Four-way valve and air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model provides a four -way valve and air conditioner, wherein four -way valve includes valve body, valve core, drive subassembly and limit component, valve core can rotate relative to valve body, and the inside of valve core has first channel and second channel that do not communicate with each other, when valve core is in first connection position, first channel makes first pipeline and third pipeline communicate and second channel makes second pipeline and fourth pipeline communicate, when valve core is in second connection position, first channel makes first pipeline and fourth pipeline communicate and second channel makes second pipeline and third pipeline communicate, drive subassembly drives valve core to rotate to first connection position or second connection position, and limit component locks valve core in first connection position or second connection position, the utility model ensures that valve core can be accurate in each connection position, avoids appearing intermediate state because of error or inertia, prevents the occurrence of pressure relief situation, and then makes four -way valve realize high reliability of reversing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of multi-way valves, and more specifically, it relates to a four-way valve and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] The four-way valve, a core component in air conditioning systems for switching between cooling and heating modes, often enters an intermediate state during the reversing process because the slider may not be fully in place. This can lead to the four pipes being connected, causing pressure leakage and reversing failure. Current technology has not optimized the pressure leakage problem in this intermediate state. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technical solution that can accurately switch flow paths and suppress pressure leakage in the intermediate state. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a four-way valve and an air conditioner to solve the pressure relief problem caused by the poor switching reliability of the four-way valve in the prior art, which results in the four-way valve being in an intermediate state during switching.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a four-way valve for use in air conditioning, comprising:

[0006] The valve body has an internal cavity and externally has a first pipe connected to the compressor exhaust port, a second pipe connected to the compressor intake port, a third pipe connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger.

[0007] A valve core is disposed in the cavity and is rotatable relative to the valve body. The valve core has a first channel and a second channel that are not interconnected. When the valve core is in the first connection position, the first channel connects the first pipeline to the third pipeline and the second channel connects the second pipeline to the fourth pipeline. When the valve core is in the second connection position, the first channel connects the first pipeline to the fourth pipeline and the second channel connects the second pipeline to the third pipeline.

[0008] The device includes a drive assembly and a limiting assembly. The drive assembly rotates the valve core to the first connection position or the second connection position, and the limiting assembly locks the valve core in the first connection position or the second connection position.

[0009] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes an electromagnetic coil and a magnet. The magnet is disposed in the cavity and connected to the valve core, and the electromagnetic coil is arranged around the outside of the valve body and corresponding to the magnet.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting component includes a first positioning pin and a first positioning groove that cooperate with each other, as well as a second positioning pin and a second positioning groove that cooperate with each other; when the valve core is in the first connection position, the first positioning pin is connected to the first positioning groove; when the valve core is in the second connection position, the second positioning pin is connected to the second positioning groove.

[0011] Furthermore, both the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove are located outside the valve core, and both the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are located inside the valve body.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a sealing structure disposed in the cavity and located between the valve body and the valve core.

[0013] Furthermore, the sealing structure employs an elastic sealing layer.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a position sensor, which is installed in the cavity to collect the position status of the valve core in real time.

[0015] Furthermore, the valve core is spherical, with the first channel having a first connecting inlet and a first connecting outlet at its two ends, and the second channel having a second connecting inlet and a second connecting outlet at its two ends, and the first connecting inlet, the first connecting outlet, the second connecting inlet, and the second connecting outlet are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the valve core.

[0016] Furthermore, both the first and second channels are arc-shaped, and their bending directions are opposite.

[0017] Secondly, this utility model provides an air conditioner, comprising a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a throttling element, an indoor heat exchanger, and a four-way valve as described above, which are connected in sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the four-way valve and air conditioner provided by this utility model are as follows: Compared with linear motion valves with sliders, the valve core of this utility model can rotate relative to the valve body. When the valve core rotates to the first connection position or the second connection position under the action of the drive component, the valve core can be locked in each connection position by the limiting component, ensuring that the valve core can be accurately in each connection position, avoiding intermediate state due to error or inertia, preventing pressure leakage, and thus enabling the four-way valve to achieve highly reliable switching. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the four-way valve in this utility model when the valve core is in the first connection position;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the four-way valve in this utility model when the valve core is in the second connection position;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of the valve core in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve core in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the valve core in this utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the reversing control of the four-way valve in this utility model;

[0026] The main markings in the attached figures are as follows:

