Refrigerant channel unit, refrigeration device, and production method for refrigerant channel unit

Abstract

A refrigerant flow path unit (40) includes a flow path portion (32) including resin and having a refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) through which a refrigerant flows, and a casing (33) that includes metal and accommodates the flow path portion (32), in which the flow path portion (32) includes a first flow path member (32A) having a part of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A), a second flow path member (32B) that has another part of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A), and a joint portion (32D) that joins the first flow path member (32A) and the second flow path member (32B).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant flow path unit, a refrigeration apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the refrigerant flow path unit.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Patent Literature 1 below discloses a flow rate adjustment valve that adjusts a fluid flow rate by rotation of a cylindrical valve body housed in a valve case. The valve case and the valve body in the flow rate adjustment valve are both made of resin.CITATION LIST [PATENT LITERATURE]

[0003] PATENT LITERATURE 1: Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. S61-23567SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [TECHNICAL PROBLEM]

[0004] In a flow rate adjustment valve described in Patent Literature 1, a valve case and a valve body, which are made of resin, can be formed by die molding or the like, and manufacturability and processability can be enhanced. However, it is disadvantageous in terms of pressure resistance to use the flow rate adjustment valve described in Patent Literature 1 as in an air conditioner to cause a refrigerant having a high pressure due to a compressor to flow.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerant flow path unit capable of enhancing pressure resistance, a refrigeration apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the refrigerant flow path unit.[SOLUTION TO PROBLEM]

[0006] (1) A refrigerant flow path unit of the present disclosure includes: a flow path portion including resin and having a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows; and a casing that includes metal and accommodates the flow path portion, in which the flow path portion includes a first flow path member having a part of the refrigerant flow path, a second flow path member that has another part of the refrigerant flow path and forms the refrigerant flow path together with the first flow path member, and a joint portion that joins the first flow path member and the second flow path member. In the above configuration, since the flow path portion made of resin and having the refrigerant flow path is accommodated in the casing made of metal, pressure resistance of the flow path portion can be enhanced by the casing even if a high pressure refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow path and a high pressure is applied to the flow path portion. Since the flow path portion includes the first flow path member that has a part of the refrigerant flow path, the second flow path member that has another part of the refrigerant flow path, and the joint portion that joins the first and second flow path members, functional components such as a valve and a filter can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path by separating the first and second flow path members at a manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit. (2) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (1), the first flow path member has a part in a circumferential direction in a cross section of the refrigerant flow path, and the second flow path member has another part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow path. In this configuration, a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members, and the functional components such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. When the cylindrical refrigerant flow path is to be molded by die molding, the shape of the refrigerant flow path is limited in order to enable demolding from the refrigerant flow path. However, in the flow path portion of the present disclosure, the first flow path member and the second flow path member in which a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded. Therefore, demolding from the refrigerant flow path in the first flow path member and the second flow path member can be facilitated, and the limitation on the shape of the refrigerant flow path can be reduced. (3) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (2), the refrigerant flow path accommodates a functional component that functions for the refrigerant. In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit, a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members, and the functional components such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. (4) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (3), the refrigerant flow path includes a first refrigerant flow path having one end opened on a surface of the flow path portion and another end disposed inside the flow path portion, and a second refrigerant flow path that communicates with the another end of the first refrigerant flow path and accommodates the functional component, and the second refrigerant flow path has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the first refrigerant flow path. In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members in a state where a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage, the flow path portion can be easily manufactured even when the flow path portion includes the second refrigerant flow path having a larger cross-sectional area than the first refrigerant flow path inside the flow path portion. (5) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (2) to (4), the refrigerant flow path has a center axis line that is bent. In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members in a state where a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage, even a refrigerant flow path having a bent center axis line can be easily molded. (6) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (1) to (5), the flow path portion includes a reinforcing portion outside the refrigerant flow path. This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow path against a pressure applied from the refrigerant. (7) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (6), the refrigerant flow path includes a low-pressure refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant having a pressure lower than a pressure outside the refrigerant flow path flows. In this configuration, in a case where a pressure higher than the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow path is applied from outside of the refrigerant flow path, deformation of the refrigerant flow path can be suppressed by the reinforcing portion. (8) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (6) or (7), the refrigerant flow path includes a valve chamber that accommodates a valve body including a first passage through which a first refrigerant flows and a second passage through which a second refrigerant having a pressure higher than a pressure of the first refrigerant flows, a low-pressure refrigerant flow path that communicates with the first passage, and a high-pressure refrigerant flow path that communicates with the second passage. In this configuration, since the flow path portion includes the reinforcing portion, it is possible to suppress deformation of the flow path portion due to a pressure difference between the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant flow path. (9) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (6) to (8), the reinforcing portion is formed integrally with the first flow path member and the second flow path member. This configuration can firmly reinforce the refrigerant flow path formed by the first flow path member and the second flow path member. (10) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (6) to (9), the reinforcing portion (32F) is a rib extending in a direction intersecting the center axis line of the refrigerant flow path. This configuration can effectively enhance the refrigerant flow path against the pressure of the refrigerant applied to the refrigerant flow path. (11) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (2) to (5), the refrigerant flow path has an end opened on a surface of the flow path portion, the flow path portion includes a seal member that is annular and is attached to the end of the refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant flow path unit further includes a coupling pipe that is fixed to the casing and inserted into the seal member. This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the refrigerant flow path and the coupling pipe by the seal member. (12) The refrigerant flow path unit according to (11) further includes a second joint portion that joins an entire circumference of the seal member to the end of the refrigerant flow path. This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the seal member and the refrigerant flow path. (13) A refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure includes a refrigerant circuit including the refrigerant flow path unit according to (1) to (12). (14) A method of manufacturing a refrigerant flow path unit of the present disclosure includes a first step of molding a first flow path member that includes resin and has a part of a refrigerant flow path and a second flow path member that has another part of the refrigerant flow path, a second step of arranging a functional component that functions for a refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path and temporarily assembling the first flow path member and the second flow path member, a third step of joining the first flow path member and the second flow path member that are temporarily assembled and forming a flow path portion, and a fourth step of accommodating the flow path portion in a casing including metal. In this configuration, in a manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit, the first and second flow path members are separated, and the functional components such as the valve and the filter can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. (15) In the manufacturing method according to (14), in the third step, a reinforcing portion is formed outside the refrigerant flow path.

[0007] This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow path against the pressure from the refrigerant.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant flow path unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interior of an outdoor unit. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of a machine room of the outdoor unit. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a unit body of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flow path portion of the unit body. [FIG. 7A] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the flow path portion before a joint portion and a rib are formed. [FIG. 7B] FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the flow path portion before a joint portion and a rib are formed. [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a refrigerant flow path. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path, a seal member, and a coupling pipe. [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a valve body of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path unit, taken along line E-E in FIG. 4. [FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in a first mode. [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in a second mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant flow path unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] A refrigeration apparatus 10 includes a refrigerant circuit 30 configured to execute vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit (heat source unit) 11 and an indoor unit (utilization unit) 12. The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected by connection pipes 13 and 14, respectively. The outdoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the connection pipes 13 and 14 form the refrigerant circuit 30. In the outdoor unit 11, shutoff valves 23 and 24 are provided at connecting portions of the connection pipes 13 and 14. The refrigeration apparatus 10 is not limited to an air conditioner but may be a refrigerator, a freezer, a hot-water supplier, a ventilator, or the like.(Configuration of refrigerant circuit)

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 11 is provided with a compressor 15, an accumulator 25, an outdoor heat exchanger (heat-source heat exchanger) 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way switching valve (flow path switching valve) 18 constituting the refrigerant circuit 30. The outdoor unit 11 is also provided with an outdoor fan 19. The indoor unit 12 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger (utilization heat exchanger) 21 constituting the refrigerant circuit 30. The indoor unit 12 is also provided with an indoor fan 22. In the present embodiment, the four-way switching valve 18 is configured by a unitized or integrated refrigerant flow path unit 40 including refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b connected thereto and other refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59. Details of this configuration will be described later.

[0013] The compressor 15 is, for example, a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type, and incorporates a compressor motor. The compressor 15 compresses a refrigerant sucked from a suction pipe 52a, and then discharges the compressed refrigerant from a discharge pipe 51a. In the outdoor unit 11, a discharge side of the compressor 15 is connected to a port A of the four-way switching valve 18 via the discharge pipe 51a that is a refrigerant pipe and the refrigerant flow path 51b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The refrigerant flow path 51b is provided with a check valve 71 that suppresses backflow of the refrigerant.

[0014] A suction side of the compressor 15 is connected to a port B of the four-way switching valve 18 via the suction pipe 52a that is a refrigerant pipe and the refrigerant flow path 52b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The accumulator 25 is provided in the middle of the suction pipe 52a.

[0015] The outdoor heat exchanger 16 is configured by a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or the like. A gas-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is connected to a port C of the four-way switching valve 18 via the refrigerant pipe 53a and the refrigerant flow path 53b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. A liquid-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is connected to one end side of the expansion valve 17 via the refrigerant pipes 54 and 73 and the refrigerant flow path 57 in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The refrigerant flow path 57 is provided with a strainer (filter) 72 that removes foreign substances in the refrigerant.

[0016] The expansion valve 17 is, for example, an electric valve whose opening degree is adjustable. The other end of the expansion valve 17 is connected to the liquid-side shutoff valve 23 via the refrigerant flow path 58 and the refrigerant pipe 55 in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The refrigerant flow path 58 is provided with the strainer (filter) 72 that removes foreign substances in the refrigerant.

[0017] The indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured by a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or the like. A liquid-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is connected to the liquid-side shutoff valve 23 via the liquid-side connection pipe 14. A gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is connected to the gas-side shutoff valve 24 via the gas-side connection pipe 13. The gas-side shutoff valve 24 is connected to a port D of the four-way switching valve 18 via the refrigerant pipe 56a and the refrigerant flow path 56b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40.

[0018] The four-way switching valve 18 switches a flow path between a first mode (mode indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) in which the port A and the port C communicate with each other and the port B and the port D communicate with each other and a second mode (mode indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1) in which the port A and the port D communicate with each other and the port B and the port C communicate with each other. In the first mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 16, and in the second mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows to the indoor heat exchanger 21.

[0019] The outdoor fan 19 is disposed near the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The outdoor fan 19 is rotationally driven by a motor and blows air to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 19, and evaporates (absorbs heat) or condenses (radiates heat).

[0020] The indoor fan 22 is disposed near the indoor heat exchanger 21. The indoor fan 22 is rotationally driven by a motor and blows air to the indoor heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 22, and condenses (radiates heat) or evaporates (absorbs heat).

[0021] When executing a cooling operation, the air conditioner 10 switches the four-way switching valve 18 to the first mode, and when executing a heating operation, the air conditioner 10 switches the four-way switching valve 18 to the second mode. In the cooling operation, a gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows through the four-way switching valve 18 into the outdoor heat exchanger 16 functioning as a condenser, and is condensed into a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 17 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as an evaporator. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with the air sent by the indoor fan 22 and is evaporated into a gas refrigerant. The air cooled by the heat exchange is supplied into the room. The gas refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is sucked into the compressor 15 through the four-way switching valve 18.

[0022] In the heating operation, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows through the four-way switching valve 18 into the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as a condenser. The gas refrigerant exchanges heat with the air sent by the indoor fan 22 and is condensed into a liquid refrigerant. The air heated by the heat exchange is supplied into the room. The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is decompressed by the expansion valve 17 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 16 functioning as an evaporator. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is evaporated into a gas refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 15 through the four-way switching valve 18.(Configuration of outdoor unit)

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interior of the outdoor unit. FIG. 3 is a front view of a machine room of the outdoor unit.

[0024] In the following description, a direction (first direction X) indicated by an arrow X in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a left-right direction, a direction (second direction Y) indicated by an arrow Y is a front-rear direction, and a direction (third direction Z) indicated by an arrow Z is an up-down direction. However, the directions indicated by these arrows X, Y, and Z are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0025] The outdoor unit 11 includes a casing 91. The casing 91 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a quadrilateral shape in plan view. The casing 91 has an interior provided with a partition wall 92 that partitions a machine room S1 and a heat exchange room S2. The machine room S1 accommodates the compressor 15. The machine room S1 accommodates, in addition to the compressor 15, the accumulator 25, the refrigerant flow path unit 40, and the like.

[0026] The heat exchange room S2 of the casing 91 accommodates the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the outdoor fan 19, and the like. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 has an L shape in plan view. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 is disposed along two adjacent side walls (a rear side wall 91a and a left side wall 91b) of the casing 91 disposed in the heat exchange room S2. The side walls 91a and 91b are provided with air inlets 91a1 and 91b1, respectively. The outdoor fan 19 is disposed facing a side wall (front side wall) 91c adjacent to the side wall (left side wall) 91b provided with the air inlet 91b1. The side wall 91c is provided with an air blow-out port 91c1.

[0027] When the outdoor fan 19 operates, air is taken into the casing 91 from the air inlets 91a1 and 91b1 and exhausted from the air blow-out port 91c1. An arrow a shown in FIG. 2 indicates a flow direction of the air taken into the casing 91.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed in the machine room S1 in the casing 91 of the outdoor unit 11. Specifically, in the machine room S1, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed near the side wall (front side wall) 91c and the side wall (right side wall) 91d adjacent to each other. In other words, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed at a corner between the side walls 91c and 91d.

