Valve device, sliding switch valve, and refrigeration cycle system using sliding switch valve

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a valve device with improved assemblability, a sliding switching valve, and a refrigeration circulation system using the sliding switching valve. The sliding switching valve (10) comprises a valve body (12) having a valve chamber (11), a valve seat component (29) disposed within the valve chamber (11), and an S-connector tube (27a) connected to the valve body (12). An S-connector port (27) communicating with the inside and outside of the valve chamber (11) is formed in the valve body (12). An S-port (33) is formed in the valve seat component (29). The S-connector tube (27a) has a valve seat-side end (27a1) fixed to the S-connector port (27) when inserted into the S-connector port (27) and the S-port (33). The valve seat-side end (27a1) does not abut against the inner surface (33a2) and outer edge (33a1) of the S-port (33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to valve devices, sliding switching valves, and refrigeration circulation systems using sliding switching valves. Background Technology

[0002] Valve devices for controlling fluids in refrigeration circulation systems are known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The sliding switching valve (valve device) described in Patent Document 1 includes: a cylindrical valve body having an opening in its side wall; a valve seat component having a valve port communicating with the opening and fixed to the inner wall of the valve body; and a connector component that is inserted into and fixed to the opening and the valve port.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-180485 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in conventional valve devices as described above, when assembling the valve body, valve seat assembly, and connector assembly, the valve body and valve seat assembly are sometimes connected to form a valve body-valve seat assembly, and the connector assembly is connected to the valve body-valve seat assembly.

[0008] However, in such a structure, for example, as Figure 15 As shown in (A), when the valve body 500 and the valve seat component 600 are fixed, if the positions of the opening 501 and the valve port 601 are offset (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as spacing offset), the front end of the connector component 700 will interfere with the valve seat component 600 when the connector component 700 is inserted into the opening 501, thus hindering the insertion of the connector component 700. Therefore, it is difficult to improve the assemblability of the valve device.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a valve device with improved assemblability, a sliding switching valve, and a refrigeration circulation system using a sliding switching valve.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] The valve device of the present invention comprises a valve body having a valve chamber, a valve seat component disposed in the valve chamber, and a connector component connected to the valve body. The valve device is characterized in that it comprises: a main body opening disposed in the valve body and communicating with the inside and outside of the valve chamber; and a valve seat opening passing through the valve seat component and communicating with the main body opening. The connector component has a valve seat side end fixed to the main body opening when inserted into the main body opening and the valve seat opening, and the valve seat side end does not abut against the inner surface and edge of the valve seat opening.

[0012] According to this invention, the valve seat side end of the connector component does not abut against the inner surface and edge of the valve seat opening. Therefore, when the connector component is inserted into the body opening and the valve seat opening, interference between the connector component and the valve seat component can be suppressed. Thus, for example, when connecting the connector component, it is less susceptible to the effects of spacing misalignment during the connection of the valve body and the valve seat component. Consequently, for example, in the case where a valve body-valve seat component assembly is formed from the valve body and the valve seat component, the connector component can be easily connected to the valve body-valve seat component assembly. Therefore, a valve device with improved assemblability can be provided.

[0013] Furthermore, according to this structure, the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component can be fixed separately by brazing, for example. In this case, compared with other structures, it is possible to achieve the following: Specifically, for example, in other structures different from this invention, the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component are sometimes brazed simultaneously, in which case the components with different heat capacities are brazed at the same temperature. Therefore, the completeness of each brazed part varies. In contrast, in this structure, the valve seat component is first brazed to the valve body under optimal conditions, and then the connector component is inserted into the body opening and the valve seat opening without being affected by the positional offset between the valve body and the valve seat component, allowing the connector component to be brazed under optimal conditions. Therefore, brazing can be performed on each component under optimal conditions, improving the quality of the brazing.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the valve seat side end of the connector component does not abut against the valve seat component, thermal movement between the connector component and the valve seat component can be suppressed when brazing is performed as described above. Therefore, the effects caused by this thermal movement are almost negligible, making it easier to perform sufficient heating and enabling more reliable brazing. Thus, a valve device that improves the quality of brazing can be provided. Additionally, according to this structure, for example, when the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component are fixed separately by welding, the connection of the connector components is also less susceptible to the effects of spacing misalignment.

[0015] Furthermore, preferably, the valve body has an inner wall surface forming the valve chamber, the valve seat component has a engaging surface that engages with the inner wall surface, the main body opening extends from the outer wall surface of the valve body to the inner wall surface, the valve seat opening communicates with the main body opening and opens on the engaging surface, and the inner diameter of the portion of the valve seat opening extending to the final position in the insertion direction of the connector component is larger than the inner diameter of the main body opening. With this structure, by making the inner diameter of the portion of the valve seat opening extending to the final position in the insertion direction of the connector component larger than the inner diameter of the main body opening, interference between the valve seat side end and the inner surface and edge of the valve seat opening can be reliably suppressed when the connector component is inserted. Additionally, according to this structure, the shape of the valve seat opening other than the portion extending to the final position in the insertion direction of the connector component can be freely selected. For example, the shape of the valve seat opening other than the portion extending to this final position can be a conical shape with a variable diameter, and the inner diameter of the portion extending to this final position can also be smaller than the inner diameter of the main body opening.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that, when the inner diameter of the main body opening is set to A and the inner diameter of the valve seat opening is set to B, BA > 0.4 mm. With this structure, by setting the relationship between the inner diameter A of the main body opening and the inner diameter B of the valve seat opening to BA > 0.4 mm, for example, even if there are assembly errors such as spacing misalignment between the valve body and the valve seat component, these errors are less likely to affect the valve body, and interference between the valve seat side end of the connector component and the inner surface and edge of the valve seat opening can be reliably suppressed.

[0017] Furthermore, according to this structure, compared to the conventional structure where inner diameter A = inner diameter B, it is possible to achieve the following. Specifically, for example, in... Figure 15 In the conventional structure shown in (B), the brazing filler metal used to fix the valve body 500 and the valve seat component 600 sometimes flows out from between the opening 501 and the valve port 601 into the opening 501 or the valve port 601 and solidifies into a protrusion 800. In this case, the front end of the connector component 700 interferes with the protrusion 800, thus hindering the insertion of the connector component 700. In contrast, in this structure, even if the brazing filler metal flows from between the inner wall surface of the valve body and the engagement surface of the valve seat component towards the opening side of the body and the opening side of the valve seat, it is easy to leave the brazing filler metal in the space of the inner diameter difference (mainly the space inside the valve seat opening), thus preventing the brazing filler metal from solidifying into a protrusion inside the opening of the body. As a result, it is possible to suppress interference between the end of the connector component and the solidified brazing filler metal when the connector component is inserted.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connector component is brazed while being pressed into the opening of the main body. With this structure, the connector component can be brazed while the valve body holds it, thus preventing displacement of the connector component during brazing. Therefore, brazing can be performed accurately and easily. Additionally, according to this structure, since it is not necessary to press the connector component into the valve seat opening, the valve seat component will not deform due to the force generated by this pressing. Therefore, the airtightness between the valve core and the valve seat component can be reliably ensured.

