Valve device

Abstract

The housing (10) has a valve chamber (11) for fluid flow. Drive valves (20, 70) are rotatable within the valve chamber (11) around a predetermined axis (CL). An actuator (30) is positioned on one side of the axis relative to the drive valves 20, 70. Multiple intermediate ports (42) are located on the outer wall of the housing (10) at a location radially relative to the axis (CL). A lower port (43) is located on the outer wall of the housing (10) on the opposite side of the axis relative to the multiple intermediate ports (42). Multiple front-side passages (62) are formed within the housing (10), connecting the radially located location of the inner wall of the valve chamber (11) to the multiple intermediate ports (42). A rear-side passage (63) is formed within the housing (10), connecting the radially located location of the inner wall of the valve chamber (11) to the lower port (43).

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-049905, filed on March 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to valve devices. Background Technology

[0003] Previously, valve devices for controlling the flow of fluids in fluid circulation systems were known.

[0004] The valve device described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing having a valve chamber for fluid flow and a drive valve capable of rotating within the valve chamber about a predetermined axis. The housing has multiple ports on a radial side relative to the axis (hereinafter referred to as the "housing front portion"). The drive valve is a cylindrical valve having multiple flow paths corresponding to the multiple ports and partition walls separating these flow paths from each other. This valve device is used by mounting the housing front portion to a flow path box equipped with multiple flow paths in a fluid circulation system. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2022 / 218407 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The valve device described in Patent Document 1 has multiple ports arranged in the direction extending from the rotation axis of the drive valve (hereinafter referred to as the "axial direction") on the front side of the housing. Therefore, the number of flow paths and partition walls arranged in the axial direction of the drive valve is relatively large. Consequently, this valve device suffers from the following problems: increased friction between the partition walls of the drive valve and the inner wall of the valve chamber, increased drive torque required by the actuator to drive the drive valve, and increased power consumption of the actuator.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, one could consider reducing the number of ports arranged in the axial direction on the front side of the valve housing and correspondingly increasing the number of ports arranged tangentially to an imaginary circle perpendicular to the axis. However, generally speaking, when a valve housing has multiple ports on its front side, it is difficult to use the area opposite the front side of the housing as a passageway. Therefore, if the number of ports arranged tangentially to an imaginary circle perpendicular to the axis is increased on the front side of the housing, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path allocated to the passageways connecting to the multiple ports becomes smaller, increasing the pressure loss of the fluid flowing there. If this valve housing is applied to a fluid circulation system, the required pumping capacity of the fluid pump circulating the fluid in the system must be increased, leading to new challenges such as increased manufacturing costs and larger size of the fluid circulation system.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a valve device that can reduce pressure loss of fluids.

[0009] According to one point of view in this disclosure A valve device for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising: The housing has a valve chamber for fluid flow; A drive valve that can rotate within the valve chamber around a specified axis; The actuator is positioned on one side of the axis relative to the drive valve; Multiple intermediate ports are located on the outer wall of the housing, in a position radially relative to the axis. The lower port is located on the outer wall of the housing, on the opposite side of the axial direction relative to the plurality of intermediate ports; Multiple front-side passages, formed within the housing, connect a portion of the valve chamber's inner wall located radially relative to the axis to multiple intermediate ports; and A rear-side passage, formed within the housing, connects a portion of the valve chamber's inner wall located radially to the opposite side relative to the axis to the lower port.

