Piston and four-way valve

Abstract

The piston and the four-way valve are characterized in that two open groove sets are formed in the peripheral wall of the piston and are arranged in a spaced mode, and each open groove set comprises two open grooves which are the same in extending direction and are arranged in a deviating mode; the groove wall of the open groove comprises a bottom wall and two side walls located on the two sides of the bottom wall respectively, a reinforcing rib is arranged in the open groove, and the reinforcing rib is connected with the bottom wall and the side walls. According to the piston, the rigidity can be improved, and buckling deformation is not prone to occurring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to a piston and a four-way valve. Background Art

[0002] The outer peripheral wall of the piston of the large-capacity four-way valve is provided with two opening groove groups, which are arranged at intervals, and each opening groove group includes two opening grooves extending in the same direction and arranged away from each other, wherein the opening grooves are used to connect the corresponding flow path interfaces on the valve body. During the use of the four-way valve, in each opening groove group, one opening groove is used to circulate a relatively low-temperature medium, and the other opening groove is used to circulate a relatively high-temperature medium. The position of the piston close to the relatively low-temperature medium contracts due to cold, and the position close to the relatively high-temperature medium expands due to heat. This will cause the piston to warp and deform. Since the design gap between the piston and the inner wall of the valve body is only a few tenths of a millimeter, the deformation of the piston can easily cause the piston to get stuck in the valve body.

[0003] In order to avoid warping and deformation of the piston, the relevant structure usually increases the wall thickness on both sides of the opening groove to improve the piston rigidity. However, this will increase the axial length of the piston. The increase in piston length will amplify the radial deformation caused by the piston deformation, making it easier for the piston to get stuck in the valve body when the piston slides in the valve body. In addition, the increase in piston length requires a corresponding increase in the valve body of the four-way valve, which will greatly increase the material cost.

[0004] It should be noted here that the piston structure described above is not prior art, but is only used to illustrate the technical background of this solution and to raise technical issues. Utility Model Content

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a piston that can improve rigidity and is not prone to warping and deformation.

[0006] A piston has two open groove groups on its outer peripheral wall, the two open groove groups are arranged at intervals, each open groove group includes two open grooves extending in the same direction and arranged away from each other; the groove walls of the open grooves include a bottom wall and two side walls respectively located on both sides of the bottom wall, and reinforcing ribs are arranged in the open grooves, which connect the bottom wall and the side walls.

[0007] In one embodiment, four reinforcing ribs are provided in each opening groove, and the four reinforcing ribs are respectively located at the four corners of the opening groove, and each reinforcing rib is respectively connected to the bottom wall and one side wall; or, two reinforcing ribs are provided in each opening groove, and along the extension direction of the opening groove, the two reinforcing ribs are respectively arranged at the two end edges of the opening groove, and each reinforcing rib is connected to the bottom wall and the two side walls.

[0008] In one embodiment, each reinforcing rib has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is connected to the bottom wall, and the second edge is connected to one side wall. The first edge and the second edge are continuous, or the first edge and the second edge are spaced apart.

[0009] In one embodiment, the reinforcing rib further has a third edge disposed relatively far from the groove wall of the opening groove, and the third edge extends in an arc shape; or the third edge extends in a straight line shape; or the third edge extends in a broken line shape; or the third edge extends in a wavy line shape.

[0010] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the reinforcing rib is smoothly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the piston.

[0011] A four-way valve includes a cylinder body, four connecting pipes, and a piston according to any one of the above embodiments. The four connecting pipes are distributed along the circumferential direction of the cylinder body and are respectively inserted into the cylinder body. The piston is movably installed in the cylinder body, and the piston can move to one of the opening groove groups, and both ends of each opening groove in its own extending direction respectively communicate with one connecting pipe.

[0012] In one embodiment, the four-way valve further includes a bushing. The bushing is connected to the inner wall of the cylinder body, and the bushing is provided with four interfaces along its circumferential direction, and each interface correspondingly communicates with one connecting pipe. In one embodiment, along the axial direction of the interface, the projection of the interface on the groove wall of the opening groove does not interfere with the reinforcing rib.

[0013] In one embodiment, the outer edge of the reinforcing rib close to the interface and the extending direction of the edge at the corresponding position of the interface are the same.

[0014] In one embodiment, the height of the interface protruding from the groove wall of the opening groove is H1, and the height of the reinforcing rib protruding from the groove wall of the opening groove is H2, and 0.6≤H2 / H1≤1.

