Flow path switching device

Abstract

To ensure sealing performance of seal means without increasing manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: A flow path switching device comprises stators 11, 50 and a valve body 40 that is driven relative to the stators, in which the stators and the valve body each include a communication passage 20, 30, 60, 70. The flow path switching device further comprises annular seal means 81 that is provided between the stators and the valve body and slides relative to the stators or the valve body as the valve body is driven. The flow path switching device is configured so as to switch and form a series of flow paths by selectively connecting the communication passage 60 of the valve body and the communication passages 20, 30, 70 of the stators by driving the valve body. The seal means is disposed on the inside of an annular groove 91 formed in the valve body or the stators, in which, in at least two directions in a radial direction of the seal means, an outer peripheral portion of the seal means abuts an outer peripheral wall 91b of the facing groove, and an inner peripheral portion of the seal means abuts an inner peripheral wall 91a of the facing groove.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a flow path switching device for switching a flow path of a fluid, and in particular to an assembly structure of a seal means used in a sliding portion of a valve body thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] The applicant of the present application is currently developing a flow path switching device for switching the flow path of a fluid, which comprises a stator, a valve body that moves relative to the stator, and a sealing means that is provided between the stator and the valve body and slides against the stator or the valve body as the valve body is moved, the stator having a number of communicating passages that open to the valve body, and the valve body and the sealing means selectively connecting two or more of the plurality of communicating passages to form a series of flow paths.

[0003] Here, as a technique related to a sealing means, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique related to a deformed O-ring and a sealing structure that are assembled in the middle of a flow path of a fluid (lubricating oil). This sealing structure has a deformed O-ring that is fitted into an elliptical recessed portion to seal the flow path. The deformed O-ring has an outer periphery length slightly longer than the inner periphery length of the recessed portion, and is provided with a first portion that is easily deformed so as to be recessed inward away from the inner periphery wall of the recessed portion when fitted into the recessed portion, a second portion that is less easily deformed than the first portion, and a deformation prevention means that prevents the deformation of the first portion. According to this sealing structure, when the deformed O-ring is fitted into the recessed portion, an external force acting on the second portion that is less easily deformed concentrates stress on the first portion that is relatively more easily deformed, and tries to recess the first portion inward. However, the first portion functions as a deformation prevention means and prevents the first portion from being recessed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-106485 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the seal structure described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the deformed O-ring is in close contact with the inner periphery wall of the recessed fitting portion, so that deformation due to stress concentration in the first portion can be prevented, and the desired sealing performance can be achieved. In addition, when the deformed O-ring is assembled into the recessed fitting portion, even if the recessed fitting portion faces downward, the deformed O-ring can be prevented from falling off. However, there is a problem that a deformation prevention means needs to be provided in the first portion, and special processing is required for the deformed O-ring, which increases the manufacturing cost.

[0006] This disclosed technology has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a flow path switching device that makes it possible to ensure the sealing performance of the sealing means without increasing manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 1 is a flow path switching device comprising at least one stator, a valve body that moves relative to the stator, the stator and the valve body each including at least one communicating passage, and an annular sealing means that is provided between the stator and the valve body and slides against the stator or the valve body as the valve body is driven, and is configured to selectively connect the communicating passage of the valve body and the communicating passage of the stator by driving the valve body, thereby switching and forming a series of flow paths, wherein the sealing means is arranged inside an annular groove formed in the valve body or the stator, and an outer periphery of the sealing means abuts against an outer periphery wall of the opposing groove, or an inner periphery of the sealing means abuts against an inner periphery wall of the opposing groove, in at least two directions in the radial direction of the sealing means.

[0008] According to the configuration of the above technology, the sealing means disposed inside the annular groove formed in the valve body or the stator has an outer periphery abutting the outer periphery wall of the opposing groove or an inner periphery abutting the inner periphery wall of the opposing groove in at least two radial directions, so that even without special processing of the sealing means, the sealing means is prevented from falling off the groove and displacement and twisting due to sliding of the sealing means are prevented when the sealing means is assembled.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 2 is the technology described in claim 1, wherein the valve body is configured to be rotationally driven, the groove has a track shape that is curved convexly outward from the center of rotation of the valve body, and includes an outer groove portion located on the radially outward side intersecting the radial direction of the valve body, an inner groove portion located on the radially inward side, a first connecting groove portion connecting one end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, and a second connecting groove portion connecting the other end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, and the sealing means abuts against the inner wall of the outer groove portion and a part of the outer wall of the inner groove portion.

[0010] According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the function of the technology described in claim 1, the track-shaped groove provided in the valve disc is curved convexly outward from the center of rotation of the valve disc, so that the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion are also curved gently convexly outward. The sealing means arranged inside the grooves abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the gently curved outer groove portion and a part of the outer peripheral wall of the gently curved inner groove portion.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 3 is the technology described in claim 1, wherein the valve body is configured to be rotationally driven, the groove has a track shape that is curved convexly outward from the center of rotation of the valve body, and includes an outer groove portion located on the radially outer side intersecting the radial direction of the valve body, an inner groove portion located on the radially inner side, a first connecting groove portion connecting one end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, and a second connecting groove portion connecting the other end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, and the sealing means abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the outer groove portion and a part of the outer peripheral wall of the inner groove portion.

