fluctuations in the high-pressure chamber 29a, pressure fluctuations in the E joint pipe 24a, the S joint pipe 25a, or the C joint pipe 26a.

[0056] However, in this structure, by making the upper end surface 75 of the flange portion 73 of the valve core 70 abut against the opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44, the floating of the valve core 70 can be prevented. And in this structure, the opposing surface 41a formed by the lower surface 44a of the rib 44 is offset upward to the upper side Z1 by a predetermined amount with respect to the axis X. Thus, the height dimension α of the flange portion 73 of the valve core 70 can be increased by using the space β of the offset amount. That is, the flange portion 73 of the valve core 70 can be thickened in the height direction Z, and the durability of the valve core 70 and the stability when the valve core 70 is seated are improved.

[0057] As described above, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the piston fixing portion 45 of the connecting member 40 is provided with a fixing surface 46 extending in the height direction Z and the width direction Y, that is, extending on the same plane and contacting with the piston 50, so that the piston 50 fixed by the fixing screw 61 (fixing member) can be stably supported on the same plane. In addition, according to the structure of the fixing surface 46, it is easy to increase the contact area between the connecting member 40 and the piston 50, and the friction resistance between the connecting member 40 and the piston 50 can be increased, so that the piston 50 can be difficult to displace relative to the connecting member 40. Thus, by preventing the piston 50 from tilting relative to the axis X, the above-mentioned local collision of the piston 50 can also be prevented, thereby stabilizing the movement of the piston 50 and improving the durability of the piston 50. In addition, according to this structure, the bending direction of the connecting member 40 can be one direction of the height direction Z, and the piston fixing portion 45 is not divided and extends in the same direction in the height direction Z and the width direction Y. Therefore, it is easy to increase the strength of the piston fixing portion 45, and the durability of the piston fixing portion can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sliding type switching valve which can improve working stability and durability.

[0058] In addition, the main body 41 of the connecting member 40 is offset by a predetermined amount toward the upper side Z1 (the other side in the height direction) relative to the axis X of the piston 50, so that, for example, it is easy to ensure space in the valve housing 20 at a portion that is closer to the lower side Z2 (one side in the height direction) than the connecting member 40, and by utilizing this space, for example, the thickness of the valve core 70 can be thickened in the height direction Z. As a result, the strength of the valve core 70 can be increased, and the switching action of the sliding switching valve 2 can be stabilized. In addition, according to this structure, by offsetting the main body 41 of the connecting member 40 toward the upper side Z1, for example, when the piston 50 is fixed to the piston fixing portion 45 that protrudes toward the lower side Z2 than the main body 41 by the fixing screw 61 (fixing member), it is easy to make the center of gravity of the fixing screw 61 located near the axis X of the piston 50. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the moment that tilts the piston 50 around the axis X of the piston 50 from being generated near the fixing screw 61, thereby preventing the above-mentioned local collision of the piston 50.

[0059] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the portion of the opposing surface 41a that is closest to the valve seat surface 23a side (valve seat portion 23 side) is offset by a predetermined amount relative to the axis X in a manner away from the upper side Z1 (the other side in the height direction), thereby making it easy and reliable to increase the distance between the valve core 70 and the valve seat portion 23. In addition, in this case, the flange portion 73 (opening edge portion) of the bowl-shaped valve core 70 can be made thick-walled in the height direction Z by utilizing the space β of the offset amount, thereby improving the durability of the valve core 70 and the stability of the valve core 70 when it is seated.

[0060] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the piston 50 can be fixed to the connecting member 40 by at least two fixing screws 61 arranged separately. Further, the at least two fixing screws 61 are interconnected through through-holes 47 respectively inserted therethrough and a piston fixing portion 45 connecting the through-holes 47. Thus, for example, when a moment is generated to cause the piston 50 and the piston fixing portion 45 to rotate relative to one fixing screw 61, a moment resisting this moment can be obtained by the other fixing screws 61. Thereby, the relative rotation of the piston 50 and the connecting member 40 about the axis of one fixing screw 61 is suppressed by the other fixing screws 61. In addition, the position of the central axis x1 of the through-hole 47 is set at the same position as the axis X of the piston 50 in the height direction Z. Therefore, it is easier to locate the center of gravity of the fixing screws 61 held in the respective through-holes 47 near the axis X. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the center of gravity of the rivet 56 can also be located near the axis X. Therefore, the fixed piston 50 is less likely to tilt, and the operating stability of the piston 50 and the valve element 70 can be improved. Further, according to the structure of the fixing surface 46, the at least two fixing screws 61 and the at least two rivets 56 are arranged in the same plane. Therefore, when the piston 50 moves in the valve housing 20, loads such as the sliding resistance between the valve housing 20 and the piston 50 can be evenly dispersed to the respective fixing screws 61 and the respective rivets 56, and breakage of the fixing screws 61 can be prevented.

