Rotary four-way arbitrary intercommunication valve and control method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to four-way valve technical field, specifically relates to a kind of rotary four-way arbitrary intercommunication valve and its control method, rotary four-way arbitrary intercommunication valve includes valve shell, valve core being arranged in the inside of valve shell and the drive mechanism of driving valve core rotation, the valve shell is square, four outer surfaces of valve shell are all equipped with valve port, the axis of each valve port is perpendicular to corresponding outer surface, the valve port is used to connect external pipeline;The valve core is spherical, the outer surface of valve core is sealed with the inner wall surface of valve shell;Valve core is equipped with five communication holes, five communication holes are respectively corresponding five outer surfaces of valve shell, and five communication holes form three butt joint channels in the inside of valve core, each the butt joint channel is used to make two valve ports communicate;Valve core is rotated to different positions by drive mechanism, so that valve core can make four valve ports two two communication, or selectively make any two valve ports communicate and close the remaining two valve ports, and then better versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of four-way valve technology, and in particular to a rotary four-way valve with arbitrary interlocking and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial fluid control systems, four-way valves are an important pipeline control element. They typically have four valve ports (fluid inlets and outlets) located on the same plane, and connect two adjacent pairs of pipelines through two independent fluid channels inside the valve core.

[0003] For example, patent application CN102537418A discloses a fully conductive four-way valve, including a valve body, valve core, valve stem, valve seat, valve stem, and four valve ports. The valve core is located in the valve body, and the valve stem is connected to the valve core, allowing the valve core to rotate along a vertical axis. During rotation, any one valve port can be connected to the other two. However, this valve cannot selectively open two valve ports and close the other two, resulting in poor versatility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to address the technical problem by providing a rotary four-way arbitrary interlocking valve and its control method.

[0005] The above objectives are achieved through the following technical solutions: A rotary four-way valve with arbitrary interconnection includes a valve body, a valve core disposed inside the valve body, and a drive mechanism for driving the valve core to rotate. The valve body is cubic, and valve ports are provided on four of its outer surfaces. The axis of each valve port is perpendicular to the corresponding outer surface, and the valve ports are used to connect to external pipelines. The valve core is spherical, and its outer surface is sealed to the inner wall of the valve body. The valve core has five connecting holes, which correspond to the five outer surfaces of the valve body, and the five connecting holes form three docking channels inside the valve core. Each docking channel is used to connect two of the valve ports. The drive mechanism can drive the valve core to rotate around a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The first axis extends vertically, and the second axis extends horizontally. By rotating the valve core to different positions around the first axis and the second axis, the valve core can connect the four valve ports in pairs, or selectively connect any two valve ports and close the other two valve ports.

[0006] Furthermore, the four valve ports are located on the bottom surface of the valve housing and on three adjacent vertical sides of the four vertical sides.

[0007] Furthermore, in the initial state, the five connecting holes correspond to the bottom surface of the valve body and the four vertical sides, respectively. The three docking channels are the first docking channel, the second docking channel and the third docking channel. The first docking channel is parallel to the vertical sides of the valve body. The second docking channel and the third docking channel are both parallel to the bottom surface of the valve body, and one end of the second docking channel is connected to one end of the third docking channel.

[0008] Furthermore, the four vertical sides of the valve housing are defined as the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side. In the initial state, the two ends of the first docking channel correspond to the first side and the bottom surface of the valve housing, respectively. The two ends of the second docking channel correspond to the second side and the third side of the valve housing, respectively. The two ends of the third docking channel correspond to the third side and the fourth side of the valve housing, respectively. The four valve ports are located on the bottom surface of the valve housing and on the first, second, and third sides, respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes a valve stem extending in the vertical direction, the upper surface of the valve housing is provided with an opening, the valve stem passes through the opening and is fixedly connected to the upper end of the valve core, and the valve stem can rotate around its own axis, thereby realizing the rotation of the valve core around the first axis.