[0027] 1. Valve body; 11. First pipeline; 12. Second pipeline; 13. Third pipeline; 14. Fourth pipeline;

[0028] 2. Valve core; 21. First channel; 22. Second channel; 211. First connecting inlet;

[0029] 212, First connecting outlet; 221, Second connecting inlet; 222, Second connecting outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0031] The four-way valve, a core component in air conditioning systems for switching between cooling and heating modes, often enters an intermediate state during the reversing process due to the slider not fully engaging. This intermediate state connects all four pipes, leading to problems such as pressure leakage and reversing failure. In existing technologies, the slider's movement trajectory is easily affected by factors such as friction and vibration, preventing it from fully engaging and resulting in a high risk of intermediate states. Moreover, current technologies have not optimized the pressure leakage problem in this intermediate state. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technical solution that can accurately switch flow paths and suppress pressure leakage in intermediate states.

[0032] Based on this, the four-way valve and air conditioner provided by this utility model effectively solve the pressure relief problem caused by the poor reliability of the four-way valve switching in the prior art, which results in the four-way valve being in an intermediate state during switching.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the four-way valve provided by this utility model is applied to an air conditioner. The four-way valve includes a valve body 1, a valve core 2, a drive assembly, and a limiting assembly. The valve body 1 has an internal cavity, and externally it has a first pipe 11 connected to the compressor exhaust port, a second pipe 12 connected to the compressor intake port, a third pipe 13 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth pipe 14 connected to the indoor heat exchanger. The valve core 2 is disposed in the cavity and can rotate relative to the valve body 1. The valve core 2 has a first channel 21 and a second channel that are not interconnected. Channel 22; when the valve core 2 is in the first connection position, the first channel 21 connects the first pipe 11 to the third pipe 13 and the second channel 22 connects the second pipe 12 to the fourth pipe 14; when the valve core 2 is in the second connection position, the first channel 21 connects the first pipe 11 to the fourth pipe 14 and the second channel 22 connects the second pipe 12 to the third pipe 13; the drive assembly drives the valve core 2 to rotate to the first connection position or the second connection position, and the limiting assembly locks the valve core 2 in the first connection position or the second connection position.

[0034] Compared to linear motion valves with sliders, this design allows the valve core 2 of this invention to rotate relative to the valve body 1, resulting in higher stability and reliability of its operation and a lower likelihood of jamming. Simultaneously, when the valve core 2 rotates to the first or second connection position under the action of the drive assembly, the limiting assembly can lock the valve core 2 in each connection position, ensuring that the valve core 2 is precisely positioned at each connection position. This avoids intermediate states due to errors or inertia, preventing pressure leakage and enabling the four-way valve to achieve highly reliable switching.

[0035] The drive assembly includes an electromagnetic coil and a magnet. The magnet is disposed in the cavity and connected to the valve core 2. The electromagnetic coil is arranged around the outside of the valve body 1 and is correspondingly arranged with the magnet.

[0036] In this design, the drive component uses electromagnetic control to rotate the valve core 2 relative to the valve body 1. Specifically, when the electromagnetic coil is energized, it generates a magnetic force, attracting the magnet and causing the valve core 2 to rotate. At this time, the drive component is driven by the magnetic field, offering advantages such as rapid response, high control precision, and low energy consumption. The valve core 2 can achieve dual positioning through a limiting component and magnetic locking. The limiting component locks the valve core 2 at the connection position, while magnetic locking is achieved using the bistable structure of the electromagnetic coil design. That is, when the valve core 2 rotates to each connection position, the magnetic force between the magnet and the electromagnetic coil keeps the valve core 2 in that connection position, maintaining the flow even in a de-energized state. By constructing an anti-intermediate state mechanism through electromagnetic control and mechanical limiting, the valve core 2 is more accurately positioned at each connection position, avoiding intermediate states due to errors or inertia, thus preventing pressure leakage.

[0037] Of course, in other embodiments, the driving component may be a motor drive or the like.

[0038] The limiting component includes a first positioning pin and a first positioning groove that cooperate with each other, as well as a second positioning pin and a second positioning groove that cooperate with each other; when the valve core 2 is in the first connection position, the first positioning pin is connected to the first positioning groove; when the valve core 2 is in the second connection position, the second positioning pin is connected to the second positioning groove.

