Slide-type switching valve and refrigeration circuit system

Abstract

A slide-type switching valve and a refrigeration circuit system, whose malfunctions can be suppressed, are provided. A slide-type changeover valve (1) comprises a valve body (2), a valve seat section (3), a valve element (4), an electromagnetic actuator unit (5), and pivot elements (61 to 64). When a plunger (51) rests against a closure section (22) and its movement is limited, damage to the valve seat section (3) and its surroundings can be suppressed, thus eliminating the need for an additional stopper. By having a tube section (21) of the valve body (2) form a valve chamber section and a plunger-receiving section, any deviation in relative position that might occur if these were formed by separate components can be suppressed. Therefore, the valve element (4) easily opens or closes valve ports (32A to 32C) correctly, thus preventing malfunctions.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide-type changeover valve and a refrigeration cycle system. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a switching valve is known that moves a valve element by an electromagnetic drive unit including a solenoid coil, thereby opening or closing a valve port formed on a valve seat surface to switch a flow path of a fluid. As such a switching valve, one configured as a pilot valve for driving a four-way switching valve in a refrigeration cycle system is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the switching valve described in Patent Document 1, when an electromagnetic coil in an electromagnetic drive unit is energized, a plunger moves toward a suction element, and when the energization is stopped, the plunger moves away from the suction element by the biasing force of a coil spring; thus, the flow path is switched by switching between energization and non-energization. [Citation list][Patent document]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. JP 2015-42882 [Overview of the invention][Technical problem]

[0004] In order for a valve element to properly open or close a port in the above-described state where the power supply is cut off, it is necessary to limit the movement at a certain point when the plunger moves away from the suction element. With a structure in which the plunger abuts against a valve seat member (a member in which the valve port is formed) and thus the movement is limited, it is easy to obtain an accurate relative position between the valve element and the valve port. On the other hand, if deformation or wear occurs on the valve seat member due to collision, or if stress is applied to a coupling portion between the valve seat member and a valve body (plunger tube), malfunctions may occur during operation, so a stronger coupling is required.

[0005] On the other hand, if a stopper is added in addition to the valve seat element, a deviation in the relative position between the valve element and the port may occur due to a deviation in the mounting position or formation position of the stopper. That is, due to an increase in the number of components and parts, the accuracy may decrease. If the deviation in the relative position between the valve element and the port occurs, the valve element may not be able to open or close the port properly, thus causing malfunctions during operation. Therefore, it is difficult to suppress malfunctions of the diverter valve, whether the plunger is restricted by the valve seat element or the plunger is restricted by an additional element.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a spool-type changeover valve and a refrigeration cycle system whose malfunctions can be suppressed. [Means of solving the problem]

[0007] The spool-type changeover valve of the present invention is a spool-type changeover valve comprising: a valve body forming a valve chamber; a valve seat portion having a valve seat surface on which at least one valve port is formed and further provided in the valve chamber; a valve element sliding on the valve seat surface, thereby opening or closing the valve port relative to the valve chamber; and an electromagnetic drive unit moving the valve element in a sliding direction along the valve seat surface, characterized in that the electromagnetic drive unit includes a plunger extending along the sliding direction and further connected to the valve element; a suction element disposed on one side of the sliding direction with respect to the plunger; a coil energizing the suction element;and a biasing means for biasing the plunger toward the other side of the sliding direction, and is configured such that the electromagnetic drive unit, when in an energized state, moves the plunger toward one side; the valve body integrally comprises a valve chamber forming portion that forms the valve chamber; and a plunger receiving portion that receives the plunger and guides it in the sliding direction, and in which the suction element is also provided; and when the electromagnetic drive unit is in a non-energized state, the plunger abuts against a closure portion that closes the valve chamber from the other side in the valve chamber forming portion, thereby limiting movement toward the other side.

[0008] According to the present invention described above, the plunger abuts against the closing portion of the valve chamber forming portion, and the movement is limited, so that a structure in which the plunger does not collide with the valve seat portion can be achieved, and damage to the valve seat portion and its surroundings can be suppressed. Furthermore, the closing portion is a portion required to form the valve chamber, and it is not necessary to additionally provide a stopper. For example, when the plunger extends to the other side and thereby abuts against the closing portion, or the closing portion is formed thickly and abuts against the plunger, the deviation of the relative position between the valve port and the valve element can be reduced compared to the case where the stopper is additionally provided.This makes it easy to open or close the valve connection correctly using the valve element, so that malfunctions can be suppressed.