[0012] According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1, the track-shaped groove provided in the valve disc is curved convexly outward from the center of rotation of the valve disc, so that the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion are also curved gently convexly outward. Therefore, the sealing means arranged inside the groove abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the gently curved outer groove portion and a part of the outer peripheral wall of the gently curved inner groove portion.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 4 is the technology described in claim 1, wherein the groove is substantially circular and comprises a semicircular groove portion having a semicircular shape and a semi-elliptical groove portion having a substantially elliptical shape, and the outer periphery of the sealing means abuts against the outer periphery wall of the semicircular groove portion so as to conform to the outer periphery wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion and is spaced apart from the outer periphery wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion.

[0014] According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1, the groove provided in the valve body is substantially circular and made up of a semicircular groove portion and a semi-elliptical groove portion. Therefore, the outer periphery of the sealing means arranged inside the groove abuts against the outer periphery wall of the semicircular groove portion so as to conform to the outer periphery wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion, and is separated from the outer periphery wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the technology described in claim 5 is the technology described in claim 1, wherein the groove is approximately circular and comprises a semicircular groove portion and a semielliptical groove portion, and the inner peripheral portion of the sealing means abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the semicircular groove portion so as to conform to the inner peripheral wall of the semielliptical groove portion and is spaced apart from the inner peripheral wall of the semielliptical groove portion.

[0016] According to the configuration of the above technology, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1, the groove provided in the valve body is substantially circular, consisting of a semicircular groove portion and a semi-elliptical groove portion. Therefore, the inner peripheral portion of the seal means arranged inside the groove abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the semicircular groove portion so as to conform to the inner peripheral wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion, and is separated from the inner peripheral wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the technique recited in claim 1, the sealing performance of the sealing means can be ensured without increasing the manufacturing cost of the flow path switching device.

[0018] According to the technology recited in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the technology recited in claim 1, it is possible to suppress the concentration of tensile stress acting on the sealing means, and to alleviate the concentration of side stress during sliding of the sealing means.

[0019] According to the technology described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the technology described in claim 1, it is possible to suppress the concentration of compressive stress acting on the sealing means, and to alleviate the concentration of side stress during sliding of the sealing means.

[0020] According to the technology recited in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the technology recited in claim 1, it is possible to suppress the concentration of compressive stress acting on the sealing means, and the sealing means can be easily assembled into a substantially circular groove.

[0021] According to the technology recited in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the technology recited in claim 1, it is possible to suppress the concentration of tensile stress acting on the sealing means, and the sealing means can be easily assembled into a substantially circular groove. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the flow path switching device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow path switching device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the flow path switching device in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the rotating disk in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a top view showing the fixed disk in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an image diagram illustrating a flow path pattern A according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an image diagram illustrating a flow path pattern B in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotating disk in the first embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing one assembly groove formed in the rotating disk for assembling the valve seal member in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the shape of the valve seal member before being assembled into the assembly groove in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 9A to 9C are cross-sectional views taken along lines A1-A1, A2-A2, and A3-A3 in FIG. 8 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 8 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotating disk in a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the shape of the valve seal member before being assembled into the assembly groove in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotating disk in a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the shape of the valve seal member before being assembled into the assembly groove in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines C1-C1, C2-C2, and C3-C3 in FIG. 15 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 15 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotary disk (in the case of a lower limit of tolerance) in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotary disk (in the case of an upper tolerance limit) in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotary disk (in the case of the lower limit of tolerance) in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotary disk (in the case of an upper tolerance limit) in the fifth embodiment. [Diagram 23]FIG. 13 is a plan view showing details of an assembly structure of one valve seal member in a rotating disk in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the shape of the valve seal member before being assembled into the assembly groove in the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the flow path switching device will be described in detail.

[0024] First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] [Overview of the flow switching device] Fig. 1 shows an external perspective view of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment (illustration of the drive unit 13 is omitted). Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment (illustration of the drive unit 13 is omitted). As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the flow path switching device 1 includes a housing 11, a valve body portion 12, and a drive unit 13.

[0026] [About housing] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the housing 11 is configured by fastening an upper housing 11A and a lower housing 11B with a plurality of screws 16. The housing 11 includes an inflow passage 20 through which a fluid flows in and an outflow passage 30 through which the fluid flows out. In this embodiment, the flow path switching device 1 is configured as a six-way valve as an example, and the housing 11 has three inflow passages 20 and three outflow passages 30. As the three inflow passages 20, a first inflow passage 21, a second inflow passage 22, and a third inflow passage 23 are provided in the upper housing 11A. As shown in Fig. 3, an opening 20a that can communicate with a rotary elongated hole 60 described later is provided at one end of the inflow passage 20 facing a rotary disk 40 described later. In addition, as the three outflow passages 30, a first outflow passage 31, a second outflow passage 32, and a third outflow passage 33 are provided in the lower housing 11B.

[0027] The housing 11 is formed of, for example, resin. The housing 11 (upper housing 11A and lower housing 11B) corresponds to an example of a "stator" in the disclosed technology, and the inlet passage 20 (first inlet passage 21, second inlet passage 22, and third inlet passage 23) and the outlet passage 30 (first outlet passage 31, second outlet passage 32, and third outlet passage 33) correspond to an example of a "stator communication passage" in the disclosed technology.