[0029] The refrigerant flow path unit 40 is fixed to the casing 91 by attachment members 93 and 94. The attachment member 93 has, for example, a band plate shape, and has one end in a longitudinal direction fixed to the refrigerant flow path unit 40 and the other end fixed to the partition wall 92 of the casing 91. The attachment member 94 has, for example, one end fixed to the side wall (right side wall) 91d of the casing 91 and the other end fixed to the refrigerant flow path unit 40. Therefore, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is attached between the side wall 91d and the partition wall 92 of the casing 91 in the left-right direction X via the attachment members 93 and 94. The refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed on the right side (one side in the first direction X) of the compressor 15 and on the front side (one side in the second direction Y) of the accumulator 25.

[0030] One end of each of the refrigerant pipes 51a, 52a, 53a, and 56a is connected to the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the present embodiment. The other end of the refrigerant pipe (discharge pipe) 51a is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 15. The other end of the refrigerant pipe (suction pipe) 52a is connected to the accumulator 25. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 53a is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 56a is connected to the shutoff valve 24.(Refrigerant flow path unit)

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerant flow path unit.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 includes a unit body 40A and a drive mechanism 40B. The unit body 40A has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. A center axis line C1 of the cylindrical shape of the unit body 40A is oriented in the up-down direction. Therefore, the "up-down direction" in the following description of the unit body 40A means a direction along the center axis line C1. The drive mechanism 40B is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the unit body 40A.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the unit body of the refrigerant flow path unit. FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of the refrigerant flow path unit. FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path unit, taken along line E-E in FIG. 4.

[0034] As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the unit body 40A includes a flow path body 31 and a valve body 60. The flow path body 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. The flow path body 31 includes a flow path portion 32 made of resin and a casing 33 made of metal. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the flow path portion 32, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A are formed. The refrigerant flow path 31A substantially constitutes a valve chamber in which the valve body 60 is accommodated, and the refrigerant flows through passages 61 and 62 formed in the valve body 60. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57,58, and 59 are denoted by the same reference signs as the refrigerant flow paths in FIG. 1.

[0035] The valve body 60 of the unit body 40A is a constituent element of the four-way switching valve (flow path switching valve) 18. The valve body 60 is accommodated in the flow path body 31. Therefore, the flow path body 31 functions as a casing of the valve body 60.(Configuration of flow path portion 32)

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flow path portion of the unit body. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the flow path portion before a joint portion and a rib are formed.

[0037] The flow path portion 32 of the flow path body 31 is formed with a resin. The flow path portion 32 is formed by die molding such as injection molding. As a material of the flow path portion 32, PA66 (polyamide 66), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), or the like is adopted.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, one end of each of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicates with the valve chamber 31A, and the other end opens on a surface of the flow path portion 32. In particular, the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 56b have upper ends communicating with the valve chamber 31A and lower ends opening on a lower surface of the flow path portion 32. The refrigerant flow paths 52b and 53b have lower ends communicating with the valve chamber 31A and upper ends opening on an upper surface of the flow path portion 32.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b, a center axis line C5 of a part on one end side communicating with the valve chamber 31A is disposed to be inclined with respect to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A, and the center axis line C5 of a part on the other end side opened on the surface of the flow path portion 32 is disposed in parallel to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A. In other words, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b have the center axis line C5 which is bent. However, in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b, the center axis line C5 may have a center axis line parallel to the center axis line C1 in the entire refrigerant flow paths, or may have a curved center axis line.

[0040] The cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b (the area of the cross section orthogonal to the center axis line C5) is substantially constant in a longitudinal direction. As described later, the refrigerant flow path 31A as a valve chamber has a spherical shape. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 31A orthogonal to an axis line (for example, the center axis line C1) passing through a center P of the refrigerant flow path 31A changes depending on the position along the axis line. The cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 31A is larger than the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b depending on the position along the axis line. For example, the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 31A is maximum in a cross-sectional view passing through the center P, and the maximum cross-sectional area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 11, the other refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58 penetrate the flow path body 31 without communicating with the valve chamber 31A, and both ends thereof open on the surface (upper and lower end surfaces) of the flow path portion 32. The refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58 have a center axis line C6 (see FIG. 6) formed linearly along the up-down direction Z. The strainer 72 is inserted into the refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58. The strainer 72 is a non-electric component incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58, and a functional component functioning for the refrigerant.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11, the other refrigerant flow path 59 has one end opened on the surface (upper surface) of the flow path portion 32 and the other end communicating with the refrigerant flow path 56b. In the refrigerant flow path 59, most of the center axis line C6 (see FIGS. 6 and 7A) on one end side is formed linearly along the up-down direction Z, and a part of the other end side is formed linearly along a substantially horizontal direction. The refrigerant flow path 59 does not directly communicate with the valve chamber 31A, but communicates with the valve chamber 31A via the refrigerant flow path 56b.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the flow path portion 32 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of tubular portions 81 and 82 having a cylindrical shape and a spherical portion 83 having a spherical shape. The refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b are configured by an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 81, and the refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 are configured by a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 82. The refrigerant flow path (valve chamber) 31A is configured by an inner surface of the spherical portion 83.

[0044] FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the flow path portion before the joint portion and the rib are formed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7B, the flow path portion 32 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of flow path members 32A and 32B. The plurality of flow path members 32A and 32B are portions mainly forming the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A in the flow path portion 32. The flow path portion 32 according to the present embodiment includes the two flow path members (the first flow path member and the second flow path member) 32A and 32B. The two flow path members 32A and 32B are individually molded in a manufacturing process of the flow path portion 32, and are integrated by being joined to each other as shown in FIG. 7A.

[0046] The two flow path members 32A and 32B each have a part in a circumferential direction in the cross sections of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. Here, the "cross sections" refer to sections orthogonal to the center axis lines C5 and C1 of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. The "circumferential direction" refers to a direction of a circumference centered on the center axis lines C5 and C1. Specifically, the two flow path members 32A and 32B have a part in a circumferential direction of the tubular portion 81 forming the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and a part in a circumferential direction of the spherical portion 83, respectively. The two flow path members 32A and 32B each have a half in the circumferential direction in the cross sections of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. As shown in FIG. 7B, in a state where the two flow path members 32A and 32B are not joined to each other, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A are opened, and inner surfaces of the flow path members are exposed to the outside.

[0047] The two flow path members 32A and 32B are joined in a state where end surfaces of the tubular portion 81 located at both ends in the circumferential direction of the opened refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and end surfaces of the spherical portion 83 (hereinafter, these end surfaces are also referred to as "butted end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1") are butted against each other to form tubular or spherical refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. A boundary between the two flow path members 32A and 32B in a joined state is located on a surface (virtual surface) on the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A.

[0048] In the flow path members 32A and 32B, the other refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 not directly communicating with the valve chamber 31A are also formed. The refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 have a cylindrical shape without being partially opened in the circumferential direction.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the refrigerant flow path.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 12, the flow path portion 32 includes a joint portion 32D that joins the two flow path members 32A and 32B. The joint portion 32D is formed along a portion where the two flow path members 32A and 32B butted against each other. The joint portion 32D is made of resin. The joint portion 32D is the same material as the flow path members 32A and 32B. However, the joint portion 32D may be a material different from the flow path members 32A and 32B.

[0051] The joint portion 32D is formed all over the portion where the two flow path members 32A and 32B butted against each other. As shown in FIG. 8, flanges 32E protruding outward are formed on butted end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1 of the flow path members 32A and 32B. The flanges 32E substantially increase the areas of the butted end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1. The joint portion 32D is formed so as to cover, from outside, the flanges 32E of the flow path members 32A and 32B butted against each other. The joint portion 32D according to the present embodiment has a substantially C-shaped section so as to cover the flanges 32E from outside. However, the shape of the cross section of the joint portion 32D is not limited to this shape. The flow path members 32A and 32B do not have to have the flanges 32E, and the flow path members 32A and 32B without the flanges 32E may be joined by the joint portion 32D.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the flow path portion 32 further includes a rib 32F. The rib 32F is a reinforcing portion that reinforces the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A from outside. The rib 32F is made of resin. The rib 32F is the same material as the flow path members 32A and 32B. However, the rib 32F may be a material different from the flow path members 32A and 32B. The rib 32F is formed integrally with the joint portion 32D.

[0053] The flow path portion 32 includes a plurality of ribs 32F. Each rib 32F has a disc shape. The rib 32F is disposed orthogonal to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A. The ribs 32F are provided at both ends of the flow path portion 32 in a direction (up-down direction) along the center axis line C1 and an intermediate portion in the direction.

[0054] The ribs 32F are formed outside the tubular portions 81 and 82 forming the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A and the spherical portion 83, and are disposed in a direction intersecting the center axis lines C5 and C6 of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A. The ribs 32F reinforce the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A against the pressure from the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A, and can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path, a seal member, and a coupling pipe.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 9, the flow path portion 32 further includes a seal member 32G. The seal member 32G is attached to the openings of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 at the end surfaces of the flow path portion 32 in the up-down direction. The seal member 32G is made of resin. The seal member 32G is formed with the same material as the flow path members 32A and 32B. However, the seal member 32G may be a material different from the flow path members 32A and 32B.

[0057] The seal member 32G has an annular shape having a size corresponding to the opening at an end of each of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59. The plurality of seal members 32G attached to the upper surface of the flow path portion 32 are directly coupled to each other or coupled to each other by a coupling portion 32H to be integrated. The plurality of seal members 32G attached to the lower surface of the flow path portion 32 are coupled to each other by the coupling portion 32H to be integrated. Therefore, the plurality of seal members 32G can be easily handled, and loss and the like can be suppressed. The relative positional relationship among the plurality of seal members 32G can be determined in a predetermined manner, and the seal members can be easily attached to the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59.

[0058] An annular seal portion 37a protruding radially inward is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the seal member 32G. A distal end of the seal portion 37a is in contact with outer peripheral surfaces of coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d to be described later, and suppresses leakage of the refrigerant from between the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d.

[0059] The coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joints for connecting the refrigerant pipes 51a, 52a, 53a, 56a, 54, 73, and 55, a service port 75, and the like (see FIG. 1) to the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40. Substantially, the inside of the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d also constitutes a refrigerant flow path. An instrument such as a pressure gauge, a vacuum pump, or the like can be connected to the service port 75.

[0060] The seal member 32G is joined to the flow path members 32A and 32B by a joint portion 32F1. In the present embodiment, ribs 32F1 provided at an upper end and a lower end of the flow path portion 32 function as joint portions. As shown in FIG. 9, an annular flange 32J protrudes radially outward from outer peripheral surfaces of ends of the tubular portions 81 and 82 in the flow path portion 32. An annular flange 32K also protrudes radially outward on an outer peripheral surface of the seal member 32G. Both the flanges 32J and 32K are overlapped up and down. The rib 32F1 is formed so as to cover upper and lower surfaces and outer peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower flanges 32J and 32K overlapped with each other. As a result, the flow path members 32A and 32B and the seal member 32G are joined to each other. The tubular portions 81 and 82 and the seal member 32G do not have to have the flanges 32J and 32K, and the tubular portions 81 and 82 and the seal member 32G that have no flanges may be joined by the rib 32F1.(Configuration of casing 33)

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, the casing 33 covers the outside of the flow path portion 32. The casing 33 has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends in an axial direction closed. The casing 33 is constituted by two constituent members 33A and 33B divided at the middle in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. The casing 33 is formed with a steel material. For example, the casing 33 is formed with stainless steel. Each of the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 is formed by metal working such as sheet metal working or press working. For example, each of the constituent members 33A and 33B is formed by drawing. However, a material and a manufacturing method of the casing 33 are not limited to those described above. For example, the casing 33 may be formed with another iron and steel material such as iron, a material containing aluminum as a main component (pure aluminum or aluminum alloy), or the like.

[0062] The two constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 are joined by welding. Specifically, the two constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 are joined by welding that involves melting of a base material. The two constituent members 33A and 33B are closely joined so that the refrigerant does not leak from between the constituent members. The casing 33 protects the flow path portion 32 by covering the outside of the flow path portion 32. The casing 33 compensates the pressure resistance of the flow path portion 32 against the pressure applied from the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A. The casing 33 prevents the refrigerant leaking from the flow path portion 32 from leaking to the outside.

[0063] As described above, the valve body 60 of the four-way switching valve 18 is accommodated in the flow path body 31. Therefore, the flow path body 31 also functions as the casing of the valve body 60 in the four-way switching valve 18. Specifically, the flow path portion 32 of the flow path body 31 functions as an inner casing of the valve body 60, and the casing 33 of the flow path body 31 functions as an outer casing of the valve body 60.

[0064] The flow path body 31 includes the plurality of coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of the casing 33. These coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are inserted into openings 51c, 52c, 53c, 56c, 57c, 58c, and 59c formed in the upper surface and the lower surface of the casing, and are fixed to the casing 33 by welding or the like. For example, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joined to the casing 33 by brazing, which is a type of welding that does not involve melting of the base material. Ends of the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are also inserted into the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0065] The coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d according to the present embodiment are formed with a material containing copper as a main component (copper alloy, pure copper, or the like). However, the material of the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d is not limited thereto, and may be formed with a material containing aluminum as a main component or another material such as stainless steel.(Four-way switching valve (switching mechanism) 18)

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12, the valve chamber 31A accommodating the valve body 60 of the four-way switching valve 18 has a spherical shape. A plurality of ports (openings) A, B, C, and D is formed on an inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. These ports A to D correspond to the ports A to D described with reference to FIG. 1. The two ports B and C are disposed above the valve chamber 31A, and the two ports A and D are disposed below the valve chamber 31A.

