Switching valve

Abstract

Provided is a switching valve having high durability. A switching valve (V) is provided with: a housing (10); a valve body (20) which is rotatably arranged in the housing (10); and a drive source (40) having a rod (41) for rotating the valve body (20), the switching valve (V) further having a rotating body (25) for transmitting the driving force of the drive source (40) to the valve body (20), the rotating body (25) having a recessed portion (50) extending in the axial direction on the outer periphery (25d) and thick portions (51, 52) wider in the circumferential direction than the recessed portion (50), and the rod (41) having mountain portions (42, 44) in contact with the thick portions (51, 52).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a switching valve, for example, a switching valve that opens and closes or switches a flow path of a refrigerant flow. BACKGROUND

[0002] In various industrial fields, a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant supply source is connected to a refrigerant load such as a refrigerant working device and a heat exchanger through a flow path is used. In such a refrigerant circuit, a switching valve is provided in order to open and close or switch the flow path.

[0003] For example, the switching valve of Patent Literature 1 is mainly composed of a main valve housing, a main valve body, and an actuator. The main valve housing is formed with four ports. The main valve body is formed with four communication passages.

[0004] The actuator has a pressure-receiving moving body that is disposed so as to be movable in the axial direction. The pressure-receiving moving body is formed with a plurality of drive teeth in the central portion in the axial direction. A plurality of driven teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main valve body, and the drive teeth and the driven teeth can be engaged. The main valve body is rotated to one side in the circumferential direction by moving the pressure-receiving moving body to one side in the axial direction, and is rotated to the other side in the circumferential direction by moving the pressure-receiving moving body to the other side in the axial direction. Thus, the main valve body is switched to either one of a first rotational position and a second rotational position.

[0005] The main valve body in the first rotational position communicates the first port with the third port through the first communication passage, and communicates the second port with the fourth port through the second communication passage. Also, the main valve body in the second rotational position communicates the first port with the second port through the third communication passage, and communicates the third port with the fourth port through the fourth communication passage. In this way, the switching valve of Patent Literature 1 can switch the flow path.

[0006] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0007] PATENT LITERATURE

[0008] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-98974 (pages 21 and 22, FIG. 21) SUMMARY

[0009] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] In the switching valve of Patent Literature 1, the moving direction of the pressure-receiving moving body is switched by the pilot pressure of a solenoid type four-way pilot valve, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the main valve body is rotated by an electric motor. However, the switching valve like Patent Literature 1 discontinuously applies a load to each tooth depending on the operation of the actuator, and thus the teeth are likely to be damaged.

[0011] The present application has been made in view of such a problem, and aims to provide a switching valve with high durability.

[0012] Means for solving the problem

[0013] To solve the above problem, the switching valve of the present application has a housing, a valve body rotatably provided in the housing, and a drive source having a stem that rotates the valve body, wherein the switching valve further has a rotating body that transmits a driving force of the drive source to the valve body, the rotating body having a recess extending in the axial direction on the outer periphery and a thick wall portion wider than the recess in the circumferential direction, and the stem having a mountain portion that abuts against the thick wall portion.

[0014] Thus, the force received by the stem from the mountain portion is borne by the thick wall portion of the rotating body, which is strong, so the durability of the switching valve can be improved.

[0015] The recess can be conical in shape, with the inner diameter side narrower than the outer diameter side.

[0016] Thus, the angle by which the valve body is rotated until the mountain portion and the thick wall portion come into contact and separate can be increased.

[0017] The top of the mountain portion can be R-shaped.

[0018] Thus, the sliding of the mountain portion when it comes into contact with the thick wall portion is good.

[0019] The recess can be a slit that penetrates in the radial direction.

[0020] Thus, the angle by which the valve body is rotated until the mountain portion and the thick wall portion come into contact and separate can be increased.

[0021] The rotating body and the valve body can be made of resin and be integral.

[0022] Thus, the driving force of the drive source can be smoothly transmitted to the valve body.

[0023] The stem can be a cylinder.

[0024] Thus, the mountain portion can stably and continuously make point contact with the thick wall portion.

[0025] The rotating body can have a plurality of the thick wall portions, and the stem can have a plurality of the mountain portions.

[0026] Thus, the angle by which the valve body is rotated can be increased.

[0027] A valley portion wider than at least one of the thick wall portions in the axial direction can be formed between adjacent mountain portions.