[0009] Furthermore, by integrally forming the valve chamber forming portion of the valve body, which forms the valve chamber, and the plunger accommodating portion, which accommodates the plunger, of the valve body, a deviation in the relative position that may occur when they are separate components can be suppressed. That is, the deviation in the relative position between the plunger and the suction element can be suppressed, and it can be facilitated to properly drive the plunger by magnetic force. As described above, malfunctions of the spool-type changeover valve can be suppressed by suppressing damage to the valve seat portion and its surroundings while suppressing an increase in the number of components and additional structures.

[0010] In the spool-type changeover valve of the present invention, it is preferable that a mounting hole is formed on a side surface of a tubular portion of the valve chamber forming portion, and that the valve seat portion is formed separately from the valve body and has a small diameter portion whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole, and a large diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the mounting hole and which is provided on the opposite side to the valve seat surface with respect to the small diameter portion, and that the small diameter portion is inserted into the mounting hole and further the insertion is restricted by the large diameter portion.

[0011] According to this structure, by limiting the insertion of the valve seat portion by the large-diameter portion, the deviation in the relative position between the valve body and the valve seat portion in an insertion direction can be suppressed. That is, in the insertion direction, the deviation in the position of the valve seat surface in the valve chamber can be suppressed, and it can be facilitated that the valve element slides properly on the valve seat surface.

[0012] In the spool-type changeover valve of the present invention, it is further preferable that a mounting hole is formed on a side surface of a tubular portion of the valve chamber forming portion, that the valve seat portion is formed separately from the valve body and further inserted into the mounting hole and thereby mounted to the valve body, and that one of an other-side end portion and a one-side end portion of the valve seat portion is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole, a space portion is formed between the other end portion and the inner peripheral surface, and a fixing material is provided in the space portion.

[0013] According to this structure, the valve seat portion can be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole with respect to one of the end portions in the sliding direction, so that the deviation of the relative position between the valve body and the valve seat portion in the sliding direction can be suppressed. As described above, the plunger abuts against a part of the valve body, and thereby the deviation of the relative position between the valve body and the plunger in the sliding direction is suppressed. Consequently, the deviation of the relative position between the plunger and the valve seat portion in the sliding direction can be suppressed, and the deviation of the relative position between the valve element and the valve port can be suppressed, so that malfunctions of the spool-type changeover valve can be suppressed.

[0014] In the spool-type switching valve of the present invention, it is further preferable that the plunger has a flat end surface on the other side and is in flat contact with the closure portion at this end surface. According to this structure, by increasing the contact area, stress upon collision is dispersed to suppress deformation and damage caused by the collision, thus preventing malfunctions of the spool-type switching valve.

[0015] In the spool-type switching valve of the present invention, it is further preferable that the plunger has a recessed holding portion opening toward the valve seat surface side, and that the valve element is disposed and held in the holding portion. According to this structure, the valve element can be directly held by the plunger, so no special support member is required. This can suppress the dimensional deviation and relative positional deviation that may result from the special support member, thus preventing malfunctions of the spool-type switching valve.

[0016] In the spool-type changeover valve of the present invention, it is further preferable that the spool-type changeover valve includes a pipe portion connected to the valve chamber forming portion, and that the valve chamber forming portion has, at the position opposite to the valve port, a tubular projecting connecting portion that projects toward the outside of the valve chamber and is also inserted into the inside of the pipe portion. According to this configuration, the contact area between the valve chamber forming portion and the pipe portion can be secured by the projecting connecting portion, and when coupling is performed by brazing, for example, the fastening strength can be improved. At this time, it is not necessary to use a separate component for securing the contact area, so that an increase in the number of components can be suppressed.

[0017] In the spool-type switching valve of the present invention, it is further possible that the at least three valve ports are formed on the valve seat surface, that two of the at least three valve ports communicate with respective spaces that sandwich a piston that moves a spool valve in a four-way switching valve provided in a refrigeration cycle system, and that the electromagnetic drive unit moves the plunger, thereby introducing a high-pressure fluid into one of the spaces sandwiching the piston to move the spool valve by a differential pressure. According to this structure, by suppressing malfunctions as described above, the four-way switching valve can be properly operated.

[0018] A refrigeration cycle system of the present invention is characterized in that the refrigeration cycle system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant that is a fluid, a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in a cooling mode, a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in a cooling mode, an expansion means for expanding and decompressing a refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the above-described spool-type switching valve, and the four-way switching valve. According to the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, malfunctions of the spool-type switching valve can be suppressed as described above, so that malfunctions of the entire cycle can be suppressed.