[0067] In the flow path body 31, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicating with each of the ports A to D are formed.

[0068] The refrigerant flow path 51b communicating with the port A extends substantially downward from the port A. The end (upper end) of the coupling pipe 51d is inserted into the lower end of the refrigerant flow path 51b and the seal member 32G attached to the lower end. The refrigerant pipe 51a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 51d.

[0069] The refrigerant flow path 51b has an annular protrusion 51e in the middle of the refrigerant flow path 51b. The check valve 71 is accommodated in the refrigerant flow path 51b below the protrusion 51e. The check valve 71 is a non-electric component incorporated in the refrigerant flow path 51b. The check valve 71 restricts the flow of the refrigerant from the valve body 60 to the coupling pipe 51d, and allows the reverse flow of the refrigerant. The check valve 71 is a functional component that functions for the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 51b. A specific structure of the check valve 71 is not limited, and a known structure can be adopted.

[0070] The refrigerant flow path 52b communicating with the port B extends substantially upward from the port B. The end (lower end) of the coupling pipe 52d is inserted into the upper end of the refrigerant flow path 52b and the seal member 32G attached to the upper end. The refrigerant pipe 52a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 52d.

[0071] The refrigerant flow path 53b communicating with the port C extends substantially upward from the port C. The end (lower end) of the coupling pipe 53d is inserted into the upper end of the refrigerant flow path 53b and the seal member 32G attached to the upper end. The refrigerant pipe 53a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 53d.

[0072] The refrigerant flow path 56b communicating with the port D extends substantially downward from the port D. The end (upper end) of the coupling pipe 56d is inserted into the lower end of the refrigerant flow path 56b and the seal member 32G attached to the lower end. The refrigerant pipe 56a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 56d.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the valve body of the refrigerant flow path unit.

[0074] The valve body 60 has a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the valve body 60 is disposed in the valve chamber 31A of the flow path body 31. The outer diameter of the valve body 60 is formed to be slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A.

[0075] The valve body 60 is made of metal or resin. The valve body 60 is manufactured by, for example, die molding such as die casting or injection molding. As a material of the valve body 60, for example, a material containing aluminum as a main component, such as an aluminum alloy or pure aluminum, a steel material such as high carbon chromium bearing steel (SUJ2), or a synthetic resin such as polyamide 66 (PA66) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is adopted. However, the material and manufacturing method of the valve body 60 are not limited to the above.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 60 rotates about a predetermined axis C2. The axis C2 of the valve body 60 passes through a center P of the spherical shape of the valve body 60. The axis C2 is set at a constant position, and the valve body 60 rotates at a constant position.

[0077] A drive shaft 66 is disposed on the axis C2. The drive shaft 66 constitutes the drive mechanism 40B. The drive shaft 66 is disposed on the axis C2, and has one end fixed to the valve body 60. The other end of the drive shaft 66 protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the flow path body 31 of the unit body 40A and is connected to a decelerator 65 and a drive unit 64 constituting the drive mechanism 40B.

[0078] The drive shaft 66 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, insertion holes 32C and 33C into which the drive shaft 66 is inserted are formed in the flow path portion 32 and the casing 33 constituting the flow path body 31.

[0079] The drive unit 64 is, for example, an electric motor. The drive unit 64 generates and outputs rotational power. As the drive unit 64, an electric motor capable of adjusting a rotational angle, such as a stepping motor, is adopted. The decelerator 65 decelerates the rotational power of the drive unit 64 and transmits the rotational power to the drive shaft 66. The decelerator 65 is configured by, for example, a plurality of deceleration gears.(Specific configuration of valve body 60)

[0080] FIG. 10 shows a reference axis C3 orthogonal to the axis C2 of the valve body 60 and a reference axis C4 orthogonal to the axis C2 and the reference axis C3. The axis C2, the reference axis C3, and the reference axis C4 are orthogonal to each other at the center P of the spherical shape of the valve body 60.

[0081] A through hole 61 and a concave portion 62 are formed in the valve body 60. The through hole 61 and the concave portion 62 both constitute a passage for the refrigerant. The through hole 61 is a hole penetrating the valve body 60. On the other hand, the concave portion 62 has a shape in which an outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 is recessed.

[0082] The through hole 61 opens at two positions on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. One opening 61a of the through hole 61 is formed on the reference axis C3. The other opening 61b is formed on the reference axis C4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the through hole 61 has a shape bent in a substantially L shape. The areas of both the openings 61a and 61b are the same. A sectional area of the through hole 61 (an area of a cross section orthogonal to a center line of the through hole 61; a cross-sectional area) is substantially the same as the area of each of the openings 61a and 61b.

[0083] The concave portion 62 is formed in a range (range of 90° around the axis C2) extending between a position G1 disposed on an opposite side of one opening 61a of the through hole 61 on the reference axis C3 and a position G2 disposed on an opposite side of the other opening 61b of the through hole 61 on the reference axis C4 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60.

[0084] A bottom surface 62a of the concave portion 62 is one flat surface. The bottom surface 62a is formed across the position G1 and the position G2. The bottom surface 62a may be constituted by a plurality of flat surfaces or may be constituted by a curved surface. The bottom surface 62a of the concave portion 62 and the openings 61a and 61b of the through hole 61 are arranged at an angle of about 45°.

[0085] The valve body 60 is not a complete sphere due to the formation of the through hole 61 and the concave portion 62, and is a sphere in which a part of a spherical surface (outer surface 60a) is missing. In FIG. 12, the shape of a complete sphere without a missing part is indicated by an imaginary line L.(Switching of flow path by valve body 60)

[0086] FIG. 13 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in the first mode. FIG. 14 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in the second mode.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the valve body 60 is switched between the first mode (see FIG. 13) and the second mode (see FIG. 14) by rotating 90 degrees about the axis C2.

[0088] In the first mode shown in FIG. 13, the port B and the port D are connected by the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and the port A and the port C are connected by the concave portion 62. Therefore, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 1, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port A through the refrigerant pipe 51a and the refrigerant flow path 51b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port C through the concave portion 62 of the valve body 60, and is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 through the refrigerant flow path 53b and the refrigerant pipe 53a. The refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port D through the connection pipe 13, the refrigerant pipe 56a, and the refrigerant flow path 56b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port B through the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and is sucked into the compressor 15 through the refrigerant flow path 52b and the refrigerant pipe 52a. Thus, the air conditioner 10 can execute the cooling operation.

[0089] In the second mode shown in FIG. 14, the port B and the port C are connected by the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and the port A and the port D are connected by the concave portion 62. Therefore, as indicated by dotted arrows in FIG. 1, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port A through the refrigerant pipe 51a and the refrigerant flow path 51b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port D through the concave portion 62 of the valve body 60, and is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the refrigerant flow path 56b, the refrigerant pipe 56a, and the connection pipe 13. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port C through the refrigerant pipe 53a and the refrigerant flow path 53b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port B through the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and is sucked into the compressor 15 through the refrigerant flow path 52b and the refrigerant pipe 52a. Thus, the air conditioner 10 can execute the heating operation.

[0090] The through hole 61 of the valve body 60 always communicates with the port B, and selectively communicates with the port D and the port C by the valve body 60 rotating by 90° about the axis C2. Since the port B is connected to the suction pipe 52a and the refrigerant flow path 52b of the compressor 15, the through hole 61 always communicating with the port B serves as a passage through which a "low-pressure refrigerant" flows.

[0091] The concave portion 62 always communicates with the port A, and selectively communicates with the port C and the port D by the valve body 60 rotating by 90° about the axis C2. Since the port A is connected to the discharge pipe 51a and the refrigerant flow path 51b of the compressor 15, the concave portion 62 always communicating with the port A serves as a passage through which a "high-pressure refrigerant" flows.

[0092] The refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b of the flow path portion 32 can also be referred to as "high-pressure refrigerant flow paths" because the high-pressure refrigerant flows therethrough, and the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b can also be referred to as "low-pressure refrigerant flow paths" because the low-pressure refrigerant flows therethrough. The refrigerant flow paths 53b and 56b can become both a high-pressure refrigerant flow path or a low-pressure refrigerant flow path by switching the valve body 60.

[0093] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, seal portions 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d are integrally formed on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A of the flow path body 31 and around the ports A to D, respectively. For example, the seal portions 34a to 34d are formed integrally with the flow path portion 32 when the flow path portion 32 is molded with a die by injection molding, die casting, or the like. The seal portions 34a to 34d are annular protrusions protruding from the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Distal ends of the seal portions 34a to 34d are in contact with the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. The seal portions 34a to 34d according to the present embodiment have a circular annular shape substantially along the peripheries of the cylindrical refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b. However, the seal portions 34a to 34d may have an annular shape such as a square shape.

[0094] Specifically, in the first mode shown in FIG. 13, the seal portion 34b formed around the port B on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61b of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. The seal portion 34d formed around the port D on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61a of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60.

[0095] Therefore, the seal portions 34b and 34d can suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34d can prevent the refrigerant (high-pressure refrigerant) flowing through portions other than the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61 from flowing into the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61. Accordingly, mixing of the low-pressure refrigerant and the high-pressure refrigerant can be suppressed.

[0096] On the other hand, the seal portions 34a and 34c formed around the port A and the port C on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A are partially in contact with the periphery of the concave portion 62 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60, but the other portions are positioned on a radially outer side of the concave portion 62 and are not in contact with the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. Therefore, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port C, and the concave portion 62 leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A.

[0097] When the high-pressure refrigerant leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant is applied to most of the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 except for the openings 61a and 61b of the through hole 61. The pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant is also applied to the inside of the concave portion 62 through which the high-pressure refrigerant passes. Therefore, the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 is strongly pressed against the seal portions 34b and 34d formed around the port B and the port D.

[0098] Accordingly, the seal portions 34b and 34d can further suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34d can further suppress the inflow of the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through portions other than the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61, in other words, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port C, and the concave portion 62, and the high-pressure refrigerant leaking from these portions into the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61.

[0099] In the second mode shown in FIG. 14, the seal portion 34b formed around the port B on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61a of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. The seal portion 34c formed around the port C on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61b of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60.

[0100] Therefore, the seal portions 34b and 34c can suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34c can prevent the refrigerant (high-pressure refrigerant) flowing through portions other than the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61 from flowing into the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61. Accordingly, mixing of the low-pressure refrigerant and the high-pressure refrigerant can be suppressed.

[0101] On the other hand, the seal portions 34a and 34d formed around the port A and the port D on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A are partially in contact with the periphery of the concave portion 62 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60, but the other portions are positioned on a radially outer side of the concave portion 62 and are not in contact with the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port D, and the concave portion 62 leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A.

[0102] When the high-pressure refrigerant leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant is applied to most part of the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 except for the through hole 61 and to the inside of the concave portion 62 through which the high-pressure refrigerant passes. Therefore, the valve body 60 is strongly pressed against the seal portions 34b and 34c formed around the port B and the port C.

[0103] Accordingly, the seal portions 34b and 34c can further suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34c can further suppress the inflow of the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through portions other than the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61, in other words, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port D, and the concave portion 62, and the high-pressure refrigerant leaking from these portions into the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61.

[0104] The seal portions 34a to 34d are formed integrally with the flow path portion 32. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared with a case where the seal portions 34a to 34d are formed separately from the flow path portion 32. Since the flow path portion 32 is molded with a die with a resin, the seal portions 34a to 34d can be easily integrally molded.

[0105] Since only the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the port A of the four ports A to D, the seal portion 34a formed around the port A is not substantially used. Therefore, the seal portion 34a may be omitted.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the two flow path members 32A and 32B constituting the flow path portion 32 are butted against each other on the butt end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1, and are joined by the joint portion 32D. Therefore, leakage of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b from the boundary between the two flow path members 32A and 32B is suppressed.

[0107] Even if the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b passes through the seal member 32G between the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b and the coupling pipes 51d, 53d, and 56d and leaks from the flow path portion 32, since the coupling pipes 51d, 53d, and 56d are joined and fixed to the casing 33 by welding or the like, the high-pressure refrigerant is prevented from leaking from the casing 33.

[0108] At this time, since the casing 33 is filled with the high-pressure refrigerant, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant acts on the outer surface of the flow path portion 32, and in particular, a large pressure acts on outside of the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b (outside of the tubular portion 81) through which the low-pressure refrigerant flows due to a differential pressure of the refrigerant. However, since ribs 32F serving as reinforcing portions are provided outside the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, 56b, deformation of the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, 56b is suppressed.(Method of manufacturing refrigerant flow path unit 40)

[0109] The refrigerant flow path unit 40 is manufactured as follows.

[0110] First, as shown in FIG. 7B, the flow path members 32A and 32B and the seal member 32G constituting the flow path portion 32, the valve body 60, the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33, and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are individually manufactured. In particular, the two flow path members 32A and 32B are each produced by die molding such as injection molding.