[0028] Thus, since at least one of the thick wall portions is accommodated in the valley portion, the rotating body can be smoothly operated.

[0029] It can also be that the trajectory of the mountain portion reciprocating movement is along a tangent line of the trajectory of the rotation body rotation, and the mountain portion is disposed at a position on the retreat side of the rod from a normal line of the trajectory of the rotation body rotation in a state where the rod retreats the most, the normal line being orthogonal to the tangent line.

[0030] Thus, not only the transmission efficiency of the driving force is increased, but also the angle of the valve body rotation from the contact of the mountain portion to the thick wall portion to the separation is increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit showing a switching valve to which an embodiment of the present application is applied.

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switching valve of the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve in a state where the valve body and the housing are sealed.

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve in a state where the valve body floats.

[0035] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the switching valve enlarged.

[0036] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the rotation of the valve body.

[0037] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the rotation of the valve body.

[0038] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the valve body rotated from a first rotation position to a second rotation position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, a manner of the switching valve for embodying the present application will be explained based on an embodiment. Hereinafter, as an example of the switching valve, a refrigerant switching valve will be explained, but it can also be a switching valve that switches a fluid other than a refrigerant.

[0040] EMBODIMENT

[0041] REFERENCE Figures 1 to 8 The refrigerant switching valve of the embodiment will be explained. Hereinafter, the upper and lower of Figure 3 will be explained as the upper and lower of the refrigerant switching valve.

[0042] As Figure 1As shown, the refrigerant switching valve V of the present invention is a four-way valve installed in the refrigerant circuit 1. In the refrigerant circuit 1, in addition to the refrigerant switching valve V, a compressor C, a first load L1, and a second load L2 are also installed. The compressor C ejects compressed high-pressure refrigerant ejection fluid Pd and draws in depressurized low-pressure refrigerant suction fluid Ps.

[0043] The refrigerant switching valve V is provided with: an inflow port Pi, which is connected to the discharge side of the compressor C via an outlet flow path 2; a first port P1, which is connected to the first load L1 via a first flow path 3; a second port P2, which is connected to the second load L2 via a second flow path 4; and an outlet port Pe, which is connected to the suction side of the compressor C via an outlet flow path 5. The first load L1 and the second load L2 are connected via a third flow path 6.

[0044] The refrigerant switching valve V is used to switch whether the ejected fluid Pd from the compressor C passes through in the order of first load L1, second load L2, as shown by the solid line, or in the order of second load L2, first load L1, as shown by the dashed line. The refrigerant switching valve V will be described in detail below.

[0045] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the refrigerant switching valve V mainly consists of a housing 10, a valve body 20, and a flexible unit 30 (see reference). Figure 3 ) and driver source 40 (refer to Figure 2 It consists of ) . In Figure 2 , Figure 3 In the middle, valve body 20 is in the first rotation position, so that the inflow port Pi and the first port P1 (refer to...) Figure 2 Connect the second port P2 (refer to) to make port P2 (refer to) Figure 3 ) and outflow port Pe (refer to Figure 3 Connect.

[0046] The outer casing 10 is mainly composed of the housing 11 and the fastener 12.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 The housing 11 is made of resin and consists of a main body 11a and a sleeve 11b. Alternatively, the housing 11 can also be made of metal, and the material can be changed appropriately.

[0048] The main body 11a is a top-opening cylindrical shape, with a stepped top wall that forms a D-shape when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall that extends downward from the periphery of the top wall.

[0049] An inflow port Pi is formed on the top wall of the main body 11a, which runs through the vertical direction.

[0050] Reference Figure 3A support hole 11c is formed in the top wall of the main body 11a, recessed from its lower end face toward the upper side. A support shaft 14 is inserted into and fixed in the support hole 11c.

[0051] return Figure 2 The sleeve 11b is a bottomed cylindrical shape that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall of the main body 11a. A drive source 40 is inserted into and fixed within the sleeve 11b. The sleeve 11b and the drive source 40 are sealed by a sealing element.

[0052] Furthermore, a through hole 11d is formed on the peripheral wall of the main body 11a and the bottom of the sleeve 11b, extending along the axial direction of the sleeve 11b. The front end of the rod 41, described later, is inserted through this through hole 11d and disposed in the valve chamber 13 (see reference). Figure 3 )Inside.