[0015] In one embodiment, the thickness of the bushing is D1, and the thickness of the reinforcing rib is D2, and 1≤D2 / D1≤4.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, for the piston and the four-way valve provided in the present application, the reinforcing rib can support and strengthen the groove wall of the opening groove, thereby being beneficial to improving the stiffness of the piston, making the piston not easily warp and deform. Moreover, compared with the method of increasing the wall thickness on both sides of the opening groove in the related structure, the piston provided in the present application does not need to extend the axial length, so the problem of amplified radial deformation caused by the increase in length will not occur. And compared with the method of increasing the wall thickness on both sides of the opening groove, the material cost required for adding the reinforcing rib is lower. Description of the Drawings

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 An isometric view of the piston in one of the embodiments provided by the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 A sectional view of the piston along its own axis in one of the embodiments provided by the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 An isometric view of the four-way valve provided by the present application;

[0021] Figure 4 A side view of the four-way valve provided by the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 For Figure 4 A sectional view at A - A;

[0023] Figure 6 For Figure 4 A sectional view at B - B;

[0024] Figure 7 An assembly schematic diagram of the piston and the bushing provided by the present application.

[0025] Reference numerals: 100, four-way valve; 10, piston; 101, opening groove group; 11, opening groove; 111, bottom wall; 112, side wall; 113, reinforcing rib; 114, first edge; 115, second edge; 116, third edge; 20, cylinder body; 30, bushing; 31, interface; 40, connecting pipe. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the following will give a detailed description of the specific implementation manners of the present application with reference to the drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to fully understand the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0027] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may also be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the description of the present application are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0028] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0029] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature may be in direct contact with the second feature "on" or "under" the second feature, or the first feature and the second feature may be in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the description of the present application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present application pertains. The terms used in the description of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific implementation manners and are not intended to limit the present application. The term "and / or" used in the description of the present application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The present application provides a piston 10, which is movably installed in the cylinder of a four-way valve 100. The outer wall of the piston is provided with two open groove groups 101, and the two open groove groups 101 are arranged at intervals. Each open groove group 101 includes two open grooves 11 extending in the same direction and arranged away from each other; the groove wall of the open groove 11 includes a bottom wall 111 and two side walls 112 respectively located on both sides of the bottom wall 111, and a reinforcing rib 113 is provided in the open groove 11, and the reinforcing rib 113 connects the bottom wall 111 and the side wall 112. In this way, the reinforcing ribs 113 can support and reinforce the groove wall of the opening groove 11, which is beneficial to improve the rigidity of the piston 10, making the piston 10 less likely to warp and deform. Moreover, compared with the related structure in which the wall thickness on both sides of the opening groove 11 is increased, the piston 10 provided in the present application does not need to extend the axial length, so that the problem of amplified radial deformation of the piston due to the increase in length will not occur. Moreover, compared with the method of increasing the wall thickness on both sides of the opening groove 11, the material cost required for adding the reinforcing ribs 113 is lower.

[0032] The reinforcing rib 113 may be welded to the groove wall of the opening groove 11. The reinforcing rib 113 may also be processed as an integral part on the piston 10 by 3D printing.

[0033] Along the extension direction of the opening groove 11, the reinforcing ribs 113 are arranged near the two ends of the opening groove 11. It can be understood that along the extension direction of the opening groove 11, the two ends of the opening groove 11 are weak positions of the piston 10, so that deformation is more likely to occur. By arranging the reinforcing ribs 113 near the two ends of the opening groove 11, it is beneficial to improve the supporting effect of the reinforcing ribs 113 on the opening groove 11.

[0034] Furthermore, the outer surface of the reinforcing rib 113 is smoothly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the piston 10. In this way, the outer surface of the reinforcing rib 113 does not protrude from the outer peripheral wall of the piston 10, thereby preventing the reinforcing rib 113 from interfering with the bushing 30 sleeved on the outer periphery of the piston 10 due to the addition of the reinforcing rib 113. Specifically, the piston 10 is cylindrical, and the outer surface of the reinforcing rib 113 constitutes a part of the outer peripheral wall of the cylinder.

[0035] Two embodiments of the piston 10 are described below.

[0036] Embodiment 1

[0037] Four reinforcing ribs 113 are provided in each opening slot 11, and the four reinforcing ribs 113 are respectively located at the four corners of the opening slot 11, and each reinforcing rib respectively connects the bottom wall 111 and a side wall 112. By providing reinforcing ribs 113 at the four corners of each opening slot 11, the rigidity of the piston 10 can be significantly improved.

[0038] Specifically, each reinforcing rib 113 has a first edge 114 and a second edge 115. The first edge 114 is connected to the bottom wall, and the second edge 115 is connected to one side wall 112.

[0039] Optionally, in one embodiment, the first edge 114 is continuous with the second edge 115. In other words, the first edge 114 and the second edge 115 extend integrally and are connected at the junction of the bottom wall 111 and one side wall 112 of the opening groove 11. In this way, the supporting effect of a single reinforcing rib 113 at a corresponding corner of the opening groove 11 can be improved.