[0111] Next, while the valve body 60 and the check valve 71 are incorporated between the two flow path members 32A and 32B, the two flow path members 32A and 32B are butted against each other. At this time, the drive shaft 66 attached to the valve body 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 32C. The strainer 72 is incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58. Furthermore, the seal member 32G is attached to the upper surface and the lower surface of the two flow path members 32A and 32B. Through these operations, as shown in FIG. 7A, a part of the flow path portion 32 is temporarily assembled. Hereinafter, a part of the flow path portion 32 shown in FIG. 7A is also referred to as a temporary assembly.

[0112] Next, the temporary assembly of the flow path portion 32 is inserted into a mold for molding the joint portion 32D and the rib 32F, and injection molding is performed. As a result, the joint portion 32D and the rib 32F are molded, the two flow path members 32A and 32B and the seal member 32G are joined, and the entire flow path portion 32 is molded.

[0113] Next, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joined to the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33. Specifically, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are inserted into the openings 51c, 52c, 53c, 56c, 57c, 58c, and 59c formed in the constituent members 33A and 33B, and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are brazed to the constituent members 33A and 33B. In the present embodiment, the casing 33 is made of, for example, stainless steel, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are made of, for example, copper, and both are formed with different materials. Therefore, the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joined by in-furnace brazing. By performing in-furnace brazing in this manner, even when different materials are used, brazing can be performed without using flux, and it is also possible to suppress sensitization of stainless steel.

[0114] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the molded flow path portion 32 is accommodated in the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33, and both the constituent members 33A and 33B are joined by welding. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a gap t is formed between the joint portion between the constituent member 33A and the constituent member 33B of the casing 33 and the flow path portion 32 (substantially the tubular portions 81 and 82). Therefore, heat at the time of joining the constituent members 33A and 33B by welding is prevented from being transmitted to the flow path portion 32. The gap t can be set in accordance with a constituent material of the flow path portion 32, and is preferably 5 mm or more, for example.

[0115] Thereafter, the decelerator 65 and the drive unit 64 constituting the drive mechanism 40B are connected to the drive shaft 66 of the valve body 60 protruding from the casing 33. As described above, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is manufactured.

[0116] In the above assembling method, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d,53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are attached to the casing 33 by brazing before the flow path portion 32 is accommodated in the casing 33. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat when the coupling pipes 51d, 52d,53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are attached to the casing 33 from being transmitted to the flow path portion 32.[Other embodiments]

[0117] The refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment includes the unit body 40A having a columnar outer shape, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the unit body 40A may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0118] The flow path portion 32 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40 includes the two flow path members 32A and 32B, but may include three or more flow path members. In this case, the refrigerant flow path can be formed by three or more flow path members.

[0119] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the refrigerant pipe 73 is connected to one end of the expansion valve 17, and the refrigerant flow path 58 (coupling pipe 58d) of the flow path body 31 is connected to the other end of the expansion valve 17. However, a part of the expansion valve 17 may be accommodated in the flow path body 31. In other words, the expansion valve 17, which is a functional component that functions for the refrigerant, may be accommodated in the refrigerant flow path 58.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 11, in the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the first embodiment, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 formed in the flow path portion 32 are roughly divided into the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicating with the valve chamber 31A and the refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 not communicating with the valve chamber 31A. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the refrigerant flow path unit 40 may include only the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicating with the valve chamber 31A.

[0121] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the valve body 60 of the four-way switching valve (flow path switching valve) 18 is accommodated in the flow path body 31 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, and the refrigerant flow path unit 40 substantially configures the four-way switching valve 18. However, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 does not have to configure the four-way switching valve.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the seal portions 34a to 34d are formed on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A in the flow path portion 32, but may be integrally formed around the openings 61a and 61b of the through hole (passage) 61 in the valve body 60. In this case, the distal ends of the seal portions 34a to 34d come into contact with the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A, and leakage of the refrigerant into the gap between the distal ends and the inner surface can be suppressed.

[0123] In the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the concave portion 62 of the valve body 60 and the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b is configured to leak to the gap between the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A and the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. However, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 may be configured such that the leakage does not occur.

[0124] In the valve body 60 according to the above embodiment, the through hole 61 constituting a passage for the low-pressure refrigerant and the concave portion 62 constituting a passage for the high-pressure refrigerant are formed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the valve body 60 may have a concave portion as a passage for the low-pressure refrigerant or a through hole as a passage for the high-pressure refrigerant. The valve body 60 is not limited to the spherical shape as described above, and may have another shape such as a cylindrical shape.

[0125] In the valve body 60 according to the above embodiment, the axis C2 of the valve body 60 faces the horizontal direction but may face the up-down direction. The axis C2 of the valve body 60 may be oriented in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction and the horizontal direction.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is also used as a four-way switching valve, but may be used as a three-way switching valve.

[0127] The flow path portion 32 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40 may be configured by a plurality of flow path members with a surface (virtual surface) orthogonal to (intersecting with) the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A as a boundary. In this case, in a manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, the plurality of flow path members are separated to divide the refrigerant flow path in the middle, and the functional components can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path.[Operation and effects of embodiments]

[0128] (1) The refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment includes the flow path portion 32 including resin and having the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A through which the refrigerant flows, and the casing 33 that includes metal and accommodates the flow path portion 32. The flow path portion 32 includes the first flow path member 32A that has a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A, the second flow path member 32B that has another part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and forms the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A together with the first flow path member 32A, and the joint portion 32D that joins the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B.

[0129] In the above configuration, since the flow path portion 32 made of resin and having the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b,53b, 56b, and 31A is accommodated in the casing 33 made of metal, the pressure resistance of the flow path portion 32 can be enhanced by the casing even if a high pressure refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and a high pressure is applied to the flow path portion 32. Since the flow path portion 32 includes the first flow path member 32A that has a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A, the second flow path member 32B that has another part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and forms the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A together with the first flow path member 32A, and the joint portion 32D joining the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B, the functional components 71 and 60 such as valves and filters can be easily incorporated into the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A by separating the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B at the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40.

[0130] (2) In the above embodiment, the first flow path member 32A has a part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A, and the second flow path member 32B has another part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A.

[0131] In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B, and the components 71 and 60 such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. When the cylindrical refrigerant flow path is molded by die molding, there is a possibility that the shape of the refrigerant flow path is limited in consideration of demolding from the refrigerant flow path. However, since in the flow path portion 32 according to the above embodiment, the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B in which a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded, the demolding from the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A can be facilitated, and the limitation on the shape of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A can be reduced.

[0132] (3) In the above embodiment, the functional components 71 and 60 that function for the refrigerant are accommodated in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0133] In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B, and the functional components 71 and 60 such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0134] (4) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow path includes the first refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b having one end opened on the surface of the flow path portion 32 and another end disposed inside the flow path portion 32, and the second refrigerant flow path 31A that communicates with the another end of the first refrigerant flow path and accommodates the functional component (valve body 60), and the second refrigerant flow path 31A has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the first refrigerant flow path 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0135] In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B in a state where a part of the first and second refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, the flow path portion 32 can be easily manufactured even when the flow path portion 32 includes the second refrigerant flow path 31A having a larger cross-sectional area than the first refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b,53b, and 56b.

[0136] (5) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b have the center axis line C5 which is bent.

[0137] In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B in a state where a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, even the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b having the bent center axis line C5 can be easily molded.

[0138] (6) In the above embodiment, the flow path portion 32 has the reinforcing portion 32F outside the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A.

[0139] This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A against the pressure applied from the refrigerant.

[0140] (7) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A include the low-pressure refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b through which the refrigerant having a pressure lower than the pressure outside the refrigerant flow paths flows.

[0141] In this configuration, in a case where a pressure (for example, pressure of a high-pressure refrigerant) higher than the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow path is applied from outside of the refrigerant flow paths 52b and 53b, and 56b, deformation of the refrigerant flow paths 52b and 53b, and 56b can be suppressed by the reinforcing portion 32F.

[0142] (8) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow path includes the valve chamber 31A that accommodates the valve body 60 including the first passage 61 through which the first refrigerant (low-pressure refrigerant) flows and the second passage 62 through which the second refrigerant (high-pressure refrigerant) having a pressure higher than the pressure of the first refrigerant flows, the low-pressure refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b that communicate with the first passage 61, and the high-pressure refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b that communicate with the second passage 62.

[0143] In this configuration, since the flow path portion 32 includes the reinforcing portion 32F, it is possible to suppress deformation of the flow path portion 32 due to the pressure difference between the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b and the refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b.

[0144] (9) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 32F is formed integrally with the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B.

[0145] This configuration can firmly reinforce the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A formed by the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B.

[0146] (10) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 32F is a rib extending in a direction intersecting the center axis lines C5 and C1 of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A.

[0147] This configuration can firmly reinforce the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A by the rib 32F.

[0148] (11) In the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b have the end opened on the surface of the flow path portion 32, the flow path portion 32 includes the seal member 32G that is annular and is attached to the end of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b, and the refrigerant flow path unit 40 further includes the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, and 56d that are fixed to the casing 33 and inserted into the seal member 32G.

[0149] This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, and 56d by the seal member 32G. In particular, the seal member 32G, which has an annular shape and is not divided in the middle in the circumferential direction, can be reliably brought into close contact with the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, and 56d.

[0150] (12) The refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment further includes the second joint portion 32F1 that joins the entire circumference of the seal member 32G to the end of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0151] This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the seal member 32G and the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0152] (13) The method of manufacturing the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment includes a first step of molding the first flow path member 32A that includes resin and has a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A and the second flow path member 32B that has another part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A, a second step of arranging the components 71 and 60 that function for the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A and temporarily assembling the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B, a third step of joining the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B that are temporarily assembled and forming the flow path portion 32, and a fourth step of accommodating the flow path portion 32 in the casing 33 including metal.

[0153] In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B are separated, and the functional components 71 and 60 such as the valve and the filter can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0154] (14) In the manufacturing method according to the above embodiment, in the third step, the reinforcing portion 32F is formed outside the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0155] This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A against the pressure from the refrigerant.

[0156] While the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in forms and details can be made without departing from the gist and scope of the claims.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0157] 10refrigeration apparatus 30refrigerant circuit 31Arefrigerant flow path (valve chamber, second refrigerant flow path) 32flow path portion 32Afirst flow path member 32Bsecond flow path member 32Djoint portion 32Frib (reinforcing portion) 32F1rib (reinforcing portion, second joint portion) 32Gseal member 33casing 40refrigerant flow path unit 51brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 51copening 51dcoupling pipe 52brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 52copening 52dcoupling pipe 53brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 53copening 53dcoupling pipe 56brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 56copening 56dcoupling pipe 60valve body (functional component) 61first passage 62second passage 71check valve (functional component) C1center axis line C5center axis line C6center axis line

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant flow path unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011]A refrigeration apparatus 10 includes a refrigerant circuit 30 configured to execute vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit (heat source unit) 11 and an indoor unit (utilization unit) 12. The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected by connection pipes 13 and 14, respectively. The outdoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the connection pipes 13 and 14 form the refrigerant circuit 30. In the outdoor unit 11, shutoff valves 23 and 24 are provided at connecting portions of the connection pipes 13 and 14. T...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant flow path unit, a refrigeration apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the refrigerant flow path unit.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Patent Literature 1 below discloses a flow rate adjustment valve that adjusts a fluid flow rate by rotation of a cylindrical valve body housed in a valve case. The valve case and the valve body in the flow rate adjustment valve are both made of resin.CITATION LIST [PATENT LITERATURE]

[0003] PATENT LITERATURE 1: Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. S61-23567SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [TECHNICAL PROBLEM]

[0004] In a flow rate adjustment valve described in Patent Literature 1, a valve case and a valve body, which are made of resin, can be formed by die molding or the like, and manufacturability and processability can be enhanced. However, it is disadvantageous in terms of pressure resistance to use the flow rate adjustment valve described in Patent Literature 1 as in an air conditioner to cause a refrigerant having a high pressure due to a compressor to flow.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerant flow path unit capable of enhancing pressure resistance, a refrigeration apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the refrigerant flow path unit.[SOLUTION TO PROBLEM]