[0019] Furthermore, preferably, a radially outwardly protruding portion is provided on the outer surface of the connector component, and the connector component is brazed to the valve body while the protruding portion is pressed into at least a portion of the inner surface of the main body opening. With this structure, the connector component is fixed to the valve body while the radially outwardly protruding portion of the connector component is pressed into the inner surface of the main body opening. Moreover, with this structure, a gap equivalent to the protrusion size of the protrusion is created between the outer surface of the portion of the connector component without the protrusion and the inner surface of the main body opening. Therefore, brazing filler metal can flow in this gap, improving brazing strength. Additionally, the airtightness between the connector component and the valve body can be further improved by the brazing filler metal. Furthermore, in this structure, the gap for brazing filler metal flow can be formed using the protrusion, thus eliminating the need, for example, to increase the inner diameter of the valve seat opening beyond what is necessary to form the gap. Therefore, it is easy to sufficiently ensure the engagement area between the engagement surface of the valve seat component and the inner wall surface of the valve body. Therefore, it can appropriately suppress internal leakage of fluid from the inner wall surface of the valve body and the engagement surface of the valve seat component.

[0020] Alternatively, the valve body may have a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, the cylindrical portion having a curved outer wall surface and a curved inner wall surface, the main body opening extending through the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface, and a plurality of radially outwardly protruding portions provided on the outer surface of the connector component, each of the plurality of protruding portions extending axially along the connector component. With this structure, the main body opening can be easily formed by forming a hole in the cylindrical portion of the valve body that extends from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. Therefore, no special processing such as flanging is required when forming the main body opening. Furthermore, according to this structure, a gap is created between the portion of the connector component without protrusions and the inner surface of the main body opening, and a plurality of such gaps are intermittently formed around the axis of the connector component. This allows brazing filler metal to flow in these intermittent gaps, thereby improving brazing strength. Furthermore, the brazing filler metal further improves the airtightness between the connector component and the valve body. Furthermore, in this structure, since multiple press-in protrusions are provided in the circumferential direction of the connector component, the connector component is less likely to tilt during press-in. Therefore, it is easy to keep the width of the aforementioned intermittent gap constant, thus enabling a uniform amount of solder flowing in the gap.

[0021] Furthermore, by extending the protrusions along the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the axial direction) of the connector component, the necessity of determining the position of the connector component's rotation direction can be reduced when pressing the connector component into the main body opening, making pressing easier. Specifically, as described below. In this structure, the main body opening extends from the outer wall surface of the cylindrical portion to the inner wall surface, so the axial position of its edge and inner surface varies depending on its circumferential position. That is, the pressing position is not a precise position, but rather has a predetermined width in the axial direction of the connector component. Therefore, if the protrusions are precisely provided corresponding to the predetermined positions of the edge and inner surface of the main body opening in the circumferential direction, it may be impossible to press in other positions of the edge and inner surface of the main body opening in the circumferential direction. In contrast, in this structure, multiple protrusions extend axially. Therefore, one of the multiple protrusions can easily accommodate all pressing positions of the predetermined width. Therefore, as concluded at the beginning of this paragraph, the necessity of determining the position of the connector component's rotation direction can be reduced when pressing the connector component into the main body opening.

[0022] Alternatively, the valve body may have a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, the cylindrical portion having a curved outer wall surface and a curved inner wall surface, the main body opening extending through the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface, and a plurality of radially outwardly protruding protrusions provided on the outer surface of the connector component, the plurality of protrusions being arranged in a group along the axial direction of the connector component, and multiple groups being arranged in the circumferential direction of the connector component. With this structure, any one of the plurality of protrusions separated in the axial direction or circumferential direction of the connector component can be pressed into the main body opening at multiple positions in the circumferential direction of the main body opening. Therefore, when pressing the axis of the connector component into the main body opening, the necessity of determining the position of the connector component around the axis can be reduced, and pressing can be performed easily.

[0023] Alternatively, the valve body may have a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, the cylindrical portion having a curved outer wall surface and a curved inner wall surface, the main body opening extending through the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface, and a plurality of radially outwardly protruding protrusions provided on the outer surface of the connector component, the plurality of protrusions being axially separated in the connector component and circumferentially separated. With this structure, compared to a structure in which a set of protrusions are arranged axially in the connector component, it is not necessary to arrange the protrusions close together on the same axis (axial direction). Therefore, the protrusions can be easily machined.

[0024] Alternatively, the inner wall surface and the engaging surface can be fixed by brazing filler metal, and a recessed portion recessed radially outward of the valve seat opening is provided at the edge of the engaging surface side of the valve seat opening. With this structure, even if brazing filler metal leaks from between the inner wall surface of the valve body and the engaging surface of the valve seat component towards the inner surface of the valve body opening during brazing, the leaked filler metal can be contained in the recessed portion.

[0025] Alternatively, an inclined surface can be formed on the edge of the valve seat opening on the engaging surface side, tilting radially outward from the valve seat opening towards the inner wall surface of the valve body. The concave portion is formed by the portion surrounded by the inclined surface and the inner wall surface of the valve body. With this structure, the concave portion can be formed by the inclined surface formed along the inner wall surfaces of the valve seat opening and the valve body opening, thus allowing for appropriate management of the size of the concave portion by adjusting the inclination angle of the inclined surface, etc.

[0026] Alternatively, the valve seat opening may have a first opening continuous with the main body opening and a second opening continuous with the first opening but smaller in diameter than the first opening. The concave portion is formed by the portion surrounded by the inner wall surface of the valve body, the inner surface of the first opening, and the boundary surface between the first and second openings. With this structure, for example, by uniformly cutting the edge of the valve seat opening around a central axis to form two openings with different inner diameters, the concave portion can be easily formed. Therefore, compared to a structure where an inclined surface is formed at the edge of the valve seat opening, the concave portion can be formed more easily.

[0027] Furthermore, the sliding switching valve of the present invention is characterized in that it is constructed from the valve device described in any of the preceding claims. According to this structure, a sliding switching valve can be constructed using a valve device with improved assemblability.

[0028] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a sliding switching valve, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion valve. With this structure, the refrigeration cycle system can be configured using a sliding switching valve, which improves assemblability.

[0029] The effects of the invention

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide valve devices with improved assemblability, sliding switching valves, and refrigeration circulation systems using sliding switching valves. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the sliding switching valve of the first embodiment along the axis of the valve body.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a front view showing the appearance of the sliding switching valve and the pilot solenoid valve.

[0034] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the sliding switching valve along a direction orthogonal to the axis of the valve body.

[0035] Figure 5 In the diagram, (A) is shown. Figure 4 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the valve body in the diagram. Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the valve seat component in (C) is shown. Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the connector component.

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 4AA line view section.

[0037] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat assembly, and connector assembly after brazing.

[0038] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 6 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat assembly, and connector assembly after brazing.