[0010] Furthermore, the outer surface of the valve core is provided with two parallel annular grooves, the axis of each annular groove is parallel to the second axis, and a gear ring is coaxially provided in the annular groove. The drive mechanism also includes two rotating rods extending in the vertical direction, and each rotating rod is provided with a gear at its lower end. Both rotating rods pass through the opening and are inserted into the corresponding annular groove, so that the gear meshes with the corresponding gear ring. The two rotating rods can rotate synchronously around their own axis, thereby realizing the rotation of the valve core around the second axis.

[0011] Furthermore, a valve sleeve is coaxially provided in the opening, the valve stem is located inside the valve sleeve, the rotating rod passes through the valve sleeve, and both the rotating rod and the valve stem can rotate relative to the valve sleeve.

[0012] Furthermore, the drive mechanism also includes an operating box located above the valve housing. A rotating handle is rotatably mounted inside the operating box. The rotating handle is connected to the valve stem via a transmission. The rotating handle can rotate around a second axis, thereby driving the valve stem to rotate around a first axis.

[0013] Furthermore, the drive mechanism also includes an electric controller, which is located above the control box. The electric controller can drive the valve stem to rotate around the first axis and the two rotating rods to rotate synchronously around their own axes.

[0014] A control method for a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve, using the aforementioned rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve, includes the following steps: S1. Based on the connection requirements of the external pipeline, determine the two target valve ports that need to be connected or the four target valve ports that need to be connected in pairs; S2. The drive mechanism drives the valve core to rotate around the first axis and the second axis respectively, so that the valve core connects two target valve ports and closes the other two valve ports, or connects the four target valve ports in pairs.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve provided by the present invention uses a driving mechanism to rotate the valve core to different positions around the first axis and the second axis respectively. Thus, the valve core can connect the four valve ports in pairs, or selectively connect any two valve ports and close the other two valve ports. This allows the rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve to be in four-way mode or two-way mode, and each mode has multiple options, making the connection of external pipelines more flexible and thus more versatile. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall device of a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A frontal view diagram; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the AA section; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of the structure at point X; Figure 6 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the BB section; Figure 7 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the valve core in a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve provided for an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 A front view schematic diagram of the valve core in a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve is provided for one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the CC section; Figure 10 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cross section of the middle DD; Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the first state of a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve is provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the second state of a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve is provided for one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the third state of a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve is provided for one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the fourth state of a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] in: 100. Electric controller; 200. Control box; 201. Rotating handle; 300. Valve; 310. Valve body; 311. First valve port; 312. Second valve port; 313. Sealing port; 314. Third valve port; 315. Opening; 316. Fourth valve port; 320. Valve stem; 321. Valve sleeve; 330. Rotating rod; 331. Gear; 340. Valve core; 341. Annular groove; 342. Gear ring; 343. First connecting hole; 344. Second connecting hole; 345. Third connecting hole; 346. Fourth connecting hole; 347. Fifth connecting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0019] The component designations used in this document, such as "first" and "second," are merely for distinguishing the described objects and do not have any sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this invention, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages). It should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0020] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 14 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve (hereinafter referred to as valve 300), including a valve housing 310, a valve core 340 disposed inside the valve housing 310, and a drive mechanism for driving the valve core 340 to rotate. The valve housing 310 is cubic, and valve ports are provided on four of its outer surfaces. The axis of each valve port is perpendicular to the corresponding outer surface, and the valve ports are used to connect to external pipelines. The valve core 340 is spherical, and the outer surface of the valve core 340 is sealed to the inner wall of the valve housing 310. The valve core 340 is provided with five connecting holes. The connecting holes correspond to the five outer surfaces of the valve housing 310, and the five connecting holes form three docking channels inside the valve core 340. Each docking channel is used to connect two of the valve ports. The driving mechanism can drive the valve core 340 to rotate around the first axis and the second axis, respectively. The first axis extends in the vertical direction, and the second axis extends in the horizontal direction. By driving the valve core 340 to rotate around the first axis and the second axis to different positions, the valve core 340 can connect the four valve ports in pairs, or selectively connect any two valve ports and close the other two valve ports.