[0019] The spool-type changeover valve of the present invention is a spool-type changeover valve comprising: a valve body forming a valve chamber; a valve seat portion having a valve seat surface on which at least one valve port is formed and further provided in the valve chamber; a valve element sliding on the valve seat surface to thereby open or close the valve port with respect to the valve chamber;and an electromagnetic drive unit that moves the valve element in a sliding direction along the valve seat surface, wherein the valve body has a tubular portion extending along the sliding direction and further provided with the valve seat portion, and wherein the tubular portion has, at the position opposite to the valve port, a projecting connecting portion that projects tubularly toward the outside of the valve chamber and is further inserted into the inside of a pipe portion to connect with this pipe portion.;

[0020] According to the present invention described above, the contact area between the valve body and the pipe section can be ensured by the protruding connecting portion, and when coupling is performed by brazing, for example, the fastening strength can be improved. At the same time, it is not necessary to use a separate component to ensure the contact area, so that the increase in the number of components can be suppressed. [Effects of the invention]

[0021] According to the spool-type changeover valve and the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, malfunctions can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings] Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigeration cycle in which a spool-type changeover valve according to an embodiment of an example of the present invention is provided. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the spool-type switching valve. Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing a valve seat portion of the spool-type changeover valve. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged main part of the spool-type changeover valve. [Forms for carrying out the invention]

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to drawings. A spool-type changeover valve 1 of the present embodiment is provided, for example, in a refrigeration cycle 100. The refrigeration cycle 100 is used in an air conditioner such as a room air conditioner, a package air conditioner, a multi-unit air conditioner, etc.and includes a compressor 102 for compressing a refrigerant that is a fluid, an outdoor heat exchanger 103 that is a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in a cooling mode, an indoor heat exchanger 104 that is a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in a cooling mode, an expansion valve 105 that is an expansion means for expanding and decompressing a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger 103 and the indoor heat exchanger 104, a four-way switching valve 10, and the spool-type switching valve 10 that is an electromagnetic pilot valve for switching and controlling a flow path of the four-way switching valve 10, which are connected via refrigerant lines. Note that the expansion means is not limited to the expansion valve 105, but may also be a capillary.

[0023] The refrigeration circuit 100 forms in a cooling mode (cooling operation), which is Fig. 1 by solid arrows, a refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant flows through in this order, namely the compressor 102, the 4-way switching valve 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 103, the expansion valve 105, the indoor heat exchanger 104, the 4-way switching valve 10 and the compressor 102. On the other hand, in a heating mode (heating operation), which is represented by dashed arrows, the refrigeration circuit 100 forms a heating circuit in which a refrigerant flows through in this order, namely the compressor 102, the 4-way switching valve 10, the indoor heat exchanger 104, the expansion valve 105, the outdoor heat exchanger 103, the 4-way switching valve 10 and the compressor 102. Switching between the heating circuit and the refrigeration circuit is carried out by the process of switching the 4-way switching valve 10 by means of the slide-type switching valve 1.

[0024] The 4-way switching valve 10 is known and comprises a cylindrical valve body 11, a slide valve 12 slidably provided inside the valve body, a high-pressure side line (a D-joint) 13 communicating with an outlet port of the compressor 102, a low-pressure side line (an S-joint) 14 communicating with an intake port of the compressor 102, a room-side line (an E-joint) 15 communicating with the indoor heat exchanger 104, and an outdoor side line (a C-joint) 16 communicating with the outdoor heat exchanger 103. The valve body 11 has plug bodies 17, 18 which close the two end sections lying in an axial direction, and is thus designed as a completely sealed cylinder, and spaces A11, A12 are formed which clamp a piston 19 which moves the slide valve 12 in the axial direction.

[0025] The spool-type switching valve 1 of the present embodiment has a structure of a 4-way switching valve, as shown in Fig. 2, a valve body 2, a valve seat portion 3, a valve element 4, an electromagnetic drive unit 5, and joint members (pipe portions) 61 to 64, and switches the flow path of a fluid by moving the valve element 4 along a predetermined sliding direction. Hereinafter, the sliding direction of the valve element 4 is referred to as the X direction, two directions that are orthogonal to the X direction and orthogonal to each other are referred to as the Y direction and the Z direction, and the upper and lower sides of the Z direction are based on Fig. 1.

[0026] The valve body 2 is, for example, a valve housing made of brass, stainless steel, etc., and the valve body 2 has a valve chamber 2R inside it. The valve body 2 has a cylindrical tube portion 21 extending along the X direction (where the X direction corresponds to the axial direction) and a disc-shaped closure portion 22 provided to close the tube portion 21. It has a bottomed tubular shape, and the space of the inside serves as a valve chamber 2R. The tube portion 21 and the closure portion 22 are integrally formed by, for example, a deep drawing process of a thin metal plate and are formed as one component. The tube portion 21 and the closure portion 22 of the valve body 2 serve as a valve chamber forming portion that forms the valve chamber 2R. The open side of the tube portion 21 (the right side in Fig. 2) is referred to as one side of the X direction, and the side closed by the closure portion 22 (the left side in Fig. 2) is called the other side of the X-direction, which may be referred to simply as one side and the other side in the following.