[0006] (1) A refrigerant flow path unit of the present disclosure includes: a flow path portion including resin and having a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows; and a casing that includes metal and accommodates the flow path portion, in which the flow path portion includes a first flow path member having a part of the refrigerant flow path, a second flow path member that has another part of the refrigerant flow path and forms the refrigerant flow path together with the first flow path member, and a joint portion that joins the first flow path member and the second flow path member. In the above configuration, since the flow path portion made of resin and having the refrigerant flow path is accommodated in the casing made of metal, pressure resistance of the flow path portion can be enhanced by the casing even if a high pressure refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow path and a high pressure is applied to the flow path portion. Since the flow path portion includes the first flow path member that has a part of the refrigerant flow path, the second flow path member that has another part of the refrigerant flow path, and the joint portion that joins the first and second flow path members, functional components such as a valve and a filter can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path by separating the first and second flow path members at a manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit. (2) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (1), the first flow path member has a part in a circumferential direction in a cross section of the refrigerant flow path, and the second flow path member has another part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow path. In this configuration, a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members, and the functional components such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. When the cylindrical refrigerant flow path is to be molded by die molding, the shape of the refrigerant flow path is limited in order to enable demolding from the refrigerant flow path. However, in the flow path portion of the present disclosure, the first flow path member and the second flow path member in which a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded. Therefore, demolding from the refrigerant flow path in the first flow path member and the second flow path member can be facilitated, and the limitation on the shape of the refrigerant flow path can be reduced. (3) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (2), the refrigerant flow path accommodates a functional component that functions for the refrigerant. In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit, a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members, and the functional components such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. (4) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (3), the refrigerant flow path includes a first refrigerant flow path having one end opened on a surface of the flow path portion and another end disposed inside the flow path portion, and a second refrigerant flow path that communicates with the another end of the first refrigerant flow path and accommodates the functional component, and the second refrigerant flow path has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the first refrigerant flow path. In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members in a state where a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage, the flow path portion can be easily manufactured even when the flow path portion includes the second refrigerant flow path having a larger cross-sectional area than the first refrigerant flow path inside the flow path portion. (5) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (2) to (4), the refrigerant flow path has a center axis line that is bent. In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members in a state where a part of the refrigerant flow path in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage, even a refrigerant flow path having a bent center axis line can be easily molded. (6) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (1) to (5), the flow path portion includes a reinforcing portion outside the refrigerant flow path. This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow path against a pressure applied from the refrigerant. (7) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (6), the refrigerant flow path includes a low-pressure refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant having a pressure lower than a pressure outside the refrigerant flow path flows. In this configuration, in a case where a pressure higher than the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow path is applied from outside of the refrigerant flow path, deformation of the refrigerant flow path can be suppressed by the reinforcing portion. (8) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to (6) or (7), the refrigerant flow path includes a valve chamber that accommodates a valve body including a first passage through which a first refrigerant flows and a second passage through which a second refrigerant having a pressure higher than a pressure of the first refrigerant flows, a low-pressure refrigerant flow path that communicates with the first passage, and a high-pressure refrigerant flow path that communicates with the second passage. In this configuration, since the flow path portion includes the reinforcing portion, it is possible to suppress deformation of the flow path portion due to a pressure difference between the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant flow path. (9) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (6) to (8), the reinforcing portion is formed integrally with the first flow path member and the second flow path member. This configuration can firmly reinforce the refrigerant flow path formed by the first flow path member and the second flow path member. (10) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (6) to (9), the reinforcing portion (32F) is a rib extending in a direction intersecting the center axis line of the refrigerant flow path. This configuration can effectively enhance the refrigerant flow path against the pressure of the refrigerant applied to the refrigerant flow path. (11) In the refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of (2) to (5), the refrigerant flow path has an end opened on a surface of the flow path portion, the flow path portion includes a seal member that is annular and is attached to the end of the refrigerant flow path, and the refrigerant flow path unit further includes a coupling pipe that is fixed to the casing and inserted into the seal member. This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the refrigerant flow path and the coupling pipe by the seal member. (12) The refrigerant flow path unit according to (11) further includes a second joint portion that joins an entire circumference of the seal member to the end of the refrigerant flow path. This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the seal member and the refrigerant flow path. (13) A refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure includes a refrigerant circuit including the refrigerant flow path unit according to (1) to (12). (14) A method of manufacturing a refrigerant flow path unit of the present disclosure includes a first step of molding a first flow path member that includes resin and has a part of a refrigerant flow path and a second flow path member that has another part of the refrigerant flow path, a second step of arranging a functional component that functions for a refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path and temporarily assembling the first flow path member and the second flow path member, a third step of joining the first flow path member and the second flow path member that are temporarily assembled and forming a flow path portion, and a fourth step of accommodating the flow path portion in a casing including metal. In this configuration, in a manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit, the first and second flow path members are separated, and the functional components such as the valve and the filter can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. (15) In the manufacturing method according to (14), in the third step, a reinforcing portion is formed outside the refrigerant flow path.

[0007] This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow path against the pressure from the refrigerant.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant flow path unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interior of an outdoor unit. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of a machine room of the outdoor unit. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a unit body of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flow path portion of the unit body. [FIG. 7A] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the flow path portion before a joint portion and a rib are formed. [FIG. 7B] FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the flow path portion before a joint portion and a rib are formed. [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a refrigerant flow path. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path, a seal member, and a coupling pipe. [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a valve body of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of the refrigerant flow path unit. [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path unit, taken along line E-E in FIG. 4. [FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in a first mode. [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in a second mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant flow path unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] A refrigeration apparatus 10 includes a refrigerant circuit 30 configured to execute vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit (heat source unit) 11 and an indoor unit (utilization unit) 12. The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected by connection pipes 13 and 14, respectively. The outdoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the connection pipes 13 and 14 form the refrigerant circuit 30. In the outdoor unit 11, shutoff valves 23 and 24 are provided at connecting portions of the connection pipes 13 and 14. The refrigeration apparatus 10 is not limited to an air conditioner but may be a refrigerator, a freezer, a hot-water supplier, a ventilator, or the like.(Configuration of refrigerant circuit)

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 11 is provided with a compressor 15, an accumulator 25, an outdoor heat exchanger (heat-source heat exchanger) 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way switching valve (flow path switching valve) 18 constituting the refrigerant circuit 30. The outdoor unit 11 is also provided with an outdoor fan 19. The indoor unit 12 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger (utilization heat exchanger) 21 constituting the refrigerant circuit 30. The indoor unit 12 is also provided with an indoor fan 22. In the present embodiment, the four-way switching valve 18 is configured by a unitized or integrated refrigerant flow path unit 40 including refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b connected thereto and other refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59. Details of this configuration will be described later.

[0013] The compressor 15 is, for example, a positive displacement compressor such as a scroll type or a rotary type, and incorporates a compressor motor. The compressor 15 compresses a refrigerant sucked from a suction pipe 52a, and then discharges the compressed refrigerant from a discharge pipe 51a. In the outdoor unit 11, a discharge side of the compressor 15 is connected to a port A of the four-way switching valve 18 via the discharge pipe 51a that is a refrigerant pipe and the refrigerant flow path 51b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The refrigerant flow path 51b is provided with a check valve 71 that suppresses backflow of the refrigerant.

[0014] A suction side of the compressor 15 is connected to a port B of the four-way switching valve 18 via the suction pipe 52a that is a refrigerant pipe and the refrigerant flow path 52b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The accumulator 25 is provided in the middle of the suction pipe 52a.

[0015] The outdoor heat exchanger 16 is configured by a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or the like. A gas-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is connected to a port C of the four-way switching valve 18 via the refrigerant pipe 53a and the refrigerant flow path 53b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. A liquid-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is connected to one end side of the expansion valve 17 via the refrigerant pipes 54 and 73 and the refrigerant flow path 57 in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The refrigerant flow path 57 is provided with a strainer (filter) 72 that removes foreign substances in the refrigerant.

[0016] The expansion valve 17 is, for example, an electric valve whose opening degree is adjustable. The other end of the expansion valve 17 is connected to the liquid-side shutoff valve 23 via the refrigerant flow path 58 and the refrigerant pipe 55 in the refrigerant flow path unit 40. The refrigerant flow path 58 is provided with the strainer (filter) 72 that removes foreign substances in the refrigerant.

[0017] The indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured by a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or the like. A liquid-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is connected to the liquid-side shutoff valve 23 via the liquid-side connection pipe 14. A gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is connected to the gas-side shutoff valve 24 via the gas-side connection pipe 13. The gas-side shutoff valve 24 is connected to a port D of the four-way switching valve 18 via the refrigerant pipe 56a and the refrigerant flow path 56b in the refrigerant flow path unit 40.

[0018] The four-way switching valve 18 switches a flow path between a first mode (mode indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) in which the port A and the port C communicate with each other and the port B and the port D communicate with each other and a second mode (mode indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1) in which the port A and the port D communicate with each other and the port B and the port C communicate with each other. In the first mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 16, and in the second mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows to the indoor heat exchanger 21.

[0019] The outdoor fan 19 is disposed near the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The outdoor fan 19 is rotationally driven by a motor and blows air to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 19, and evaporates (absorbs heat) or condenses (radiates heat).

[0020] The indoor fan 22 is disposed near the indoor heat exchanger 21. The indoor fan 22 is rotationally driven by a motor and blows air to the indoor heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the indoor fan 22, and condenses (radiates heat) or evaporates (absorbs heat).

[0021] When executing a cooling operation, the air conditioner 10 switches the four-way switching valve 18 to the first mode, and when executing a heating operation, the air conditioner 10 switches the four-way switching valve 18 to the second mode. In the cooling operation, a gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows through the four-way switching valve 18 into the outdoor heat exchanger 16 functioning as a condenser, and is condensed into a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 17 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as an evaporator. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with the air sent by the indoor fan 22 and is evaporated into a gas refrigerant. The air cooled by the heat exchange is supplied into the room. The gas refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is sucked into the compressor 15 through the four-way switching valve 18.

[0022] In the heating operation, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows through the four-way switching valve 18 into the indoor heat exchanger 21 functioning as a condenser. The gas refrigerant exchanges heat with the air sent by the indoor fan 22 and is condensed into a liquid refrigerant. The air heated by the heat exchange is supplied into the room. The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is decompressed by the expansion valve 17 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 16 functioning as an evaporator. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is evaporated into a gas refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 15 through the four-way switching valve 18.(Configuration of outdoor unit)

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an interior of the outdoor unit. FIG. 3 is a front view of a machine room of the outdoor unit.

[0024] In the following description, a direction (first direction X) indicated by an arrow X in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a left-right direction, a direction (second direction Y) indicated by an arrow Y is a front-rear direction, and a direction (third direction Z) indicated by an arrow Z is an up-down direction. However, the directions indicated by these arrows X, Y, and Z are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0025] The outdoor unit 11 includes a casing 91. The casing 91 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a quadrilateral shape in plan view. The casing 91 has an interior provided with a partition wall 92 that partitions a machine room S1 and a heat exchange room S2. The machine room S1 accommodates the compressor 15. The machine room S1 accommodates, in addition to the compressor 15, the accumulator 25, the refrigerant flow path unit 40, and the like.

[0026] The heat exchange room S2 of the casing 91 accommodates the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the outdoor fan 19, and the like. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 has an L shape in plan view. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 is disposed along two adjacent side walls (a rear side wall 91a and a left side wall 91b) of the casing 91 disposed in the heat exchange room S2. The side walls 91a and 91b are provided with air inlets 91a1 and 91b1, respectively. The outdoor fan 19 is disposed facing a side wall (front side wall) 91c adjacent to the side wall (left side wall) 91b provided with the air inlet 91b1. The side wall 91c is provided with an air blow-out port 91c1.

[0027] When the outdoor fan 19 operates, air is taken into the casing 91 from the air inlets 91a1 and 91b1 and exhausted from the air blow-out port 91c1. An arrow a shown in FIG. 2 indicates a flow direction of the air taken into the casing 91.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed in the machine room S1 in the casing 91 of the outdoor unit 11. Specifically, in the machine room S1, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed near the side wall (front side wall) 91c and the side wall (right side wall) 91d adjacent to each other. In other words, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed at a corner between the side walls 91c and 91d.

[0029] The refrigerant flow path unit 40 is fixed to the casing 91 by attachment members 93 and 94. The attachment member 93 has, for example, a band plate shape, and has one end in a longitudinal direction fixed to the refrigerant flow path unit 40 and the other end fixed to the partition wall 92 of the casing 91. The attachment member 94 has, for example, one end fixed to the side wall (right side wall) 91d of the casing 91 and the other end fixed to the refrigerant flow path unit 40. Therefore, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is attached between the side wall 91d and the partition wall 92 of the casing 91 in the left-right direction X via the attachment members 93 and 94. The refrigerant flow path unit 40 is disposed on the right side (one side in the first direction X) of the compressor 15 and on the front side (one side in the second direction Y) of the accumulator 25.

[0030] One end of each of the refrigerant pipes 51a, 52a, 53a, and 56a is connected to the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the present embodiment. The other end of the refrigerant pipe (discharge pipe) 51a is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 15. The other end of the refrigerant pipe (suction pipe) 52a is connected to the accumulator 25. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 53a is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 56a is connected to the shutoff valve 24.(Refrigerant flow path unit)

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerant flow path unit.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 includes a unit body 40A and a drive mechanism 40B. The unit body 40A has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. A center axis line C1 of the cylindrical shape of the unit body 40A is oriented in the up-down direction. Therefore, the "up-down direction" in the following description of the unit body 40A means a direction along the center axis line C1. The drive mechanism 40B is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the unit body 40A.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the unit body of the refrigerant flow path unit. FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing a structure of the refrigerant flow path unit. FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path unit, taken along line E-E in FIG. 4.

[0034] As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the unit body 40A includes a flow path body 31 and a valve body 60. The flow path body 31 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. The flow path body 31 includes a flow path portion 32 made of resin and a casing 33 made of metal. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the flow path portion 32, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A are formed. The refrigerant flow path 31A substantially constitutes a valve chamber in which the valve body 60 is accommodated, and the refrigerant flows through passages 61 and 62 formed in the valve body 60. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57,58, and 59 are denoted by the same reference signs as the refrigerant flow paths in FIG. 1.

[0035] The valve body 60 of the unit body 40A is a constituent element of the four-way switching valve (flow path switching valve) 18. The valve body 60 is accommodated in the flow path body 31. Therefore, the flow path body 31 functions as a casing of the valve body 60.(Configuration of flow path portion 32)

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flow path portion of the unit body. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the flow path portion before a joint portion and a rib are formed.