[0010] Accordingly, a valve device having multiple ports on the front side of the housing, by having a rear-side passage, can utilize a portion of the housing located radially opposite to the axis as a flow path. Therefore, with the same total number of ports, the number of ports arranged tangentially to an imaginary circle perpendicular to the axis can be reduced on the front side of the housing. Consequently, this valve device can increase the flow path cross-sectional area allocated within the housing to the front-side passages that communicate with the multiple intermediate ports, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the fluid flowing in the front-side passages. As a result, when applied to a fluid circulation system, this valve device can reduce the pressure pump capacity required to circulate the fluid in the system, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and minimizing the size of the fluid circulation system. Furthermore, in this disclosure, terms such as upper, lower, front, and back are used for ease of explanation and do not limit the mounting state of the valve device, etc. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the housing of the valve device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 This is a front view of the housing of the valve device according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 From Figure 2 Side view viewed from direction III. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve device of the first embodiment along its axis. Figure 5 yes Figure 2 and Figure 4 A cross-sectional view at the VV line. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 and Figure 4 A sectional view at line VI-VI. Figure 7 This is a front view of the housing of the comparative example valve device. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve device of the comparative example along its axis. Figure 9 yes Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cross-sectional view at line IX-IX. Figure 10 This is a front view of the housing of the valve device according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A cross-sectional view at line XI-XI. Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the drive valve included in the valve device of the second embodiment. Figure 13 yes Figure 11 A cross-sectional view at line XIII-XIII. Figure 14 yes Figure 11 A cross-sectional view at line XIV-XIV. Figure 15 This is a front view of the housing of the valve device according to the third embodiment. Figure 16 From Figure 15 A side view viewed in the XVI direction. Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve device according to the third embodiment along its axis. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or equivalent parts, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0013] (First Implementation) The valve device 1 of the first embodiment is used, for example, in a fluid circulation system installed in an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle. The fluid circulation system is a system that circulates cooling water, a fluid, within a vehicle's power source, radiator, and heater core for air conditioning in the passenger compartment. The cooling water used is, for example, LLC (Long-life Coolant) containing ethylene glycol. The valve device 1 switches the flow path or adjusts the flow rate of the cooling water flowing within the system.

[0014] The structure of the valve device 1 in the first embodiment will be described. like Figures 1-4 As shown, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment includes a housing 10, a drive valve 20, and an actuator 30, etc.

[0015] In the following description, in the radial direction of an imaginary circle perpendicular to and centered on the axis of rotation CL of the drive valve 20, the direction from the axis of rotation CL toward the outside is called "radial outer side", and the direction toward the axis of rotation CL is called "radial inner side". In addition, the direction in which the axis of rotation CL extends is called "axial direction", the side of the housing 10 where the actuator 30 is provided is called "axial direction side", and the opposite side is called "axial direction other side".

[0016] The outer casing 10 has a cylindrical valve chamber 11 on its inner side. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the term "cylindrical" includes not only a completely cylindrical shape, but also minute elliptical shapes, oblong shapes, and shapes with irregularities or depressions in a portion, which are formed due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0017] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the drive valve 20 is configured in the valve chamber 11 to rotate about the axis CL of the shaft 21. The drive valve 20 in this embodiment is a disc valve formed as a plate (specifically a disk) perpendicular to the axis CL.

[0018] A shaft 21 is fixed to the axis CL of the drive valve 20. One side of the shaft 21 in the axial direction is connected to the actuator 30, and the other side in the axial direction is supported by a bearing 12 in the housing 10 in a rotatable manner. When the actuator 30 is driven, the torque generated by the actuator 30 is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the drive valve 20, and the drive valve 20 rotates about the axis CL.

[0019] The surface of the drive valve 20 facing the axial direction is referred to as the sliding contact surface 22. The sliding contact surface 22 is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface 13 of the valve chamber 11 facing the axial direction. Specifically, the sliding contact surface of the drive valve 20 is in sliding contact with the fixed valve 15 disposed in the valve chamber 11. The drive valve 20 has a groove 23 recessed from the sliding contact surface 22 towards the axial direction. In addition, the drive valve 20 has a through hole 24 extending along the axial direction. Furthermore, the position, shape, etc., of the groove 23 and the through hole 24 can be arbitrarily set.

[0020] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of ports are provided on the radial side of the outer wall of the housing 10 relative to the axis CL (hereinafter referred to as the "front surface of the housing"). The front surface of the housing is the portion on a plane perpendicular to the line connecting the radial side of the outer wall of the housing 10 and the axis CL, where a plurality of ports are provided. The port located on the axial side of the drive valve 20 is called the "upper port 41". The ports located on the axial side of the drive valve 20 are called the "intermediate ports 42" and the "lower port 43". In this embodiment, one upper port 41, three intermediate ports 42, and one lower port 43 are provided on the front surface of the housing. Figure 2 As shown, the middle port on the left when viewed from the front is called the first middle port 421, the central middle port is called the second middle port 422, and the left-hand middle port is called the third middle port 423. The lower port 43 is located on the opposite side of the axial direction relative to the upper port 41 and the plurality of middle ports 42. Specifically, the lower port 43 is located on the opposite side of the axial direction relative to the second middle port 422. Furthermore, the recess 44 located between the upper port 41 and the second middle port 422 is not a port.