[0028] [About the valve body] The valve body portion 12 is provided inside the housing 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the valve body portion 12 includes a fixed disk 50 that does not rotate, a rotating disk 40 that is stacked on the fixed disk 50 and is driven to rotate relative to the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50, and a rotating shaft 42 that is provided integrally with the rotating disk 40 at the center of the rotating disk 40.

[0029] The rotating disk 40 (including the rotating shaft 42) and the fixed disk 50 are formed of, for example, resin. The rotating disk 40 corresponds to an example of a "valve body" in the technology disclosed herein, and the fixed disk 50 constitutes a part of a "stator" in the technology disclosed herein.

[0030] [About the rotating disk] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the rotary disk 40. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotary disk 40 is disposed between the upper housing 11A and the fixed disk 50. The rotary disk 40 includes a disk portion 41 and a rotary shaft 42. The rotary disk 40 (disk portion 41) is formed in a disk shape and includes a plurality of rotary long holes 60. The rotary long holes 60 penetrate the rotary disk 40 in the plate thickness direction (axial direction), extend along the plate surface direction, and can communicate with the inlet passage 20 and a fixed passage 70 described later. In this embodiment, the rotary disk 40 includes three rotary long holes 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the three rotary long holes 60 include a first rotary long hole 61, a second rotary long hole 62, and a third rotary long hole 63. The rotary long holes 60 (the first rotary long hole 61, the second rotary long hole 62, and the third rotary long hole 63) correspond to an example of a "communication passage of the valve body" in the technology disclosed herein.

[0031] [About the rotation axis] The rotating shaft 42 is connected to the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) at one axial end thereof, and is connected to the driving unit 13 at the other axial end thereof. The rotating shaft 42 is formed integrally with the disk portion 41 such that its central axis coincides with the central axis L of the rotating disk 40. The rotating shaft 42 receives a rotational driving force from the driving unit 13 and rotates, whereby the rotating disk 40 rotates.

[0032] [About fixed disks] Fig. 5 shows a top view of the fixed disk 50. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the fixed disk 50 includes a disk portion 51 and a plurality of cylindrical portions 52 formed integrally with the disk portion 51. A retaining spring 87 for urging and retaining the fixed disk 50 in the direction of the rotating disk 40 is provided between the fixed disk 50 and the lower housing 11B. The retaining spring 87 is disposed on the lower surface of the fixed disk 50 so as to include each of the cylindrical portions 52 therein.

[0033] The disk portion 51 is formed in a disk shape and includes fixed passages 70 penetrating in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the three fixed passages 70 include a first fixed passage 71, a second fixed passage 72, and a third fixed passage 73. The three fixed passages 70 are disposed at equal angular intervals from one another. The fixed passages 70 correspond to an example of a "stator communication passage" in the technology disclosed herein.

[0034] The cylindrical portion 52 is formed to extend in the axial direction from the disk portion 51 so as to surround the fixed passage 70. In this embodiment, three cylindrical portions 52 are formed to correspond to the three fixed passages 70, respectively. The tips of these fixed passages 70 are connected to the outflow passage 30 formed in the lower housing 11B. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, an opening 70a that can communicate with the rotary elongated hole 60 is provided at one end of the fixed passage 70 facing the rotary disc 40.

[0035] [About the drive unit] The drive unit 13 includes a motor, a reduction mechanism, and the like (not shown) for applying a rotational drive force to the rotating shaft 42.

[0036] The flow path switching device 1 configured as above forms a series of flow paths through which the fluid flows by connecting the inflow path 20, the rotary slot 60, and the fixed path 70 (outflow path 30). The flow path switching device 1 is configured to selectively connect the three rotary slots 60 (61-63), the three inflow paths 20 (21-23), the three fixed paths 70 (71-73), and the three outflow paths 30 (31-33) by rotating the rotary disk 40 via the rotary shaft 42 using the drive unit 13, thereby switching and forming a series of flow paths for the fluid.

[0037] [About the flow path pattern] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, as flow path pattern A, three rotary elongated holes 60 (61-63) communicate the first inflow path 21, the first fixed passage 71 and the first outflow path 31, communicate the second inflow path 22, the second fixed passage 72 and the second outflow path 32, and communicate the third inflow path 23, the third fixed passage 73 and the third outflow path 33. Fig. 6 shows a schematic image diagram of flow path pattern A.

[0038] Then, by rotating the rotary disk 40 clockwise by "60°" using the drive unit 13, the state of the flow path pattern A shown in Fig. 6 can be switched to the flow path pattern B shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows the flow path pattern B in a schematic image diagram.

[0039] That is, in flow path pattern B, three rotating long holes 60 (61-63) connect the first inlet passage 21, the third fixed passage 73, and the third outlet passage 33, connect the second inlet passage 22, the first fixed passage 71, and the first outlet passage 31, and connect the third inlet passage 23, the second fixed passage 72, and the second outlet passage 32.

[0040] It should be noted that the flow path pattern B shown in Fig. 7 can be switched to the flow path pattern A shown in Fig. 6 by rotating the rotary disk 40 counterclockwise by "60°" using the drive unit 13. Alternatively, the flow path pattern can be switched to the flow path pattern A shown in Fig. 6 by further rotating the rotary disk 40 clockwise by "60°" (in this case, the combination of the rotary slots 60 is different).