[0039] Figure 9 In the diagram, (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the valve body and valve seat components where a spacing misalignment has occurred, (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the valve body and valve seat components where brazing filler metal leakage has occurred, and (C) is a cross-sectional view showing the valve body and valve seat components to emphasize the completed brazing area.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component according to the second embodiment.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component of a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component of the second variation of the second embodiment.

[0043] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component of the third variation of the second embodiment.

[0044] Figure 14 In the diagram, (A) is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component of the third embodiment, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat component, and connector component of a modified example of the third embodiment.

[0045] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve body, valve seat, and connector components of a conventional sliding switching valve.

[0046] Symbol Explanation

[0047] 1. Refrigeration cycle system;

[0048] 10. Sliding switching valve (valve device);

[0049] 11. Valve chamber;

[0050] 12. Valve body;

[0051] 26 E connector (main body opening);

[0052] 26a E connector pipe (connector component);

[0053] 27 S connector (main body opening);

[0054] 27a S-type connector pipe (connector component);

[0055] 27a1 Valve seat side end;

[0056] 28 C connector (main body opening);

[0057] 28a C connector pipe (connector component);

[0058] 29 Valve seat assembly;

[0059] 32 E port (valve seat opening);

[0060] 33 S port (valve seat opening);

[0061] 33a1 Outer edge (edge);

[0062] 33a2 Inner surface;

[0063] 34 C port (valve seat opening). Detailed Implementation

[0064] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the sliding switching valve 10 (valve device) of the first embodiment is used, for example, in an air conditioner such as an indoor air conditioner, and constitutes part of the refrigeration cycle system 1. The refrigeration cycle system 1 includes a compressor 2 that compresses refrigerant (fluid), an outdoor heat exchanger 3 that functions as a condenser and an indoor heat exchanger 4. Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle system 1 includes an expansion valve 5 that expands the refrigerant to reduce pressure, a sliding switching valve 10 that functions as a four-way switching valve, and a pilot solenoid valve 6 that switches the flow path of the sliding switching valve 10. The compressor 2, outdoor heat exchanger 3, indoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, pilot solenoid valve 6, and sliding switching valve 10 are connected via refrigerant piping, and the flow path is adjusted by the actuation of the pilot solenoid valve 6. Figure 1 The switching between the cooling cycle shown and the heating cycle not shown.

[0065] In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant flows in the following sequence: compressor 2, sliding switching valve 10, outdoor heat exchanger 3, expansion valve 5, indoor heat exchanger 4, sliding switching valve 10, and compressor 2. In this cycle, outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser, and indoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator. Conversely, in the heating cycle, the refrigerant flows in the same sequence: compressor 2, sliding switching valve 10, indoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, outdoor heat exchanger 3, sliding switching valve 10, and compressor 2. Again, outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator, and indoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the sliding switching valve 10 includes a valve body 12 having a valve chamber 11 inside. The valve body 12 includes a cylindrical portion 13 extending along the axis L1 and a cover member 14 that closes the openings at both ends of the cylindrical portion 13. The cylindrical portion 13 is formed into a cylindrical shape using a metal material such as stainless steel. The cover member 14 includes a cover body 14a with an inner opening in the axis L1 and a flange portion 14b formed at the opening edge of the cover body 14a. The flange portion 14b is fixed to the cylindrical portion 13 by welding or the like, with the flange portion 14b abutting against the opening edge of the cylindrical portion 13. A piston member 15 is housed in the valve chamber 11. The piston member 15 includes a connecting plate 16 extending along the axis L1 and piston assemblies 17 that are respectively mounted at both ends of the connecting plate 16 in the axis L1 direction to form a pair.

[0067] The connecting plate 16 is formed by bending or processing a metal material such as stainless steel, and can slide within the valve chamber 11 along the axis L1. A valve core retaining hole 16a and a connecting hole 16b adjacent to the connecting plate 16 are formed in the connecting plate 16, extending along the axis L2 (axial direction) intersecting the axis L1. The valve core 35, described later, is housed in the valve core retaining hole 16a. The connecting hole 16b connects the upper and lower portions of the high-pressure chamber 23 described later. The piston assembly 17 includes a cylindrical gasket 18 (piston) that slides in contact with the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 (forming the inner wall surface of the valve chamber 11). Furthermore, the piston assembly 17 includes a circular plate-shaped fixing plate 19, which is disposed on the surface and back of the gasket 18 and clamps the gasket 18; and rivets 20 and fixing screws 21, which penetrate and fix the gasket 18 and the fixing plate 19. It should be noted that, in order to avoid complicating the accompanying drawings, Figure 2 In the figure, some of the reference numerals for the parts that make up the piston assembly 17 on the left side of the paper are omitted.

[0068] A pair of piston assemblies 17 of piston assembly 15 divide valve chamber 11 into Figure 2The image shows a first chamber 22 on the left side of the paper, a high-pressure chamber 23 in the center of the paper, and a second chamber 24 on the right side of the paper. A tubular first capillary tube 22a is installed in the first chamber 22. The first chamber 22 is connected to... Figure 3 The pilot solenoid valve 6 is shown connected. The high-pressure chamber 23 is connected to the pilot solenoid valve 6 via a D-capillary tube 25b installed in the D-connector tube 25a (described later). A tubular second capillary tube 24a is installed in the second chamber 24. The second chamber 24 is connected to the pilot solenoid valve 6 via this second capillary tube 24a.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, a D-port 25 extending along the axis L2 is formed on the side wall of the cylindrical portion 13. The D-port 25 is formed by flanging the side wall of the cylindrical portion 13 and communicates with the high-pressure chamber 23. A cylindrical D-connector pipe 25a extending along the axis L2 is connected to the D-port 25 by brazing or the like. The D-connector pipe 25a is a high-pressure piping for the flow of high-pressure refrigerant, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it is connected to the discharge side of compressor 2. Figure 2 As shown, on the side wall of the cylindrical part 13, on the side opposite to the axis L2 direction on the side where the D port 25 is formed, the E connector 26, S connector 27 and C connector 28 communicating with the high pressure chamber 23 are formed sequentially from the left side of the paper.

[0070] These E-connectors 26, S-connectors 27, and C-connectors 28 extend from the curved outer wall surface 13a of the cylindrical portion 13 to the curved inner wall surface 13b, communicating with the inside and outside of the valve chamber 11. That is, the E-connectors 26, S-connectors 27, and C-connectors 28 are formed without any special processing such as flanging. These E-connectors 26, S-connectors 27, and C-connectors 28 constitute the main opening of the present invention. Furthermore, E-connector tubes 26a (inserted into E-connector 26), S-connector tubes 27a (inserted into S-connector 27), and C-connector tubes 28a are respectively connected to the side wall of the cylindrical portion 13 by brazing. These E-connector tubes 26a, S-connector tubes 27a, and C-connector tubes 28a constitute the connector components of the present invention.