[0021] like Figure 3 As shown, the valve device 1 is used by mounting the front of the housing to a flow path box 51, which is provided with multiple flow paths 50, in a fluid circulation system. At this time, the multiple flow paths 50 provided in the flow path box 51 are connected to multiple ports provided on the front of the housing.

[0022] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the housing 10 has an upper front side passage 61 and a front side passage 62 as passages that connect a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located on one side of the radial axis CL to a plurality of ports.

[0023] The upper front side passage 61 is a passage that connects the part of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 that is closer to the axis of the drive valve 20 and the radial part of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 to the upper port 41.

[0024] The front-side passage 62 is a passage that connects the portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 on the radial side of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11, which is opposite to the axial direction of the drive valve 20, to the intermediate port 42. Furthermore, the front-side passage 62 has a first front-side passage 621 communicating with the first intermediate port 421, a second front-side passage 622 communicating with the second intermediate port 422, and a third front-side passage 623 communicating with the third intermediate port 423.

[0025] Additionally, the housing 10 has a rear-side passage 63 that connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located radially to the opposite side of the axis CL to the lower port 43. Furthermore, the portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located radially to the opposite side of the axis CL is a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located on the side opposite to the radial side. Specifically, the rear-side passage 63 connects the portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located radially to the opposite side of the axis CL from the drive valve 20 to the lower port 43. The opening 63a on the valve chamber 11 side of the rear-side passage 63, located radially to the opposite side of the axis CL in the inner wall of the valve chamber 11, is positioned at a location on the imaginary plane S connecting the center of the plurality of intermediate ports 42 and the axis CL.

[0026] Fixed valves 15 are provided at the opening 62a on the valve chamber 11 side in the front side passage 62 and at the opening 63a on the valve chamber 11 side in the rear side passage 63. The fixed valve 15 is formed of a material with excellent wear resistance and is a component forming part of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11. The axially oriented surface 13 of the fixed valve 15 is in sliding contact with the sliding contact surface 22 of the drive valve 20. Furthermore, the axially oriented surface 13 of the fixed valve 15 can be considered as the axially oriented inner wall surface 13 of the valve chamber 11. The fixed valve 15 has multiple holes 16 extending along the plate thickness direction at positions corresponding to the multiple front side passages 62, and additional holes 17 extending along the plate thickness direction at positions corresponding to the rear side passage 63.

[0027] An example of fluid flow in valve device 1 will be described. For example, such as Figures 4-6As indicated by arrow LF1, the fluid flows from the upper port 41 → upper front side passage 61 → valve chamber 11 → through hole 24 → hole 17 of fixed valve 15 → back side passage 63 → lower port 43. Alternatively, as indicated by arrow LF2, the fluid flows from the second intermediate port 422 → second front side passage 622 → hole 16 of fixed valve 15 → groove 23 → other holes 16 of fixed valve 15 → third front side passage 623 → third intermediate port 423. Furthermore, the flow pattern of the fluid in the valve device 1 is not limited to these; various flow patterns can be formed depending on the rotational position of the drive valve 20, the position and shape of the through hole 24, and the position and shape of the groove 23.

[0028] Here, in order to compare with the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the valve device 2 of the comparative example will be described.

[0029] like Figures 7-9 As shown, the comparative example valve device 2 has an upper port 41, four intermediate ports 42, an upper front side passage 61 communicating with the upper port 41, and four front side passages 62 communicating with the four intermediate ports 42 respectively on the front side of the housing. However, the comparative example valve device 2 does not have the lower port 43 and the rear side passage 63 described in the first embodiment.

[0030] The comparative example valve device 2 has the same total number of ports as the valve device 1 of the first embodiment. However, as described above, the comparative example valve device 2 does not have a lower port 43 and a rear side passage 63. Therefore, compared with the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the comparative example valve device 2 has more intermediate ports 42. Consequently, in the comparative example valve device 2, the flow path cross-sectional area allocated within the housing 10 to the front side passages 62 that communicate with the multiple intermediate ports 42 is smaller, and the pressure loss of the fluid flowing in the front side passages 62 increases. As a result, if the comparative example valve device 2 is applied to a fluid circulation system, the pressure pump required to circulate the fluid in the system must be increased, resulting in increased manufacturing costs and a larger volume of the fluid circulation system.