[0027] On the tube portion 21 (ie, on the side surface portion of the valve body 2), a mounting hole 211 is formed on one side of the Z direction (on the bottom in Fig. 2) and on the other side of the Z-direction (on the top side in Fig. 2) A projecting connecting portion 212 is formed. The projecting connecting portion 212 has a terminal 212A and is also connected to the joint member 61, as described later.

[0028] The valve seat portion 3 is formed separately from the valve body 2 and is formed in a columnar shape using a suitable metal such as stainless steel, with the valve seat portion 3 extending in the Z-direction. The valve seat portion 3 is inserted into the mounting hole 211 and further fixed by brazing, and a valve seat surface 31, which is its upper surface, is arranged in the valve chamber 2R. In the valve seat portion 3, also as shown in Fig. 3, three valve ports 32A to 32C are formed, which open at the valve seat surface 31, and mounting holes 33A to 33C are formed, which communicate with the respective valve ports 32A to 32C. The valve seat surface 31 is a flat sliding contact surface extending along the XY plane.

[0029] The mounting holes 33A to 33C are through holes, each extending along the Z direction, and the mounting holes 33A to 33C are connected to the respective joint elements 62 to 64. While the valve ports 32A to 32C are arranged linearly along the X direction, the mounting holes 33A to 33C are arranged triangularly in the XY plane. Accordingly, the mounting holes 33A to 33C are connected to the valve ports 32A to 32C while exhibiting a slight deviation in the XY plane (particularly in the Y direction).

[0030] The valve seat section 3 has, as shown in Fig. 4, a body portion 36 serving as a small-diameter portion, and a flange portion 37 provided on the lower side (on the side opposite the valve seat surface 31) of the body portion 36 and serving as a large-diameter portion. The outer peripheral surfaces of the body portion 36 and the flange portion 37 are each cylindrical. The outer diameter of the body portion 36 is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 211, and the outer diameter of the flange portion 37 is larger than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 211. Accordingly, with respect to the valve seat portion 3, the body portion 36 is inserted into the mounting hole 211, and the upper surface of the flange portion 37 abuts against the lower surface of the vicinity of the mounting hole 211 to restrict the insertion.

[0031] The valve element 4 is, for example, a spool valve made of synthetic resin, and the valve element 4 is formed in a bowl-shaped (dome-shaped) manner so as to open toward the valve seat surface 31 side. A communication space 4R is formed inside the valve element 4. The communication space 4R allows the center valve port 32B to communicate with the valve port 32A on one side and not to communicate with the valve port 32C on the other side, or allows the center valve port 32B to communicate with the valve port 32C on the other side and not to communicate with the valve port 32A on the one side.

[0032] The electromagnetic drive unit 5 has a plunger 51, a suction element 52, a coil and a coil spring 53 serving as a biasing means and pushes the valve element 4 along the X direction.

[0033] The plunger 51 is formed into a columnar shape by using a magnetic material, extending entirely along the X direction, and integrally includes a cylindrical portion 511 and a protruding portion 512 projecting from the cylindrical portion 511 to the other side. The plunger 51 is housed in the tube portion 21 of the valve body 2, and the tube portion 21 functions as a plunger accommodating portion. Accordingly, the valve body 2 integrally includes the valve chamber forming portion (the tube portion 21 and the shutter portion 22) and the plunger accommodating portion (the tube portion 21). The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 511 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tube portion 21, and the plunger 51 is guided by the tube portion 21 in the X direction.

[0034] A recessed portion 513 for receiving the coil spring 53 is formed in the one-side end portion of the cylinder portion 511. A pressure equalizing hole 511A extending in the X direction across both end portions is further formed in the cylinder portion 511, thereby preventing the generation of a pressure difference in the spaces on both sides of the plunger 51 in the X direction.

[0035] The projection portion 512 has a smaller outer diameter than the cylinder portion 511 and is spaced from the inner peripheral surface of the tube portion 21. In the projection portion 512, also as in Fig. 4, a recessed holding portion 514 is formed, opening toward the valve seat surface 31 side, and the valve element 4 is disposed in the holding portion 514 and thus directly held. A coil spring 54 is provided between the valve element 4 and the holding portion 514, biasing the valve element 4 toward the valve seat surface 31. The protruding portion 512 has a flat end surface 515 on the other side of the X direction, extending along the YZ plane.