[0071] A plate-shaped valve seat component 29 extending along the axis L1 is provided in the valve chamber 11. The valve seat component 29 has a engaging surface 30 on one side along the axis L2, which engages with and is brazed to the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13. Furthermore, the valve seat component 29 has a valve seat surface 31 on the opposite side of the engaging surface 30 along the axis L2, which slides in contact with the valve core 35. Moreover, from the left side of the paper, the valve seat component 29 has sequentially formed E-port 32, S-port 33, and C-port 34, which extend from the engaging surface 30 to the valve seat surface 31. E-port 32 communicates with E-connector 26, S-port 33 communicates with S-connector 27, and C-port 34 communicates with C-connector 28. These E-ports 32, S-ports 33, and C-port 34 constitute the valve seat opening of the present invention, allowing the valve core 35 to switch the communication objects between them.

[0072] The valve core 35 has a bowl-shaped portion 36 that opens toward the valve seat surface 31. The bowl-shaped portion 36 is held in a receiving state in the valve core holding hole 16a of the piston member 15 and slides along the axis L1 together with the sliding movement of the piston member 15. The size of the opening of the bowl-shaped portion 36 is set to cover the size of two of the ports E 32, S 33, and C 34, thereby enabling communication between two of the ports E 32, S 33, and C 34. Furthermore, by sliding the valve core 35 along the axis L1, the communication targets of the ports E 32, S 33, and C 34 can be switched.

[0073] Next, the operation of the sliding switching valve 10 will be explained. The sliding switching valve 10 is driven by the pilot solenoid valve 6 to cause the piston component 15 to slide along the axis L1, thereby switching the connection objects of E port 32, S port 33 and C port 34, and switching the refrigeration cycle and heating cycle of the refrigeration cycle system 1.

[0074] First of all, Figure 1 In the refrigeration cycle shown, high-pressure drive fluid flows into the second chamber 24 through the second capillary tube 24a of the pilot solenoid valve 6. Conversely, low-pressure drive fluid flows into the first chamber 22 through the first capillary tube 22a of the pilot solenoid valve 6. This creates a pressure difference between the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24, causing the piston component 15 of the sliding switching valve 10 to move to the left of the paper, thereby moving the valve core 35 towards... Figure 1The left end position is shown to be moved. In this state, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by compressor 2 circulates in the following order: D connector pipe 25a, high-pressure chamber 23, connecting hole 16b, C connector pipe 28a, outdoor heat exchanger 3, expansion valve 5, indoor heat exchanger 4, E connector pipe 26a, inside valve core 35, S connector pipe 27a, and compressor 2. At this time, outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser, and indoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator.

[0075] On the other hand, in the heating cycle (not shown), high-pressure drive fluid flows into the first chamber 22 through the first capillary tube 22a of the pilot solenoid valve 6. Meanwhile, low-pressure drive fluid flows into the second chamber 24 through the second capillary tube 24a of the pilot solenoid valve 6. This creates a pressure difference between the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24, causing the piston component 15 of the sliding switching valve 10 to move to the right side of the paper, thereby moving the valve core 35 to a position not shown on the right. In this state, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 circulates in the following sequence: D-connector pipe 25a, high-pressure chamber 23, connecting hole 16b, E-connector pipe 26a, indoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, outdoor heat exchanger 3, C-connector pipe 28a, inside the valve core 35, S-connector pipe 27a, and compressor 2. At this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser.

[0076] Next, the structure near the ends of the sliding switching valve 10's E-connector pipe 26a, S-connector pipe 27a, and C-connector pipe 28a will be described in more detail. It should be noted that in the following description, the structure, function, and effect near the end of the S-connector pipe 27a will be shown as an example, while the description of the structure, function, and effect near the ends of the E-connector pipe 26a and C-connector pipe 28a will be omitted. However, the structure, function, and effect near the ends of the E-connector pipe 26a and C-connector pipe 28a are the same as those near the end of the S-connector pipe 27a. For example... Figure 4 As shown, one end of the S-connector tube 27a is inserted into the S-connector port 27 formed in the cylindrical portion 13 and into the S-port 33 of the valve seat component 29, and in this state, it is fixed to the inner surface 27b of the S-connector port 27. This fixing can be achieved, for example, by brazing, welding, or other methods. Figure 5 As shown in (A), the S-connector 27 has an inner surface 27b extending along the axis L2 direction, an outer edge portion 27b1 on one end of the inner surface 27b in the axis L2 direction, and an inner edge portion 27b2 on the other end of the inner surface 27b in the axis L2 direction.

[0077] like Figure 5As shown in (B), the engagement surface 30 of the valve seat component 29 and the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 are formed by curved surfaces with approximately the same curvature, corresponding to each other. On the other hand, the valve seat surface 31 of the valve seat component 29 is formed by a flat surface extending orthogonally to the axis L2. Furthermore, the S-port 33 has a large-diameter portion 33a opening on the engagement surface 30 side and a small-diameter portion 33b opening on the valve seat surface 31 side. The large-diameter portion 33a has an inner diameter larger than the small-diameter portion 33b, and both the large-diameter portion 33a and the small-diameter portion 33b are formed approximately coaxially with the S-connector opening 27. One end of the large-diameter portion 33a in the axis L2 direction forms the outer edge portion 33a1 of the S-port 33, and the other end of the small-diameter portion 33b in the axis L2 direction forms the inner edge portion 33b1 of the S-port 33. Moreover, Figure 5 (C) The valve seat side end 27a1, which is one end of the S connector tube 27a, is inserted into the S connector port 27 and S port 33 along the axis L2 direction.

[0078] Here, as Figure 6 As shown, the inner diameter of the S-connector 27 is set as inner diameter A, and the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 33a of the S-port 33 is set as inner diameter B. In this case, the relationship between inner diameter A and inner diameter B is that inner diameter A < inner diameter B. Furthermore, the relationship between inner diameter A and inner diameter B is more preferably BA > 0.4 mm. Thus, the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector tube 27a does not abut against the inner surface 33a2 (inner surface) and the outer edge 33a1 (edge) of the large-diameter portion 33a of the S-port 33. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 33a is set as inner diameter B, but it is also possible not to set the entire inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 33a as inner diameter B; the portion set as inner diameter B can be appropriately set.

[0079] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, in the S-port 33, the inner diameter of at least the portion T extending from the outer edge 33a1 in the direction of axis L2 to the end edge 27a2 of the valve seat side end 27a1 into which the completed S-connector tube 27a is inserted (up to the final position in the insertion direction of the connector component) can be set to inner diameter B. Therefore, if the inner diameter of this portion T is set to inner diameter B, the inner diameters other than that of portion T can also be smaller than inner diameter A. Furthermore, as long as the relationship of inner diameter A < inner diameter B of portion T can be maintained, the inner surface shape of the S-port 33 can be various. For example, in addition to forming a large diameter portion 33a and a small diameter portion 33b, it can also be an inner surface shape with a constant inner diameter, or it can be a conical inner surface shape.