[0031] Compared with the valve device 2 in the comparative example described above, the valve device 1 in the first embodiment has the following effects.

[0032] (1) The valve device 1 of the first embodiment includes a plurality of intermediate ports 42, a lower port 43, a plurality of front side passages 62, and a rear side passage 63. The lower port 43 is disposed on the opposite side of the plurality of intermediate ports 42 in the axial direction. The plurality of front side passages 62 are passages that connect the portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located on one side of the radial direction relative to the axis CL to the plurality of intermediate ports 42. The rear side passage 63 is a passage that connects the portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located on the opposite side of the radial direction relative to the axis CL to the lower port 43. Accordingly, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, by having a rear-side passage 63, can use a portion of the housing 10 located radially to the other side relative to the axis CL as a flow path. Therefore, when the total number of ports is the same in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment and the valve device 2 of the comparative example, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment can reduce the number of intermediate ports 42. Consequently, the valve device 1 of the first embodiment can increase the flow path cross-sectional area allocated within the housing 10 to the front-side passages 62 that communicate with the plurality of intermediate ports 42, and can reduce the pressure loss of the fluid flowing in the front-side passages 62. As a result, when the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is applied to a fluid circulation system, it can reduce the pressure pumping capacity required to circulate the fluid in the system, reduce the manufacturing cost of the fluid circulation system, and reduce its size.

[0033] (2) In the first embodiment, the upper port 41, the plurality of intermediate ports 42 and the lower port 43 are all disposed on the front side of the housing. Accordingly, in a structure where the upper port 41, multiple intermediate ports 42, and lower port 43 are concentrated on the front side of the housing, the number of intermediate ports 42 can be reduced. Consequently, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the front side passage 62, which is connected to the multiple intermediate ports 42 respectively, can be increased, and the pressure loss of the fluid flowing in the front side passage 62 can be reduced.

[0034] (3) In the first embodiment, the opening 63a on the valve chamber 11 side of the back side passage 63 is located on the radial side of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 relative to the axis CL at a position including the imaginary plane S that connects the center of the plurality of intermediate ports 42 to the axis CL. Accordingly, the area inside the housing 10 that is radially opposite to the axis CL can be effectively used as the back side passage 63.

[0035] (4) In the first embodiment, the back side passage 63 is formed in the housing 10 at a location on the other side of the valve chamber 11 in the axial direction. Accordingly, the portion on the other side of the valve chamber 11 in the axial direction can be effectively utilized within the housing 10.

[0036] (5) The drive valve 20 provided in the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is a plate-shaped disc valve that is perpendicular to the axis CL. The sliding contact surface 22 of the drive valve 20 is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface 13 of the valve chamber 11 (specifically, the surface 13 of the fixed valve 15 facing the axis direction). Accordingly, by adopting a disc valve type, the valve device 1 can improve the sealing performance between the inner wall surface 13 of the valve chamber 11 and the sliding contact surface 22 of the drive valve 20 compared to a cylindrical valve type or a ball valve type. Therefore, the valve device 1 can perform high-precision flow control on both the front side passage 62 and the back side passage 6.

[0037] (Second Implementation) The second embodiment will be described. The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the shape of the drive valve. Since everything else is the same as the first embodiment, only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0038] The structure of the valve device 1 in the second embodiment will be described. like Figures 10-14 As shown, the valve device 1 of the second embodiment includes a housing 10, a drive valve 70, and an actuator 30, etc.

[0039] The outer casing 10 has a cylindrical valve chamber 11 on its inner side. The drive valve 70 is configured in the valve chamber 11 to rotate about the axis CL of the shaft 21. The drive valve 70 of the second embodiment is a cylindrical valve in which at least a portion of its outer shape is formed along a cylindrical shape.

[0040] A shaft 21 is fixed to the axis CL of the drive valve 70. One side of the shaft 21 in the axial direction is connected to the actuator 30, and the other side in the axial direction is supported by a bearing 12 in the housing 10 in a rotatable manner. When the actuator 30 is driven, the torque generated by the actuator 30 is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the drive valve 70, and the drive valve 70 rotates about the axis CL.