[0036] The suction element 52 is formed in a columnar shape using a magnetic material and is provided to close the opening of the tube portion 21 of the valve body 2, which is located on one side of the X direction. That is, the suction element 52 is arranged on one side of the X direction with respect to the plunger 51. A one-side end portion of the suction element 52 is coupled to the tube portion 21, for example, by welding. The coil is provided outside the tube portion 21 so as to respond to the suction element 52 in the X direction and is switched between an energized state and a non-energized state.As a result, when the coil is in the energized state, the suction element 52 is excited, and the plunger 51, which is a magnetic body, is sucked by the suction element 52, so that the plunger 51 moves to one side against a biasing force of the coil spring 53 described later.

[0037] The coil spring 53 is provided between the plunger 51 and the suction element 52, with one end of the coil spring 53 in contact with the suction element 52 and the other end being received in the recessed portion 513. As a result, the coil spring 53 biases the plunger 51 toward the other side. When the coil is in the non-energized state, the suction force of the suction element 52 no longer occurs, so that the plunger 51 moves toward the other side due to the biasing force of the coil spring 53. In this way, the electromagnetic drive unit 5 is configured to move the plunger 51 in the X direction by switching the coil between the energized state and the non-energized state, thereby moving the valve element 4 connected to the plunger 51.

[0038] The joint member 64 connected to the one-side mounting hole 33A is connected to one space A11 of the 4-way switching valve 10, the joint member 63 connected to the middle mounting hole 33B is connected to the low-pressure side line 14 of the 4-way switching valve 10, the joint member 62 connected to the other-side mounting hole 33C is connected to the other space A12 of the 4-way switching valve 10, and the joint member 61 connected to the projecting connecting portion 212 is connected to the high-pressure side line 13 of the 4-way switching valve 10.

[0039] As in Fig. 2, when the valve element 4 is located on the other side of the X direction and the valve port 32B and the valve port 32C are connected to each other, the valve port 32B and the valve port 32C are closed to the valve chamber 2R by the valve element 4, and the valve port 32A is opened to the valve chamber 2R. At this time, a high-pressure fluid flowing from the port 212A into the valve chamber 2R is guided via the valve port 32A toward the space A11 of the 4-way switching valve 10. The valve port 32B is connected to the low-pressure side line 14, and the space A12 connected to the valve port 32C has a low pressure. As a result, the chamber A11 has a higher pressure than the chamber A12, and due to this differential pressure, the piston 19 and the spool valve 12 of the 4-way switching valve 10 move towards the side of the chamber A11.

[0040] When the valve element 4 is located on one side of the X direction and the valve port 32B and the valve port 32A are connected to each other, the valve port 32B and the valve port 32A are closed from the valve chamber 2R by the valve element 4, and the valve port 32C is opened from the valve chamber 2R. A high-pressure fluid flowing from the port 212A into the valve chamber 2R is directed via the valve port 32C toward the space A12 of the 4-way switching valve 10. The valve port 32B is connected to the low-pressure side line 14, and the space A11 connected to the valve port 32A has a low pressure. As a result, the chamber A12 has a higher pressure than the chamber A11, and due to this differential pressure, the slide valve 12 and the piston 19 of the 4-way switching valve 10 move towards the side of the chamber A12.

[0041] The main part of the spool-type changeover valve 1 is explained here. When the coil of the electromagnetic drive unit 5 is in the non-energized state as described above and the plunger 51 moves toward the other side of the X direction, the end surface 515 abuts against the closure portion 22, thus limiting movement toward the other side. The end surface 515 and the surface of the closure portion 22 facing one side of the X direction are flat and are in contact with each other. In the state where the plunger 51 abuts against the closure portion 22 in this way, the valve port 32B and the valve port 32C communicate with each other through the valve element 4.

[0042] It should be noted that when the coil of the electromagnetic drive unit 5 is energized and the plunger 51 moves toward one side of the X direction, the movement should be limited by the one-side end surface of the plunger 51 abutting against the suction element 52. At this time, the valve port 32B and the valve port 32A are connected to each other through the valve element 4.