[0039] With this design, when the valve core 2 rotates to the first connection position under the action of the drive assembly, the first locating pin and the first locating groove cooperate to achieve mechanical locking, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the valve core 2's rotation angle. Similarly, when the valve core 2 rotates to the second connection position under the action of the drive assembly, the second locating pin and the second locating groove cooperate to achieve mechanical locking, also ensuring the accuracy of the valve core 2's rotation angle. In practical applications, the locating pin and the locating groove can ensure that the rotation angle accuracy is controlled within ±1°.

[0040] Preferably, the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove are both located outside the valve core 2, and the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are both located inside the valve body 1.

[0041] This design effectively utilizes the internal space of the valve body 1, reducing the volume and weight of the valve core 2. Furthermore, this design prevents the locating pin and locating groove from being affected by external environmental interference during the rotation of the valve core 2, thus improving the stability and reliability of the four-way valve.

[0042] Of course, in other embodiments, each positioning groove may be disposed inside the valve body 1 and each positioning pin may be disposed outside the valve core 2.

[0043] In addition, the four-way valve also includes a sealing structure, which is located in the cavity between the valve body 1 and the valve core 2. This design, by setting up the sealing structure, ensures that the valve core 2 has good sealing performance during rotation, preventing refrigerant leakage.

[0044] Preferably, the sealing structure employs an elastic sealing layer. This sealing structure maintains the seal between the valve core 2 and the valve body 1 through the compression and precise fit of the elastic material, thereby more effectively preventing refrigerant leakage during dynamic operation.

[0045] In addition, the four-way valve also includes a position sensor, which is installed in the cavity to collect the position status of the valve core 2 in real time.

[0046] In practical applications, the air conditioning system integrates closed-loop control logic. The position sensor built into the four-way valve monitors and collects the position status of valve core 2 in real time, then feeds the relevant data back to the main controller. The main controller determines whether a reversing operation is needed based on the current operating mode of the air conditioner. If a reversing operation is deemed necessary, a control signal is output to control the drive components. During the reversing process, the system continuously monitors the position status of valve core 2. Once valve core 2 reaches the target angle, a locking mechanism is triggered, thus completing the reversing operation.

[0047] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the valve core 2 is spherical. The two ends of the first channel 21 are the first connecting inlet 211 and the first connecting outlet 212, respectively. The two ends of the second channel 22 are the second connecting inlet 221 and the second connecting outlet 222, respectively. The first connecting inlet 211, the first connecting outlet 212, the second connecting inlet 221 and the second connecting outlet 222 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the valve core 2.

[0048] This design results in a smaller, smoother ball valve core 2, reducing friction between the core and body 1 during rotation, thus minimizing wear and extending the lifespan of the four-way valve. The rotation of the valve core 2 allows for flexible changes in the connection between the four pipes on the four-way valve, enabling switching of refrigerant flow under different operating conditions. The valve core 2 has four openings: a first connecting inlet 211, a first connecting outlet 212, a second connecting inlet 221, and a second connecting outlet 222, corresponding to the four pipes of the four-way valve. Driven by the actuation assembly, the valve core 2 achieves precise, metered rotation, thereby switching between the two different flow states of the four-way valve.

[0049] The first channel 21 and the second channel 22 are both arc-shaped, and their bending directions are opposite.

[0050] With this design, the first channel 21 and the second channel 22 adopt an arc-shaped channel design with opposite bending directions, which to a certain extent optimizes the flow path of the refrigerant in the valve, reduces flow resistance, and improves the flow efficiency of the refrigerant, thereby improving the overall performance of the air conditioning system.

[0051] The air conditioner provided by this utility model includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a throttling element, an indoor heat exchanger, and a four-way valve connected in sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop.

[0052] For ease of understanding, the following explanation will take a four-way valve in a preferred embodiment as an example.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the four-way valve includes a valve body 1, a valve core 2, a drive assembly, a limit assembly, a sealing structure, and a position sensor. The valve body 1 has four pipes. The valve core 2 is spherical, with a first channel 21 and a second channel 22 inside. The first channel 21 connects two of the pipes, and the second channel 22 connects the other two pipes. The valve core 2 has four symmetrically distributed openings: a first connecting inlet 211 and a first connecting outlet 212 of the first channel 21, and a second connecting inlet 221 and a second connecting outlet 222 of the second channel 22.

