Rotary valve

Abstract

To improve assembling property of a valve body.SOLUTION: An inflow port and an outflow port 22 of fluid FL are provided on a storage wall part 14 of a housing 12. A valve body part 32 of a valve body 31 is stored in the storage wall part 14. A packing 73 is disposed between respective peripheral edge parts of the inflow port and the outflow port 22 on an inner peripheral surface 15 of the storage wall part 14 and an outer peripheral surface 33 of the valve body part 32. A support mechanism M1 for rotatably supporting the valve body 31 in the housing 12 comprises: a bearing hole 51 that extends in a direction along a second axis line AL2 of the housing 12 in the valve body part 32; and a shaft part 61 that projects in the same direction from the housing 12, and which is inserted into the bearing hole 51. In the bearing hole 51, an area from an intermediate part to an opening part 54 in the direction along the second axis line AL2 is composed by a tapered hole part 52 inclined to the second axis line AL2 such that its diameter increases as it is more away from an inner bottom surface 55.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary valve. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a rotary valve that switches the flow pattern of a fluid in a flow path by rotating a valve body (for example, see Patent Document 1). As shown in Figures 22 to 25, a rotary valve 100 includes a valve body 105 having a first axis AL1, a housing 101 having a second axis AL2, and a support mechanism M1 that rotatably supports the valve body 105 on the housing 101.

[0003] The housing 101 has an annular storage wall 102 extending along the second axis AL2. The housing 101 has an inlet 103 and an outlet 104 for the fluid FL. The valve body 105 has a valve main body 106 that is stored in the storage wall 102 with the first axis AL1 aligned with the second axis AL2.

[0004] The support mechanism M1 includes a bearing hole 107 provided in the valve body 106 and a shaft portion 111 provided in the housing 101. The bearing hole 107 extends in the valve body 106 in a direction along the second axis AL2. The bearing hole 107 has an opening 108 at one end in the direction along the second axis AL2, and has an inner bottom surface 109 at the other end. The shaft portion 111 protrudes from the housing 101 in the direction along the second axis AL2, and is inserted into the bearing hole 107.

[0005] At least one of the inlet 103 and the outlet 104 is provided in the housing wall 102. A packing 112 is disposed between the peripheral edge of the inlet 103 or the outlet 104 that is provided in the housing wall 102 and the outer circumferential surface of the valve main body 106.

[0006] In the rotary valve 100 having the above-described configuration, when the valve element 105 is rotated about the first axis AL1, the state of communication between the inlet 103 and the outlet 104 by the valve element 105 is changed.

[0007] Furthermore, the packing 112 is elastically deformed in the radial direction of the accommodation wall 102 by the valve main body 106. The gap between the peripheral edge of either the inlet 103 or the outlet 104, whichever is provided in the accommodation wall 102, and the outer circumferential surface of the valve main body 106 is sealed by the packing 112 elastically deformed as described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-152801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the above-mentioned conventional rotary valve 100, when assembling the valve body 105, the packing 112 is first fitted inside the housing wall portion 102. Then, in this state, the valve body portion 106 is inserted into the housing wall portion 102.

[0010] As described above, in the rotary valve 100, sealing is achieved by elastically deforming the packing 112 in the radial direction of the housing wall 102. Therefore, as shown in Figure 25, when the valve body 106 is inserted into the housing wall 102, a load acts on the valve body 106 from the packing 112 in the radial inward direction of the housing wall 102.

[0011] Therefore, depending on the arrangement of the packings 112 in the circumferential direction of the housing wall 102, it may happen that the valve main body 106 receives an unbalanced load from the packings 112. For example, this may be the case when the packings 112 are not arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction of the housing wall 102. The unbalanced load here refers to a load that is a combination of the loads of the packings 112 and that occurs only in a specific direction on the valve main body 106.

[0012] In this case, the following problem may occur. Due to the unbalanced load acting on the valve body 106, the first axis AL1 of the valve element 105 becomes misaligned in the radial direction of the accommodation wall 102 with respect to the second axis AL2 of the housing 101 while the valve body 106 is being inserted into the accommodation wall 102. If the valve body 106 continues to be inserted in this state, the shaft 111 will not be inserted into the bearing hole 107 because the peripheral portion of the opening 108 of the valve body 106 in the bearing hole 107 will interfere with the shaft 111.

[0013] In order to insert the shaft portion 111 into the bearing hole 107, it is necessary to apply a force opposing the unbalanced load to the valve element 105 before the insertion so that the first axis AL1 coincides with the second axis AL2. This makes the assembly work of the valve element 105 more complicated. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the ease of assembly of the valve element 105 in the conventional rotary valve 100. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] Various aspects of a rotary valve for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A rotary valve comprising: a valve disc having a first axis, a housing having a second axis, and a support mechanism for rotatably supporting the valve disc on the housing, the housing having an annular accommodating wall portion extending along the second axis, and having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid, the valve disc having a valve body portion accommodated in the accommodating wall portion with the first axis aligned with the second axis, and a communication state of the inlet and the outlet is changed by rotation of the valve disc about the first axis, at least one of the inlet and the outlet is provided in the accommodating wall portion, and the inlet and the outlet are connected to each other via a support mechanism for supporting the valve disc on the housing such that the support mechanism supports the valve disc in a rotatable manner. a rotary valve in which a packing is arranged between a peripheral edge of the outlet provided in the accommodating wall and an outer peripheral surface of the valve body, and the support mechanism includes a bearing hole extending in a direction along the second axis in one of the housing and the valve body and having an opening at one end and an inner bottom surface at the other end, and a shaft portion protruding from the other in a direction along the second axis and inserted into the bearing hole, and a region of the bearing hole from a middle portion in the direction along the second axis to the opening is configured as a tapered hole portion inclined with respect to the second axis so that the diameter increases with increasing distance from the inner bottom surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, when assembling the valve body, the valve body and the housing with the packing attached to the housing wall are moved relatively in the same direction so that the bearing hole and the shaft portion approach each other in the direction along the second axis of the housing. This relative movement for approaching each other causes the valve body of the valve body to be inserted into the housing wall in the direction along the second axis. During this insertion, a load acts from the packing on the valve body in a radially inward direction of the housing wall. This load may cause the first axis of the valve body to be radially misaligned with respect to the second axis of the housing during the insertion.