[0043] As in Fig.4, the valve seat portion 3 is mounted on the valve body 2 by inserting the body portion 36 into the mounting hole 211 as described above. The valve seat portion 3 is disposed in the mounting hole 211 such that an end portion 34 of the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 36 of the valve seat portion 3, located on the other side of the X direction, is in contact with an inner peripheral surface 211A of the mounting hole 211. At this time, due to a dimensional difference between the inner diameter of the mounting hole 211 and the outer diameter of the body portion 36, a gap portion 7 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 211A and an end portion 35 of the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 36 of the valve seat portion 3, located on the other side of the X direction.The valve seat portion 3 is fixed to the valve body 2 by, for example, brazing, and a brazing material 8 serving as a fixing material is provided in the gap portion 7. In contrast, no or almost no brazing material 8 is provided between the end portion 34 and the inner peripheral surface 211A.

[0044] The connecting projecting portion 212 is a deburred portion that projects from the valve body 2 toward the outside, and a reduced-diameter portion 212B whose diameter decreases toward the inner peripheral side is formed in the front end portion of the connecting projecting portion 212. The joint member 61, which is a capillary, includes a tubular portion 611 whose inner diameter and outer diameter are substantially constant, and an enlarged-diameter front end portion 612 whose inner diameter and outer diameter gradually increase from the tubular portion 611 toward the front end side. The connecting projecting portion 212 is disposed on the inside of the enlarged-diameter front end portion 612.A dirt trap 9 for removing foreign matter is arranged on the inner side of the front end portion with an enlarged diameter 612 and the outer side of the connecting projecting portion 212. The outer diameter of the dirt trap 9 is smaller than the opening of the reduced-diameter portion 212B, and penetration of the dirt trap 9 into the valve chamber 2R is limited. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the dirt trap 9 is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular portion 611, and penetration of the dirt trap 9 into the tubular portion 611 is prevented. Note that the connecting projecting portion 212 and the joint member 61 are fixed to each other, for example, by brazing.

[0045] According to the present embodiment described above, the plunger 51 abuts against the shut-off portion 22, and the movement is limited, so that a structure in which the plunger 51 does not collide with the valve seat portion 3 can be achieved, and damage to the valve seat portion 3 and its surroundings can be suppressed. Furthermore, the shut-off portion 22 is a portion required to form the valve chamber 2R, and it is not necessary to additionally provide a stopper. For example, when the plunger 51 extends to the other side and thereby abuts against the shut-off portion 22, or the shut-off portion 22 is formed thickly and abuts against the plunger 51, the deviation in the relative position between the valve ports 32A to 32C and the valve element 4 can be reduced compared to the case where the stopper is additionally provided.This makes it easy to properly open or close the valve ports 32A to 32C through the valve element 4, so that malfunctions can be suppressed.

[0046] Furthermore, by having the valve seat portion 3 include the body portion 36 and the flange portion 37, and restricting insertion by the flange portion 37, the deviation in the relative position between the valve body 2 and the valve seat portion 3 in the Z direction, which is an insertion direction, can be suppressed. That is, in the insertion direction, the deviation in the position of the valve seat surface 31 in the valve chamber 2R can be suppressed, and the valve element 4 can be facilitated to slide properly on the valve seat surface 31.

[0047] Furthermore, by forming the tubular portion 21 of the valve body 2 into the valve chamber forming portion and the plunger accommodating portion, a deviation in the relative position that may occur when they are formed by separate components can be suppressed. That is, the deviation in the relative position between the plunger 51 and the suction member 52 can be suppressed, and it can be facilitated to properly drive the plunger 51 by magnetic force. As described above, malfunctions of the spool-type changeover valve 1 can be suppressed by suppressing damage to the valve seat portion 3 and its surroundings while suppressing an increase in the number of components and additional structures.Furthermore, by suppressing the deviation of the relative position between the plunger 51 and the suction member 52, the suction force can be ensured, and therefore it is not necessary to increase the magnetic force to respond to the deviation, so that an increase in the size of the spool-type changeover valve 1 can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, by having the other-side end portion 34 of the valve seat portion 3 in contact with the inner peripheral surface 211A of the mounting hole 211, forming the clearance portion 7 between the one-side end portion 35 and the inner peripheral surface 211A, and providing the brazing material 8 in the clearance portion 7, the valve seat portion 3 can be fixed to the inner peripheral surface 211A of the mounting hole 211 with respect to the other-side X-direction end portion, so that the deviation of the relative position between the valve body 2 and the valve seat portion 3 in the X-direction can be suppressed. As described above, the plunger 51 abuts against a part of the valve body 2, and thereby the deviation of the relative position between the valve body 2 and the plunger 51 in the X-direction is suppressed.Accordingly, the deviation of the relative position between the plunger 51 and the valve seat portion 3 in the X direction can be suppressed, and the deviation of the relative position between the valve element 4 and the valve ports 32A to 32C can be suppressed, so that malfunctions of the spool-type changeover valve 1 can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, by making the other-side flat end surface 515 of the plunger 51 contact the closure portion 22 in a planar manner, the contact area can be increased and a stress upon collision can be dispersed to suppress deformation and damage caused by the collision, so that malfunctions of the spool-type changeover valve 1 can be suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, since the plunger 51 has the recessed holding portion 514 and the valve element 4 is arranged and held in the holding portion 514, the valve element 4 can be directly held by the plunger 51, eliminating the need for a dedicated support member. This can suppress the dimensional deviation and relative positional deviation that may result from the dedicated member, thus preventing malfunctions of the spool-type changeover valve 1.