[0041] [Valve seal material] 3, in the flow path switching device 1, valve seal members 81 for suppressing leakage of fluid in the flow paths are provided between the upper housing 11A and the rotating disk 40 and between the rotating disk 40 and the fixed disk 50. Here, as the valve seal members 81, an upper valve seal member 81A is provided between the upper housing 11A and the rotating disk 40, and a lower valve seal member 81B is provided between the rotating disk 40 and the fixed disk 50.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the valve seal member 81 is provided on the upper surface 41a and the lower surface 41b of the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) in a protruding manner so as to surround the periphery of the opening edge 60a of the rotary slot 60. The upper valve seal member 81A provided on the upper surface 41a of the rotating disk 40 is provided so as to protrude toward the upper housing 11A and contacts the inner surface 11a of the upper housing 11A to seal the series of flow paths formed between the inflow passage 20 and the rotary slot 60 communicating with the inflow passage 20 from the outside. The lower valve seal member 81B provided on the lower surface 41b of the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) is provided so as to contact the fixed disk 50 to seal the series of flow paths formed between the fixed passage 70 and the rotary slot 60 communicating with the fixed passage 70 from the outside.

[0043] In this embodiment, each valve seal member 81 (81A, 81B) is formed, for example, from a rubber material which is an elastic body. Alternatively, each valve seal member 81 can be formed from a fluororesin (for example, Teflon (registered trademark)), from rubber to which a fluororesin is attached, or from a material other than fluororesin or rubber. These valve seal members 81 correspond to an example of the "sealing means" of the disclosed technology.

[0044] [Other sealing materials] 3, a lip seal 88 is provided between the upper housing 11A and the rotating shaft 42. In addition, another lip seal 89 is provided between each cylindrical portion 52 of the fixed disk 50 and the lower housing 11B.

[0045] [Assembly structure of valve seal material] FIG. 8 shows in plan view the details of the mounting structure of one valve seal member 81 in the rotating disk 40. A plurality of inward and outward arrows shown in FIG. 8 indicate the restoring stress of the valve seal member 81. (The same applies to FIGS. 13, 15, 19 to 21 described later.) FIG. 9 shows in plan view one mounting groove 91 formed in the rotating disk 40 for mounting the valve seal member 81. FIG. 10 shows in plan view the shape of the valve seal member 81 before mounting to the mounting groove 91. Note that in FIGS. 8 to 10, the illustration of the rotary elongated hole 60 formed in the rotating disk 40 (disk portion 41) on the inner side of the mounting groove 91 is omitted. Unlike FIG. 8, FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 7 show the mounting of the valve seal member 81 in the rotating disk 40 in a schematic manner.

[0046] The valve seal member 81 is positioned inside an annular assembly groove 91 formed in the disk portion 41 of the rotating disk 40, and the outer periphery of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer periphery wall 91b of the opposing assembly groove 91, and the inner periphery of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the inner periphery wall 91a of the opposing assembly groove 91 in at least two radial directions of the valve seal member 81 (extensions of the arrows RD shown in Figure 8 as an example).

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the assembly groove 91 has a track shape that is convexly curved radially outward (in the direction indicated by arrow M1) from the rotation center RC of the rotating disk 40, and includes an outer groove portion 92 (indicated by arrow range K1 in FIG. 9) located radially outward and intersecting the radial direction of the rotating disk 40, an inner groove portion 93 (indicated by arrow range K2 in FIG. 9) located radially inward, a first connecting groove portion 94 (indicated by arrow range K3 in FIG. 9) connecting one end of the outer groove portion 92 and the inner groove portion 93, and a second connecting groove portion 95 (indicated by arrow range K4 in FIG. 9) connecting the other end of the outer groove portion 92 and the inner groove portion 93. 9, the assembly groove 91 includes a pair of outer groove portion 92 and inner groove portion 93 extending along the rotation direction Y (drive direction) of the rotating disk 40, and a first connecting groove portion 94 and a second connecting groove portion 95 arranged in a direction intersecting the rotation direction Y of the rotating disk 40 and connecting both ends of the outer groove portion 92 and the inner groove portion 93. Here, the inner groove portion 93 has a smaller diameter arc shape that is convexly curved particularly toward the direction of arrow M1 compared to the outer groove portion 92, and the arc coincides with the circumferential locus of the rotating disk 40.

[0048] In this embodiment, the valve seal member 81 before being assembled into the assembly groove 91 has a shape similar to the planar shape of the assembly groove 91, as shown in Fig. 10. That is, the valve seal member 81 includes an outer seal portion 82 corresponding to the outer groove portion 92, an inner seal portion 83 corresponding to the inner groove portion 93, a first connecting seal portion 84 corresponding to the first connecting groove portion 94, and a second connecting seal portion 85 corresponding to the second connecting groove portion 95. However, unlike the inner groove portion 93, the inner seal portion 83 has a straight shape that is not curved. Then, as shown in Fig. 8, the valve seal member 81 is assembled into the assembly groove 91 so that the outer seal portion 82 and both connecting seal portions 84, 85 respectively abut against the inner peripheral walls 91a of the outer groove portion 92 and both connecting groove portions 94, 95, and a part of the inner seal portion 83 abuts against a part of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93.