[0016] In this regard, according to the above-mentioned configuration, during the above-mentioned insertion process, the shaft portion enters the tapered hole portion of the bearing hole. Here, the boundary portion between the tip surface and the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion is defined as a corner. Then, when the valve body portion is further inserted, the tapered hole portion comes into contact with the corner.

[0017] The tapered hole portion is inclined with respect to the second axis so that the diameter increases with increasing distance from the inner bottom surface. Therefore, as the relative movement for the above-mentioned approach continues, a force opposing the above-mentioned load is applied from the valve body to the packings. This force causes the valve body portion to push each packing outward in the radial direction of the containing wall portion, while inserting it further into the containing wall portion. The valve body slides (slides) along the tapered hole portion, thereby moving in the radial direction of the containing wall portion and in the direction along the second axis. The first axis approaches the second axis.

[0018] When the valve body is further inserted into the housing wall and the point of contact with the corner of the bearing hole passes through the tapered hole, the first axis coincides or nearly coincides with the second axis. Therefore, as the relative movement for approaching continues, the valve body pushes the packing radially outward of the housing wall while the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole.

[0019] In this way, by inserting the valve body into the housing wall in the direction along the second axis, the tapered hole acts to guide the shaft into the bearing hole. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a force to the valve body that counteracts the load of the packing so that the first axis coincides with the second axis before the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole. Simply inserting the valve body into the housing wall makes it possible to insert the shaft into the bearing hole.

[0020] [Aspect 2] A rotary valve as described in [Aspect 1], wherein the angle of the tapered hole portion relative to the second axis is set to 45° or less. When inserting the shaft into the bearing hole, there is a correlation between the angle that the tapered hole portion makes with respect to the second axis and how easily the corner portion slides over the tapered hole portion. The smaller the angle, the easier it is to slide, and the larger the angle, the harder it is to slide.

[0021] When the angle is set to 45° or less as in the above configuration, the corner portion can slide easily against the tapered hole portion when the shaft portion is inserted into the bearing hole. [Aspect 3] A rotary valve comprising: a valve element having a first axis; a housing having a second axis; and a support mechanism for rotatably supporting the valve element on the housing, the housing having an annular accommodating wall portion extending along the second axis and having an inlet and an outlet for a fluid, the valve element having a valve body portion accommodated in the accommodating wall portion with the first axis coincident with the second axis, and a communication state of the inlet and the outlet is changed by rotation of the valve element about the first axis, at least one of the inlet and the outlet is provided in the accommodating wall portion, and one of the inlet and the outlet is provided on the accommodating wall portion. a support mechanism provided in one of the housing and the valve body, the support mechanism comprising a bearing hole extending in a direction along the second axis in one of the housing and the valve body, the bearing hole having an opening at one end and an inner bottom surface at the other end, and a shaft portion protruding from the other in a direction along the second axis and inserted into the bearing hole, a region of the shaft portion from an intermediate portion to a tip side in the direction along the second axis being constituted by a tapered shaft portion, and an outer circumferential portion of a tip surface of the tapered shaft portion being constituted by an annular surface inclined with respect to the second axis so as to reduce in diameter with increasing distance from the base end of the shaft portion.

[0022] According to the above configuration, when assembling the valve body, the valve body and the housing with the packing attached to the housing wall are moved relative to each other in the same direction so that the bearing hole and the shaft portion approach each other in the direction along the second axis of the housing. This relative movement for approaching each other causes the valve body of the valve body to be inserted into the housing wall in the direction along the second axis. During this insertion, a load acts from the packing on the valve body in a radially inward direction of the housing wall. This load may cause the first axis of the valve body to be misaligned radially of the housing wall with respect to the second axis during the insertion.

[0023] Here, the boundary between the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole and the open surface of the bearing hole in either the housing or the valve body is defined as a corner. During the insertion process, the corner abuts against the annular surface of the tapered shaft.

[0024] The annular surface is inclined with respect to the second axis so that its diameter decreases with increasing distance from the base end of the shaft. Therefore, as the relative movement for the above-mentioned approach continues, a force opposing the above-mentioned load is applied from the valve body to the packings. This force causes the valve body to push each packing radially outward of the containing wall, while inserting it further into the containing wall. The valve body slides (slides) along the annular surface, thereby moving in the above-mentioned radial direction and in a direction along the second axis. The portion of the annular surface that comes into contact with the above-mentioned corner of the bearing hole approaches the outer circumferential surface of the shaft. As a result, the first axis approaches the second axis.

[0025] When the valve body is further inserted into the housing wall and the contact point of the corner with the shaft passes the annular surface, the first axis coincides or nearly coincides with the second axis. Therefore, when the relative movement for approaching is continued, the valve body presses the packing radially outward of the housing wall while the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole.

[0026] In this way, by inserting the valve body into the housing wall in a direction along the second axis, the annular surface of the tapered shaft portion acts to guide the shaft portion into the bearing hole. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a force to the valve body that counteracts the load of the packing so that the first axis coincides with the second axis before the shaft portion is inserted into the bearing hole. Simply inserting the valve body into the housing wall allows the shaft portion to be inserted into the bearing hole.

[0027] [Aspect 4] A rotary valve as described in [Aspect 3], wherein the angle that the annular surface makes with respect to the second axis is set to 45° or less. When inserting the shaft into the bearing hole, there is a correlation between the angle that the annular surface makes with respect to the second axis and how easily the corner slides against the annular surface. The smaller the angle, the easier it is to slide, and the larger the angle, the harder it is to slide.

[0028] When the angle is set to 45° or less as in the above configuration, the corner portion can slide easily against the annular surface when the shaft portion is inserted into the bearing hole. Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, the ease of assembly of the valve body can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary valve according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a rotary valve according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a corresponding relationship between a bearing hole of a valve body and a shaft portion of a housing in a state where the housing is partially cut away in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before a valve main body is inserted into a housing wall portion to which a packing is attached in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a valve main body is being inserted into a housing wall portion to which a packing is attached in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve body is further inserted from the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. [Figure 11] 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the valve body is further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 10 so that the first axis of the valve body coincides with the second axis of the housing. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a corresponding relationship between a bearing hole of a valve body and a shaft portion of a housing in a second embodiment, with a part of the housing cut away. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a valve main body is inserted into a housing wall portion to which a packing is attached in a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 8, and is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a valve main body is being inserted into a housing wall portion to which a packing is attached. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. [Figure 17] 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of movable flow paths in the valve body. [Figure 18] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the movable flow passage in the valve body. FIG. [Figure 19] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing modified examples of the arrangement of the packing. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another modified example of the arrangement of the packing. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another modified example of the arrangement of the packing. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a conventional rotary valve. [Figure 23] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 in Figure 22. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 23. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional rotary valve, showing a state in which a valve body is being inserted into a housing wall portion to which a packing is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotary valve 10 is provided in the middle of a flow path 11 for a fluid FL, such as water, supplied from a fluid supply source, such as a pump (not shown).