[0053] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, a first port P1 is formed in the fastener 12 (refer to...). Figure 2 ), Port 2 P2 (refer to) Figure 3 ) and outflow port Pe (refer to Figure 3 Port 1 (P1), port 2 (P2), and outlet port (Pe) all pass through the fixing member 12 in the vertical direction.

[0054] Furthermore, the first port P1, the second port P2, and the outflow port Pe are positioned at one of the vertices of an isosceles triangle when the fixture 12 is viewed from above (see reference). Figure 8 The separation dimensions of port 1 P1 and outflow port Pe are approximately the same as those of port 2 P2 and outflow port Pe.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 The main body 11a and the fixing member 12 are fastened together by bolts (not shown). Furthermore, a groove is formed along the edge of the fixing member 12, recessed from its upper end face towards the lower side. The main body 11a is pressed against a sealing member disposed in the groove. A seal is formed between the main body 11a and the fixing member 12. The main body 11a and the fixing member 12 form a valve chamber 13.

[0056] Furthermore, the fixing member 12 has a groove formed along the foot 27 of the valve body 20 when it stops in the first rotational position and the foot 27 of the valve body 20 when it stops in the second rotational position. This groove is recessed from the upper end face of the fixing member 12 downwards. A sealing member 15 is disposed within the groove.

[0057] The valve body 20 is made of resin and is elliptical in plan view, consisting of a cylindrical portion 21 and a dome 22. The cylindrical portion 21 is circular in plan view, and the dome 22 extends in a U-shape from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 21 toward the outer diameter. Alternatively, the valve body 20 can also be made of metal, and the material can be changed appropriately.

[0058] The cylindrical portion 21 is a stepped cylinder having a large-diameter cylindrical portion 23, a small-diameter cylindrical portion 24, and a rotating body 25.

[0059] The large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 has a peripheral wall extending in the axial direction, the lower portion of which is a substantially semicircular arc when viewed from above, and the upper portion of which is a cylindrical shape, and a ring-shaped top wall extending from the upper end of the peripheral wall toward the inner diameter side. The peripheral wall is connected to the dome portion 22 at the inclined boundary line 20a. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 and the dome portion 22 form a communication passage 26 whose respective internal spaces are continuous.

[0060] Further, a foot portion 27 that is annular and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape is formed along the edges of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 and the dome portion 22.

[0061] A cap 28 that is upside-down hat-shaped in cross section and a C-shaped stopper 29 are disposed at the upper end of the peripheral wall of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23. The stopper 29 is fitted to the peripheral wall in a state in which the cap 28 is disposed on the top wall side of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23, thereby holding the cap 28.

[0062] An annular groove is formed in the top wall of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23, recessed toward the upper side from the lower end surface thereof. An O-ring is crimped to the cap 28 disposed in the groove. The top wall and the cap 28 are sealed. That is, the cap 28 is one of the components that divide the communication passage 26.

[0063] A recessed portion 28a is formed in the radial center of the cap 28, recessed toward the lower side from the upper end surface thereof. A bushing 16 is disposed in the recessed portion 28a, which serves as a bearing for the support shaft 14.

[0064] The small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 has a peripheral wall extending upward from the upper end surface of the radial center of the top wall of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23, and a ring-shaped top wall 24a extending from the upper end of the peripheral wall toward the inner diameter side. The top wall 24a is in contact with the upper spring seat of the elastic unit 30 on the lower side, and the upper spring seat is in contact with the spring of the elastic unit 30 on the lower side. In other words, the valve body 20 is placed on the elastic unit 30.

[0065] A rotating body 25 having a smaller diameter than the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 is formed on the upper side of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24. The rotating body 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending upward from the upper end surface of the radial center of the top wall 24a of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24. A recessed portion 25a is formed in the radial center of the rotating body 25, recessed toward the lower side from the upper end surface thereof. A bushing 16 is disposed in the recessed portion 25a. The rotating body 25 transmits power, and the detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0066] Furthermore, a through hole 21a extending axially is formed in the cylindrical portion 21. The axis of the through hole 21a is substantially aligned with the axis of the cylindrical portion 21. The axis of the through hole 21a is also substantially aligned with the axes of the recesses 25a of the rotating body 25 and 28a of the cover 28. Moreover, the axis of the through hole 21a is substantially aligned with the axis of the outlet port Pe.

[0067] The support shaft 14 is inserted through two bushings 16 and a through hole 21a. That is, the support shaft 14 is positioned on the axis of the outlet port Pe. The valve body 20 is axially movable along the support shaft 14 and is rotatable about the support shaft 14.