[0061] In addition, according to the present embodiment, by forming the rib 44, the bending strength when a load in the direction of the axis X is applied to the main body portion 41 can be particularly improved. Further, by extending the rib 44 toward the valve seat portion 23, for example, the rib 44 can also be brought into contact with the valve element 70. Therefore, for example, when the valve element 70 tends to float from the valve seat portion 23 side due to pressure fluctuations in the valve housing 20 or the like, the rib 44 can also function as a stopper for suppressing the floating of the valve element 70. Thereby, the operating stability of the piston portion 30 and the valve element 70 can be improved.

[0062] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the connecting member 40 can be easily formed by bending a metal plate member or the like.

[0063] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the refrigeration cycle system 100 can be constituted by using the sliding type switching valve 2 that can improve the operating stability and durability.

[0064] In addition, the embodiments described above merely illustrate representative ways of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, various modifications can be made and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. Through such modifications, as long as the structure of the sliding switching valve 2 of the present invention is provided, it is of course included in the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the connecting member 40 is formed by bending a metal plate or the like, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the connecting member 40 can be formed by machining a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped metal material extending in the X-axis direction, or can be formed into a so-called bathtub shape with a recess formed therein by deep drawing of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped metal material, and this can be used as the connecting member 40.

[0065] Thereby, the rib 44 and the piston fixing portion 45 of the connecting member 40 can be formed to protrude downward to the Z2 side without performing bending processing. In addition, the rib 44 of the connecting member 40 can be formed not only by bending the two edge portions in the width direction Y of the main body portion 41 of the connecting member 40 downward to the Z2 side as in the present embodiment, but also by machining or deep drawing as described above. However, it is not limited thereto. The height of the edge portion in the Z direction can also be increased by mounting a protrusion separated from the main body portion 41 on the edge portion of the main body portion 41, thereby constituting the rib 44. Similarly, the fixing surface 46 protruding from the main body portion 41 in the Z direction can be provided by mounting a plate member separated from the connecting member 40 on the main body portion 41, thereby constituting the piston fixing portion 45.

Claims

1. A sliding type switching valve, comprising: a valve housing having a valve chamber therein; a cylindrical piston housed in the valve chamber and movable forward and backward along an axial direction; a connecting member to fix the piston via a fixing member; a valve core held by the connecting member; a valve seat having a valve seat surface on which the valve core slides; and a plurality of valve ports provided on the valve seat, The sliding switching valve is characterized in that: The connecting member comprises: a main body portion that holds the valve core; and a piston fixing portion that is provided with a fixing surface that protrudes from the main body portion to one side in a height direction that intersects the axial direction and extends continuously in a width direction that intersects the height direction. The piston is fixed to the connecting member by the fixing member in a state of being in contact with the fixing surface.

2. The sliding switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position of the main body of the connecting member is offset by a predetermined amount to the other side in the height direction with respect to the axis.

3. The sliding switching valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The valve core is formed into a bowl shape opening toward the valve seat portion, The main body of the connecting member faces the valve seat surface and extends along the axial direction. The piston fixing portion is provided so as to protrude toward one side in the height direction, that is, toward the valve seat portion. A portion of the main body portion, which is located closest to the valve seat portion, of a surface facing the valve seat surface is offset by a predetermined amount to the other side in the height direction with respect to the axis.

4. The sliding switching valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least two of the fixing parts are arranged separately from each other. The piston fixing parts are respectively formed with through holes for holding the fixing members. The position of the central axis of the through hole is set to be the same as the axis of the piston in the height direction.

5. The sliding switching valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: Ribs extending toward the valve seat portion are formed at both edge portions in the width direction of the main body portion.

6. The sliding switching valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The main body is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending along the axial direction.

7. A refrigeration cycle system, characterized in that: A slide-type switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided.

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