[0051] Furthermore, by providing the tubular portion 21 of the valve body 2 with the connecting protruding portion 212 projecting toward the outside of the valve chamber 2R, and inserting the connecting protruding portion 212 into the inside of the joint member 61, the contact area between the valve body 2 and the joint member 61 can be secured by the connecting protruding portion 212, thereby improving the fastening strength. At this time, it is not necessary to use a separate component for securing the contact area, so that the increase in the number of components can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, by using the spool-type switching valve 1 for switching the flow path of the 4-way switching valve 10 in the refrigeration cycle 100, malfunctions of the spool-type switching valve 1 as described above can be suppressed, and it can be made easier to operate the refrigeration cycle 100 properly.

[0053] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and includes other structures, etc., that the purpose of the present invention can achieve, and the modifications, etc. described below are also within the scope of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, for example, the other-side end portion 34 of the valve seat portion 3 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 211A of the mounting hole 211, and the clearance portion 7 is formed between the one-side end portion 35 and the inner peripheral surface 211A; however, the one-side end portion 35 may be in contact with the inner peripheral surface 211A, and a clearance portion may be formed between the other-side end portion 34 and the inner peripheral surface 211A.Furthermore, if the dimensional difference between the outer diameter of the valve seat portion and the inner diameter of the mounting hole is sufficiently small, it is not necessary to form the above-mentioned gap portion. It is also possible that both the one-side end portion and the other-side end portion of the valve seat portion are not in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole, and gap portions are formed between them. According to this structure, it is easy to form a continuous coupling portion over the entire circumference and increase the coupling strength. Furthermore, the valve seat portion can be integrally formed with the valve body.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the flange portion 37, whose outer peripheral surface is cylindrical, is formed as a large-diameter portion; however, it is also possible that the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion is partially larger than the inner diameter of the mounting hole, and for example, the large-diameter portion may be formed by a projection. Furthermore, it is also possible to determine the position of the valve seat portion in the insertion direction by another method, and for example, a mark such as a line may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat portion, and the position can be determined by this mark.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the end surface 515 of the plunger 51 is in surface contact with the closure portion 22, but this contact is not limited to this type of contact. For example, some unevenness may be formed on the other-side end surface of the plunger or the one-side surface of the closure portion, a projection extending from the plunger toward the other side may be in contact with the closure portion, or a projection extending from the closure portion toward the one side may be in contact with the plunger. When a projection is provided in this way, the dimensions of the projection only need to be controlled, and compared with the case where the stopper is additionally provided, it is easier to reduce the deviation in the relative position between the valve ports and the valve element.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the valve element 4 is arranged and held in the holding portion 514 of the plunger 51; however, a structure may be adopted in which the valve element is connected to the plunger via another member depending on the shape, dimensions, etc. of the valve element and the plunger.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the tube portion 21 of the valve body 2 has the projecting connecting portion 212, and the projecting connecting portion 212 is connected to the joint member 61; however, the tube portion may be directly connected to a curved side surface of the valve body, or the tube portion may be connected to the valve body via a connecting member.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the three valve ports 32A to 32C are formed on the valve seat surface 31, two of which are communicated with each other through the valve element 4 (closed to the valve chamber 2R), and the remaining one is open to the valve chamber 2R; however, the number of valve ports is not limited to three, and the manner of opening / closing the valve ports by the valve element is not limited thereto. That is, it is also possible for the valve element to have no function of communicating a plurality of valve ports with each other, and simply to have a function of opening or closing only the valve ports.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the spool-type switching valve 1 is used for switching the flow path of the 4-way switching valve 10 in the refrigeration cycle 100; however, the application of the spool-type switching valve is not limited to this, and it can be installed in a suitable device or circuit to be used.