[0054] The drive assembly consists of an electromagnetic coil and a magnet. When current flows through the electromagnetic coil, a magnetic field is generated, which attracts the magnet and drives the valve core 2 to rotate. With the precise control of the drive assembly, the valve core 2 can achieve precise quantitative rotation, thereby switching between two different flow paths. A sealing structure formed by an elastic sealing layer can also be provided between the valve core 2 and the valve body 1 to ensure good sealing performance during rotation and prevent refrigerant leakage.

[0055] The rotary valve core 2 features dual positioning functions: a mechanical limiting structure and a magnetic locking mechanism. Specifically, the mechanical limiting structure consists of two sets of cooperating positioning pins and positioning grooves. The design incorporates positioning grooves along the rotation path of the valve core 2. When the valve core 2 rotates to the connection position, the positioning pins and grooves engage to achieve mechanical locking, ensuring the accuracy of the rotation angle (error controlled within ±1°). The magnetic locking utilizes a bistable structure with an electromagnetic coil design. This means that when the valve core 2 rotates to the connection position, the magnetic force between the magnet and the electromagnetic coil keeps the valve core 2 in that position, maintaining the flow even when de-energized. This design effectively avoids the refrigerant pressure leakage problem that can occur in traditional four-way valves during switching, where all four passages are simultaneously connected.

[0056] When it is necessary to switch the refrigerant flow direction, the control system sends an electrical signal to the solenoid coil, causing it to generate a magnetic field that attracts the built-in magnet, rotating the valve core 2 180 degrees. This rotation realigns the internal channel of the valve core 2 with the external pipeline of the valve body 1, thereby changing the refrigerant flow path.

[0057] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, when the air conditioner is cooling, the valve core 2 is in the first connection position. The first connecting inlet 211 of the first channel 21 is connected to the compressor exhaust port through the first pipe 11. The first connecting outlet 212 of the first channel 21 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (as a condenser) through the third pipe 13. The second connecting inlet 221 of the second channel 22 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger (as an evaporator) through the fourth pipe 14. The second connecting outlet 222 of the second channel 22 is connected to the compressor suction port through the second pipe 12.

[0058] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, when the air conditioner is in heating mode, after the valve core 2 rotates 180 degrees, it is in the second connection position. The first connecting inlet 211 of the first channel 21 is connected to the compressor exhaust port through the first pipe 11, and the first connecting outlet 212 of the first channel 21 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger (as a condenser) through the fourth pipe 14. Meanwhile, the second connecting inlet 221 of the second channel 22 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (as an evaporator) through the third pipe 13, and the second connecting outlet 222 of the second channel 22 is connected to the compressor suction port through the second pipe 12. This completes the reversing operation of the four-way valve. This rotating structure ensures that the valve core 2 is always in the connection position, avoiding intermediate transition states and fundamentally eliminating the risk of pressure leakage.

[0059] During the rotation of valve core 2, the limiting component plays a crucial role, ensuring that valve core 2 accurately reaches the connection position. The sealing structure, through the compression of elastic material and precise fit, maintains the seal between valve core 2 and valve body 1, preventing refrigerant leakage during dynamic operation. The entire switching process is electromagnetically driven, featuring fast response and high control precision, making it suitable for applications requiring frequent and stable refrigerant flow switching. This design not only improves the reliability of the four-way valve but also significantly optimizes the system's energy efficiency and operational stability.

[0060] The system integrates closed-loop control logic, using a position sensor built into the four-way valve to monitor and collect the position status of valve core 2 in real time, and then feeding the data back to the main controller. The main controller determines whether reversing is needed based on the current operating mode of the air conditioner. If reversing is needed, it outputs a control signal to drive the solenoid coil. During the reversing process, the system continuously monitors the position status of valve core 2. Once valve core 2 reaches the target angle, a locking mechanism is triggered, completing the reversing operation.