[0022] This allows valve 300 to be configured in either a four-way or two-way configuration, with multiple options available for each configuration, making the connection of external pipelines more flexible and improving the versatility of valve 300.

[0023] Furthermore, the four valve ports are located on the bottom surface of the valve housing 310 and on three adjacent vertical sides of the four vertical sides.

[0024] Furthermore, in the initial state, the five connecting holes correspond to the bottom surface of the valve housing 310 and the four vertical sides, respectively. The three docking channels are the first docking channel, the second docking channel and the third docking channel. The first docking channel is parallel to the vertical sides of the valve housing 310. The second docking channel and the third docking channel are both parallel to the bottom surface of the valve housing 310, and one end of the second docking channel is connected to one end of the third docking channel.

[0025] Furthermore, the four vertical sides of the valve housing 310 are defined as the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side. In the initial state, the two ends of the first docking channel correspond to the first side and the bottom surface of the valve housing 310, respectively; the two ends of the second docking channel correspond to the second side and the third side of the valve housing 310, respectively; and the two ends of the third docking channel correspond to the third side and the fourth side of the valve housing 310, respectively. The four valve ports are located on the bottom surface of the valve housing 310 and on the first, second, and third sides, respectively.

[0026] Specifically, the two ends of the first docking channel are the first connecting hole 343 and the second connecting hole 344, the two ends of the second docking channel are the third connecting hole 345 and the fourth connecting hole 346, and the two ends of the third docking channel are the fourth connecting hole 346 and the fifth connecting hole 347.

[0027] The valve housing 310 has a first valve port 311 on its lower bottom surface. The first, second, and third sides have a second valve port 312, a third valve port 314, and a fourth valve port 316, respectively. The fourth side has a sealing port 313, making it a closed surface. In the initial state, the first connecting hole 343 corresponds to the second valve port 312 on the first side, the second connecting hole 344 corresponds to the first valve port 311 on the lower bottom surface of the valve housing 310, the third connecting hole 345 corresponds to the third valve port 314 on the second side, the fourth connecting hole 346 corresponds to the fourth valve port 316 on the third side, and the fifth connecting hole 347 corresponds to the sealing port 313 on the fourth side.

[0028] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes a valve stem 320 extending in the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the valve housing 310 is provided with an opening 315. The valve stem 320 passes through the opening 315 and is fixedly connected to the upper end of the valve core 340. The valve stem 320 can rotate around its own axis, thereby realizing the rotation of the valve core 340 around the first axis.

[0029] Furthermore, the outer surface of the valve core 340 is provided with two parallel annular grooves 341, the axis of each annular groove 341 is parallel to the second axis, and a gear ring 342 is coaxially provided in the annular groove 341. The drive mechanism also includes two rotating rods 330 extending in the vertical direction, and a gear 331 is provided at the lower end of each rotating rod 330. Both rotating rods 330 pass through the opening 315 and are inserted into the corresponding annular groove 341, so that the gear 331 meshes with the corresponding gear ring 342. The two rotating rods 330 can rotate synchronously around their own axis, thereby realizing the rotation of the valve core 340 around the second axis.

[0030] Furthermore, a valve sleeve 321 is coaxially provided in the opening 315, the valve stem 320 is located inside the valve sleeve 321, the rotating rod 330 passes through the valve sleeve 321, and both the rotating rod 330 and the valve stem 320 can rotate relative to the valve sleeve 321.

[0031] Furthermore, the drive mechanism also includes an operation box 200, which is located above the valve housing 310. A rotating handle 201 is rotatably mounted inside the operation box 200. The rotating handle 201 is driveably connected to the valve stem 320, and can rotate around a second axis, thereby driving the valve stem 320 to rotate around a first axis. Specifically, the rotating handle 201 and the valve stem 320 can be coupled via a conical gear transmission.

[0032] Furthermore, the drive mechanism also includes an electric controller 100, which is located above the control box 200. The electric controller 100 can drive the valve stem 320 to rotate around the first axis and the two rotating rods 330 to rotate synchronously around their own axes.