[0049] In this embodiment, in order to deal with the dropping and sliding of the valve seal member 81 assembled in the assembly groove 91, the valve seal member 81 is held by the surface pressure with the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 other than the inner groove portion 93 and the surface pressure with the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93. For this purpose, the valve seal member 81 has a portion other than the inner seal portion 83 conformed to the shape and length of the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91, and the inner seal portion 83 has a straight shape without being curved as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, when the valve seal member 81 is assembled in the assembly groove 91, the restoring force of the valve seal member 81 is utilized to abut the portion other than the inner seal portion 83 against the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91, and the inner seal portion 83 is pressed against the outer peripheral wall 91b, thereby forming surface pressure between the inner peripheral wall 91a and the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91. As a result, even if the assembly groove 91 is turned downward after assembly, the valve seal member 81 can be held in the assembly groove 91 without falling off. In addition, the inner seal portion 83 of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93 and assumes a shape that approximates a circumference, making it possible to alleviate side stress concentration during sliding in that portion.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows cross-sectional views taken along the lines A1-A1, A2-A2, and A3-A3 in FIG. 8. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the unused cross-sectional shape of the valve seal member 81 is circular (this is the same in each of the following embodiments). In the areas of the lines A1-A1, A2-A2, and A3-A3 in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 11, the valve seal member 81 abuts against the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 and is spaced apart from the outer peripheral wall 91b. The valve seal member 81 abuts against and is pressed against the inner peripheral wall 91a, so that the inner peripheral surface pressure is high. Also, in the area of ​​the line BB in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 12, the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 and is spaced apart from the inner peripheral wall 91a. The valve seal member 81 comes into contact with and is pressed against the outer circumferential wall 91b, so that the outer circumferential surface pressure is increased.

[0051] [About the action and effect of the flow switching device] According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, the valve seal member 81 disposed inside the annular assembly groove 91 formed in the rotary disk 40 has an outer periphery of the valve seal member 81 abut against the outer periphery wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 facing the valve seal member 81 and an inner periphery of the valve seal member 81 abut against the inner periphery wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 facing the valve seal member 81 in at least two directions in the radial direction. Therefore, even if the valve seal member 81 is not specially processed, the valve seal member 81 is prevented from falling off from the assembly groove 91 when the valve seal member 81 is assembled into the assembly groove 91. In particular, when the valve seal member 81 is assembled on both the upper surface 41a and the lower surface 41b of the rotary disk 40 as in this embodiment, the assembly direction can be set to one direction when the entire flow path switching device 1 is assembled. In addition, the positional deviation and twisting due to the sliding of the valve seal member 81 are suppressed. Therefore, the sealing property of the valve seal member 81 can be ensured without increasing the manufacturing cost of the flow path switching device 1.

[0052] According to the configuration of this embodiment, the track-shaped assembly groove 91 provided in the rotating disk 40 is curved outwardly in a convex shape from the rotation center RC of the rotating disk 40, so that the outer groove portion 92 and the inner groove portion 93 are also curved gently outwardly in a convex shape. The valve seal member 81 disposed inside the assembly groove 91 abuts against the inner peripheral wall 91a of the gently curved outer groove portion 92 and a part of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the gently curved inner groove portion 93. This makes it possible to suppress the concentration of tensile stress acting on the valve seal member 81 when the rotating disk 40 rotates, and to alleviate the concentration of side stress when the valve seal member 81 slides.

[0053] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In the following description, components equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0054] [Assembly structure of valve seal material] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the assembly structure of the valve seal member 81. Fig. 13 shows in a plan view the details of the assembly structure of one valve seal member 81 in the rotary disk 40. Fig. 14 shows in a plan view the shape of the valve seal member 81 before being assembled into the assembly groove 91. In the first embodiment, the planar shape of the valve seal member 81 before assembly is a substantially track shape close to the planar shape of the assembly groove 91, but in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, the planar shape of the valve seal member 81 before assembly is circular. Then, by assembling this circular valve seal member 81 into the assembly groove 91 while stretching it, as shown in Fig. 13, it is in the same assembled state as Fig. 8 of the first embodiment.

[0055] That is, in this embodiment as well, in order to deal with dropping and sliding of the valve seal member 81 assembled in the assembly groove 91, the valve seal member 81 is held by the surface pressure with the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 other than the inner groove portion 93 and the surface pressure with the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93. For this purpose, the circumferential length of the circular valve seal member 81 is set shorter than the circumferential length of the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91. Then, when the valve seal member 81 is assembled in the assembly groove 91, the restoring force of the valve seal member 81 is utilized to bring the valve seal member 81 into contact with the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 in the portion other than the inner seal portion 83, and the inner seal portion 83 is pressed against the outer peripheral wall 91b, thereby forming surface pressure between the inner peripheral wall 91a and the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91. As a result, even if the assembly groove 91 is turned downward after the valve seal member 81 is assembled, the valve seal member 81 can be held in the assembly groove 91 without falling off. Also, the inner seal portion 83 of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93 and assumes a shape that approximates a circular arc, making it possible to alleviate side stress concentration during sliding of this portion.

[0056] [About the action and effect of the flow switching device] According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, unlike the first embodiment, the planar shape of the valve seal member 81 before assembly is circular, which eliminates the need to consider the direction during assembly, improving manufacturability, and basically provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0057] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] [Assembly structure of valve seal material] This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the assembly structure of the valve seal member 81. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing details of the assembly structure of one valve seal member 81 in the rotating disk 40. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the shape of the valve seal member 81 before assembly. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the shape of the valve seal member 81 before assembly is a substantial track shape that is similar to the planar shape of the assembly groove 91.