[0032] 1, 2 and 5, the rotary valve 10 includes a housing 12, a valve body 31, a support mechanism M1, an actuator 71, and a packing 73. Next, each of the members will be described.

[0033] Here, in order to specify the positional relationship of each part of the rotary valve 10, the first axis AL1 of the valve disc 31 and the second axis AL2 of the housing 12 are used as references. When the valve disc 31 is assembled into the housing 12, the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 coincide with each other. The direction along the coincident first axis AL1 and second axis AL2 is referred to as the "axial direction." The radial direction about the coincident first axis AL1 and second axis AL2 is referred to as the "radial direction." The rotational direction of the valve disc 31 about the coincident first axis AL1 and second axis AL2 is referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0034] <Housing 12> The housing 12 includes a body 13 and a cover 27 . As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the body 13 has a cylindrical storage wall 14 extending in the axial direction. An inner peripheral surface 15 of the storage wall 14 is formed by a cylindrical surface centered on the second axis AL2. A blocking portion 16 is formed at the end of the storage wall 14 opposite the cover 27 in the axial direction (the lower side in Figure 5) with the end closed. The end of the storage wall 14 opposite the blocking portion 16 in the axial direction is an open end 17 that is open. The open end 17 is blocked by the cover 27 attached to the body 13.

[0035] 2 and 5, an inlet 18 for the fluid FL is formed in the storage wall 14. In addition, an outlet 22 for the fluid FL is formed in the storage wall 14 at a location circumferentially spaced from the inlet 18. In the first embodiment, the inlet 18 and the outlet 22 each have a circular shape, but may have another shape, such as an ellipse or a polygon.

[0036] The outlet 22 is formed at a location on the opposite side of the inlet 18 across the second axis AL2, or in other words, at a location spaced apart in the circumferential direction from a location facing the inlet 18 across the second axis AL2. In the first embodiment, the angle between the central axis of the inlet 18 and the central axis of the outlet 22 is set to about 90°. Therefore, the inlet 18 and the outlet 22 are not formed at equal angles in the circumferential direction.

[0037] 1, 2, and 5, a connecting pipe 19 is provided on the periphery of the inlet 18 on the outer wall surface of the housing wall 14. The connecting pipe 19 protrudes radially outward from the housing wall 14. The connecting pipe 19 and the fluid supply source are connected by a pipe 21 having a part of the flow path 11 of the fluid FL. The fluid FL supplied from the fluid supply source is guided to the rotary valve 10 by the pipe 21.

[0038] A connecting pipe 23 is provided on the periphery of the outlet 22 on the outer wall surface of the housing wall 14. The connecting pipe 23 protrudes radially outward from the housing wall 14 in a direction different from the protruding direction of the connecting pipe 19. A pipe 24 having a part of the flow path 11 of the fluid FL is connected to the connecting pipe 23. The fluid FL flowing out from the outlet 22 is sent through the pipe 24 to a destination where the fluid FL is used.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, packing mounting portions 25 are formed around the inlet 18 and around the outlet 22 on the inner side of the housing wall portion 14 in the radial direction.

[0040] <Valve body 31> The valve body 31 has a cylindrical valve body 32 extending in the axial direction. The valve body 32 is accommodated in the accommodation wall 14 with the first axis AL1 coinciding with the second axis AL2. The valve body 32 has an outer circumferential surface 33 facing the inner circumferential surface 15 of the accommodation wall 14. The outer circumferential surface 33 is formed of a cylindrical surface centered on the first axis AL1.

[0041] The valve body 32 has one movable flow path 34 through which the fluid FL flows. In the first embodiment, the movable flow path 34 includes a linear first flow path portion 34a and a linear second flow path portion 34b. The first flow path portion 34a and the second flow path portion 34b are connected on the first axis AL1 or in the vicinity of the first axis AL1. The angle α between the first flow path portion 34a and the second flow path portion 34b is set to 90° or a value close to 90°. The movable flow path 34 has a curved shape.

[0042] Of the first flow path portion 34a in the movable flow path 34, an upstream end 35 in the flow direction of the fluid FL opens at the outer circumferential surface 33 of the valve body 32. Of the second flow path portion 34b in the movable flow path 34, a downstream end 36 in the flow direction opens at a position on the outer circumferential surface 33 where the downstream end 36 faces the outlet 22 when the upstream end 35 faces the inlet 18. In the first embodiment, the downstream end 36 opens at a position on the outer circumferential surface 33 that is spaced from the upstream end 35 in the circumferential direction.

[0043] The outer diameter of the valve body 32 is set to a value that enables sealing between the accommodating wall 14 and the valve body 32 around the inlet 18 and the outlet 22 by elastically deforming the gasket 73, which will be described later, in the radial direction.

[0044] <Support mechanism M1> 3 and 5, the support mechanism M1 is a mechanism for rotatably supporting the valve body 31 with respect to the housing 12. The support mechanism M1 includes a first support mechanism portion 40 and a second support mechanism portion 50.

[0045] The first support mechanism 40 is provided on the valve body 32 and the cover 27. More specifically, a bearing hole 41 is formed in the center of the cover 27, penetrating the cover 27 in the axial direction. A cylindrical pressing portion 42 is formed around the bearing hole 41 on the surface of the cover 27 facing the body 13. The valve body 31 has a shaft portion 43 that protrudes in the axial direction from the center of the end surface of the valve body 32 facing the cover 27. The shaft portion 43 is rotatably inserted into the bearing hole 41. The pressing portion 42 is located around the shaft portion 43 and is in contact with the end surface of the valve body 32 facing the cover 27. The first support mechanism 40 is configured by the bearing hole 41, the pressing portion 42, and the shaft portion 43.

[0046] 4 to 6, the second support mechanism 50 includes a bottomed bearing hole 51 extending axially in the valve body 32, and a shaft portion 61 provided in the closure portion 16. The bearing hole 51 has an opening 54 at one end in the axial direction, and an inner bottom surface 55 at the other end.