[0080] Next, as an example of the connection between the valve body 12, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector pipe 27a, the brazing process will be described. During brazing, as... Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, a first brazing filler metal 37 is placed in the space S1 between the outer surface 29a of the side wall of the valve seat component 29 and the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13. This filler metal is heated and melted to flow between the engaging surface 30 and the inner wall surface 13b, thus fixing the engaging surface 30 to the inner wall surface 13b. Furthermore, the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector tube 27a is inserted along the axis L2 in the order of S-connector port 27 and S-port 33. Then, a second brazing filler metal 38 is placed in the space S2 surrounded by the end edge 27a2 of the valve seat side end 27a1, the inner surface 33a2 of the large diameter portion 33a of the S-port 33, and the boundary surface 33c between the large diameter portion 33a and the small diameter portion 33b of the S-port 33, and is heated and melted. This causes the second brazing filler metal 38 to flow between the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector tube 27a and the inner surface 27b of the S-connector port 27, thereby fixing the valve seat side end 27a1 to the inner surface 27b of the S-connector port 27.

[0081] It should be noted that when brazing the S-connector pipe 27a, it can be done as follows: Figure 7 , Figure 8 The process can be performed with a clearance fit, as shown, where there is a gap between the S-connector tube 27a and the S-connector port 27. Alternatively, the S-connector tube 27a can be temporarily fixed by pressing it into the S-connector port 27. If pressing is used, brazing can be performed while the valve body 12 holds the S-connector tube 27a, making brazing easy, convenient, and accurate. It should be noted that pressing the S-connector tube 27a into the S-port 33 is also considered. However, in this case, due to the force generated by pressing, the valve seat component 29 may sometimes deform, and the airtightness between the valve core 35 and the valve seat component 29 may not be maintained. Therefore, from the viewpoint of reliably ensuring the airtightness between the valve core 35 and the valve seat component 29, it is preferable that the S-connector tube 27a is not pressed into the S-port 33. By brazing as described above, the valve body 12 is connected to the valve seat component 29 and the S-connector tube 27a.

[0082] There are at least three modes for this brazing process. First, in the first mode, the valve seat component 29 and the cylindrical portion 13 are brazed using a first brazing filler metal 37 to form a valve body-valve seat component assembly with the valve seat component 29 fixed to the cylindrical portion 13. Next, the S-connector tube 27a is inserted into the S-connector port 27 of this valve body-valve seat component assembly and brazed using a second brazing filler metal 38. Thus, the brazing of the valve body 12, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector tube 27a is completed. In this first mode, the brazing conditions for the valve seat component 29 and the S-connector tube 27a can be appropriately modified. For example, when brazing the valve seat component 29, which has a thicker wall than the S-connector tube 27a and requires more heat for brazing, sufficient heating is performed. On the other hand, when brazing the S-connector tube 27a, the heat is reduced compared to the brazing of the valve seat component 29 to prevent excessive heat. Therefore, performing brazing under optimal conditions at each location can improve the quality of the brazing.

[0083] It should be noted that in the first mode, such as Figure 9 As shown in (A), the S-connector 27 and S-port 33 are not coaxial on axis L2, and their positions, as indicated by the arrow, sometimes change in the intersecting direction L3, which is orthogonal to axis L2. In this embodiment, such a change is referred to as "pitch offset". In this case, as... Figure 15 As shown in (A), in the conventional structure, the inner surface of the valve port 601 is prone to displacement to the inner side of the opening 501 in the intersecting direction L3. Therefore, when the connector component 700 is inserted, the front end of the connector component 700 may interfere with the valve seat component 600.

[0084] However, in this structure, such as Figure 6 As shown, the inner diameter B of port 33 (especially part T (refer to) Figure 4 The inner diameter B of the valve seat component 29 is larger than the inner diameter A of the S-port 27. Therefore, in the intersecting direction L3, the outer edge 33a1 of the valve seat component 29 is positioned outside the S-port 27 compared to the position of the inner surface 27b of the S-port 27. Thus, even if the positions of the S-port 27 and the S-port 33 are offset from each other in the intersecting direction L3, as... Figure 9 As shown in (A), in the intersecting direction L3, the outer edge 33a1 is only close to the inner surface 27b of the S connector port 27, and the outer edge 33a1 is difficult to move to the inside of the S connector port 27. Therefore, when the S connector tube 27a is inserted into the S connector port 27 and the S port 33, interference between the S connector tube 27a and the valve seat component 29 can be suppressed.

[0085] In addition, such as Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown, during the brazing of the cylindrical portion 13 and the valve seat component 29, the first brazing filler metal 37 used for brazing sometimes leaks between the engaging surface 30 and the inner wall surface 13b. In this case, as... Figure 15 As shown in (B), in conventional structures, leaked brazing filler metal solidifies on the inner surface of valve port 601 and the inner surface of opening 501, forming protrusions 800 that may hinder the insertion of connector component 700. However, in this structure, as described above, the inner diameter B of S port 33 (especially part T (refer to...) Figure 4 The inner diameter B) of the connector 37 is larger than the inner diameter A of the S-connector 27. Therefore, even if the first solder 37 leaks, such as Figure 9 As shown in (B), by accumulating the first solder 37 between the outer edge 33a1 of the S-port 33 and the inner edge 27b2 of the S-connector 27, the first solder 37 is also difficult to flow to the inner surface 27b of the S-connector 27, and it is difficult to form a protrusion formed by the solidification of the first solder 37 on the inner surface 27b of the S-connector 27. Therefore, when inserting the S-connector tube 27a, the insertion is not easily hindered by the solidified first solder 37.

[0086] Furthermore, as described above, in a structure capable of storing the first solder 37 in the space between the inner edge 27b2 of the S-connector 27 and the outer edge 33a1 of the S-port 33, such as Figure 9 As shown in (C), the flow range of the first solder 37 can be easily confirmed by visual inspection. Therefore, the quality of the brazing, such as whether the first solder 37 flows uniformly, can be confirmed during the manufacturing of the sliding switching valve 10. Thus, the sliding switching valve 10 is not manufactured with insufficiently brazed parts, which helps improve the quality of the sliding switching valve 10. Furthermore, based on the inner diameter A and inner diameter B (especially part T (refer to...)... Figure 4 The relationship between the inner diameter B) of the S-connector pipe 27a and the valve seat component 29 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown in (B), a predetermined gap 39 is created in the intersecting direction L3. This gap 39 prevents the direct movement of heat generated during brazing between the S-connector tube 27a and the valve seat component 29. As a result, for example, the heat from the S-connector tube 27a is difficult to be captured by the valve seat component 29, which has a relatively large heat capacity, thus allowing the S-connector tube 27a to be heated sufficiently and preventing insufficient heating of the S-connector tube 27a.

[0087] Next, the second mode of the brazing process will be described. In the second mode, firstly, the S-connector tube 27a is inserted into the S-connector port 27 of the cylindrical portion 13, and brazing is performed using the second brazing filler metal 38 to form a valve body-connector assembly with the S-connector tube 27a fixed in the cylindrical portion 13. Next, a valve seat component 29 is installed inside the cylindrical portion 13 of the valve body-connector assembly, and the valve seat component 29 is brazed using the first brazing filler metal 37. Thus, the brazing of the valve body 12, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector tube 27a is completed. In this second mode, by dividing the brazing into two stages, and similarly to the first mode, brazing is performed at each location based on optimal conditions, thereby improving the quality of the brazing. Furthermore, in the second mode, as in the first mode, in the event of a spacing misalignment between the cylindrical portion 13 and the valve seat component 29, interference of the S-connector tube 27a on the valve seat component 29 can be suppressed.