[0041] The radially outward-facing surface of the drive valve 70 relative to the axis CL is referred to as the side sliding contact surface 71. The side sliding contact surface 71 of the drive valve 70 is in sliding contact with the radially inward-facing inner wall surface 14 of the valve chamber 11. Specifically, the side sliding contact surface 71 of the drive valve 20 is in sliding contact with the fixed valve 18 disposed in the valve chamber 11. Furthermore, the radially inward-facing surface 14 of the fixed valve 18 can be considered as the radially inward-facing inner wall surface 14 of the valve chamber 11.

[0042] The drive valve 70 has multiple flow paths 72 recessed radially inward from the side sliding contact surface 71 and partition walls 73 that separate the multiple flow paths 72 from each other. Furthermore, the positions and shapes of the flow paths 72 and partition walls 73 can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, the drive valve 70 has a hole 74 on the other side in the axial direction. When the drive valve 70 is in a predetermined rotational position, the hole 74 of the drive valve 70 communicates with the opening 63a on the valve chamber 11 side of the back side passage 63.

[0043] In the valve device 1 of the second embodiment, the housing 10 also has an upper port 41, three intermediate ports 42 and a lower port 43 on the front side of the housing. In addition, the recess 44 provided between the upper port 41 and the second intermediate port 422 is not a port.

[0044] The housing 10 has multiple passages that connect multiple ports to the valve chamber 11. The upper front side passage 61 is a passage that connects the radial side of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 to the upper port 41.

[0045] The front side passage 62 is a passage that connects a radial portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 to the intermediate port 42. Furthermore, the front side passage 62 has a first front side passage 621 that communicates with the first intermediate port 421, a second front side passage 622 that communicates with the second intermediate port 422, and a third front side passage 623 that communicates with the third intermediate port 423.

[0046] Furthermore, the rear-side passage 63 is a passage that connects the portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located radially to the opposite side relative to the axis CL to the lower port 43. The rear-side passage 63 is provided in the housing 10 at a position on the opposite side in the axial direction from the valve chamber 11 and the drive valve 70. In addition, the opening 63a on the valve chamber 11 side of the rear-side passage 63 is located at a position on the imaginary plane S that connects the center of the plurality of intermediate ports 42 and the axis CL in the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located radially to the opposite side.

[0047] A fixed valve 18 is provided at the opening 61a on the valve chamber 11 side in the upper front side passage 61 and at the opening 62a on the valve chamber 11 side in the front side passage 62. The fixed valve 18 is formed of rubber or resin with excellent wear resistance and is a component that forms part of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11. The radially inward-facing surface 14 of the fixed valve 18 is in sliding contact with the side sliding contact surface 71 of the drive valve 70. Furthermore, the radially inward-facing surface 14 of the fixed valve 18 can be considered as the radially inward-facing inner wall surface 14 of the valve chamber 11. The fixed valve 18 has a hole 19 extending along the plate thickness direction at a position corresponding to the upper front side passage 61, and holes 191, 192, and 193 extending along the plate thickness direction at positions corresponding to the plurality of front side passages 62, respectively.

[0048] An example of fluid flow in the valve device 1 of the second embodiment will be described. For example, such as Figure 11 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 As shown by arrow LF3, the fluid flows in the following manner: upper port 41 → upper front side passage 61 → orifice 19 of fixed valve 18 → flow path 72 of drive valve 70 → other orifices 193 of fixed valve 18 → third front side passage 623 → third intermediate port 423. Alternatively, for example, as shown by arrow LF4, the fluid flows in the following manner: first intermediate port 421 → first front side passage 621 → orifice 191 of fixed valve 18 → flow path 72 of drive valve 70 → orifice 74 of drive valve 70 → rear side passage 63 → lower port 43.

[0049] Furthermore, the flow pattern of the fluid in the valve device 1 is not limited to this. For example, various flow patterns can be formed according to the rotation position of the drive valve 70, the position and shape of multiple flow paths 72, the partition wall 73, and the orifice 74.

[0050] The valve device 1 of the second embodiment described above can perform the same function as the valve device 1 of the first embodiment. Moreover, the valve device 1 of the second embodiment can perform the following functions.