[0047] 4 and 6, in the first embodiment, bearing hole 51 includes a tapered hole portion 52 and a main body hole portion 53. Tapered hole portion 52 is formed in a region of bearing hole 51 from a middle portion in the axial direction to an opening portion 54. Tapered hole portion 52 is inclined with respect to first axis AL1 and second axis AL2 so as to increase in diameter with increasing distance from inner bottom surface 55.

[0048] The angle that the tapered hole portion 52 makes with respect to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 is defined as angle γ1. There is no particular restriction on the magnitude of this angle γ1. However, when the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the bearing hole 51, a correlation is observed between the angle γ1 and the ease of sliding of the corner portion 66 with respect to the tapered hole portion 52, which will be described later. As the angle γ1 becomes smaller, the corner portion 66 becomes easier to slide, and as the angle γ1 becomes larger, the corner portion 66 becomes less likely to slide. Therefore, when setting the angle γ1, it is desirable to take into consideration the ease of sliding of the corner portion 66 with respect to the tapered hole portion 52. If the angle γ1 is set to 45° or less, it is considered that the corner portion 66 can slide with suitable ease with respect to the tapered hole portion 52. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the angle γ1 is set to 45° or less.

[0049] In addition, the tapered hole portion 52 is formed to a size, shape, etc. that allows the shaft portion 61 (main body shaft portion 63) to be inserted with the outer peripheral surface 33 of the valve main body portion 32 in contact with the inner peripheral surface 15 of the accommodating wall portion 14 when the valve body 31 is inserted into the accommodating wall portion 14 (see Figure 8).

[0050] The body hole 53 is a portion that is rotatably supported by the body shaft portion 63 of the shaft portion 61. The body hole portion 53 is formed in the region of the bearing hole 51 from the above-mentioned intermediate portion to the inner bottom surface 55. The body hole portion 53 is formed to be circular at any point in the axial direction and to have a uniform hole diameter in the axial direction. The axial length of the body hole portion 53 is set to a length necessary for the body shaft portion 63 to be located in the body hole portion 53 even when the valve body 31 is displaced most axially toward the side away from the shaft portion 61 due to shape variations in the components of the support mechanism M1, etc. This is to allow the body hole portion 53 to be supported by the body shaft portion 63 of the shaft portion 61 even in this case.

[0051] The shaft portion 61 protrudes from the center of the blocking portion 16 toward the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 in the axial direction. The shaft portion 61 includes a tapered portion 62 and a main shaft portion 63. The tapered portion 62 is formed in a region of the shaft portion 61 from the middle portion in the axial direction to the base end side (the blocking portion 16 side). The tapered portion 62 is formed in a location that does not interfere with the tapered hole portion 52 when the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 is in contact with the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51. The tapered portion 62 is inclined with respect to the second axis AL2 so that the diameter of the tapered portion 62 increases with increasing distance from the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61. The angle at which the tapered portion 62 is inclined with respect to the second axis AL2 is set to a value that does not interfere with the tapered hole portion 52. In the first embodiment, the angle at which the tapered portion 62 is inclined relative to the second axis AL2 is set to be approximately the same as the angle γ1 at which the tapered hole portion 52 is inclined relative to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2, but is not limited to this.

[0052] The main body shaft portion 63 constitutes the region of the shaft portion 61 from the intermediate portion to the tip side in the axial direction. The main body shaft portion 63 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly smaller than the hole diameter of the main body hole portion 53 and a uniform diameter at any point in the axial direction. A tip surface 64 of the main body shaft portion 63 faces the inner bottom surface 55.

[0053] With the tip surface 64 in contact with the inner bottom surface 55, a large portion of the main body shaft portion 63 is inserted into the main body hole portion 53, and a large portion of the tapered portion 62 is inserted into the tapered hole portion 52.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 is formed by a plane 56 perpendicular to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2. Furthermore, of the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61, a region including at least the second axis AL2 is formed by a curved surface 65 that is curved spherically so as to bulge toward the inner bottom surface 55. In the first embodiment, the entire tip surface 64 is formed by the curved surface 65. The tip surface 64 is in contact with the inner bottom surface 55 at a location (center portion) through which the second axis AL2 passes.

[0055] <Actuator 71> 1 and 3, the actuator 71 rotates the valve body 31 about the first axis AL1 to change the rotational phase. The actuator 71 is, for example, an electric motor. An output shaft (not shown) of the actuator 71 is connected to the shaft portion 43 so as to be rotatable integrally therewith.

[0056] <Packing 73> The packings 73 are used in the same number as the packing attachment portions 25. All of the packings 73 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber. Note that the number of packings 73 used may be less than the number of the packing attachment portions 25.

[0057] 2, 3 and 5, each packing 73 is attached to the packing attachment portion 25. Each packing 73 is located between the peripheral portion of the inlet 18 or the peripheral portion of the outlet 22 on the inner peripheral surface 15 of the housing wall 14 and the outer peripheral surface 33 of the valve body 32. Each packing 73 has a through hole 74 having a shape corresponding to the inlet 18 and the outlet 22, which is circular in the first embodiment.

[0058] Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as above will be described. <Assembly of the valve body 31> When assembling the valve body 31, as shown in FIG.

[0059] Next, the body 13 and the valve element 31 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction so that the bearing hole 51 and the shaft portion 61 approach each other in the axial direction. For example, the valve element 31 is moved closer to the body 13. Conversely, the body 13 may be moved closer to the valve element 31. Furthermore, both the valve element 31 and the body 13 may be moved in directions in which they approach each other. By the above-mentioned relative movement, the valve main body 32 is inserted into the housing wall portion 14, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0060] As described above, in the rotary valve 10, sealing is performed by elastically deforming each packing 73 in the radial direction of the housing wall 14. Therefore, when the valve body 32 is inserted as described above, a load acts from the packing 73 in a radially inward direction on the valve body 32. In the first embodiment in which a plurality (a pair) of packings 73 are used, the direction of the load differs for each packing 73.

[0061] On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the multiple (pair of) packings 73 are not arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction. In other words, the pair of packings 73 are not arranged at positions facing each other across the second axis AL2. Therefore, the valve main body 32 receives an offset load from the packings 73. The offset load is a load that is a combination of the loads of the packings 73 and occurs only in a specific direction on the valve main body 32. In the first embodiment, as shown by the arrow X in FIG. 2, an offset load acting diagonally upward to the right in FIG. 2 acts on the valve main body 32.