[0033] Based on the above embodiments, the usage principle and working process of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: like Figure 11 As shown, valve 300 is in the first state (i.e., the initial state). At this time, the second valve port 312 on valve body 310 is connected to the first valve port 311 through the first docking channel, and the third valve port 314 is connected to the fourth valve port 316 through the second docking channel, realizing the first four-way mode.

[0034] When it is necessary to change the connection method of the four-way valve, rotate the valve stem 320 by turning the handle 201, so that the valve stem 320 rotates clockwise around the first axis (i.e., the upper and lower axes). Figure 11 (Viewed from top to bottom) Rotate 90°. At this time, the third valve port 314 on the valve body 310 is connected to the first valve port 311 through the first docking channel, and the fourth valve port 316 is connected to the second valve port 312 through the second docking channel and the third docking channel, thus realizing the second four-way mode. Alternatively, continue to rotate the valve stem 320 by rotating the handle 201, so that the valve stem 320 continues to rotate clockwise to 180°, so that the fourth valve port 316 on the valve body 310 is connected to the first valve port 311 through the first docking channel, and the third valve port 314 is connected to the second valve port 312 through the third docking channel, thus realizing the third four-way mode.

[0035] When it is necessary to switch to two-way mode, valve 300 should be reset to its original position. Figure 11 The first state is shown. Subsequently, the electric controller 100 controls the two rotating rods 330 to rotate synchronously and in the same direction, causing the valve core 340 to rotate clockwise around the second axis (i.e., the horizontal axis). Figure 11 (Viewed from top to bottom) Rotate 90° to make valve 300... Figure 12 The second state is as follows. At this time, the third valve port 314 is connected to the first valve port 311 through the third docking channel, while the second valve port 312 and the fourth valve port 316 are closed, achieving the first two-way mode. Then, the electric controller 100 controls the two rotating rods 330 to rotate synchronously and in the same direction, causing the valve core 340 to rotate clockwise around the second axis (i.e., the horizontal axis). Figure 12 (Viewed from top to bottom) Rotate 90° to make valve 300... Figure 13The third state is achieved. In this state, the second valve port 312 and the third valve port 314 are connected through the third docking channel, while the first valve port 311 and the fourth valve port 316 are closed, realizing the second two-way mode. Then, by rotating the handle 201, the valve stem 320 is driven to rotate the valve core 340 180°, allowing the third valve port 314 and the fourth valve port 316 to connect through the second docking channel, while the first valve port 311 and the second valve port 312 are closed, realizing the third two-way mode. Subsequently, by rotating the handle 201, the valve stem 320 is driven to continue rotating the valve core 340 to 270°, allowing the second valve port 312 and the fourth valve port 316 to connect through the second and third docking channels, while the first valve port 311 and the third valve port 314 are closed, realizing the fourth two-way mode.

[0036] Then the valve 300 can be reset via the electric controller 100. Figure 13 The third state is shown, and the electric controller 100 controls the two rotating rods 330 to rotate synchronously and in the same direction, so that the valve core 340 rotates clockwise around the second axis (i.e., the horizontal axis). Figure 13 (Viewed from top to bottom) Rotate 90° to make valve 300... Figure 14 The fourth state. At this time, the fourth valve port 316 is connected to the first valve port 311 through the first docking channel, and the second valve port 312 and the third valve port 314 are closed, realizing the fifth two-way mode. Then, turn the handle 201 to make the valve stem 320 rotate clockwise ( Figure 13 (Viewed from top to bottom) Rotate 180°. At this time, the second valve port 312 is connected to the first valve port 311 through the first docking channel, and the third valve port 314 and the fourth valve port 316 are closed, realizing the sixth two-way mode.

[0037] In summary, the valve 300 can achieve three four-way modes and six two-way modes, thereby enabling the connection of any two valve ports and the closure of the other two valve ports, as well as the connection of all four valve ports in pairs. It is flexible in use and has good versatility.