[0040] In another embodiment, the first edge 114 and the second edge 115 may also be spaced apart. In other words, the first edge 114 and the second edge 115 are discontinuous. Specifically, the position of the reinforcing rib 113 between the first edge 114 and the second edge 115 is spaced from the junction of the bottom wall 111 and one side wall 112 of the opening groove 11 and encloses a hollow structure. In this way, it is convenient to connect the first edge 114 to the bottom wall and the second edge 115 to the corresponding one side wall 112 respectively, thereby reducing the processing difficulty of the piston 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the reinforcing rib 113 also has a third edge 116, and the third edge 116 is arranged relatively far from the groove wall of the opening groove 11. In other words, the third edge 116 is exposed in the space enclosed by the groove walls of the opening groove 11.

[0042] Optionally, in one embodiment, the third edge 116 extends in an arc shape. In some four-way valves, the opening groove 11 is used to communicate with the interface 31 on the bushing 30. Therefore, setting the third edge 116 to extend in an arc shape matches the edge shape of the interface 31, which is beneficial to reducing the interference of the third edge 116 on the medium flowing into the opening groove 11 from the interface 31.

[0043] In another embodiment, the third edge 116 extends in a straight line shape. In this way, it is easier to machine the third edge 116 on the reinforcing rib 113.

[0044] In yet another embodiment, the third edge 116 extends in a zigzag shape.

[0045] In still another embodiment, the third edge 116 may also extend in a wavy line shape.

[0046] Embodiment 2

[0047] Two reinforcing ribs 113 are provided in each opening groove 11. Along the extending direction of the opening groove 11, the two reinforcing ribs 113 are respectively arranged at the two end edges of the opening groove 11, and each reinforcing rib 113 is connected to the bottom wall 111 and the two side walls 112.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 3 to 7 , this application also provides a four-way valve 100, which includes a cylinder body 20, four connecting pipes 40, and the piston 10 described in any one of the above embodiments. The four connecting pipes 40 are circumferentially distributed along the cylinder body 20 and are respectively inserted into the cylinder body 20. The piston 10 is movably installed in the cylinder body 20, and the piston 10 can move to one of the opening groove groups 101, and both ends of each opening groove 11 along its own extending direction respectively communicate with one connecting pipe 40.

[0049] Specifically, the four connecting pipes 40 are perpendicular to each other, and the two opening groove groups 101 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the piston 10. Moreover, the extending direction of any one opening groove 11 in each opening groove group 101 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the opening groove 11 in the other opening groove group 101.

[0050] Optionally, the four-way valve further includes a bushing 30. The bushing 30 is connected to the inner wall of the cylinder body 20, and four interfaces 31 are provided along the circumferential direction of the bushing 30, and each interface 31 corresponds to and communicates with one connecting pipe 40.

[0051] Specifically, the four interfaces 31 on the bushing 30 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the bushing 30. The piston 10 can rotate around its own axis and move along its own axis relative to the bushing 30. Define the two groups of opening groove groups 101 as the first opening groove group and the second opening groove group respectively. When the piston 10 moves to the first position, one opening groove 11 of the first opening groove group corresponds to and communicates with two interfaces 31, and the other opening groove 11 of the first opening groove group corresponds to and communicates with the other two interfaces 31; when the piston 10 moves to the second position, one opening groove 11 of the first opening groove group corresponds to and communicates with two interfaces 31, and the other opening groove 11 of the second opening groove group corresponds to and communicates with the other two interfaces 31.

[0052] Along the axial direction of the interface 31, the projection of the interface 31 on the groove wall of the opening groove 11 does not interfere with the reinforcing rib 113. That is to say, the projection of the interface 31 on the groove wall of the opening groove 11 does not fall on the reinforcing rib 113, or in other words, the reinforcing rib 113 does not protrude beyond the edge of the interface 31 to form an obstruction in front of the interface 31. Thus, when the medium enters the corresponding opening groove 11 through the interface 31, it will not impact the reinforcing rib 113, thereby avoiding the increase of the medium flow resistance by the reinforcing rib 113.

[0053] Furthermore, the outer edge of the reinforcing rib 113 close to the interface 31 is consistent with the edge extension direction of the corresponding position of the interface 31. Specifically, the outer edge of the reinforcing rib 113 close to the interface 31 is flush with the opening edge of the corresponding position of the interface 31, or the outer edge of the reinforcing rib 113 close to the interface 31 is arranged parallel to the opening edge of the corresponding position of the interface 31. In this way, the shape of the outer edge of the reinforcing rib 113 close to the interface 31 matches the opening edge of the corresponding position of the interface 31, which is beneficial to reducing the interference of the third edge 116 on the medium flowing into the opening groove 11 from the interface 31.