[0037] The flow path portion 32 of the flow path body 31 is formed with a resin. The flow path portion 32 is formed by die molding such as injection molding. As a material of the flow path portion 32, PA66 (polyamide 66), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), or the like is adopted.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths, one end of each of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicates with the valve chamber 31A, and the other end opens on a surface of the flow path portion 32. In particular, the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 56b have upper ends communicating with the valve chamber 31A and lower ends opening on a lower surface of the flow path portion 32. The refrigerant flow paths 52b and 53b have lower ends communicating with the valve chamber 31A and upper ends opening on an upper surface of the flow path portion 32.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b, a center axis line C5 of a part on one end side communicating with the valve chamber 31A is disposed to be inclined with respect to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A, and the center axis line C5 of a part on the other end side opened on the surface of the flow path portion 32 is disposed in parallel to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A. In other words, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b have the center axis line C5 which is bent. However, in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b, the center axis line C5 may have a center axis line parallel to the center axis line C1 in the entire refrigerant flow paths, or may have a curved center axis line.

[0040] The cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b (the area of the cross section orthogonal to the center axis line C5) is substantially constant in a longitudinal direction. As described later, the refrigerant flow path 31A as a valve chamber has a spherical shape. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 31A orthogonal to an axis line (for example, the center axis line C1) passing through a center P of the refrigerant flow path 31A changes depending on the position along the axis line. The cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 31A is larger than the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b depending on the position along the axis line. For example, the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow path 31A is maximum in a cross-sectional view passing through the center P, and the maximum cross-sectional area is larger than the cross-sectional area of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 11, the other refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58 penetrate the flow path body 31 without communicating with the valve chamber 31A, and both ends thereof open on the surface (upper and lower end surfaces) of the flow path portion 32. The refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58 have a center axis line C6 (see FIG. 6) formed linearly along the up-down direction Z. The strainer 72 is inserted into the refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58. The strainer 72 is a non-electric component incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58, and a functional component functioning for the refrigerant.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11, the other refrigerant flow path 59 has one end opened on the surface (upper surface) of the flow path portion 32 and the other end communicating with the refrigerant flow path 56b. In the refrigerant flow path 59, most of the center axis line C6 (see FIGS. 6 and 7A) on one end side is formed linearly along the up-down direction Z, and a part of the other end side is formed linearly along a substantially horizontal direction. The refrigerant flow path 59 does not directly communicate with the valve chamber 31A, but communicates with the valve chamber 31A via the refrigerant flow path 56b.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the flow path portion 32 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of tubular portions 81 and 82 having a cylindrical shape and a spherical portion 83 having a spherical shape. The refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b are configured by an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 81, and the refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 are configured by a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 82. The refrigerant flow path (valve chamber) 31A is configured by an inner surface of the spherical portion 83.

[0044] FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the flow path portion before the joint portion and the rib are formed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7B, the flow path portion 32 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of flow path members 32A and 32B. The plurality of flow path members 32A and 32B are portions mainly forming the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A in the flow path portion 32. The flow path portion 32 according to the present embodiment includes the two flow path members (the first flow path member and the second flow path member) 32A and 32B. The two flow path members 32A and 32B are individually molded in a manufacturing process of the flow path portion 32, and are integrated by being joined to each other as shown in FIG. 7A.

[0046] The two flow path members 32A and 32B each have a part in a circumferential direction in the cross sections of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. Here, the "cross sections" refer to sections orthogonal to the center axis lines C5 and C1 of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. The "circumferential direction" refers to a direction of a circumference centered on the center axis lines C5 and C1. Specifically, the two flow path members 32A and 32B have a part in a circumferential direction of the tubular portion 81 forming the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and a part in a circumferential direction of the spherical portion 83, respectively. The two flow path members 32A and 32B each have a half in the circumferential direction in the cross sections of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. As shown in FIG. 7B, in a state where the two flow path members 32A and 32B are not joined to each other, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A are opened, and inner surfaces of the flow path members are exposed to the outside.

[0047] The two flow path members 32A and 32B are joined in a state where end surfaces of the tubular portion 81 located at both ends in the circumferential direction of the opened refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and end surfaces of the spherical portion 83 (hereinafter, these end surfaces are also referred to as "butted end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1") are butted against each other to form tubular or spherical refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A. A boundary between the two flow path members 32A and 32B in a joined state is located on a surface (virtual surface) on the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A.

[0048] In the flow path members 32A and 32B, the other refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 not directly communicating with the valve chamber 31A are also formed. The refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 have a cylindrical shape without being partially opened in the circumferential direction.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the refrigerant flow path.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 12, the flow path portion 32 includes a joint portion 32D that joins the two flow path members 32A and 32B. The joint portion 32D is formed along a portion where the two flow path members 32A and 32B butted against each other. The joint portion 32D is made of resin. The joint portion 32D is the same material as the flow path members 32A and 32B. However, the joint portion 32D may be a material different from the flow path members 32A and 32B.

[0051] The joint portion 32D is formed all over the portion where the two flow path members 32A and 32B butted against each other. As shown in FIG. 8, flanges 32E protruding outward are formed on butted end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1 of the flow path members 32A and 32B. The flanges 32E substantially increase the areas of the butted end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1. The joint portion 32D is formed so as to cover, from outside, the flanges 32E of the flow path members 32A and 32B butted against each other. The joint portion 32D according to the present embodiment has a substantially C-shaped section so as to cover the flanges 32E from outside. However, the shape of the cross section of the joint portion 32D is not limited to this shape. The flow path members 32A and 32B do not have to have the flanges 32E, and the flow path members 32A and 32B without the flanges 32E may be joined by the joint portion 32D.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the flow path portion 32 further includes a rib 32F. The rib 32F is a reinforcing portion that reinforces the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A from outside. The rib 32F is made of resin. The rib 32F is the same material as the flow path members 32A and 32B. However, the rib 32F may be a material different from the flow path members 32A and 32B. The rib 32F is formed integrally with the joint portion 32D.

[0053] The flow path portion 32 includes a plurality of ribs 32F. Each rib 32F has a disc shape. The rib 32F is disposed orthogonal to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A. The ribs 32F are provided at both ends of the flow path portion 32 in a direction (up-down direction) along the center axis line C1 and an intermediate portion in the direction.

[0054] The ribs 32F are formed outside the tubular portions 81 and 82 forming the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A and the spherical portion 83, and are disposed in a direction intersecting the center axis lines C5 and C6 of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A. The ribs 32F reinforce the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A against the pressure from the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A, and can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the refrigerant flow path, a seal member, and a coupling pipe.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 9, the flow path portion 32 further includes a seal member 32G. The seal member 32G is attached to the openings of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 at the end surfaces of the flow path portion 32 in the up-down direction. The seal member 32G is made of resin. The seal member 32G is formed with the same material as the flow path members 32A and 32B. However, the seal member 32G may be a material different from the flow path members 32A and 32B.

[0057] The seal member 32G has an annular shape having a size corresponding to the opening at an end of each of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59. The plurality of seal members 32G attached to the upper surface of the flow path portion 32 are directly coupled to each other or coupled to each other by a coupling portion 32H to be integrated. The plurality of seal members 32G attached to the lower surface of the flow path portion 32 are coupled to each other by the coupling portion 32H to be integrated. Therefore, the plurality of seal members 32G can be easily handled, and loss and the like can be suppressed. The relative positional relationship among the plurality of seal members 32G can be determined in a predetermined manner, and the seal members can be easily attached to the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59.

[0058] An annular seal portion 37a protruding radially inward is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the seal member 32G. A distal end of the seal portion 37a is in contact with outer peripheral surfaces of coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d to be described later, and suppresses leakage of the refrigerant from between the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d.

[0059] The coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joints for connecting the refrigerant pipes 51a, 52a, 53a, 56a, 54, 73, and 55, a service port 75, and the like (see FIG. 1) to the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40. Substantially, the inside of the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d also constitutes a refrigerant flow path. An instrument such as a pressure gauge, a vacuum pump, or the like can be connected to the service port 75.

[0060] The seal member 32G is joined to the flow path members 32A and 32B by a joint portion 32F1. In the present embodiment, ribs 32F1 provided at an upper end and a lower end of the flow path portion 32 function as joint portions. As shown in FIG. 9, an annular flange 32J protrudes radially outward from outer peripheral surfaces of ends of the tubular portions 81 and 82 in the flow path portion 32. An annular flange 32K also protrudes radially outward on an outer peripheral surface of the seal member 32G. Both the flanges 32J and 32K are overlapped up and down. The rib 32F1 is formed so as to cover upper and lower surfaces and outer peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower flanges 32J and 32K overlapped with each other. As a result, the flow path members 32A and 32B and the seal member 32G are joined to each other. The tubular portions 81 and 82 and the seal member 32G do not have to have the flanges 32J and 32K, and the tubular portions 81 and 82 and the seal member 32G that have no flanges may be joined by the rib 32F1.(Configuration of casing 33)

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, the casing 33 covers the outside of the flow path portion 32. The casing 33 has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends in an axial direction closed. The casing 33 is constituted by two constituent members 33A and 33B divided at the middle in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. The casing 33 is formed with a steel material. For example, the casing 33 is formed with stainless steel. Each of the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 is formed by metal working such as sheet metal working or press working. For example, each of the constituent members 33A and 33B is formed by drawing. However, a material and a manufacturing method of the casing 33 are not limited to those described above. For example, the casing 33 may be formed with another iron and steel material such as iron, a material containing aluminum as a main component (pure aluminum or aluminum alloy), or the like.

[0062] The two constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 are joined by welding. Specifically, the two constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 are joined by welding that involves melting of a base material. The two constituent members 33A and 33B are closely joined so that the refrigerant does not leak from between the constituent members. The casing 33 protects the flow path portion 32 by covering the outside of the flow path portion 32. The casing 33 compensates the pressure resistance of the flow path portion 32 against the pressure applied from the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, 59, and 31A. The casing 33 prevents the refrigerant leaking from the flow path portion 32 from leaking to the outside.

[0063] As described above, the valve body 60 of the four-way switching valve 18 is accommodated in the flow path body 31. Therefore, the flow path body 31 also functions as the casing of the valve body 60 in the four-way switching valve 18. Specifically, the flow path portion 32 of the flow path body 31 functions as an inner casing of the valve body 60, and the casing 33 of the flow path body 31 functions as an outer casing of the valve body 60.

[0064] The flow path body 31 includes the plurality of coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of the casing 33. These coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are inserted into openings 51c, 52c, 53c, 56c, 57c, 58c, and 59c formed in the upper surface and the lower surface of the casing, and are fixed to the casing 33 by welding or the like. For example, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joined to the casing 33 by brazing, which is a type of welding that does not involve melting of the base material. Ends of the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are also inserted into the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0065] The coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d according to the present embodiment are formed with a material containing copper as a main component (copper alloy, pure copper, or the like). However, the material of the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d is not limited thereto, and may be formed with a material containing aluminum as a main component or another material such as stainless steel.(Four-way switching valve (switching mechanism) 18)

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12, the valve chamber 31A accommodating the valve body 60 of the four-way switching valve 18 has a spherical shape. A plurality of ports (openings) A, B, C, and D is formed on an inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. These ports A to D correspond to the ports A to D described with reference to FIG. 1. The two ports B and C are disposed above the valve chamber 31A, and the two ports A and D are disposed below the valve chamber 31A.

[0067] In the flow path body 31, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicating with each of the ports A to D are formed.

[0068] The refrigerant flow path 51b communicating with the port A extends substantially downward from the port A. The end (upper end) of the coupling pipe 51d is inserted into the lower end of the refrigerant flow path 51b and the seal member 32G attached to the lower end. The refrigerant pipe 51a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 51d.

[0069] The refrigerant flow path 51b has an annular protrusion 51e in the middle of the refrigerant flow path 51b. The check valve 71 is accommodated in the refrigerant flow path 51b below the protrusion 51e. The check valve 71 is a non-electric component incorporated in the refrigerant flow path 51b. The check valve 71 restricts the flow of the refrigerant from the valve body 60 to the coupling pipe 51d, and allows the reverse flow of the refrigerant. The check valve 71 is a functional component that functions for the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path 51b. A specific structure of the check valve 71 is not limited, and a known structure can be adopted.

[0070] The refrigerant flow path 52b communicating with the port B extends substantially upward from the port B. The end (lower end) of the coupling pipe 52d is inserted into the upper end of the refrigerant flow path 52b and the seal member 32G attached to the upper end. The refrigerant pipe 52a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 52d.

[0071] The refrigerant flow path 53b communicating with the port C extends substantially upward from the port C. The end (lower end) of the coupling pipe 53d is inserted into the upper end of the refrigerant flow path 53b and the seal member 32G attached to the upper end. The refrigerant pipe 53a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 53d.

[0072] The refrigerant flow path 56b communicating with the port D extends substantially downward from the port D. The end (upper end) of the coupling pipe 56d is inserted into the lower end of the refrigerant flow path 56b and the seal member 32G attached to the lower end. The refrigerant pipe 56a (see FIGS. 1 and 11) is connected to the coupling pipe 56d.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the valve body of the refrigerant flow path unit.

[0074] The valve body 60 has a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the valve body 60 is disposed in the valve chamber 31A of the flow path body 31. The outer diameter of the valve body 60 is formed to be slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A.