[0038] A control method for a rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve, using the aforementioned rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve, includes the following steps: S1. Based on the connection requirements of the external pipeline, determine the two target valve ports that need to be connected or the four target valve ports that need to be connected in pairs; S2. The drive mechanism drives the valve core 340 to rotate around the first axis and the second axis respectively, so that the valve core 340 connects two target valve ports and closes the other two valve ports, or connects the four target valve ports in pairs.

[0039] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0040] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve, comprising a valve body, a valve core disposed inside the valve body, and a drive mechanism for driving the valve core to rotate, characterized in that, The valve housing is a cube, and valve ports are provided on four of its outer surfaces. The axis of each valve port is perpendicular to the corresponding surface. The valve ports are used to connect to external pipelines. The upper surface of the valve housing is provided with an opening. The valve core is spherical, and the outer surface of the valve core is sealed to the inner wall of the valve housing. The valve core is provided with five connecting holes, which correspond to the five outer surfaces of the valve housing respectively. The five connecting holes form three docking channels inside the valve core, and each docking channel is used to connect two valve ports. The driving mechanism can drive the valve core to rotate around the first axis and the second axis respectively. The first axis extends vertically, and the second axis extends horizontally. By driving the valve core to rotate around the first axis and the second axis to different positions, the valve core can connect the four valve ports in pairs, or selectively connect any two valve ports and close the other two valve ports. The four valve ports are located on the bottom surface of the valve body and three adjacent vertical sides of the four vertical sides. The three docking channels are the first docking channel, the second docking channel and the third docking channel. The first docking channel is parallel to the vertical side of the valve body. The second docking channel and the third docking channel are both parallel to the bottom surface of the valve body. One end of the second docking channel is connected to one end of the third docking channel. The second docking channel and the third docking channel are connected through the same connecting hole. The outer surface of the valve core is provided with two parallel annular grooves, the axis of each annular groove is parallel to the second axis, and a gear ring is coaxially provided in the annular groove. The driving mechanism includes two rotating rods extending in the vertical direction, and a gear is provided at the lower end of each rotating rod. Both rotating rods pass through the opening and are inserted into the corresponding annular groove, so that the gear meshes with the corresponding gear ring. The two rotating rods can rotate synchronously around their own axis, thereby realizing the rotation of the valve core around the second axis.

2. The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the initial state, the five connecting holes correspond to the bottom surface of the valve body and the four vertical sides, respectively.

3. The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The four vertical sides of the valve housing are defined as the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side. In the initial state, the two ends of the first docking channel correspond to the first side and the bottom surface of the valve housing, respectively. The two ends of the second docking channel correspond to the second side and the third side of the valve housing, respectively. The two ends of the third docking channel correspond to the third side and the fourth side of the valve housing, respectively. The four valve ports are located on the bottom surface of the valve housing and on the first, second, and third sides, respectively.

4. The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes a valve stem extending in the vertical direction. The valve stem passes through the opening and is fixedly connected to the upper end of the valve core. The valve stem can rotate around its own axis, thereby enabling the valve core to rotate around the first axis.

5. The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, A valve sleeve is coaxially arranged in the opening, the valve stem is located inside the valve sleeve, the rotating rod passes through the valve sleeve, and both the rotating rod and the valve stem can rotate relative to the valve sleeve.

6. The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes an operating box located above the valve housing. A rotating handle is rotatably mounted inside the operating box. The rotating handle is connected to the valve stem via a transmission. The rotating handle can rotate around a second axis, thereby driving the valve stem to rotate around a first axis.

7. The rotary four-way arbitrary interconnection valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes an electric controller, which is located above the control box. The electric controller can drive the valve stem to rotate around the first axis and the two rotating rods to rotate synchronously around their own axes.

8. A method for controlling a rotary four-way arbitrary interlocking valve, employing the rotary four-way arbitrary interlocking valve as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Based on the connection requirements of the external pipeline, determine the two target valve ports that need to be connected or the four target valve ports that need to be connected in pairs; S2. Drive the valve core to rotate around the first axis and the second axis respectively, so that the valve core connects the two target valve ports and closes the other two valve ports respectively, or connects the four target valve ports in pairs.

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