[0088] Next, the third mode of the brazing process will be described. In the third mode, the valve seat component 29 and the cylindrical portion 13 are first temporarily fixed using a fixture, forming a valve body-valve seat component temporary fixing member that temporarily fixes the valve seat component 29 to the cylindrical portion 13. Next, the S-connector tube 27a is inserted into the S-connector port 27 of this valve body-valve seat component temporary fixing member. In this state, the valve body 12, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector tube 27a are brazed together using the first brazing filler metal 37 and the second brazing filler metal 38. Thus, the brazing of the valve body 12, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector tube 27a is completed. In the third mode, the brazing process can be performed in one step, which makes brazing easier. In addition, in the third mode, similar to the first mode, even if there is a gap misalignment between the cylindrical portion 13 and the valve seat component 29 when forming the valve body-valve seat component temporary fixing member, the interference of the S-connector tube 27a on the valve seat component 29 can be suppressed.

[0089] According to the above-described embodiment, the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector pipe 27a (connector component) does not abut against the inner surface 33a2 (inner surface) and outer edge 33a1 (edge) of the large-diameter portion 33a of the S-port 33 (valve seat opening). Therefore, for example, when connecting the S-connector pipe 27a, it is less susceptible to the influence of the spacing offset when the cylindrical portion 13 (valve body 12) is connected to the valve seat component 29. Thus, for example, when the valve body-valve seat component assembly is formed by the cylindrical portion 13 and the valve seat component 29, the S-connector pipe 27a can be easily connected to the valve body-valve seat component assembly. Therefore, a sliding switching valve 10 (valve device) with improved assemblability can be provided.

[0090] Furthermore, according to this structure, for example, the cylindrical portion 13, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector tube 27a can be fixed separately by brazing. In this case, compared with other structures, it is possible to do so as follows. Specifically, for example, in other structures different from the present invention, the valve body, the valve seat component, and the connector component are sometimes brazed simultaneously. In this case, the components with different heat capacities are brazed at the same temperature. Therefore, the completeness of each brazed part is inconsistent. In contrast, in this structure, the valve seat component 29 is first brazed to the cylindrical portion 13 under optimal conditions, and then the S-connector tube 27a is inserted into the S-connector port 27 (body opening) and the S-port 33 (valve seat opening) without being affected by the spacing offset between the cylindrical portion 13 and the valve seat component 29. The S-connector tube 27a can be brazed under optimal conditions. Therefore, brazing can be performed under optimal conditions for each component, and the quality of brazing can be improved.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector tube 27a does not abut against the valve seat component 29, thermal movement between the S-connector tube 27a and the valve seat component 29 can be suppressed when brazing is performed as described above. Therefore, the effect caused by thermal movement is almost negligible, making it easier to perform sufficient heating and enabling more reliable brazing. Thus, a sliding switching valve 10 with improved brazing quality can be provided. Additionally, according to this structure, for example, when the cylindrical portion 13, the valve seat component 29, and the S-connector tube 27a are respectively fixed by welding, the connection of the S-connector tube 27a is also less susceptible to the influence of spacing misalignment.

[0092] 0055 Furthermore, according to this structure, in the S-port 33, at least the portion T (refer to) extending from the position of the outer edge 33a1 in the direction of axis L2 to the position of the end edge 27a2 of the valve seat side end 27a1 into which the completed S-connector tube 27a is inserted Figure 4 The inner diameter of the portion (up to the final position in the insertion direction of the insertion connector component) is larger than the inner diameter of the S-connector port 27, thereby reliably suppressing interference between the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector tube 27a and the inner surface 33a2 and outer edge 33a1 of the large diameter portion 33a of the S-port 33. Furthermore, according to this structure, the shape of the portion of the S-port 33 other than portion T can be freely selected. For example, the shape of the portion of the S-port 33 other than portion T can be tapered rather than having a constant diameter. Additionally, in the S-port 33, the inner diameter A can be set to be greater than the inner diameter B for the portion other than portion T.

[0093] Furthermore, according to this structure, by setting the relationship between the inner diameter A of the S-connector 27 and the inner diameter B of the S-port 33 to BA > 0.4 mm, for example, even if there are assembly errors such as spacing misalignment between the valve body 12 and the valve seat component 29, it is difficult to be affected by these errors, and interference between the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector tube 27a and the inner surface and outer edge 33a1 of the large diameter portion 33a of the S-port 33 can be reliably suppressed. In addition, according to this structure, compared with the conventional structure where inner diameter A = inner diameter B, it is possible to achieve the following. Specifically, for example, in... Figure 15 In the conventional structure shown in (B), the brazing filler metal used to fix the valve body 500 and the valve seat component 600 sometimes flows out from between the opening 501 and the valve port 601 into the opening 501 or the valve port 601 and solidifies into a protrusion 800. In this case, the front end of the connector component 700 interferes with the protrusion 800, thus hindering the insertion of the connector component 700. In contrast, in this structure, even if the first brazing filler metal 37 flows from between the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 and the engaging surface 30 of the valve seat component 29 towards the S-connector port 27 side and the S-port 33 side, the first brazing filler metal 37 is easily left in the space of the inner diameter difference (mainly the space inside the S-port 33), thus preventing the first brazing filler metal 37 from solidifying into a protrusion inside the S-connector port 27. As a result, interference between the valve seat side end 27a1 of the S-connector tube 27a and the solidified first brazing filler metal 37 can be prevented when the S-connector tube 27a is inserted.

[0094] Furthermore, according to this structure, during brazing of the S-connector tube 27a, by pressing the S-connector tube 27a into the S-connector port 27, brazing can be performed while the S-connector tube 27a is held in the cylindrical portion 13. Therefore, the S-connector tube 27a is difficult to displace during brazing, allowing for accurate and easy brazing. Additionally, by pressing the S-connector tube 27a into the S-connector port 27, it is not necessary to press the S-connector tube 27a into the S-port 33. Therefore, deformation of the valve seat component 29 due to pressing can be prevented. Thus, the airtightness of the sliding contact portion between the valve seat component 29 and the valve core 35 can be maintained.

[0095] Furthermore, according to this structure, a sliding switching valve 10 (valve device) with improved assemblability can be used to provide the refrigeration cycle system 1.

[0096] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example... Figure 10 As shown, in the sliding switching valve 200 of the second embodiment, a radially protruding protrusion 40 is formed on the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector pipe 27a. The protrusion 40... Figure 10The cross-sectional view shown has a semi-circular shape, formed around the entire circumference of the S-connector tube 27a. Furthermore, the S-connector tube 27a is held in the cylindrical portion 13 by pressing a portion of the protrusion 40 into the S-connector port 27. With this structure, brazing can be performed while the S-connector tube 27a is temporarily fixed to the cylindrical portion 13, thus enabling easy and accurate brazing. Additionally, with this structure, since it is not necessary to press the S-connector tube 27a into the S-port 33, the valve seat component 29 will not deform due to the force generated by this pressing. Therefore, the airtightness between the valve core 35 and the valve seat component 29 can be reliably ensured.