[0075] The valve body 60 is made of metal or resin. The valve body 60 is manufactured by, for example, die molding such as die casting or injection molding. As a material of the valve body 60, for example, a material containing aluminum as a main component, such as an aluminum alloy or pure aluminum, a steel material such as high carbon chromium bearing steel (SUJ2), or a synthetic resin such as polyamide 66 (PA66) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is adopted. However, the material and manufacturing method of the valve body 60 are not limited to the above.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 60 rotates about a predetermined axis C2. The axis C2 of the valve body 60 passes through a center P of the spherical shape of the valve body 60. The axis C2 is set at a constant position, and the valve body 60 rotates at a constant position.

[0077] A drive shaft 66 is disposed on the axis C2. The drive shaft 66 constitutes the drive mechanism 40B. The drive shaft 66 is disposed on the axis C2, and has one end fixed to the valve body 60. The other end of the drive shaft 66 protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the flow path body 31 of the unit body 40A and is connected to a decelerator 65 and a drive unit 64 constituting the drive mechanism 40B.

[0078] The drive shaft 66 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, insertion holes 32C and 33C into which the drive shaft 66 is inserted are formed in the flow path portion 32 and the casing 33 constituting the flow path body 31.

[0079] The drive unit 64 is, for example, an electric motor. The drive unit 64 generates and outputs rotational power. As the drive unit 64, an electric motor capable of adjusting a rotational angle, such as a stepping motor, is adopted. The decelerator 65 decelerates the rotational power of the drive unit 64 and transmits the rotational power to the drive shaft 66. The decelerator 65 is configured by, for example, a plurality of deceleration gears.(Specific configuration of valve body 60)

[0080] FIG. 10 shows a reference axis C3 orthogonal to the axis C2 of the valve body 60 and a reference axis C4 orthogonal to the axis C2 and the reference axis C3. The axis C2, the reference axis C3, and the reference axis C4 are orthogonal to each other at the center P of the spherical shape of the valve body 60.

[0081] A through hole 61 and a concave portion 62 are formed in the valve body 60. The through hole 61 and the concave portion 62 both constitute a passage for the refrigerant. The through hole 61 is a hole penetrating the valve body 60. On the other hand, the concave portion 62 has a shape in which an outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 is recessed.

[0082] The through hole 61 opens at two positions on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. One opening 61a of the through hole 61 is formed on the reference axis C3. The other opening 61b is formed on the reference axis C4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the through hole 61 has a shape bent in a substantially L shape. The areas of both the openings 61a and 61b are the same. A sectional area of the through hole 61 (an area of a cross section orthogonal to a center line of the through hole 61; a cross-sectional area) is substantially the same as the area of each of the openings 61a and 61b.

[0083] The concave portion 62 is formed in a range (range of 90° around the axis C2) extending between a position G1 disposed on an opposite side of one opening 61a of the through hole 61 on the reference axis C3 and a position G2 disposed on an opposite side of the other opening 61b of the through hole 61 on the reference axis C4 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60.

[0084] A bottom surface 62a of the concave portion 62 is one flat surface. The bottom surface 62a is formed across the position G1 and the position G2. The bottom surface 62a may be constituted by a plurality of flat surfaces or may be constituted by a curved surface. The bottom surface 62a of the concave portion 62 and the openings 61a and 61b of the through hole 61 are arranged at an angle of about 45°.

[0085] The valve body 60 is not a complete sphere due to the formation of the through hole 61 and the concave portion 62, and is a sphere in which a part of a spherical surface (outer surface 60a) is missing. In FIG. 12, the shape of a complete sphere without a missing part is indicated by an imaginary line L.(Switching of flow path by valve body 60)

[0086] FIG. 13 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in the first mode. FIG. 14 is a sectional view for describing an action of the refrigerant flow path unit in the second mode.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the valve body 60 is switched between the first mode (see FIG. 13) and the second mode (see FIG. 14) by rotating 90 degrees about the axis C2.

[0088] In the first mode shown in FIG. 13, the port B and the port D are connected by the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and the port A and the port C are connected by the concave portion 62. Therefore, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 1, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port A through the refrigerant pipe 51a and the refrigerant flow path 51b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port C through the concave portion 62 of the valve body 60, and is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 through the refrigerant flow path 53b and the refrigerant pipe 53a. The refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port D through the connection pipe 13, the refrigerant pipe 56a, and the refrigerant flow path 56b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port B through the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and is sucked into the compressor 15 through the refrigerant flow path 52b and the refrigerant pipe 52a. Thus, the air conditioner 10 can execute the cooling operation.

[0089] In the second mode shown in FIG. 14, the port B and the port C are connected by the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and the port A and the port D are connected by the concave portion 62. Therefore, as indicated by dotted arrows in FIG. 1, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 15 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port A through the refrigerant pipe 51a and the refrigerant flow path 51b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port D through the concave portion 62 of the valve body 60, and is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the refrigerant flow path 56b, the refrigerant pipe 56a, and the connection pipe 13. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 flows into the four-way switching valve 18 from the port C through the refrigerant pipe 53a and the refrigerant flow path 53b, flows out of the four-way switching valve 18 from the port B through the through hole 61 of the valve body 60, and is sucked into the compressor 15 through the refrigerant flow path 52b and the refrigerant pipe 52a. Thus, the air conditioner 10 can execute the heating operation.

[0090] The through hole 61 of the valve body 60 always communicates with the port B, and selectively communicates with the port D and the port C by the valve body 60 rotating by 90° about the axis C2. Since the port B is connected to the suction pipe 52a and the refrigerant flow path 52b of the compressor 15, the through hole 61 always communicating with the port B serves as a passage through which a "low-pressure refrigerant" flows.

[0091] The concave portion 62 always communicates with the port A, and selectively communicates with the port C and the port D by the valve body 60 rotating by 90° about the axis C2. Since the port A is connected to the discharge pipe 51a and the refrigerant flow path 51b of the compressor 15, the concave portion 62 always communicating with the port A serves as a passage through which a "high-pressure refrigerant" flows.

[0092] The refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b of the flow path portion 32 can also be referred to as "high-pressure refrigerant flow paths" because the high-pressure refrigerant flows therethrough, and the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b can also be referred to as "low-pressure refrigerant flow paths" because the low-pressure refrigerant flows therethrough. The refrigerant flow paths 53b and 56b can become both a high-pressure refrigerant flow path or a low-pressure refrigerant flow path by switching the valve body 60.

[0093] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, seal portions 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d are integrally formed on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A of the flow path body 31 and around the ports A to D, respectively. For example, the seal portions 34a to 34d are formed integrally with the flow path portion 32 when the flow path portion 32 is molded with a die by injection molding, die casting, or the like. The seal portions 34a to 34d are annular protrusions protruding from the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Distal ends of the seal portions 34a to 34d are in contact with the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. The seal portions 34a to 34d according to the present embodiment have a circular annular shape substantially along the peripheries of the cylindrical refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b. However, the seal portions 34a to 34d may have an annular shape such as a square shape.

[0094] Specifically, in the first mode shown in FIG. 13, the seal portion 34b formed around the port B on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61b of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. The seal portion 34d formed around the port D on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61a of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60.

[0095] Therefore, the seal portions 34b and 34d can suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34d can prevent the refrigerant (high-pressure refrigerant) flowing through portions other than the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61 from flowing into the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61. Accordingly, mixing of the low-pressure refrigerant and the high-pressure refrigerant can be suppressed.

[0096] On the other hand, the seal portions 34a and 34c formed around the port A and the port C on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A are partially in contact with the periphery of the concave portion 62 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60, but the other portions are positioned on a radially outer side of the concave portion 62 and are not in contact with the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. Therefore, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port C, and the concave portion 62 leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A.

[0097] When the high-pressure refrigerant leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant is applied to most of the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 except for the openings 61a and 61b of the through hole 61. The pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant is also applied to the inside of the concave portion 62 through which the high-pressure refrigerant passes. Therefore, the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 is strongly pressed against the seal portions 34b and 34d formed around the port B and the port D.

[0098] Accordingly, the seal portions 34b and 34d can further suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34d can further suppress the inflow of the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through portions other than the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61, in other words, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port C, and the concave portion 62, and the high-pressure refrigerant leaking from these portions into the port B, the port D, and the through hole 61.

[0099] In the second mode shown in FIG. 14, the seal portion 34b formed around the port B on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61a of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. The seal portion 34c formed around the port C on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A is in contact with the periphery of the opening 61b of the through hole 61 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60.

[0100] Therefore, the seal portions 34b and 34c can suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34c can prevent the refrigerant (high-pressure refrigerant) flowing through portions other than the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61 from flowing into the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61. Accordingly, mixing of the low-pressure refrigerant and the high-pressure refrigerant can be suppressed.

[0101] On the other hand, the seal portions 34a and 34d formed around the port A and the port D on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A are partially in contact with the periphery of the concave portion 62 on the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60, but the other portions are positioned on a radially outer side of the concave portion 62 and are not in contact with the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port D, and the concave portion 62 leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A.

[0102] When the high-pressure refrigerant leaks into the gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant is applied to most part of the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 except for the through hole 61 and to the inside of the concave portion 62 through which the high-pressure refrigerant passes. Therefore, the valve body 60 is strongly pressed against the seal portions 34b and 34c formed around the port B and the port C.

[0103] Accordingly, the seal portions 34b and 34c can further suppress leakage of the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61 into a gap between the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60 and the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A. Furthermore, the seal portions 34b and 34c can further suppress the inflow of the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through portions other than the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61, in other words, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the port A, the port D, and the concave portion 62, and the high-pressure refrigerant leaking from these portions into the port B, the port C, and the through hole 61.

[0104] The seal portions 34a to 34d are formed integrally with the flow path portion 32. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared with a case where the seal portions 34a to 34d are formed separately from the flow path portion 32. Since the flow path portion 32 is molded with a die with a resin, the seal portions 34a to 34d can be easily integrally molded.

[0105] Since only the high-pressure refrigerant flows through the port A of the four ports A to D, the seal portion 34a formed around the port A is not substantially used. Therefore, the seal portion 34a may be omitted.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the two flow path members 32A and 32B constituting the flow path portion 32 are butted against each other on the butt end surfaces 32A1 and 32B1, and are joined by the joint portion 32D. Therefore, leakage of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b from the boundary between the two flow path members 32A and 32B is suppressed.

[0107] Even if the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b passes through the seal member 32G between the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b and the coupling pipes 51d, 53d, and 56d and leaks from the flow path portion 32, since the coupling pipes 51d, 53d, and 56d are joined and fixed to the casing 33 by welding or the like, the high-pressure refrigerant is prevented from leaking from the casing 33.

[0108] At this time, since the casing 33 is filled with the high-pressure refrigerant, the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant acts on the outer surface of the flow path portion 32, and in particular, a large pressure acts on outside of the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b (outside of the tubular portion 81) through which the low-pressure refrigerant flows due to a differential pressure of the refrigerant. However, since ribs 32F serving as reinforcing portions are provided outside the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, 56b, deformation of the refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, 56b is suppressed.(Method of manufacturing refrigerant flow path unit 40)

[0109] The refrigerant flow path unit 40 is manufactured as follows.

[0110] First, as shown in FIG. 7B, the flow path members 32A and 32B and the seal member 32G constituting the flow path portion 32, the valve body 60, the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33, and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are individually manufactured. In particular, the two flow path members 32A and 32B are each produced by die molding such as injection molding.

[0111] Next, while the valve body 60 and the check valve 71 are incorporated between the two flow path members 32A and 32B, the two flow path members 32A and 32B are butted against each other. At this time, the drive shaft 66 attached to the valve body 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 32C. The strainer 72 is incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 57 and 58. Furthermore, the seal member 32G is attached to the upper surface and the lower surface of the two flow path members 32A and 32B. Through these operations, as shown in FIG. 7A, a part of the flow path portion 32 is temporarily assembled. Hereinafter, a part of the flow path portion 32 shown in FIG. 7A is also referred to as a temporary assembly.

[0112] Next, the temporary assembly of the flow path portion 32 is inserted into a mold for molding the joint portion 32D and the rib 32F, and injection molding is performed. As a result, the joint portion 32D and the rib 32F are molded, the two flow path members 32A and 32B and the seal member 32G are joined, and the entire flow path portion 32 is molded.

[0113] Next, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joined to the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33. Specifically, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are inserted into the openings 51c, 52c, 53c, 56c, 57c, 58c, and 59c formed in the constituent members 33A and 33B, and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are brazed to the constituent members 33A and 33B. In the present embodiment, the casing 33 is made of, for example, stainless steel, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are made of, for example, copper, and both are formed with different materials. Therefore, the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33 and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are joined by in-furnace brazing. By performing in-furnace brazing in this manner, even when different materials are used, brazing can be performed without using flux, and it is also possible to suppress sensitization of stainless steel.

[0114] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the molded flow path portion 32 is accommodated in the constituent members 33A and 33B of the casing 33, and both the constituent members 33A and 33B are joined by welding. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a gap t is formed between the joint portion between the constituent member 33A and the constituent member 33B of the casing 33 and the flow path portion 32 (substantially the tubular portions 81 and 82). Therefore, heat at the time of joining the constituent members 33A and 33B by welding is prevented from being transmitted to the flow path portion 32. The gap t can be set in accordance with a constituent material of the flow path portion 32, and is preferably 5 mm or more, for example.

[0115] Thereafter, the decelerator 65 and the drive unit 64 constituting the drive mechanism 40B are connected to the drive shaft 66 of the valve body 60 protruding from the casing 33. As described above, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is manufactured.