[0062] Furthermore, due to the above-mentioned unbalanced load acting on the valve main body 32, the first axis AL1 of the valve body 31 becomes radially shifted relative to the second axis AL2 of the housing 12 while the valve main body 32 is being inserted into the accommodating wall portion 14.

[0063] In this regard, in the first embodiment, in the process of inserting the valve main body 32 into the housing wall 14, the main body shaft portion 63 of the shaft portion 61 enters the tapered hole portion 52 of the bearing hole 51, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. This is because the diameter of the opening 54 of the tapered hole portion 52 is larger than the diameter of the main body shaft portion 63.

[0064] Here, the boundary portion between the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 and the outer circumferential surface of the main body shaft portion 63 is defined as a corner portion 66. Then, when the valve main body portion 32 is further inserted into the accommodation wall portion 14, the tapered hole portion 52 comes into contact with the corner portion 66.

[0065] The tapered hole portion 52 is inclined with respect to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 so that the diameter of the tapered hole portion 52 increases with distance from the inner bottom surface 55. Therefore, when the relative movement for approaching continues, a force opposing the unbalanced load is applied from the valve body portion 32 to the packings 73. This force causes the valve body portion 32 to push each packing 73 outward in the radial direction and to be further inserted into the housing wall portion 14. As shown in FIG. 10, the valve body portion 32 slides (slides) along the tapered hole portion 52, thereby moving in the axial direction while moving in the radial direction. The portion of the tapered hole portion 52 that contacts the corner portion 66 approaches the main body hole portion 53. The first axis AL1 approaches the second axis AL2.

[0066] When the valve body 32 is further inserted into the accommodating wall 14 and the point in the bearing hole 51 that contacts the corner 66 passes through the tapered hole 52, the first axis AL1 coincides or nearly coincides with the second axis AL2, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0067] 5 and 6, as the relative movement for the purpose of approaching continues, the valve body 32 pushes each packing 73 radially outward, while the body shaft 63 is inserted into the body hole 53 and the tapered portion 62 is inserted into the tapered hole 52. In this manner, by inserting the valve body 32 axially into the housing wall 14, the tapered hole 52 acts to guide and insert the shaft 61 into the bearing hole 51.

[0068] Then, when the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 comes into contact with the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61, the relative movement for the approach is stopped. A state is reached in which most of the main body shaft portion 63 is inserted into the main body hole portion 53, and most of the tapered portion 62 is inserted into the tapered hole portion 52.

[0069] After the valve main body 32 is inserted into the housing wall 14 as described above, the cover 27 is attached to the body 13 as shown in Fig. 5. During this attachment process, the shaft 43 is inserted into the bearing hole 41. The valve element 31 is rotatably supported on the housing 12 by the first support mechanism 40 and the second support mechanism 50.

[0070] <Operation of rotary valve 10> When the rotary valve 10 is in operation, the valve element 31 is rotated by the actuator 71 about the first axis AL1, as shown in FIG.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows the state of the rotary valve 10 when the entire upstream end 35 of the movable flow passage 34 faces the entire inlet 18, and the entire downstream end 36 of the movable flow passage 34 faces the entire outlet 22, due to the above rotation. In this state, the entire upstream end 35 and the entire inlet 18 overlap in the circumferential direction, and the entire downstream end 36 and the entire outlet 22 overlap in the circumferential direction. The inlet 18 and the outlet 22 are in a state of communication (communication state) by the movable flow passage 34. Therefore, the fluid FL flowing through the part of the flow passage 11 upstream of the rotary valve 10 flows into the housing wall 14 through the inlet 18. After flowing through the movable flow passage 34, the fluid FL passes through the outlet 22 and is discharged to the part of the flow passage 11 downstream of the rotary valve 10. In this way, the fluid FL passes through the rotary valve 10. The amount of the fluid FL flowing through the rotary valve 10 is maximum.

[0072] When, from the above state, the above rotation of the valve body 31 causes a part of the upstream end 35 to overlap a part of the inlet 18 in the circumferential direction and a part of the downstream end 36 to overlap a part of the outlet 22 in the circumferential direction, the amount of fluid FL flowing through the rotary valve 10 becomes less than the above maximum amount. Even at this time, the inlet 18 and the outlet 22 are in communication with each other via the movable flow path 34. Therefore, the amount of fluid FL passing through the rotary valve 10 can be changed by adjusting the amount of rotation (rotation phase) of the valve body 31 and adjusting the opening degree (degree of opening) of each of the inlet 18 and the outlet 22.

[0073] Although not shown, when the upstream end 35 no longer faces the inlet 18 due to the above rotation of the valve body 31, the downstream end 36 no longer faces the outlet 22. Then, the communication between the inlet 18 and the outlet 22 through the movable flow path 34 is blocked. The flow of the fluid FL is blocked by the rotary valve 10.

[0074] At this time, the gap between the inner circumferential surface 15 of the housing wall 14 and the outer circumferential surface 33 of the valve body 32 is sealed by the packing 73 around the inlet 18 and the outlet 22. The movement of the fluid FL between the outer region and the inner region of the packing 73 is restricted.

[0075] 6, the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 is curved spherically so as to bulge toward the inner bottom surface 55. The portion of the curved surface 65 through which the second axis AL2 passes is located at the portion of the tip surface 64 that is closest to the inner bottom surface 55.

[0076] On the other hand, the entire inner bottom surface 55, including the portion of the inner bottom surface 55 through which the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 pass, is formed by a plane 56 perpendicular to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2.

[0077] The tip surface 64 contacts the portion of the inner bottom surface 55 through which the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 pass, at the above-mentioned portion through which the second axis AL2 passes. Therefore, the tip surface 64 is in point contact with the inner bottom surface 55. The contact area between the inner bottom surface 55 and the tip surface 64 is smaller than the contact area when the inner bottom surface and the tip surface, each of which is a flat surface, are in surface contact with each other. The same applies to the frictional force generated between the inner bottom surface 55 and the tip surface 64. Therefore, the rotational torque required to rotate the valve body 31 is smaller than when the inner bottom surface and the tip surface are in surface contact with each other.