[0068] A lower stop 17 and an upper stop 18 are fixed to the portion of the support shaft 14 located inside the valve body 20. The lower stop 17 is arranged to be separated from the upper stop 18 downwards.

[0069] An elastic unit 30 is provided between the lower stop 17 and the upper stop 18. The elastic unit 30 consists of a lower spring seat, a spring, and an upper spring seat. A spring is disposed between the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat. The lower stop 17 and the upper stop 18 prevent the lower spring seat and the upper spring seat from falling off.

[0070] The valve body 20 moves axially along the support shaft 14 according to the pressure difference inside and outside the valve body 20.

[0071] More specifically, the greater the pressure of the refrigerant in the space outside the valve body 20 of the valve chamber 13 compared to the pressure of the refrigerant inside the valve body 20, i.e., in the connecting passage 26, the greater the force that causes the valve body 20 to move toward the fixing member 12. When this force exceeds the force of the spring in the elastic unit 30, the valve body 20 moves toward the fixing member 12 while the spring contracts, pressing against the sealing member 15.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, with the ejected fluid Pd flowing into the valve chamber 13 from the inlet port Pi, the foot 27 of the valve body 20, which is stopped at the first rotation position, is pressed against the seal 15. Thus, the refrigerant switching valve V separates the connecting passage 26 from the space in the valve chamber 13 that is further outward than the valve body 20, connecting the inlet port Pi to the first port P1 and the second port P2 to the outlet port Pe.

[0073] On the other hand, when the flow of the ejected fluid Pd into the valve chamber 13 stops, the smaller the pressure difference between the refrigerant outside the valve body 20 in the valve chamber 13 and the refrigerant pressure in the connecting passage 26, the smaller the force that causes the valve body 20 to move towards the fixed member 12. When this force is lower than the spring force of the elastic unit 30, such as... Figure 4As shown, the valve body 20 moves in response to the extension of the spring, and the pressure contact with the seal 15 is released, that is, the valve body 20 floats up.

[0074] In this way, by rotating the valve body 20 to the second rotation position while it is in a floating state, the large frictional force generated between the valve body 20 and the seal 15 can be reduced. The rotation of the valve body 20 will be explained below.

[0075] First, the drive source 40 and the rotating body 25 will be explained.

[0076] The drive source 40 is a solenoid that advances the rod 41 toward the valve chamber 13 when energized. Furthermore, the drive source 40 has a spring (not shown) that, by stopping the energization, the rod 41 is retracted toward the drive source 40 by the force of the spring. Alternatively, the drive source may be configured to retract the rod when energized and advance the rod by the force of the spring when de-energized.

[0077] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, rod 41 is a cylinder having a first mountain portion 42, a small-diameter shaft portion 43, and a second mountain portion 44. Here, the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 are the mountain portions of the present invention, abutting against the long thick-walled portion 51 and the short thick-walled portion 52, which are thick-walled portions described later. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer diameters of the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 are the same, but they may also be different.

[0078] A first mountain portion 42 is formed at the front end of the rod 41. The first mountain portion 42 has inclined surfaces 42a and 42b. Inclined surface 42a is inclined in a manner that expands outward from the front end side of the rod 41 toward the rear end side, i.e., the drive source 40 side. Inclined surface 42b is inclined in a manner that contracts inward from the outer diameter end of inclined surface 42a toward the rear end side. Furthermore, the top 42c of the first mountain portion 42, which is connected to inclined surfaces 42a and 42b, is R-shaped.

[0079] The small-diameter shaft portion 43 has an outer peripheral surface that extends in a straight line from the inner diameter end of the inclined surface 42a toward the rear end side.

[0080] The second mountain portion 44 is continuous with the rear end of the small-diameter shaft portion 43. The second mountain portion 44 has an inclined surface 44a and an outer peripheral surface 44b. The inclined surface 44a is inclined in such a way that it expands in diameter towards the outer diameter side from the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter shaft portion 43 toward the rear end side. The outer peripheral surface 44b extends in a straight line from the outer diameter end of the inclined surface 44a toward the rear end side.

[0081] Furthermore, the portion sandwiched axially by the first mountain part 42 and the second mountain part 44 is an annular valley part 45. The valley part 45 is divided by the inclined surface 42b of the first mountain part 42, the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter shaft part 43, and the inclined surface 44a of the second mountain part 44.