[0059] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the shape of the assembly groove 91 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the shape of the valve seal member 81 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 other than the inner groove portion 93 and a part of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93. That is, as shown in Figure 15, the valve seal member 81 is assembled into the assembly groove 91 so that the outer seal portion 82 and both connecting seal portions 84, 85 abut against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the outer groove portion 92 and both connecting groove portions 94, 95, respectively, and a part of the inner seal portion 83 abuts against a part of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93.

[0060] In this embodiment, to prevent the valve seal member 81 assembled in the assembly groove 91 from dropping or sliding, the valve seal member 81 is held in place by the surface pressure between the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 and the inner groove portion 93, and by the surface pressure between the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93. To this end, the valve seal member 81 is adapted such that the portion other than the inner seal portion 83 matches the shape and length of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91, and the inner seal portion 83 has a straight, uncurved shape as shown in FIG. As a result, when the valve seal member 81 is assembled into the assembly groove 91, the valve seal member 81 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 at the portion other than the inner seal portion 83 by utilizing the restoring force of the valve seal member 81, and the inner seal portion 83 is pressed against the outer peripheral wall 91b to form a surface pressure between the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91, and the boundary portion between the assembly groove 94 and the assembly groove 93 and the assembly groove 95 and the assembly groove 93 is brought into contact with the inner peripheral wall 91a to form a surface pressure between the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91. As a result, even if the assembly groove 91 is turned downward after assembly, the valve seal member 81 can be held in the assembly groove 91 without falling off. Also, the inner seal portion 83 of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the inner groove portion 93 to form a shape that is close to a circumference, so that the concentration of side stress during sliding of that portion can be alleviated.

[0061] FIG. 17 shows cross-sectional views taken along lines C1-C1, C2-C2 and C3-C3 in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 shows cross-sectional views taken along line DD in FIG. 15. In the areas of lines C1-C1, C2-C2 and C3-C3 in FIG. 15, as shown in FIG. 17, the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 and is spaced apart from the inner peripheral wall 91a. The valve seal member 81 abuts against and is pressed against the outer peripheral wall 91b, thereby increasing the outer peripheral surface pressure. In addition, in the area of ​​line DD in FIG. 15, as shown in FIG. 18, the valve seal member 81 abuts against the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 and is spaced apart from the outer peripheral wall 91b. The valve seal member 81 abuts against and is pressed against the inner and outer peripheral walls 91a, thereby increasing the inner peripheral surface pressure.

[0062] [About the action and effect of the flow switching device] According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, the track-shaped assembly groove 91 provided in the rotating disk 40 is curved outwardly in a convex shape from the rotation center RC of the rotating disk 40, so that the outer groove portion 92 and the inner groove portion 93 are also curved outwardly in a gently convex shape. Therefore, unlike the above-mentioned embodiments, the valve seal member 81 arranged inside the assembly groove 91 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the gently curved outer groove portion 92 and a part of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the gently curved inner groove portion 93. Therefore, unlike the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to suppress the concentration of compressive stress acting on the valve seal member 81 when the rotating disk 40 rotates, and to alleviate the concentration of side stress when the valve seal member 81 slides.

[0063] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0064] [Assembly structure of valve seal material] This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in terms of the assembly structure of the valve seal member 81. Figures 19 and 20 are plan views showing details of the assembly structure of one valve seal member 81 in the rotating disk 40. Figure 19 shows the case of the lower tolerance limit, and Figure 20 shows the case of the upper tolerance limit. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, in this embodiment, the valve seal member 81 before assembly has a perfect circle shape in plan view, and the assembly groove 91 has an approximately circular shape in plan view, half of which has a perfect semicircle shape, and the remaining half of which has a slightly elliptical shape that bulges outward from the perfect semicircle shape. 19 and 20, the assembly groove 91 is substantially circular, and with respect to auxiliary lines L2 and L3 passing through the center P1 of the assembly groove 91, the left half of the assembly groove 91 does not have a perfect semicircular groove portion 96, and the right half forms a semi-elliptical groove portion 97 that is a substantially ellipse (slight ellipse) bulging outward along the horizontal auxiliary line L3. The outer periphery of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the outer periphery wall 91b of the semicircular groove portion 96 so as to follow the outer periphery wall 91b of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97, and is spaced apart from the outer periphery wall 91b of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97. In FIGS. 19 and 20, the two-dot chain line shown in the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 indicates the outer periphery of the perfect circle of the valve seal member 81.

[0065] In this embodiment, the excess length of the valve seal member 81, which occurs under the condition that the maximum value of the outer circumferential length of the valve seal member 81 is greater than the minimum value of the length of the outer circumferential wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 due to the tolerance between the valve seal member 81 and the assembly groove 91, is absorbed by the minute elliptical portion of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 of the assembly groove 91. This suppresses twisting of the valve seal member 81 during assembly, and also relieves stress concentration on the outer periphery of the valve seal member 81 during sliding.

[0066] Here, in the case of the "lower limit of tolerance" shown in Figure 19, when the assembly groove 91 is a perfect circle, the length of the outer peripheral wall 91b is maximized and the outer peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 is minimized. In this case, the outer peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 is longer than the length of the outer peripheral wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 when it is a perfect circle by the lower limit of the tolerance. At this time, in Figure 19, the outer periphery of the left semicircular portion of the valve seal member 81 is pressed against the outer peripheral wall 91b of the semicircular groove portion 96 of the assembly groove 91, preventing the valve seal member 81 from falling off.