[0078] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) As shown in FIG. 6 , in the first embodiment, a region of bearing hole 51 from a middle portion in the axial direction to opening 54 is configured by a tapered hole portion 52 that is inclined with respect to first axis AL1 and second axis AL2 so as to increase in diameter with increasing distance from inner bottom surface 55.

[0079] Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a force to the valve body 31 countering the unbalanced load of the packing 73 so that the first axis AL1 of the valve body 31 coincides with the second axis AL2 of the housing 12 before the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the bearing hole 51. By simply inserting the valve main body 32 into the housing wall portion 14, the shaft portion 61 can be inserted into the bearing hole 51 while pushing the packing 73 outward in the radial direction. This improves the ease of assembly of the valve body 31.

[0080] (1-2) In the first embodiment, the angle γ1 that the tapered hole portion 52 forms with the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 is set to be equal to or less than 45°. Therefore, when the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the bearing hole 51, the corner portion 66 can slide with suitable ease relative to the tapered hole portion 52.

[0081] 5 and 6, in the first embodiment, a tapered portion 62 that is inclined with respect to the second axis AL2 is formed in a region of the shaft portion 61 from a middle portion in the axial direction to the base end portion so that the diameter increases toward the base end portion. Therefore, the strength of the shaft portion 61 can be increased compared to a case in which the tapered portion 62 is not provided.

[0082] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the shaft portion 61 is provided with a tapered shaft portion 67. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 12 to 14, a region of the shaft portion 61 from a middle portion to the tip side in the axial direction is formed by the tapered shaft portion 67. The outer circumferential portion of the tip surface 64 of the tapered shaft portion 67 is formed by an annular surface 68 having a circular ring shape centered on the second axis line AL2. The annular surface 68 is formed by a tapered surface that is inclined with respect to the second axis line AL2 so that the diameter decreases with increasing distance from the base end of the shaft portion 61 in the axial direction.

[0083] The angle that the annular surface 68 makes with respect to the second axis AL2 is defined as angle γ2. There is no particular restriction on the magnitude of this angle γ2. Here, the boundary portion between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing hole 51 and the surface of the valve body 32 where the bearing hole 51 is opened, that is, the surface of the valve body 32 on the closed portion 16 side, is defined as the corner portion 57. Then, when the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the bearing hole 51, a correlation is observed between the angle γ2 and the ease of sliding of the corner portion 57 with respect to the annular surface 68. As the angle γ2 becomes smaller, the corner portion 57 becomes easier to slide, and as the angle γ2 becomes larger, the corner portion 57 becomes less likely to slide. Therefore, when setting the angle γ2, it is desirable to take into consideration the ease of sliding of the corner portion 57 with respect to the annular surface 68. It is considered that if the angle γ2 is set to 45° or less, the corner portion 57 can slide with suitable ease with respect to the annular surface 68. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the angle γ2 is set to 45° or less.

[0084] Of the tip surface 64, the region surrounded by the annular surface 68 forms a curved surface 65 that is curved spherically so as to bulge toward the inner bottom surface 55. The area of ​​the curved surface 65 in the shaft portion 61 is smaller than that in the first embodiment by the amount of the annular surface 68.

[0085] With the formation of the tapered shaft portion 67, the tapered hole portion 52 in the bearing hole 51 is omitted. Also, the tapered portion 62 in the shaft portion 61 is omitted. The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. The configuration similar to that of the first embodiment includes that the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 is formed by a plane 56 perpendicular to the first axis line AL1 and the second axis line AL2.

[0086] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. <Assembly of the valve body 31> When assembling the valve body 31, the packings 73 are attached to the packing attachment portions 25 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0087] Next, the body 13 and the valve element 31 are moved relative to each other in the axial direction so that the bearing hole 51 and the shaft portion 61 approach each other in the axial direction. 15, the valve body 32 is inserted into the housing wall 14. During this insertion, a load acts on the valve body 32 from each packing 73 in a radially inward direction of the housing wall 14. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, an unbalanced load, which is a combination of the loads of the packings 73, acts on the valve body 32. Due to this unbalanced load, the first axis AL1 becomes misaligned in the radial direction with respect to the second axis AL2 during the insertion.

[0088] In this regard, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the corner portion 57 comes into contact with the annular surface 68 of the tapered shaft portion 67 during the insertion process. The annular surface 68 is inclined with respect to the second axis AL2 so that the diameter of the annular surface 68 decreases with increasing distance from the base end of the shaft portion 61. Therefore, as the relative movement for the approaching continues, a force opposing the unbalanced load is applied from the valve body 32 to the packings 73. This force causes the valve body 32 to push each packing 73 radially outward and further insert into the housing wall portion 14. The valve body 32 slides (slides) along the annular surface 68, thereby moving in the axial direction while moving in the radial direction. The portion of the annular surface 68 that contacts the corner portion 57 approaches the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 61. As a result, the first axis AL1 approaches the second axis AL2.

[0089] When the valve body 32 is further inserted into the accommodating wall 14 and the contact point of the corner 57 with the shaft 61 passes through the annular surface 68, the first axis AL1 coincides or nearly coincides with the second axis AL2.

[0090] As the relative movement for the approaching continues, the valve body 32 pushes the packing 73 radially outward, while most of the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the bearing hole 51. Then, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the relative movement for the approaching is stopped when the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 comes into contact with the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61. By inserting the valve body 32 into the housing wall 14 in the axial direction in this manner, the shaft portion 61 is guided and inserted into the bearing hole 51 by the action of the annular surface 68 of the tapered shaft portion 67.

[0091] As described above, after the valve main body 32 is inserted into the housing wall 14, the cover 27 is attached to the body 13, as in the first embodiment. During this attachment process, the shaft portion 43 is inserted into the bearing hole 41. The valve element 31 is rotatably supported on the housing 12 by the first support mechanism 40 and the second support mechanism 50.

[0092] The rotary valve 10 to which the valve body 31 is assembled as described above operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The second embodiment has the following common functions with the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 inserted into the bearing hole 51 contacts the portion of the inner bottom surface 55 through which the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 pass, at the above-mentioned portion through which the second axis AL2 passes. Therefore, the tip surface 64 is in point contact with the inner bottom surface 55. The contact area between the inner bottom surface 55 and the tip surface 64 is smaller than the contact area when the inner bottom surface and the tip surface, each of which is a flat surface, are in surface contact with each other. The same applies to the frictional force generated between the inner bottom surface and the tip surface. Therefore, the rotational torque required to rotate the valve body 31 is reduced.