[0082] likeFigure 3 、 Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating body 25 has a stepped cylindrical shape composed of a base portion 25b and a bush mounting portion 25c above the base portion 25b.

[0083] The base portion 25b is a portion continuous with the top wall 24a of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 and extending in the axial direction, and forms the through-hole 21a of the valve body 20.

[0084] The bush mounting portion 25c is a portion continuous with the upper end of the base portion 25b and extending in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the bush mounting portion 25c is larger than that of the base portion 25b. The inner peripheral surface of the bush mounting portion 25c and the upper end surface of the base portion 25b form the recessed portion 25a of the rotating body 25.

[0085] Further, the outer peripheral surfaces of the base portion 25b and the bush mounting portion 25c are continuous in a coplanar manner.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating body 25 has a stepped cylindrical shape composed of a base portion 25b and a bush mounting portion 25c above the base portion 25b. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating body 25 has a stepped cylindrical shape composed of a base portion 25b and a bush mounting portion 25c above the base portion 25b.

[0087] The recessed portion 50 is formed as a slit passing through the rotating body 25 in the radial direction and the axial direction. The recessed portion 50 communicates with the through-hole 21a of the valve body 20 (refer to FIG. 1) and the recessed portion 25a. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 The recessed portion 50 is formed as a slit passing through the rotating body 25 in the radial direction and the axial direction. The recessed portion 50 communicates with the through-hole 21a of the valve body 20 (refer to FIG. 1) and the recessed portion 25a.

[0088] The long-thick-wall portion 51 is a portion of about one-half of a circular arc in the rotating body 25. End surfaces 51a, 51b (refer to FIG. 1) on both sides in the peripheral direction of the long-thick-wall portion 51 are flat surfaces extending in the radial direction. The end surface 51a is located on the counterclockwise side, and the end surface 51b is located on the clockwise side. Figure 6

[0089] The short-thick-wall portion 52 is a portion of about one-eighth of a circular arc in the rotating body 25. End surfaces 52a, 52b on both sides in the peripheral direction of the short-thick-wall portion 52 are flat surfaces extending in the radial direction. The end surface 52a is located on the counterclockwise side, and the end surface 52b is located on the clockwise side.

[0090] The recessed portion 50 is tapered in shape with the inner diameter narrower than the outer diameter, and is sandwiched by the end surface 51a of the long-thick-wall portion 51 and the end surface 52b of the short-thick-wall portion 52. Further, the tapered shape of the present application refers to a shape in which a cross section sandwiched by inclined surfaces is gradually tapered toward the front end.

[0091] ​Further, the circumferential width W3 of the short thick wall portion 52 is wider than the circumferential width Wl of the recessed portion 50 and narrower than the circumferential width W2 of the long thick wall portion 51. Note that the circumferential width of the present application refers to a circumferential dimension on the same circle.

[0092] Further, the end surface 51b of the long thick wall portion 51 and the end surface 52b of the short thick wall portion 52 are connected by a cutout portion 53 that penetrates the rotary body 25 in the radial and axial directions.

[0093] When the valve body 20 is rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position, the valve body 20 is first lifted as described above.

[0094] At this time, the first ridge portion 42 of the rod 41 (more specifically, a portion including the top portion 42c of the first ridge portion 42) is disposed in the recessed portion 50 of the rotary body 25. Further, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the inclined surface 42b of the first ridge portion 42 abuts against the end surface 52b of the short thick wall portion 52. Further, the short thick wall portion 52 is disposed at a position where the base portion 25b (see FIG. 1) overlaps the first ridge portion 42 in the circumferential direction within the range in which the valve body 20 moves up and down along the support shaft 14. Figure 6 Figure 3 , Figure 4

[0095] Thus, the rotary body 25 can be prevented from being unintentionally rotated from the first rotational position, and the rotary body 25 is less likely to be disengaged from the first ridge portion 42.

[0096] When the rod 41 advances, the inclined surface 42a of the first ridge portion 42 abuts against the end surface 51a of the long thick wall portion 51 (see FIG. 6). More specifically, the inclined surface 42a (more specifically, the radially central portion) of the first ridge portion 42 abuts against the end surface 51a (more specifically, the radially outer end of the end surface 51a) of the long thick wall portion 51. Figure 6

[0097] The more the advancing distance of the rod 41 increases, the more the long thick wall portion 51 pressed by the advancing rod 41 rotates in the clockwise direction. Along with this, the position at which the first ridge portion 42 abuts against the radially outer end of the end surface 51a of the long thick wall portion 51 gradually moves from the radially central portion of the inclined surface 42a toward the top portion 42c. That is, the first ridge portion 42 is in sliding contact with the long thick wall portion 51.