[0097] Furthermore, in this structure, a space L3, with a dimension equivalent to the protruding direction of the protrusion 40, can be ensured between the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector tube 27a and the inner surface 27b of the S-connector opening 27. This space can also serve as a space for the flow of the first solder 37 and the second solder 38. This space is designated as the specified space 41. Therefore, a sufficient amount of solder can flow near the S-connector tube 27a, improving the brazing strength and the airtightness near the S-connector tube 27a. Thus, internal leakage, such as fluid leakage between the engaging surface 30 and the inner wall surface 13b, can be appropriately suppressed.

[0098] Furthermore, the defined space 41 suppresses heat transfer between the S-connector tube 27a and the valve seat component 29. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the S-connector tube 27a can be sufficiently heated, preventing it from becoming underheated. Moreover, in this structure, since the defined space 41 can be formed by the protrusion 40, it is not necessary to increase the inner diameter B of the S-port 33 beyond what is necessary for solder flow space. Therefore, it is easy to reduce... Figure 10 The separation distance 42 in the intersecting direction L3 between the inner surface 27b of the S-connector 27 and the inner surface 33a2 of the large-diameter portion 33a of the valve seat component 29 is shown. Therefore, compared with a structure that increases the separation distance 42 to form a space for solder flow, the engagement area between the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 and the engagement surface 30 of the valve seat component 29 can be increased, and the amount of solder between the inner wall surface 13b and the engagement surface 30 can be increased. Therefore, airtightness can be easily improved between the inner wall surface 13b and the engagement surface 30, and the aforementioned internal leakage can be more appropriately suppressed.

[0099] Next, variations of the second embodiment will be described. For example... Figure 11As shown, in this modified example, a radially protruding elongated recess 50 (protrusion) is formed on the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector tube 27a. The elongated recess 50 extends elongatedly in the direction of the axis L2, and multiple such recesses are spaced apart circumferentially around the axis L2. The S-connector tube 27a is held in the cylindrical portion 13 by pressing a portion of the elongated recess 50 into the S-connector opening 27. At this time, a space is created between the portion of the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector tube 27a where the elongated recess 50 is not formed and the inner surface 27b of the S-connector opening 27, extending along the axis L2, and is arranged discontinuously around the axis L2. In this embodiment, this space is designated as the discontinuous space 43. The second solder 38 mainly flows into the discontinuous space 43.

[0100] In this embodiment, the S-connector port 27, into which the S-connector tube 27a is pressed, extends from the curved outer wall surface 13a of the cylindrical portion 13 to the curved inner wall surface 13b. Therefore, the positions of the outer edge 27b1, inner surface 27b, and inner edge 27b2 of the S-connector port 27 along the axis L2 direction change circumferentially around the axis L2. That is, the portion of the S-connector tube 27a pressed into the S-connector port 27 changes circumferentially around the axis L2 in the axis L2 direction. In this embodiment, this changing portion is designated as the pressing-in region 46. The pressing-in region 46 refers to the region along the axis L2 direction between one of the following positions and other positions: one position is the outermost position 44 along the axis L2 direction of the outer edge 27b1, and the other positions are the innermost positions 45 along the axis L2 direction of the inner edge 27b2.

[0101] To accommodate the pressing region 46, a plurality of elongated recesses 50 can be respectively arranged at the same position along the axis L2, and formed with a dimension in the axis L2 direction larger than that of the pressing region 46. Thus, each of the plurality of elongated recesses 50 can necessarily abut against any one of the inner surface 27b, outer edge 27b1, and inner edge 27b2 located at any position in the pressing region 46. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the elongated recesses 50 with the inner surface 27b, outer edge 27b1, or inner edge 27b2 of the pressing destination.

[0102] According to the modified example of the second embodiment, the brazing filler metal can flow in the discontinuous space 43, thereby improving the brazing strength. Furthermore, the brazing filler metal further improves the airtightness between the S-connector tube 27a and the inner surface 27b of the S-connector opening 27. In this structure, since multiple elongated recesses 50 are provided circumferentially around the axis L2, the S-connector tube 27a is less likely to tilt relative to the axis L2 when it is pressed in. Therefore, the width of the discontinuous space 43 can be kept constant, and the amount of the second brazing filler metal 38 flowing in the discontinuous space 43 can be made uniform. Furthermore, in this structure, by making the dimension of the elongated recesses 50 in the direction of the axis L2 larger than the dimension of the pressing region 46, as described above, one of the multiple elongated recesses 50 can be pressed in corresponding to all of the pressing regions 46. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the elongated recess 50 with the outer edge 27b1 and inner edge 27b2 of the insertion destination, nor is it necessary to adjust the position of the S-connector tube 27a around the axis L2 (rotation direction) for this alignment. In this way, when pressing the S-connector tube 27a into the S-connector opening 27, the necessity of determining the position of the S-connector tube 27a around the axis L2 can be reduced, and pressing can be performed easily.

[0103] Next, a second variation of the second embodiment will be described. For example... Figure 12 As shown, in a second variation of the second embodiment, a first recess 50a (protrusion) and a second recess 50b (protrusion) are formed on the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector tube 27a. The first recess 50a and the second recess 50b are arranged separately in the direction of the axis L2 to form a group, and multiple groups of this group are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis L2. In this embodiment, such first recess 50a and second recess 50b are specifically referred to as "two-point recesses". According to this second variation of the second embodiment, any one of the multiple first recesses 50a and second recesses 50b separated in the direction of the axis L2 or in the circumferential direction around the axis L2 can be pressed into the S-connector opening 27 at multiple positions in the circumferential direction of the S-connector opening 27. Therefore, when pressing the S-connector tube 27a into the S-connector opening 27, the necessity of determining the position of the S-connector tube 27a around the axis L2 can be reduced, and pressing can be performed easily.

[0104] Next, a third variation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example... Figure 13As shown, in the third variation of the second embodiment, a third recess 50c (protrusion) and a fourth recess 50d (protrusion) are formed on the outer surface 27a3 of the S-connector tube 27a. The protruding ends of the third recess 50c and the fourth recess 50d are positioned to abut against the central portion of the S-connector port 27 in the L2 direction along the axis. Thus, the third recess 50c and the fourth recess 50d are separated in the L2 direction and are respectively arranged separately in the circumferential direction around the L2 axis. In this embodiment, such third recess 50c and fourth recess 50d are specifically referred to as "recesses of different heights." According to this third variation of the second embodiment, compared to a structure forming two recesses (a structure forming a set of protrusions (first recess 50a and second recess 50b) arranged in the L2 direction), it is not necessary to arrange the third recess 50c and the fourth recess 50d close together on the same axis (in the L2 direction). Therefore, the third recess 50c and the fourth recess 50d can be easily machined.