[0093] According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. 14, in the second embodiment, the region from the middle of the shaft portion 61 in the axial direction to the tip side (the inner bottom surface 55 side) is formed by a tapered shaft portion 67. The outer circumferential portion of the tip surface 64 of the tapered shaft portion 67 is formed by annular surface 68 that is inclined with respect to the second axis AL2 so as to decrease in diameter with increasing distance from the base end of the shaft portion 61.

[0094] Therefore, similarly to the above (1-1), by simply inserting the valve body 32 into the housing wall 14, the shaft 61 can be inserted into the bearing hole 51 while pushing the packing 73 outward in the radial direction. This improves the ease of assembly of the valve body 31.

[0095] (2-2) In the second embodiment, the angle γ2 that the annular surface 68 forms with respect to the second axis AL2 is set to be equal to or less than 45°. Therefore, when the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the bearing hole 51, the corner portion 57 can slide on the annular surface 68 with suitable ease.

[0096] The above embodiment can also be implemented as modified examples as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range that does not cause technical contradiction.

[0097] <Matters regarding Housing 12> The housing 12 may be provided with one inlet 18 and a plurality of outlets 22. In this case, the outlet 22 that is connected to the inlet 18 may be switched by rotating the valve body 31.

[0098] Alternatively, a plurality of inlets 18 may be provided, and one outlet 22 may be provided. In this case, the inlet 18 that is in communication with the outlet 22 may be switched by rotating the valve body 31. Furthermore, a plurality of inlets 18 and a plurality of outlets 22 may be provided in the housing 12. In this case, the outlets 22 communicated with the respective inlets 18 may be switched by rotating the valve body 31.

[0099] <Matters related to valve body 31> The valve body 31 may be rotated by an actuator 71 of a type different from a motor. Also, instead of the actuator 71, the valve body 31 may be rotated by manual operation.

[0100] The shape of the movable flow path 34 in the valve body 31 may be modified to a shape different from that of the first and second embodiments. FIG. 17 shows one modified example. In this modified example, the angle α between the first flow path portion 34a and the second flow path portion 34b is set to a value greater than 90°. Although not shown, the angle α may be set to a value less than 90°. The dashed line in FIG. 17 indicates the central axis of the movable flow path 34.

[0101] Although not shown, the movable flow passage 34 may be formed of a single straight flow passage without bending. The number of movable flow paths in the valve body 31 may be changed to two or more. FIG. 18 shows a modified example in which two movable flow paths are provided in the valve body 31. In this modified example, the movable flow path includes a movable flow path 34 bent as in the above embodiment, and a movable flow path 37 formed at a location separated from the movable flow path 34. The same fluid as the fluid FL flowing through the movable flow path 34 may flow through the movable flow path 37, or a different fluid may flow through the movable flow path 37. In the modified example, the movable flow path 37 includes a linear first flow path portion 37a and a linear second flow path portion 37b. The first flow path portion 37a and the second flow path portion 37b are connected. In FIG. 18, the angle β between the first flow path portion 37a and the second flow path portion 37b is set to a value smaller than 90°, but may be set to a value equal to or larger than 90°. The dashed line in FIG. 18 indicates the central axis of the movable flow paths 34 and 37.

[0102] Of the first flow path portion 37a, an upstream end in the fluid flow direction opens at the outer circumferential surface 33 of the valve body 32. Of the second flow path portion 37b, a downstream end in the fluid flow direction opens at the outer circumferential surface 33 at a location spaced from the upstream end in the circumferential direction of the accommodation wall 14.

[0103] The movable flow path 37 may be formed of a single straight flow path without bending. <Matters Concerning the Inner Bottom Surface 55 of the Bearing Hole 51 and the Tip Surface 64 of the Shaft Portion 61> In the first and second embodiments, the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 is brought into point contact with the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 to reduce the frictional force generated between them. This configuration has the effect of reducing the rotational torque required to rotate the valve body 31.

[0104] In order to obtain a similar effect, in the first embodiment, the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 may be configured by a curved surface that is curved spherically so as to bulge toward the opening 54 side, instead of the above-mentioned flat surface 56.

[0105] In this case, the entire tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 may be formed of a curved surface 65 that is spherically curved so as to bulge toward the inner bottom surface 55, as in the first embodiment. In this modification, both the inner bottom surface 55 and the tip surface 64 are formed of curved surfaces that are spherically curved so as to bulge in opposite directions. Also, the entire tip surface 64 may be formed of a plane that is perpendicular to the second axis AL2.

[0106] Similar modifications are possible in the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 may be configured by a curved surface that is curved in a spherical shape so as to bulge toward the opening 54 side.

[0107] In this case, the area of ​​the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 surrounded by the annular surface 68 may be configured by a curved surface 65 that is spherically curved so as to bulge toward the inner bottom surface 55, as in the second embodiment. In this modified example, both the inner bottom surface 55 and the tip surface 64 are configured by curved surfaces that are spherically curved so as to bulge in opposite directions. Also, the area of ​​the tip surface 64 surrounded by the annular surface 68 may be configured by a circular plane that is perpendicular to the second axis AL2.

[0108] In the first embodiment, the inner bottom surface 55 of the bearing hole 51 and the tip surface 64 of the shaft portion 61 may both be formed by planes perpendicular to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2. In the second embodiment, the inner bottom surface 55 and the area of ​​the tip surface 64 that is surrounded by the annular surface 68 may both be formed by planes that are perpendicular to the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2.

[0109] <Matters regarding the tapered portion 62> In the first embodiment, the tapered portion 62 may be omitted from the shaft portion 61 as appropriate. <Matters concerning placement of packing 73> An example of a case in which the valve body 32 receives an unbalanced load from the packing 73 is a case in which the multiple packings 73 are not arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction, as in the first and second embodiments.

[0110] Fig. 19 shows an example of a modification in which the three packings 73a, 73b, and 73c are not arranged at equal angles. Here, the central axis of the through hole of packing 73a is CL1, the central axis of the through hole of packing 73b is CL2, and the central axis of the through hole of packing 73c is CL3. In Fig. 19, the valve body 32 of the valve body 31 is shown by a two-dot chain line. This also applies to Figs. 20 and 21 described later.