[0054] Furthermore, the height of the interface 31 protruding from the groove wall of the opening groove 11 is H1, and the height of the reinforcing rib 113 protruding from the groove wall of the opening groove 11 is H2, and 0.6 ≤ H2 / H1 ≤ 1.

[0055] It can be understood that the larger the value of H2 / H1, the better the strengthening effect of the reinforcing rib 113 on the opening groove 11, and the maximum value of H2 / H1 is 1. At this time, the outer edge of the reinforcing rib 113 close to the interface 31 is flush with the opening edge of the corresponding position of the interface 31. For example, the value of H2 / H1 can be 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, etc., and can be specifically selected according to actual needs as long as it is within the above range.

[0056] The thickness of the bushing 30 is D1, and the thickness of the reinforcing rib 113 is D2, and 1 ≤ D2 / D1 ≤ 4. The larger the value of D2 / D1, the better the strengthening effect of the reinforcing rib 113 on the opening groove 11. However, if the value of D2 / D1 is too large, the material cost of the reinforcing rib 113 will increase. Therefore, 1 ≤ D2 / D1 ≤ 4 is set to ensure the strengthening effect of the reinforcing rib 113 on the opening groove 11 while avoiding increasing the cost of the reinforcing rib 113. For example, the value of D2 / D1 can be 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, etc., and can be specifically selected according to actual needs as long as it is within the above range.

[0057] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0058] The above-described embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A piston, characterized in that: The outer peripheral wall of the piston is provided with two open groove groups (101), the two open groove groups (101) are arranged at intervals, and each open groove group (101) includes two open grooves (11) extending in the same direction and arranged away from each other; The groove wall of the open groove (11) comprises a bottom wall (111) and two side walls (112) respectively located on both sides of the bottom wall (111); a reinforcing rib (113) is provided in the open groove (11); the reinforcing rib (113) connects the bottom wall (111) and the side walls (112).

2. The piston according to claim 1, characterized in that Four reinforcing ribs (113) are provided in each of the opening grooves (11), and the four reinforcing ribs (113) are respectively located at four corners of the opening groove (11), and each of the reinforcing ribs respectively connects the bottom wall (111) and one side of the side wall (112); Alternatively, two reinforcing ribs (113) are provided in each of the opening grooves (11), and along the extension direction of the opening grooves (11), the two reinforcing ribs (113) are respectively provided at the two end edges of the opening grooves (11), and each of the reinforcing ribs (113) connects the bottom wall (111) and the side walls (112) on both sides.

3. The piston according to claim 2, characterized in that Each of the reinforcing ribs (113) has a first edge (114) and a second edge (115), wherein the first edge (114) is connected to the bottom wall, and the second edge (115) is connected to one side of the side wall. The first edge (114) and the second edge (115) are continuous, or the first edge (114) and the second edge (115) are spaced apart.

4. The piston according to claim 3, characterized in that The reinforcing rib (113) further comprises a third edge (116), wherein the third edge (116) is arranged relatively away from the groove wall of the opening groove (11). The third edge (116) extends in an arc shape; Alternatively, the third edge (116) extends in a straight line; alternatively, the third edge (116) extends in a broken line; alternatively, the third edge (116) extends in a wavy line.

5. The piston according to claim 2, characterized in that The outer surface of the reinforcing rib (113) is smoothly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the piston.

6. A four-way valve, characterized in that: The four-way valve comprises a cylinder (20), four connecting pipes (40) and a piston (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the four connecting pipes (40) are distributed along the circumference of the cylinder (20) and are respectively inserted into the cylinder (20); The piston (10) is movably mounted in the cylinder (20), and the piston (10) can be moved to one of the open groove groups (101), and each of the open grooves (11) is connected to a corresponding connecting pipe (40) at both ends along its own extension direction.

7. The four-way valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The four-way valve further comprises a bushing (30), the bushing (30) being connected to the inner wall of the cylinder (20), and the bushing (30) being provided with four interfaces (31) along its circumference, and each of the interfaces (31) correspondingly connecting to one of the connecting pipes (40).

8. The four-way valve according to claim 7, characterized in that: Along the axial direction of the interface (31), the projection of the interface (31) on the groove wall of the open groove (11) does not interfere with the reinforcing rib (113).

9. The four-way valve according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer edge of the reinforcing rib (113) close to the interface (31) extends in the same direction as the edge at the corresponding position of the interface (31).

10. The four-way valve according to claim 9, characterized in that: The height of the interface (31) protruding from the wall of the opening groove (11) is H1, the height of the reinforcing rib (113) protruding from the wall of the opening groove (11) is H2, and 0.6≤H2 / H1≤1.

11. The four-way valve according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thickness of the bushing (30) is D1, the thickness of the reinforcing rib (113) is D2, and 1≤D2 / D1≤4.

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