[0051] The valve device 1 of the second embodiment includes a cylindrical valve 70, which has a sliding contact surface 71 facing radially outward relative to the axis CL that makes sliding contact with the inner wall surface 14 of the valve chamber 11 (specifically, the radially inward surface 14 of the fixed valve 18). In addition, the valve 70 has a hole 74 on the other side in the axial direction that communicates with the back side passage 63. Accordingly, the flow path 72 of the drive valve 70 and the back-side passage 63 are connected via the orifice 74 of the drive valve 70. Therefore, the number of layers of the side sliding contact surfaces 71 of the drive valve 70 arranged in the axial direction can be reduced. Consequently, the friction between the side sliding contact surfaces 71 of the drive valve 70 and the inner wall surface 14 of the valve chamber 11 (specifically, the radially inward-facing surface 14 in the fixed valve 18) can be reduced. As a result, the drive torque required by the actuator 30 to drive the drive valve 70 can be reduced, and the power consumption of the actuator 30 can be reduced.

[0052] (Third Implementation) The third embodiment will be described. The main difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is the structure of the back side passage 63. Since the rest is the same as the first embodiment, only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0053] like Figures 15-17As shown, the valve device 1 of the third embodiment has a rear-side passage 63 that extends in a tubular shape from a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber 11 located radially to the other side relative to the axis CL. The lower port 43 is an opening in the tubular rear-side passage 63 on the other side in the axial direction.

[0054] The valve device 1 of the third embodiment described above can also achieve the same effect as the valve device 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the structure of the back-side passage 63 provided in the valve device 1 of the third embodiment can also be applied to the valve device 1 of the second embodiment.

[0055] (Other implementation methods) (1) In the second embodiment described above, a cylindrical valve was described as the driving valve 70, but it is not limited to this. The driving valve 70 may also be a ball valve, for example. In addition, a ball valve is a valve in the driving valve 70 in which the surface facing radially outward relative to the axis is formed into a spherical shape that bulges radially outward.

[0056] (2) In the above embodiments, an example of having one upper port 41, three middle ports 42 and one lower port 43 on the front side of the housing has been described, but it is not limited to this. The number of upper ports 41, middle ports 42 and lower ports 43 can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the number of upper front side passages 61, front side passages 62 and rear side passages 63 can also be set arbitrarily.

[0057] (3) In the first and third embodiments described above, examples of the drive valve 20 having a groove 23 and a through hole 24 were described, but it is not limited thereto. The drive valve 20 may also have either a groove 23 or a through hole 24.

[0058] (4) In the first and third embodiments described above, a structure was described in which the torque generated by the actuator 30 is transmitted from the shaft 21 to the drive valve 20, but the structure is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured such that a connecting member (not shown) is provided between the actuator 30 and the drive valve 20, and the torque generated by the actuator 30 is transmitted to the drive valve 20 via the connecting member. Alternatively, it may be a structure in which the shaft 21 is removed and the actuator 30 is directly connected to the drive valve 20.

[0059] (5) In addition, in the first and third embodiments described above, a spring that pushes the drive valve 20 toward the fixed valve 15 may also be provided in the valve chamber 11.

[0060] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and appropriate modifications are possible. Furthermore, the various embodiments and parts thereof described above are not mutually exclusive and can be appropriately combined, except where they are clearly incompatible. Additionally, in the various embodiments described above, the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential, except where they are specifically stated as necessary or where they are clearly considered necessary in principle. Furthermore, in the various embodiments described above, when referring to the number, value, quantity, range, etc., of the constituent elements of the embodiment, the number is not limited to that specific number, except where it is specifically stated as necessary or where it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in the various embodiments described above, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc., of the constituent elements, the shape, positional relationship, etc., is not limited to that shape, positional relationship, etc., except where it is specifically stated or where it is limited to a specific shape, positional relationship in principle.