[0067] 20, when the assembly groove 91 is a perfect circle, the length of the outer peripheral wall 91b is minimized and the outer peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 is maximized. In this case, the excess length of the valve seal member 81 is absorbed by the bulging portion of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 of the assembly groove 91, preventing twisting of the valve seal member 81.

[0068] [About the action and effect of the flow switching device] The configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above provides the following actions and effects, which are different from the previous embodiments. That is, in this embodiment, the assembly groove 91 provided in the rotary disk 40 is substantially circular and is composed of a semicircular groove portion 96 and a semi-elliptical groove portion 97. Therefore, the outer periphery of the valve seal member 81 arranged inside the assembly groove 91 abuts so as to conform to the outer periphery wall 91b of the semicircular groove portion 96, and is separated from the outer periphery wall 91b of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the concentration of compressive stress acting on the valve seal member 81 when the rotary disk 40 is driven to rotate, and the valve seal member 81 can be easily assembled into the substantially circular assembly groove 91.

[0069] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0070] [Assembly structure of valve seal material] This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in terms of the assembly structure of the valve seal member 81. Figures 21 and 22 show the details of the assembly structure of one valve seal member 81 in the rotary disk 40 in plan views. Figure 21 shows the case of the lower tolerance limit, and Figure 22 shows the case of the upper tolerance limit. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, in this embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the valve seal member 81 before assembly has a perfect circle shape in plan view, and the assembly groove 91 has an approximately circular shape in plan view, half of which has a perfect semicircular shape, and the remaining half of which has a slight elliptical shape that is shrunk inward from the perfect semicircular shape. That is, in Figures 21 and 22, the assembly groove 91 has an approximately circular shape, and the left half of the assembly groove 91 has a perfect semicircular semicircular groove portion 96 with the vertical auxiliary line L2 as the center, and the right half has a semielliptical groove portion 97 that is approximately elliptical (slight elliptical). The inner periphery of the valve seal member 81 abuts against the inner periphery wall 91a of the semicircular groove portion 96 so as to conform to the inner periphery wall 91a of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97, and is spaced apart from the inner periphery wall 91a of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97. In Figures 21 and 22, the two-dot chain line shown in the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 indicates the inner periphery of the valve seal member 81, which is a perfect circle.

[0071] In this embodiment, excessive tensile stress in the valve seal member 81, which occurs under conditions where the minimum value of the inner peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 due to the tolerance between the valve seal member 81 and the assembly groove 91 is smaller than the maximum value of the length of the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91, is absorbed by the minute elliptical portion of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 of the assembly groove 91. This suppresses excessive pulling when the valve seal member 81 is assembled, and also alleviates stress concentration on the inner peripheral surface of the valve seal member 81 during sliding.

[0072] Here, in the case of the "lower limit of tolerance" shown in Figure 21, the length of the inner peripheral wall 91a when the assembly groove 91 is a perfect circle is minimized, and the inner peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 is maximized. In this case, the inner peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 is shorter than the length of the inner peripheral wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 when it is a perfect circle by the lower limit of the tolerance. At this time, in Figure 21, the inner circumference of the left half of the valve seal member 81 is held by the inner peripheral wall 91a of the semicircular groove portion 96 of the assembly groove 91, preventing the valve seal member 81 from falling off.

[0073] 22, when the assembly groove 91 is a perfect circle, the length of the inner peripheral wall 91a is maximized and the inner peripheral length of the valve seal member 81 is minimized. In this case, the contracted portion of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 of the assembly groove 91 absorbs the excess length of the valve seal member 81, preventing twisting of the valve seal member 81.

[0074] [About the action and effect of the flow switching device] The configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above provides the following actions and effects, which are different from the previous embodiments. That is, in this embodiment, the assembly groove 91 provided in the rotating disk 40 is substantially circular and is composed of a semicircular groove portion 96 and a semi-elliptical groove portion 97. Therefore, the inner peripheral portion of the valve seal member 81 arranged inside the assembly groove 91 abuts against the inner peripheral wall 91a of the semicircular groove portion 96 so as to conform to the inner peripheral wall 91a of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97, and is separated from the inner peripheral wall 91a of the semi-elliptical groove portion 97. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the concentration of tensile stress acting on the valve seal member 81 when the rotating disk 40 is driven to rotate, and the valve seal member 81 can be easily assembled into the substantially circular assembly groove 91.

[0075] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] [Assembly structure of valve seal material] This embodiment differs from the fourth and fifth embodiments in terms of the assembly structure of the valve seal member 81. FIG. 23 shows a plan view of the assembly structure of one valve seal member 81 in the rotary disk 40 in detail. FIG. 24 shows a plan view of the shape of the valve seal member 81 before being assembled into the assembly groove 91. As shown in FIG. 24, in this embodiment, unlike the fourth and fifth embodiments, the valve seal member 81 having an elliptical shape as a whole in a plan view is assembled into the assembly groove 91 having a perfect circular shape as a whole in a plan view before assembly. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the valve seal member 81 is formed of a rubber material with a low Young's modulus, and is set so that its minor axis is shorter than the inner diameter of the assembly groove 91 and its major axis is longer than the outer diameter of the assembly groove 91.