[0105] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example... Figure 14 As shown in (A), in the sliding switching valve 300 of the third embodiment, an inclined surface 60 is formed at the end of the S-port 33 on the engagement surface 30 side. The inclined surface 60 is inclined in a manner that it is located radially outward about the axis L2 as it moves toward the engagement surface 30 (inner wall surface 13b). This inclined surface 60 can be formed by chamfering the end of the S-port 33 on the engagement surface 30 side, and the size of the chamfer can be set, for example, to C0.1mm to 0.3mm. The portion surrounded by the inclined surface 60 and the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 becomes a concave portion 61 that is recessed radially outward. This concave portion 61 can be used, for example, as a solder storage portion that can accommodate solder. In this case, the first solder 37 flowing out from between the engagement surface 30 of the valve seat member 29 and the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 can be stored in the concave portion 61.

[0106] With this structure, even if the first brazing filler metal 37 leaks from the inner wall surface 13b of the valve body 12 and the engagement surface 30 of the valve seat component 29 towards the inner surface 27b of the S-connector 27 during brazing, the leaked filler metal can be contained in the recessed portion 61. Furthermore, with this structure, the aforementioned portion T (refer to...) can be freely selected in the S-port 33. Figure 4 The shape of the portion other than T and the concave portion 61. For example, the shape of the portion other than T and the concave portion 61 can also be conical. In addition, in the portion other than T and the concave portion 61, the inner diameter A can be set to be greater than the inner diameter B. Furthermore, according to this structure, the size of the concave portion 61 can be properly managed by adjusting the tilt angle and size of the tilt surface 60.

[0107] Next, a variation of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example... Figure 14 As shown in (B), in a variation of the third embodiment, the S-port 33 has a large-diameter portion 70 corresponding to the large-diameter portion 33a described above. The large-diameter portion 70 is composed of a first opening 71 opening on the engaging surface 30 side and a second opening 72 continuously adjacent to the first opening 71. The first opening 71 is, for example, a so-called countersunk portion formed by uniformly cutting the inner surface of the S-port 33 around the axis L2, and is formed with a diameter approximately 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm larger than the second opening 72. The first opening 71 has an inner surface 71b extending along the axis L2 and a boundary surface 71a extending radially inward (in a direction orthogonal to the axis L2) from the inner surface 71b at the boundary with the second opening 72. In this first opening 71, the portion surrounded by the boundary surface 71a of the second opening 72, the inner surface 71b of the first opening 71, and the inner wall surface 13b of the cylindrical portion 13 is a concave portion 71c, which functions as the aforementioned solder storage portion. With this structure, the concave portion 71c can be easily formed by uniformly cutting the edge of the S-port 33 around the central axis. Therefore, compared with the structure that forms the inclined surface 60 by moving the cutting edge of the tool or the like in three dimensions relative to the end of the S-port 33, which is at a different axial position according to each position in the circumferential direction, the concave portion 71c can be formed more easily.

[0108] It should be noted that the embodiments and modifications described above are merely representative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the valve device has been described as a four-way switching sliding valve 10, but this is only an example, and the valve device can also be a two-way valve, a three-way valve, or other multi-way valve. In addition, the valve device can also be a rotary switching valve in which the valve core rotates around a rotation axis. Furthermore, the valve device can be a solenoid valve like the pilot solenoid valve 6 described above, or an electric valve in which the valve core is driven by a motor or the like. In this way, the present invention can be applied to various valve devices. In addition, in the above embodiments and modifications, the structure of the valve body 12 having a cylindrical portion 13 is illustrated, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a valve body with a box-shaped shell and a valve chamber inside can also be used. Moreover, the S-connector tube can be brazed to the S-connector port of the side plate opening formed by a flat surface. In addition, the protrusion for pressing in the S-connector tube 27a can also be a shape, number, or arrangement other than the long recess 50, the first recess 50a to the fourth recess 50d. As long as the structure in which at least a portion of the protrusion is pressed into the inner surface 27b of the S-connector 27, the shape, number, and arrangement of the protrusion can be appropriately selected. Furthermore, regarding the connection of the S-connector tube 27a, details of the connection using brazing are specifically described, but this structure is also applicable to welding.

Claims

1. A valve device comprising a valve body having a valve chamber, a valve seat component disposed within the valve chamber, and a connector component connected to the valve body. The valve device is characterized by having: A main opening, which is located in the valve body and communicates with the inside and outside of the valve chamber; and The valve seat opening extends through the valve seat component and communicates with the main body opening. The connector component has a valve seat side end that is fixed to the main body opening when inserted into the main body opening and the valve seat opening. The valve seat side end does not abut against the inner surface and edge of the valve seat opening.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body has an inner wall surface that forms the valve chamber. The valve seat component has a engaging surface that engages with the inner wall surface. The main opening extends from the outer wall surface of the valve body to the inner wall surface. The valve seat opening communicates with the main body opening and also opens on the engaging surface. In the valve seat opening, the inner diameter of the portion extending to the final position in the insertion direction of the connector component is larger than the inner diameter of the main body opening.

3. The valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the inner diameter of the main body opening is set to A and the inner diameter of the valve seat opening is set to B, BA > 0.4 mm.

4. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector component is brazed while being pressed into the opening of the main body.

5. The valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connector component has a protrusion that protrudes radially outward on its outer surface. The connector component is brazed to the valve body when the protrusion is pressed into at least a portion of the inner surface of the main body opening.

6. The valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve body has a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion has a curved outer wall surface and a curved inner wall surface. The main opening extends from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. The outer surface of the connector component is provided with a plurality of protrusions that project radially outward. The plurality of protrusions extend axially along the connector component.

7. The valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve body has a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion has a curved outer wall surface and a curved inner wall surface. The main opening extends from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. The outer surface of the connector component is provided with a plurality of protrusions that project radially outward. The protrusions are arranged in a group along the axial direction of the connector component, and multiple groups are arranged in the circumferential direction of the connector component.

8. The valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve body has a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion has a curved outer wall surface and a curved inner wall surface. The main opening extends from the outer wall surface to the inner wall surface. The outer surface of the connector component is provided with a plurality of protrusions that project radially outward. The plurality of protrusions are axially separated from each other in the joint component and are also circumferentially separated in the joint component.

9. The valve device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner wall surface and the engaging surface are fixed together by brazing filler metal. On the edge of the valve seat opening on the engaging surface side, there is a recessed portion that is recessed radially outward from the valve seat opening.

10. The valve device according to claim 9, characterized in that, An inclined surface is formed on the edge of the valve seat opening on the engaging surface side, which is inclined radially outward from the valve seat opening as it faces the inner wall surface of the valve body. The concave portion is formed by the portion surrounded by the inclined surface and the inner wall surface of the valve body.

11. The valve device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The valve seat opening includes: a first opening that is continuous with the main body opening; and a second opening that is continuous with the first opening and has a smaller diameter than the first opening, wherein the concave portion is formed by a portion surrounded by the inner wall surface of the valve body, the inner surface of the first opening, and the boundary surface between the first opening and the second opening.

12. A sliding switching valve, which is a valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A refrigeration cycle system, characterized in that, The device comprises the sliding switching valve, compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve as described in claim 12.

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