[0116] In the above assembling method, the coupling pipes 51d, 52d,53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are attached to the casing 33 by brazing before the flow path portion 32 is accommodated in the casing 33. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat when the coupling pipes 51d, 52d,53d, 56d, 57d, 58d, and 59d are attached to the casing 33 from being transmitted to the flow path portion 32.[Other embodiments]

[0117] The refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment includes the unit body 40A having a columnar outer shape, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the unit body 40A may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0118] The flow path portion 32 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40 includes the two flow path members 32A and 32B, but may include three or more flow path members. In this case, the refrigerant flow path can be formed by three or more flow path members.

[0119] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the refrigerant pipe 73 is connected to one end of the expansion valve 17, and the refrigerant flow path 58 (coupling pipe 58d) of the flow path body 31 is connected to the other end of the expansion valve 17. However, a part of the expansion valve 17 may be accommodated in the flow path body 31. In other words, the expansion valve 17, which is a functional component that functions for the refrigerant, may be accommodated in the refrigerant flow path 58.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 11, in the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the first embodiment, the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 57, 58, and 59 formed in the flow path portion 32 are roughly divided into the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicating with the valve chamber 31A and the refrigerant flow paths 57, 58, and 59 not communicating with the valve chamber 31A. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the refrigerant flow path unit 40 may include only the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b communicating with the valve chamber 31A.

[0121] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the valve body 60 of the four-way switching valve (flow path switching valve) 18 is accommodated in the flow path body 31 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, and the refrigerant flow path unit 40 substantially configures the four-way switching valve 18. However, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 does not have to configure the four-way switching valve.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the seal portions 34a to 34d are formed on the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A in the flow path portion 32, but may be integrally formed around the openings 61a and 61b of the through hole (passage) 61 in the valve body 60. In this case, the distal ends of the seal portions 34a to 34d come into contact with the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A, and leakage of the refrigerant into the gap between the distal ends and the inner surface can be suppressed.

[0123] In the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment, the high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the concave portion 62 of the valve body 60 and the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b is configured to leak to the gap between the inner surface of the valve chamber 31A and the outer surface 60a of the valve body 60. However, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 may be configured such that the leakage does not occur.

[0124] In the valve body 60 according to the above embodiment, the through hole 61 constituting a passage for the low-pressure refrigerant and the concave portion 62 constituting a passage for the high-pressure refrigerant are formed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the valve body 60 may have a concave portion as a passage for the low-pressure refrigerant or a through hole as a passage for the high-pressure refrigerant. The valve body 60 is not limited to the spherical shape as described above, and may have another shape such as a cylindrical shape.

[0125] In the valve body 60 according to the above embodiment, the axis C2 of the valve body 60 faces the horizontal direction but may face the up-down direction. The axis C2 of the valve body 60 may be oriented in a direction inclined with respect to the up-down direction and the horizontal direction.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow path unit 40 is also used as a four-way switching valve, but may be used as a three-way switching valve.

[0127] The flow path portion 32 of the refrigerant flow path unit 40 may be configured by a plurality of flow path members with a surface (virtual surface) orthogonal to (intersecting with) the center axis line C1 of the unit body 40A as a boundary. In this case, in a manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, the plurality of flow path members are separated to divide the refrigerant flow path in the middle, and the functional components can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path.[Operation and effects of embodiments]

[0128] (1) The refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment includes the flow path portion 32 including resin and having the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A through which the refrigerant flows, and the casing 33 that includes metal and accommodates the flow path portion 32. The flow path portion 32 includes the first flow path member 32A that has a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A, the second flow path member 32B that has another part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and forms the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A together with the first flow path member 32A, and the joint portion 32D that joins the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B.

[0129] In the above configuration, since the flow path portion 32 made of resin and having the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b,53b, 56b, and 31A is accommodated in the casing 33 made of metal, the pressure resistance of the flow path portion 32 can be enhanced by the casing even if a high pressure refrigerant flows in the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and a high pressure is applied to the flow path portion 32. Since the flow path portion 32 includes the first flow path member 32A that has a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A, the second flow path member 32B that has another part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A and forms the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A together with the first flow path member 32A, and the joint portion 32D joining the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B, the functional components 71 and 60 such as valves and filters can be easily incorporated into the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A by separating the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B at the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40.

[0130] (2) In the above embodiment, the first flow path member 32A has a part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A, and the second flow path member 32B has another part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A.

[0131] In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B, and the components 71 and 60 such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow path. When the cylindrical refrigerant flow path is molded by die molding, there is a possibility that the shape of the refrigerant flow path is limited in consideration of demolding from the refrigerant flow path. However, since in the flow path portion 32 according to the above embodiment, the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B in which a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded, the demolding from the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A can be facilitated, and the limitation on the shape of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A can be reduced.

[0132] (3) In the above embodiment, the functional components 71 and 60 that function for the refrigerant are accommodated in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0133] In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction can be opened by separating the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B, and the functional components 71 and 60 such as the valve and the filter can be more easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0134] (4) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow path includes the first refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b having one end opened on the surface of the flow path portion 32 and another end disposed inside the flow path portion 32, and the second refrigerant flow path 31A that communicates with the another end of the first refrigerant flow path and accommodates the functional component (valve body 60), and the second refrigerant flow path 31A has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the first refrigerant flow path 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0135] In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B in a state where a part of the first and second refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, the flow path portion 32 can be easily manufactured even when the flow path portion 32 includes the second refrigerant flow path 31A having a larger cross-sectional area than the first refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b,53b, and 56b.

[0136] (5) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b have the center axis line C5 which is bent.

[0137] In this configuration, since the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B in a state where a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b in the circumferential direction is opened can be molded at the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, even the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b having the bent center axis line C5 can be easily molded.

[0138] (6) In the above embodiment, the flow path portion 32 has the reinforcing portion 32F outside the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A.

[0139] This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A against the pressure applied from the refrigerant.

[0140] (7) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A include the low-pressure refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b through which the refrigerant having a pressure lower than the pressure outside the refrigerant flow paths flows.

[0141] In this configuration, in a case where a pressure (for example, pressure of a high-pressure refrigerant) higher than the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow path is applied from outside of the refrigerant flow paths 52b and 53b, and 56b, deformation of the refrigerant flow paths 52b and 53b, and 56b can be suppressed by the reinforcing portion 32F.

[0142] (8) In the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow path includes the valve chamber 31A that accommodates the valve body 60 including the first passage 61 through which the first refrigerant (low-pressure refrigerant) flows and the second passage 62 through which the second refrigerant (high-pressure refrigerant) having a pressure higher than the pressure of the first refrigerant flows, the low-pressure refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b that communicate with the first passage 61, and the high-pressure refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b that communicate with the second passage 62.

[0143] In this configuration, since the flow path portion 32 includes the reinforcing portion 32F, it is possible to suppress deformation of the flow path portion 32 due to the pressure difference between the refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure refrigerant flow paths 52b, 53b, and 56b and the refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure refrigerant flow paths 51b, 53b, and 56b.

[0144] (9) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 32F is formed integrally with the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B.

[0145] This configuration can firmly reinforce the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A formed by the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B.

[0146] (10) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 32F is a rib extending in a direction intersecting the center axis lines C5 and C1 of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A.

[0147] This configuration can firmly reinforce the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, and 31A by the rib 32F.

[0148] (11) In the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment, the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b have the end opened on the surface of the flow path portion 32, the flow path portion 32 includes the seal member 32G that is annular and is attached to the end of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b, and the refrigerant flow path unit 40 further includes the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, and 56d that are fixed to the casing 33 and inserted into the seal member 32G.

[0149] This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b and the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, and 56d by the seal member 32G. In particular, the seal member 32G, which has an annular shape and is not divided in the middle in the circumferential direction, can be reliably brought into close contact with the coupling pipes 51d, 52d, 53d, and 56d.

[0150] (12) The refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment further includes the second joint portion 32F1 that joins the entire circumference of the seal member 32G to the end of the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0151] This configuration can suppress leakage of the refrigerant from between the seal member 32G and the refrigerant flow paths 51b, 52b, 53b, and 56b.

[0152] (13) The method of manufacturing the refrigerant flow path unit 40 according to the above embodiment includes a first step of molding the first flow path member 32A that includes resin and has a part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A and the second flow path member 32B that has another part of the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A, a second step of arranging the components 71 and 60 that function for the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A and temporarily assembling the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B, a third step of joining the first flow path member 32A and the second flow path member 32B that are temporarily assembled and forming the flow path portion 32, and a fourth step of accommodating the flow path portion 32 in the casing 33 including metal.

[0153] In this configuration, in the manufacturing stage of the refrigerant flow path unit 40, the first and second flow path members 32A and 32B are separated, and the functional components 71 and 60 such as the valve and the filter can be easily incorporated in the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0154] (14) In the manufacturing method according to the above embodiment, in the third step, the reinforcing portion 32F is formed outside the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A.

[0155] This configuration can enhance the pressure resistance of the refrigerant flow paths 51b and 31A against the pressure from the refrigerant.

[0156] While the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in forms and details can be made without departing from the gist and scope of the claims.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0157] 10refrigeration apparatus 30refrigerant circuit 31Arefrigerant flow path (valve chamber, second refrigerant flow path) 32flow path portion 32Afirst flow path member 32Bsecond flow path member 32Djoint portion 32Frib (reinforcing portion) 32F1rib (reinforcing portion, second joint portion) 32Gseal member 33casing 40refrigerant flow path unit 51brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 51copening 51dcoupling pipe 52brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 52copening 52dcoupling pipe 53brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 53copening 53dcoupling pipe 56brefrigerant flow path (first refrigerant flow path) 56copening 56dcoupling pipe 60valve body (functional component) 61first passage 62second passage 71check valve (functional component) C1center axis line C5center axis line C6center axis line

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant flow path unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011]A refrigeration apparatus 10 includes a refrigerant circuit 30 configured to execute vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit (heat source unit) 11 and an indoor unit (utilization unit) 12. The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected by connection pipes 13 and 14, respectively. The outdoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the connection pipes 13 and 14 form the refrigerant circuit 30. In the outdoor unit 11, shutoff valves 23 and 24 are provided at connecting portions of the connection pipes 13 and 14. T...

Claims

1. A refrigerant flow path unit comprising: a flow path portion (32) including resin and having a refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) through which a refrigerant flows; and a casing (33) that includes metal and accommodates the flow path portion (32), wherein the flow path portion (32) includes a first flow path member (32A) having a part of the refrigerant flow path, a second flow path member (32B) that has another part of the refrigerant flow path and forms the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) together with the first flow path member (32A), and a joint portion (32D) that joins the first flow path member (32A) and the second flow path member (32B).

2. The refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path member (32A) has a part in a circumferential direction in a cross section of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A), and the second flow path member (32B) has another part in the circumferential direction in the cross section of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A).

3. The refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant flow path (51b, 31A) accommodates a functional component (71, 60) that functions for the refrigerant.

4. The refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 3, wherein the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) includes a first refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b) having one end opened on a surface of the flow path portion (32) and another end disposed inside the flow path portion (32), and a second refrigerant flow path (31A) that communicates with the another end of the first refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b) and accommodates the functional component (60), and the second refrigerant flow path (31A) has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the first refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b).

5. The refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b) has a center axis line that is bent.

6. The refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flow path portion (32) includes a reinforcing portion (32F) outside the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A).

7. The refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 6, wherein the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) includes a low-pressure refrigerant flow path (52b, 53b, 56b) through which a refrigerant having a pressure lower than a pressure outside the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) flows.

8. The refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the refrigerant flow path includes a valve chamber (31A) that accommodates a valve body (60) including a first passage (61) through which a first refrigerant flows and a second passage (62) through which a second refrigerant having a pressure higher than a pressure of the first refrigerant flows, a low-pressure refrigerant flow path (52b, 53b, 56b) that communicates with the first passage (61), and a high-pressure refrigerant flow path (51b, 53b, 56b) that communicates with the second passage (62).

9. The refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the reinforcing portion (32F) is formed integrally with the first flow path member (32A) and the second flow path member (32B).

10. The refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the reinforcing portion (32F) is a rib extending in a direction intersecting the center axis line of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A).

11. The refrigerant flow path unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b) has an end opened on a surface of the flow path portion (32), the flow path portion (32) includes a seal member (32G) that is annular and is attached to the end of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b), and the refrigerant flow path unit further includes a coupling pipe (51d, 52d, 53d, 56d) that is fixed to the casing (33) and inserted into the seal member (32G).

12. The refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 11, further comprising a second joint portion (32F1) that joins an entire circumference of the seal member (32G) to the end of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b).

13. A refrigeration apparatus comprising a refrigerant circuit (30) including the refrigerant flow path unit (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A method of manufacturing a refrigerant flow path unit, the method comprising: a first step of molding a first flow path member (32A) that includes resin and has a part of a refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A) and a second flow path member (32B) that has another part of the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A); a second step of arranging a functional component (71, 60) that functions for a refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (51b, 31A) and temporarily assembling the first flow path member (32A) and the second flow path member (32B); a third step of joining the first flow path member (32A) and the second flow path member (32B) that are temporarily assembled and forming a flow path portion; and a fourth step of accommodating the flow path portion (32) in a casing (33) including metal.

15. The method of manufacturing a refrigerant flow path unit according to claim 14, wherein in the third step, a reinforcing portion (32F) is formed outside the refrigerant flow path (51b, 52b, 53b, 56b, 31A).

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