[0061] (This is the viewpoint of the publication) The above disclosure can be understood, for example, as shown in the following viewpoint. [First Viewpoint] A valve device for controlling the flow of fluid, comprising: The housing (10) has a valve chamber (11) for fluid flow. Drive valves (20, 70) that are capable of rotating within the valve chamber about a predetermined axis (CL); Actuator (30) is disposed on one side of the axial direction relative to the drive valve; Multiple intermediate ports (42) are located on the outer wall of the housing at a position on one radial side relative to the axis; The lower port (43) is located on the outer wall of the housing at a position opposite to the plurality of intermediate ports in the axial direction; Multiple frontal side passages (62), formed within the housing, communicate a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located radially to one side relative to the axis with multiple intermediate ports; and A rear-side passage (63), formed within the housing, connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located radially to the other side relative to the axis to the lower port. [Second Viewpoint] According to the valve device described in the first viewpoint, wherein... The plurality of intermediate ports and the lower port are all located on the outer wall of the housing at a position on one radial side relative to the axis. [Third Viewpoint] According to the valve device described in the first or second viewpoint, wherein... The opening (63a) on the valve chamber side of the rear side passage is located on the radial side of the inner wall of the valve chamber relative to the axis, at a position containing an imaginary plane (S) that connects the centers of the plurality of intermediate ports to the axis. [Fourth viewpoint] The valve device according to any one of the first to third viewpoints, wherein... The rear side passage is formed within the housing at a location on the opposite side of the valve chamber in the axial direction. [Fifth Viewpoint] The valve device according to any one of the first to fourth viewpoints, wherein... The drive valve (20) is a disc valve in the shape of a plate perpendicular to the axis. The plurality of intermediate ports are located on the opposite side of the axial direction from the drive valve. The front-side passage connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located on the radial side relative to the axis, opposite to the drive valve, to the intermediate port. The rear-side passage connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located on the opposite side of the axis from the drive valve and radially opposite to the axis to the lower port. The drive valve is a structure in which the sliding contact surface (22) facing the other side of the axial direction slides in contact with the inner wall surface (13) facing the axial direction in the valve chamber, and has a through hole (24) or groove (23) communicating with the opening (63a) on the valve chamber side in the back side passage at a specified rotation position. [Sixth Viewpoint] The valve device according to any one of the first to fourth viewpoints, wherein... The drive valve (70) is a ball valve or cylindrical valve in which the side sliding contact surface (71) facing radially outward relative to the axis of the drive valve slides in contact with the inner wall surface (14) facing radially inward in the valve chamber, and has a hole (74) on the other side of the axis of the drive valve that communicates with the opening (63a) on the valve chamber side in the back side passage at a predetermined rotation position.

Claims

1. A valve device for controlling the flow of a fluid, characterized by, have: The housing (10) has a valve chamber (11) for fluid flow. Drive valves (20, 70) that are capable of rotating within the valve chamber about a predetermined axis (CL); Actuator (30) is disposed on one side of the axial direction relative to the drive valve; Multiple intermediate ports (42) are located on the outer wall of the housing at a position on one radial side relative to the axis; The lower port (43) is located on the outer wall of the housing at a position opposite to the plurality of intermediate ports in the axial direction; Multiple frontal side passages (62), formed within the housing, communicate a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located radially to one side relative to the axis with multiple intermediate ports; and A rear-side passage (63), formed within the housing, connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located radially to the other side relative to the axis to the lower port.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of intermediate ports and the lower port are all located on the outer wall of the housing at a position on one radial side relative to the axis.

3. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The opening (63a) on the valve chamber side of the rear side passage is located on the radial side of the inner wall of the valve chamber relative to the axis, at a position containing an imaginary plane (S) that connects the centers of the plurality of intermediate ports to the axis.

4. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rear side passage is formed within the housing at a location on the opposite side of the valve chamber in the axial direction.

5. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive valve (20) is a disc valve in the shape of a plate perpendicular to the axis. The plurality of intermediate ports are located on the opposite side of the axis from the drive valve. The front-side passage connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located on the radial side relative to the axis, opposite to the drive valve, to the intermediate port. The rear-side passage connects a portion of the inner wall of the valve chamber located on the opposite side of the axis from the drive valve and radially opposite to the axis to the lower port. The drive valve is a structure in which the sliding contact surface (22) facing the other side of the axial direction slides in contact with the inner wall surface (13) facing the axial direction in the valve chamber, and has a through hole (24) or groove (23) communicating with the opening (63a) on the valve chamber side in the back side passage at a specified rotation position.

6. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drive valve (70) is a ball valve or cylindrical valve in which the side sliding contact surface (71) facing radially outward relative to the axis of the drive valve slides in contact with the inner wall surface (14) facing radially inward in the valve chamber, and has a hole (74) on the other side of the axis of the drive valve that communicates with the opening (63a) on the valve chamber side in the back side passage at a predetermined rotation position.

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