[0098] When the rod 41 further advances, as shown in FIG. 7, the first ridge portion 42 is separated from the long thick wall portion 51. Figure 7

[0099] ​​​​Next, the inclined surface 44a of the 2nd mountain portion 44 (in detail, the outer diameter end of the inclined surface 44a) comes into abutment with the end surface 52a (in detail, the outer diameter end of the end surface 52a) of the short thick wall portion 52. The more the advancing distance of the rod 41 increases, the more the short thick wall portion 52 pressed by the advancing rod 41 rotates in the clockwise direction. Along with this, the position at which the inclined surface 44a of the 2nd mountain portion 44 comes into abutment with the outer diameter end of the end surface 52a of the short thick wall portion 52 gradually moves from the outer diameter end of the inclined surface 44a toward the radial center. That is, the 2nd mountain portion 44 is in sliding contact with the short thick wall portion 52.

[0100] Also, as shown in the bubble frame of Figure 7 , the valley portion 45 of the rod 41 is longer in the axial direction than the short thick wall portion 52. In detail, in a state in which the short thick wall portion 52 is disposed in the valley portion 45, the minimum axial dimension Al of the valley portion 45 in a region in which the short thick wall portion 52 overlaps in the axial direction is longer than the maximum axial dimension A2 of the short thick wall portion 52. Due to this, when the 2nd mountain portion 44 comes into abutment with the short thick wall portion 52, the short thick wall portion 52 is housed in the valley portion 45, and thus the rotating body 25 can be caused to operate smoothly.

[0101] Also, by means of the cutout portion 53 of the rotating body 25, it is possible to prevent the outer peripheral surface 44b of the 2nd mountain portion 44 from coming into contact with the rotating body 25 during the period in which the inclined surface 44a of the 2nd mountain portion 44 comes into abutment with the end surface 52a of the short thick wall portion 52.

[0102] Also, the valve body 20, which is integral with the rotating body 25, also rotates in the clockwise direction integrally with the rotating body 25. During this period, the valve body 20 is in a state in which, although the top wall 24a of the valve body 20 is in sliding contact with the upper spring seat of the elastic unit 30, the valve body 20 is placed on the elastic unit 30. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the frictional force that occurs between the foot portion 27 at the lower end of the valve body 20 and the upper surface of the fixing member 12 and the seal member 15. Also, by making the valve body 20 of resin, the valve body 20 is lightweight, and this contributes to the reduction in frictional force.

[0103] After that, by advancing the rod 41 by a prescribed distance, as shown in Figure 8 , the valve body 20 stops at the 2nd rotational position. Furthermore, in Figure 8 , the illustration of a portion of the seal member 15 and the like is omitted for ease of illustration.

[0104] The valve body 20 that has stopped at the 2nd rotational position is in pressure contact with the seal member 15 as when it has stopped at the 1st rotational position.

[0105] At this time, the short thick wall portion 52 of the rotating body 25 is disposed in the valley portion 45 of the rod 41. Also, with reference to Figure 7, the inclined surface 44a of the second mountain portion 44 abuts against the end surface 52a of the short thick wall portion 52. The short thick wall portion 52 is disposed at a position where, within a range in which the valve body 20 moves up and down along the support shaft 14, the base portion 25b (refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 ) overlaps the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 in the circumferential direction, respectively.

[0106] Thus, it is possible to prevent the rotation body 25 from being unexpectedly rotated from the second rotation position, and it is possible to prevent the rotation body 25 from being disengaged from the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44.

[0107] Further, when the valve body 20 moves toward the seal 15, the short thick wall portion 52 is guided by the inclined surface 44a of the second mountain portion 44. Thus, the refrigerant switching valve V can press the valve body 20 against the seal 15 disposed along the second rotation position with high precision.

[0108] In a state where the valve body 20 is pressed against the seal 15 in the second rotation position, the refrigerant switching valve V divides the communication passage 26 from a space in the valve chamber 13 that is located outward of the valve body 20, and communicates the inflow port Pi with the second port P2 and the first port Pi with the outflow port Pe.