[0061] To adapt to high-frequency reversing scenarios such as inverter air conditioners and heat pump air conditioners, the system can introduce intelligent optimization strategies. For example, it can predict the reversing timing based on the compressor start-stop time to achieve "predictive reversing"; dynamically adjust the drive current according to the ambient temperature and the inertia of valve core 2 to improve response accuracy; and support power-off memory function, automatically restoring the previous state after power-on to avoid accidental start-up. Simultaneously, the system can have multiple safety protection mechanisms: reversing commands are prohibited during compressor operation; before reversing, the pressure difference between the compressor exhaust port and compressor suction port is automatically detected, and if it exceeds a set threshold, reversing is delayed or refused to prevent high-pressure surges.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, after the air conditioning system is powered on, it initializes the main controller, position sensor, and drive circuit. Next, it determines the current operating mode (cooling / heating / defrosting) and whether reversing is required. If the determination is yes, a reversing command is generated, driving the electromagnetic coil and simultaneously initiating a soft start (PWM gradual current increase). During this process, the position sensor provides real-time angle information, which the system uses to determine if the target connection position has been reached. If the target connection position is reached, magnetic locking and mechanical limit are triggered, the reversing is successful, and the system enters the new mode; if the target position is not reached, it checks for timeout or abnormality. If a timeout or abnormality occurs, an alarm is triggered, and a retry is attempted (retry count ≤ 3). If the retry fails, the system enters a safety mode, i.e., a locked state, cuts off the power, records the fault code, and waits for the next reversing command. This achieves core functions such as "zero intermediate state," "high-precision positioning," and "power-off position retention," and significantly improves the system's operational reliability and intelligence level under complex operating conditions through the synergistic effect of closed-loop control, intelligent algorithms, and safety mechanisms.

[0063] The core innovations of the four-way valve and air conditioner provided by this utility model are as follows: The 180° rotation of the spherical valve core achieves channel switching, effectively improving the stability and reliability of the operation; the electromagnetic drive mechanism, driven by a magnetic field, has significant advantages such as rapid response, high control precision, and low energy consumption; the innovative anti-intermediate state mechanism, through electromagnetic control and mechanical limiting, ensures that the valve core is accurately positioned at the connection position, avoiding intermediate states due to errors or inertia, thereby preventing pressure leakage. These three innovations work together to form a complete technical solution different from traditional linear motion valves, achieving high reliability, high energy efficiency, and high control precision, significantly improving the performance of the four-way valve.

[0064] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terminology used above is only for describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this utility model. When the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof. The order of execution of actions, steps, etc., in the apparatus and methods shown in the specification and drawings can be implemented in any order unless a specific express order is specified, and as long as the output of the preceding process is not used in the subsequent process. Similar sequential terms used for ease of description do not imply that such an order must be followed.

[0065] Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0066] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A four-way valve, used in air conditioning, characterized in that, include: The valve body has an internal cavity and externally has a first pipe connected to the compressor exhaust port, a second pipe connected to the compressor intake port, a third pipe connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and a fourth pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger. The valve core is disposed in the cavity and is rotatable relative to the valve body. The valve core has a first channel and a second channel that are not interconnected. When the valve core is in the first connection position, the first channel connects the first pipeline to the third pipeline and the second channel connects the second pipeline to the fourth pipeline; when the valve core is in the second connection position, the first channel connects the first pipeline to the fourth pipeline and the second channel connects the second pipeline to the third pipeline. The device includes a drive assembly and a limiting assembly. The drive assembly rotates the valve core to the first connection position or the second connection position, and the limiting assembly locks the valve core in the first connection position or the second connection position.

2. The four-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes an electromagnetic coil and a magnet. The magnet is disposed in the cavity and connected to the valve core. The electromagnetic coil is arranged around the outside of the valve body and is correspondingly arranged to the magnet.

3. The four-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting component includes a first positioning pin and a first positioning groove that cooperate with each other, and a second positioning pin and a second positioning groove that cooperate with each other; when the valve core is in the first connection position, the first positioning pin is connected to the first positioning groove; when the valve core is in the second connection position, the second positioning pin is connected to the second positioning groove.

4. The four-way valve as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Both the first positioning groove and the second positioning groove are located outside the valve core, and both the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are located inside the valve body.

5. The four-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing structure disposed in the cavity and located between the valve body and the valve core.

6. The four-way valve as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The sealing structure employs an elastic sealing layer.

7. The four-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a position sensor, which is installed in the cavity to collect the position status of the valve core in real time.

8. The four-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The valve core is spherical. The two ends of the first channel are a first connecting inlet and a first connecting outlet, respectively. The two ends of the second channel are a second connecting inlet and a second connecting outlet, respectively. The first connecting inlet, the first connecting outlet, the second connecting inlet, and the second connecting outlet are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the valve core.

9. The four-way valve as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first and second channels are arc-shaped, and their bending directions are opposite.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that, It includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a throttling element, an indoor heat exchanger, and a four-way valve as described in any one of claims 1-9, which are connected in sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop.

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