[0077] [About the action and effect of the flow switching device] According to the configuration of the flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment described above, the assembly groove 91 has a circular shape like the fourth and fifth embodiments, but the following actions and effects are obtained, unlike the fourth and fifth embodiments. That is, in this embodiment, due to the above settings, the inner periphery of the valve seal member 81 and the inner periphery wall 91a of the assembly groove 91 come into face-to-face contact with each other at the first portion E1 and the second portion E2 shown by the dashed oval on the vertical auxiliary line L2, and the outer periphery of the valve seal member 81 and the outer periphery wall 91b of the assembly groove 91 come into face-to-face contact with each other at the third portion E3 and the fourth portion E4 shown by the dashed oval on the horizontal auxiliary line L3, as shown in FIG. 23, at other locations away from auxiliary lines L2, L3, such as fifth to eighth locations E5 to E8 indicated by dashed ovals, the inner and outer peripheries of the valve seal member 81 do not come into contact with the inner circumferential wall 91a and outer circumferential wall 91b of the assembly groove 91, and expansion and contraction of the valve seal member 81 is absorbed. In this case, even if the elliptical valve seal member 81 is assembled into the circular assembly groove 91 by arbitrarily changing the orientation of its major and minor axes, the first to fourth locations E1 to E4 that come into face-to-face contact can still be arranged to be spaced at equal angular intervals (90°).

[0078] <Another embodiment> It should be noted that the disclosed technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented as follows by appropriately modifying part of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the disclosed technology.

[0079] (1) In each of the above embodiments, the valve seal members 81 are attached to the upper surface 41a and the lower surface 41b of the disk portion 41 of the rotating disk 40. However, the valve seal members may be attached to the upper housing or fixed disk that faces the rotating disk.

[0080] (2) In the sixth embodiment, the assembly groove 91 is formed in a perfect circle, and the valve seal member 81 is formed in an ellipse and assembled into the assembly groove 91. However, the assembly groove may be formed in an ellipse, and the valve seal member may be formed in a perfect circle and assembled into the assembly groove.

[0081] (3) In each of the above embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the valve seal member 81 before assembly is circular. However, the cross-sectional shape may be various shapes other than circular.

[0082] (4) In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the semicircular groove portion 96 and the semi-elliptical groove portion 97 form a substantially circular shape. However, the semi-elliptical groove portion may have a different configuration, and the circular groove portion may occupy more than half of the groove. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] The disclosed technique can be utilized, for example, to switch the flow path of a fluid in a fluid circuit through which a fluid flows. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Flow path switching device 11 Housing (stator) 20 Inflow path (communication path) 30 Outflow path (communication path) 40 Rotating disc (valve body) 50 Fixed disk (stator) 60 Rotating slot (connecting passage) 70 Fixed passage (communicating passage) 81 Valve seal member (sealing means) 91 Assembly groove (groove) 91a Inner wall 91b Outer wall 92 Outer groove 93 Inner groove 94 First connecting groove 95 Second connecting groove 96 Semicircular groove 97 Semi-elliptical groove

Claims

1. At least one stator; A valve body that moves relative to the stator; the stator and the valve body each include at least one communication passage; an annular seal means provided between the stator and the valve body, the annular seal means sliding against the stator or the valve body as the valve body is driven; Equipped with a flow passage switching device configured to selectively connect the communication passage of the valve body and the communication passage of the stator by driving the valve body, thereby switching and forming a series of flow passages, The sealing means is disposed inside an annular groove formed in the valve body or the stator, and an outer circumferential portion of the sealing means abuts against an outer circumferential wall of the groove, and an inner circumferential portion of the sealing means abuts against an inner circumferential wall of the groove, in at least two directions in a radial direction of the sealing means. A flow path switching device.

2. The flow path switching device according to claim 1 , The valve body is configured to be rotationally driven, The groove has a track shape that is curved convexly outward from the center of rotation of the valve body, and includes an outer groove portion located on the radially outer side intersecting with the radial direction of the valve body, an inner groove portion located on the radially inner side, a first connecting groove portion connecting one end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, and a second connecting groove portion connecting the other end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, The sealing means abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the outer groove portion and a part of the outer peripheral wall of the inner groove portion. A flow path switching device.

3. The flow path switching device according to claim 1 , The valve body is configured to be rotationally driven, The groove has a track shape that is curved convexly outward from the center of rotation of the valve body, and includes an outer groove portion located on the radially outer side intersecting with the radial direction of the valve body, an inner groove portion located on the radially inner side, a first connecting groove portion connecting one end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, and a second connecting groove portion connecting the other end of the outer groove portion and the inner groove portion, The sealing means abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the outer groove portion and a part of the outer peripheral wall of the inner groove portion. A flow path switching device.

4. The flow path switching device according to claim 1 , The groove is substantially circular and includes a semicircular groove portion and a semielliptical groove portion. The outer periphery of the sealing means is in contact with the outer periphery wall of the semicircular groove portion so as to conform to the outer periphery wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion and is spaced apart from the outer periphery wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion. A flow path switching device.

5. The flow path switching device according to claim 1 , The groove is substantially circular and includes a semicircular groove portion and a semielliptical groove portion. The inner peripheral portion of the sealing means is in contact with the inner peripheral wall of the semicircular groove portion so as to conform to the inner peripheral wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion and is spaced apart from the inner peripheral wall of the semi-elliptical groove portion. A flow path switching device.

Images