[0109] In a case where the valve body 20 is rotated from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, the valve body 20 is floated as in the case where it is stopped in the first rotation position.

[0110] When the energization to the drive source 40 is stopped and the rod 41 is retracted by means of a spring not shown, with reference to Figure 7 , the inclined surface 42b (specifically, a radial center of the inclined surface 42b) of the first mountain portion 42 abuts against the end surface 52b (specifically, an outer diameter end of the end surface 52b) of the short thick wall portion 52.

[0111] The more the retraction distance of the rod 41 increases, the more the short thick wall portion 52 pressed by the retracted rod 41 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Along with this, the position at which the first mountain portion 42 abuts against the outer diameter end of the end surface 52b of the short thick wall portion 52 gradually moves from the radial center of the inclined surface 42b to the top 42c. That is, the first mountain portion 42 is in sliding contact with the short thick wall portion 52.

[0112] Further, the valve body 20 that is integral with the rotation body 25 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction integrally with the rotation body 25.

[0113] Thereafter, as shown by the double-dotted line in Figure 6 , by retracting the rod 41 by a prescribed distance, that is, by stopping the rod 41 at a position where the retraction movement is the most, the valve body 20 is stopped in the first rotation position.

[0114] When the valve body 20 stopped at the first rotational position is moved to the seal 15 side, the short thick wall portion 52 is guided by the inclined surface 42b of the first mountain portion 42. Thus, the refrigerant switching valve V can press the valve body 20 against the seal 15 disposed along the first rotational position with high precision.

[0115] As explained above, the refrigerant switching valve V of the present embodiment can make the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 of the rod 41 abut against the long thick wall portion 51 and the short thick wall portion 52 by the recess 50 and the cutout portion 53 formed in the outer periphery 25d of the rotation body 25 formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0116] In other words, the force received from the first mountain portion 42 or the second mountain portion 44 is received by the long thick wall portion 51 or the short thick wall portion 52 of the rotation body 25 which is high in strength, and thus the durability of the refrigerant switching valve V can be improved.

[0117] Further, the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 abut against the base portion 25b which is particularly high in strength among the long thick wall portion 51 and the short thick wall portion 52. Thus, the durability of the refrigerant switching valve V can be further improved.

[0118] Further, since the base portion 25b is the root portion side of the rotation body 25 connected to the top wall 24a of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24, the applied load is smaller compared to a structure in which the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 abut against the top end side of the rotation body 25.

[0119] Further, since the recess 50 is a conical shape, the angle by which the valve body 20 is rotated until the first mountain portion 42 comes into contact with the long thick wall portion 51 and the short thick wall portion 52 and separates therefrom can be increased.

[0120] Further, since the top portion 42c of the first mountain portion 42 is an R shape, the sliding when coming into contact with the long thick wall portion 51 and the short thick wall portion 52 is good.

[0121] Further, since the recess 50 is a slit which penetrates in the radial direction, the area in which the first mountain portion 42 overlaps the long thick wall portion 51 and the short thick wall portion 52 in the circumferential direction can be ensured to be wide without changing the radial dimension of the rotation body 25. Thus, the angle by which the valve body 20 is rotated until the first mountain portion 42 comes into contact with the long thick wall portion 51 and the short thick wall portion 52 and separates therefrom can be increased.

[0122] Further, since the rotation body 25 and the valve body 20 are made of resin and are integrated, the driving force of the driving source 40 can be smoothly transmitted to the valve body 20.

[0123] Furthermore, since the rod 41 is a cylinder, even when rotating around its axis, the first mountain part 42 can maintain stable point contact with the long thick-walled part 51 and the short thick-walled part 52. Moreover, since the contact between the first mountain part 42 and the long thick-walled part 51 and the short thick-walled part 52 is point contact, it is easy to reduce the frictional force generated when they slide in contact.

[0124] Furthermore, as when the valve body 20 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, after the first mountain portion 42 separates from the long thick-walled portion 51, the second mountain portion 44 abuts against the short thick-walled portion 52, thereby causing the valve body 20 to rotate. In this way, the refrigerant switching valve V can increase the angle at which the valve body 20 is rotated.

[0125] Furthermore, when rod 41 is as follows Figure 8 When the rod 41 moves back and forth as indicated by the double-headed arrow t, the trajectory of the reciprocating movement of the rod 41, indicated by the single-dot dashed line, is along the tangent T to the trajectory of the rotating body 25, indicated by the single-dot dashed line.