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings; however, the concrete structure is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes, etc., are also within the scope of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. [List of reference symbols] 1 slide-type changeover valve, 2 valve bodies, 21 Tube section (section forming a valve chamber, section accommodating a plunger), 211 mounting opening, 211A inner peripheral surface, 212 Projecting connecting section, 22 Closure section (section forming a valve chamber), 2R valve chamber, 3 valve seat section, 31 valve seat surface, 32A to 32C valve connection, 34 End section on the other side, 35 End section lying on one side, 36 body section (small diameter section), 37 Flange section (large diameter section), 4 valve element, 5 electromagnetic drive unit, 51 plungers, 514 stopping section, 515 end face, 52 intake element, 53 coil spring (preloading device), 61 joint element (pipe section), 7 Intermediate space, 8 Brazing material (fastening material), 10 4-way switching valve, 12 slide valve, 19 pistons, A11, A12 room, 100 refrigeration circuit, 102 compressor, 103 Outdoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger), 104 Interior heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), 105 Expansion valve (expansion agent) QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2015-42882

[0003]

Claims

[1] A slide-type changeover valve (1) comprising: a valve body (2) forming a valve chamber (2R); a valve seat portion (3) having a valve seat surface (31) on which at least one valve port (32A to 32C) is formed and further provided in the valve chamber (2R); a valve element (4) sliding on the valve seat surface (31) and thereby opening or closing the valve port relative to the valve chamber (2R); and an electromagnetic drive unit (5) moving the valve element (4) in a sliding direction along the valve seat surface (31), characterized by , that the electromagnetic drive unit (5) has a plunger (51) which extends along the sliding direction and to which the valve element (4) is also connected, a suction element (52) which, with respect to the plunger (51), is arranged on one side of the sliding direction, a coil which excites the suction element (52), and a biasing means (53) for biasing the plunger (51) towards the other side of the sliding direction and is configured such that the electromagnetic drive unit (5) moves the plunger (51) towards one side when it is in an energized state, that the valve body (2) comprises a valve chamber forming portion (21) which forms the valve chamber (2R), and a plunger (51) receiving portion which receives the plunger (51) and guides it in the sliding direction and in which the suction element (52) is also provided, and that when the electromagnetic drive unit (5) is in a non-energized state, the plunger (51) rests against a closure portion (22) which closes the valve chamber from the other side in the portion forming a valve chamber (2R), and thereby a movement towards the other side is limited. [2] Slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a mounting opening (211) is formed on a side surface of a tubular portion of the valve chamber (2R) forming portion, and that the valve seat portion (3) is formed separately from the valve body (2) and has a small diameter portion whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole (211) and a large diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the mounting hole (211) and which, with respect to the small diameter portion, is provided on the side opposite the valve seat surface (31), and that the small diameter portion is inserted into the mounting hole (211) and furthermore the insertion is limited by the large diameter portion. [3] Slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a mounting opening (211) is formed on a side surface of a tubular portion of the valve chamber forming portion, that the valve seat portion (3) is formed separately from the valve body (2) and is also inserted into the mounting opening (211) and is thus mounted on the valve body (2), and that one of an end portion (34) on the other side and an end portion (35) on the one side of the valve seat portion is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (211A), a gap portion is formed between the other end portion (34) and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (211A), and a fastening material is provided in this gap portion. [4] Slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the plunger (51) has a flat end surface (515) on the other side and is in flat contact with the closure section (22) at this end surface (515). [5] Slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the plunger (51) has a recessed holding portion (514) which opens towards the side of the valve seat surface (31), and that the valve element is arranged and held in the holding section (514). [6] Slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the slide-type changeover valve (1) comprises a pipe section (21) which is connected to the section (22) forming a valve chamber, and that the valve chamber forming portion (22) has, at the position opposite the valve port, a tubular projecting connecting portion which projects toward the outside of the valve chamber (2R) and is also inserted into the inside of the tube portion (21). [7] Slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the at least three valve connections (32A to 32C) are formed on the valve seat surface (31), that two of the at least three valve connections (32A to 32C) are connected to respective spaces (A11, A12) which clamp a piston (19) which moves a slide valve (1) in a 4-way changeover valve (10) provided in a refrigeration cycle system (100), and that the electromagnetic drive unit (5) moves the plunger (51) and thereby a high-pressure fluid is introduced into one of the spaces (A11, A12) clamping the piston (19) in order to move the slide valve by a differential pressure. [8] Refrigeration circuit system (100), characterized bythat the refrigeration cycle system comprises a compressor (102) for compressing a refrigerant which is a fluid, a first heat exchanger (103) which functions as a condenser in a cooling mode, a second heat exchanger (104) which functions as an evaporator in a cooling mode, an expansion means (105) for expanding and decompressing a refrigerant between the first heat exchanger (103) and the second heat exchanger (104), the slide-type changeover valve (1) according to claim 7 and the 4-way changeover valve (10).

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