[0111] In the modification of FIG. 19, two packings 73a, 73c are disposed at positions opposite to each other across the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2. The angle θ31 between the central axis CL3 and the central axis CL1 is set to 180°. The remaining packing 73b is disposed at a position midway between the two packings 73a, 73c in the circumferential direction. The angle θ12 between the central axis CL1 and the central axis CL2 is set to 90°. The angle θ23 between the central axis CL2 and the central axis CL3 is set to 90°.

[0112] In this modification, the valve body 32 is also subjected to an unbalanced load. The present invention is also applicable to a case where the valve body 32 is not subjected to an offset load from the packing 73.

[0113] An example of a case where the packing is not subjected to an unbalanced load is a case where another packing is disposed on the opposite side of the packing across the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2. In other words, a pair of packings is disposed opposite each other across the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2. In this case, the two packings disposed opposite each other may be one set or multiple sets.

[0114] 20 shows a modified example in which there are two pairs of opposing packings. Packing 73a and packing 73c are arranged to face each other across the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2. Packing 73b and packing 73d are arranged to face each other across the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2.

[0115] Here, the central axes of the through holes of the packings 73a, 73b, and 73c are designated CL1, CL2, and CL3, respectively, similarly to the modification in Fig. 19. Furthermore, the central axis of the through hole of the packing 73d is designated CL4.

[0116] In this modified example, the angle θ12 between the central axis CL1 and the central axis CL2 is set to 60°. The angle θ23 between the central axis CL2 and the central axis CL3 is set to 120°. The angle θ34 between the central axis CL3 and the central axis CL4 is set to 60°. The angle θ41 between the central axis CL4 and the central axis CL1 is set to 120°.

[0117] The angle between the central axis CL1 and the central axis CL3 is set to 180°, and the angle between the central axis CL2 and the central axis CL4 is set to 180°. As another example of a case where no unbalanced load is applied, a plurality of packings 73 are arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction.

[0118] FIG. 21 shows a modified example in which three packings 73a, 73b, and 73c are arranged at equal angles. Here, the central axes of the through holes of the packings 73a, 73b, and 73c are designated CL1, CL2, and CL3, similarly to the modification example of Fig. 19. The angle θ12 between the central axis CL1 and the central axis CL2, the angle θ23 between the central axis CL2 and the central axis CL3, and the angle θ31 between the central axis CL3 and the central axis CL1 are all set to 120°.

[0119] <Other matters> In the first embodiment, a coating may be applied to the wall surface of the tapered hole portion 52 to make the corner portion 66 more easily slide relative to the tapered hole portion 52. For the same purpose, the tapered hole portion 52 may be machined. Furthermore, the peripheral portion of the tapered hole portion 52 may be formed of a material that is more slippery than other portions of the valve body portion 32.

[0120] In the second embodiment, a coating may be applied to the annular surface 68 to make the corner portion 57 easier to slide along the tapered shaft portion 67. The annular surface 68 may be machined for the same purpose. Furthermore, the peripheral portion of the annular surface 68 of the shaft portion 61 may be formed of a material that is easier to slide than other portions of the shaft portion 61.

[0121] Contrary to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the above-mentioned modified examples, the bearing hole 51 may be provided in the housing 12 (blocking portion 16), and the shaft portion 61 may be provided in the valve body portion 32. In this way, although the objects on which the bearing hole 51 and the shaft portion 61 are formed are different, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the above-mentioned modified examples can be obtained.

[0122] The rotary valve 10 described above can also be applied to a rotary valve provided in a flow path through which a liquid other than water flows as the fluid FL, or to a rotary valve provided in a flow path through which gas flows instead of a liquid as the fluid FL. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 10...Rotary valve 12. Housing 14…Containment wall 18...Inlet 22... Outlet 31...Valve body 32...Valve body 33…Outer surface 51...Bearing hole 52...Tapered hole 54…Opening 55…Inner bottom surface 61...Shaft 64…Tip surface 67…Tapered shaft 68...Ring 73, 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d...Packing AL1…1st axis line AL2…Second axis FL…Fluid M1…Support mechanism γ1, γ2…Angle

Claims

1. a valve body having a first axis, a housing having a second axis, and a support mechanism that rotatably supports the valve body on the housing, The housing has an annular containing wall portion extending along the second axis and has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. the valve body has a valve main body portion that is accommodated in the accommodating wall portion in a state in which the first axis coincides with the second axis, A rotary valve in which a communication state between the inlet and the outlet is changed by rotation of the valve body about the first axis, At least one of the inlet and the outlet is provided in the storage wall, a packing is disposed between a peripheral edge of the inlet or the outlet that is provided in the housing wall and an outer circumferential surface of the valve body; the support mechanism includes a bearing hole extending in a direction along the second axis in one of the housing and the valve body, the bearing hole having an opening at one end and an inner bottom surface at the other end, and a shaft portion protruding from the other in a direction along the second axis and inserted into the bearing hole, A rotary valve in which a region of the bearing hole from a middle portion in a direction along the second axis to the opening portion is configured as a tapered hole portion that is inclined with respect to the second axis so that the diameter increases as it moves away from the inner bottom surface.

2. 2. The rotary valve according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the tapered hole with respect to the second axis is set to 45 degrees or less.

3. a valve body having a first axis, a housing having a second axis, and a support mechanism that rotatably supports the valve body on the housing, The housing has an annular containing wall portion extending along the second axis and has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. the valve body has a valve main body portion that is accommodated in the accommodating wall portion in a state in which the first axis coincides with the second axis, A rotary valve in which a communication state between the inlet and the outlet is changed by rotation of the valve body about the first axis, At least one of the inlet and the outlet is provided in the storage wall, a packing is disposed between a peripheral edge of the inlet or the outlet that is provided in the housing wall and an outer circumferential surface of the valve body; the support mechanism includes a bearing hole extending in a direction along the second axis in one of the housing and the valve body, the bearing hole having an opening at one end and an inner bottom surface at the other end, and a shaft portion protruding from the other in a direction along the second axis and inserted into the bearing hole, a region of the shaft portion from an intermediate portion to a tip portion in a direction along the second axis is formed by a tapered shaft portion, and an outer circumferential portion of a tip surface of the tapered shaft portion is formed by an annular surface that is inclined with respect to the second axis so as to reduce in diameter with increasing distance from the base end of the shaft portion.

4. 4. The rotary valve according to claim 3, wherein the annular surface forms an angle with the second axis of 45 degrees or less.

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