[0126] and, Figure 8 The first mountain section 42, shown by the double-dotted line, is positioned in a state where the rod 41 has moved backward the most, compared to... Figure 8 The normal N of the trajectory of the rotating body 25, shown by the single-dotted line, is located on the backward side of the rod 41, and this normal is orthogonal to the tangent T.

[0127] As a result, not only is the transmission efficiency of the driving force increased, but the angle at which the valve body 20 is rotated from the contact between the first mountain part 42 and the short thick-walled part 52 until their separation is also increased.

[0128] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and changes and additions that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0129] For example, in the foregoing embodiments, the structure of the drive source being a solenoid has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The drive source can also be manual or a motor, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0130] Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, the case where the refrigerant switching valve is a four-way valve has been described, but it is not limited to this. The number of ports can be changed appropriately, and it can also be an on / off valve that opens and closes between the inflow path and the outflow path.

[0131] Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, the case where the valve body and the rotating body are integrated has been described, but it is not limited to this. The separate valve body and the rotating body can also be assembled by bonding, interlocking, or other methods.

[0132] Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the structure in which the valve body rotates around the support shaft is described, but is not limited thereto, and the structure in which the support shaft rotates integrally with the valve body can be adopted. If such a structure is adopted, the rotating body that is separate from the valve body can be provided to the support shaft.

[0133] Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the structure in which the inclined surface formed in each mountain portion extends linearly is described, but is not limited thereto, and the inclined surface formed in each mountain portion can be curved, can be stepped, and the shape thereof can be appropriately changed.

[0134] Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the structure in which the recess portion communicates with the through hole and the recess of the valve body is described, but is not limited thereto, and the recess portion can not communicate with at least one or more of the through hole and the recess. If such a structure is adopted, the strength of the rotating body can be further ensured.

[0135] Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the case in which the elastic unit is composed of the lower spring seat, the spring, and the upper spring seat is described, but is not limited thereto, and the elastic unit can be only the spring, or a thrust bearing can be provided between the valve body and the upper spring seat, and can be appropriately changed.

[0136] Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the case in which the seal member that seals between the housing and the fixing member in the housing is provided to the fixing member side is described, but is not limited thereto, and the seal member can be provided to the housing side.

[0137] Also, in the foregoing embodiment, the case in which the seal member that seals between the valve body and the fixing member is provided to the fixing member side is described, but is not limited thereto, and the seal member can be provided to the valve body side. Even if such a structure is adopted, the frictional force generated between the valve body and the fixing member can be reduced by the seal member floating up together with the valve body to be separated from the fixing member or the contact area being reduced.

[0138] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0139] 1: refrigerant circuit; 10: housing; 20: valve body; 25: rotating body; 25d: outer periphery; 40: drive source; 41: rod; 42: first mountain portion (mountain portion); 42c: top portion; 44: second mountain portion (mountain portion); 45: valley portion; 50: recess portion; 51: long thick wall portion (thick wall portion); 52: short thick wall portion (thick wall portion); V: refrigerant switching valve (switching valve).

Claims

1. A switching valve, comprising: a housing; a valve body rotatably provided in the housing; and a drive source having a stem that rotates the valve body, wherein the switching valve further comprises a rotating body that transmits a driving force of the drive source to the valve body, the rotating body has a recess extending in an axial direction on an outer periphery and a thick wall portion wider than the recess in a circumferential direction, and the stem has a mountain portion that abuts against the thick wall portion.

2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a tapered shape that is narrower on an inner diameter side than on an outer diameter side.

3. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein a top of the mountain portion is an R shape.

4. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a slit that penetrates in a radial direction.

5. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body and the valve body are made of resin and are integrated.

6. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the stem is a cylindrical body.

7. The switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rotating body has a plurality of the thick wall portions, and the stem has a plurality of the mountain portions.

8. The switching valve according to claim 7, wherein a valley portion wider than at least one of the thick wall portions in an axial direction is formed between adjacent ones of the mountain portions.

9. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein a trace along which the mountain portion reciprocally moves is along a tangent line of a trace along which the rotating body rotates, and the mountain portion is disposed at a position on a retreat side of the stem from a normal line of the trace along which the rotating body rotates, the normal line being orthogonal to the tangent line, in a state in which the stem retreats the most. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Images