Switching valve

Abstract

To provide a switching valve capable of handling a variety of switching modes.SOLUTION: A switching valve comprises: a housing 50; a plurality of inflow ports P2, P4, P5, P7 provided in the housing 50; a plurality of outflow ports P1, P3, P6, P8 provided in the housing 50; and a plurality of valve bodies 10 to 40 each having a plurality of through holes 11 to 46 that can communicate between the inflow ports P2, P4, P5, P7 and the outflow ports P1, P3, P6, P8, and arranged so as to be movable relative to one another within the housing 50, where at least one valve body 10 has a communication passage 17 extending in a planar direction from one through hole, one inflow port, or one outflow port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching valve, for example, a switching valve that switches a flow path through which a fluid flows. [Background technology]

[0002] In various industrial fields, fluid circuits are used in which a fluid supply source and a fluid load such as a fluid working device or a heat exchanger are connected by a flow path. Some of these fluid circuits are provided with a switching valve that switches the flow path of the working fluid, thereby realizing multiple modes for operating the fluid load with one fluid circuit.

[0003] For example, the switching valve of Patent Document 1 includes a valve case having a first valve seat, a second valve seat, and a third valve seat, a main valve element rotatably arranged between the first and second valve seats in the valve case, and an auxiliary valve element rotatably arranged between the second and third valve seats in the valve case. The first valve seat is provided with first to third ports, and the second valve seat is provided with a first communication hole and a second communication hole.

[0004] The main valve element is switchable between a first communication position where the first port communicates with the second port, and a second communication position where the first port communicates with the third port. The auxiliary valve element is switchable between a blocking position and an open position of the second communication hole. When the auxiliary valve element is in the open position, the first port to the third port communicate with each other via the first communication hole and the second communication hole. This allows switching between a first mode in which the main valve element is in the first communication position and the auxiliary valve element is in the blocking position, a second mode in which the main valve element is in the second communication position and the auxiliary valve element is in the blocking position, and a third mode in which the main valve element is in the second communication position and the auxiliary valve element is in the open position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-218893 A (page 13, figure 4) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, there has been a demand for connecting many fluid inlet pipes and fluid outlet pipes to one switching valve and switching to various switching modes. However, in a switching valve such as that in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the number of types of ports that can be provided in one main valve body to communicate with the fluid inlet pipes and the fluid outlet pipes, making it difficult to accommodate various switching modes.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a switching valve that can accommodate a variety of switching modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the switching valve of the present invention comprises: Housing and a plurality of inlet ports disposed in the housing; a plurality of outlet ports disposed in the housing; a plurality of valve bodies each having a plurality of through holes that can communicate with the inlet port and the outlet port, the valve bodies being disposed within the housing so as to be movable relative to one another; At least one valve body has a communication passage extending in a planar direction from one through hole, one inlet port, or one outlet port. According to this, the through holes, inlet ports, and outlet ports communicating with the communication passages can be switched by rotating each valve body relative to one another, thereby enabling flexible switching between multiple types of flow path patterns and enabling the accommodation of a variety of switching modes.

[0009] The communication passage may be an open groove, and the opening of the open groove may be closed by the adjacent valve body or the housing. This allows the communication passage to have a simple structure.

[0010] The communication passage may extend from the one through hole, the one inlet port, or the one outlet port to an inner diameter side of the valve body. This allows for more diverse flow path patterns to be configured.

[0011] The communication passage may be provided in each of the valve bodies. This allows for more diverse flow path patterns to be configured.

[0012] The number of the inlet ports and the outlet ports may be the same. This prevents the fluid from remaining inside the valve and makes it less likely to leak into other flow paths.

[0013] The number of the through holes and the communication passages in the valve body may be equal to or greater than half the number of the inlet ports. This allows for more diverse flow path patterns to be configured.

[0014] Each of the valve bodies may have a number of the through holes and the communication passages that is equal to or greater than a multiple of the number of the inlet ports minus one. According to this, a plurality of patterns can be formed in one valve body, so that a greater variety of flow path patterns can be formed.

[0015] Two sets of two valve bodies having communication passages with different shapes may be provided symmetrically above and below. This makes it possible to configure a wider variety of flow path patterns by combining the rotational positions of two valve elements having different communication path shapes and by combining two sets that are symmetrical above and below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the first valve body. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a top view of the second valve body. [Figure 6] 1(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing rotational positions of each valve element constituting the first flow path pattern, and FIG. 1(e) is a schematic diagram showing the first flow path pattern. [Figure 7] 13(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing the rotational positions of the valve elements constituting the second flow path pattern, and FIG. 13(e) is a schematic diagram showing the second flow path pattern. [Figure 8] 13(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing rotational positions of each valve element constituting the third flow path pattern, and FIG. 13(e) is a schematic diagram showing the third flow path pattern. [Figure 9] 13(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing the rotational positions of the valve elements constituting the fourth flow path pattern, and FIG. 13(e) is a schematic diagram showing the fourth flow path pattern. [Figure 10] 13(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing the rotational positions of the valve elements constituting the fifth flow path pattern, and FIG. 13(e) is a schematic diagram showing the fifth flow path pattern. [Figure 11] 13(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing rotational positions of each valve element constituting a sixth flow path pattern, and FIG. 13(e) is a schematic diagram showing the sixth flow path pattern. [Figure 12] 13(a) to (d) are schematic diagrams showing the rotational positions of the valve elements constituting the seventh flow path pattern, and FIG. 13(e) is a schematic diagram showing the seventh flow path pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0018] A switching valve according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 12. In the following description, the top and bottom of Fig. 1 will be referred to as the top and bottom of the switching valve. In particular, the top side of the paper on which the motor is arranged will be referred to as the top side of the switching valve, and the opposite side, the bottom side of the paper, will be referred to as the bottom side of the switching valve.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a switching valve V of the present invention is used to select one of a plurality of modes of a fluid circuit and to switch the flow path through which a working fluid flows.

[0020] The switching valve V is mainly composed of a first valve body 10, a second valve body 20, a third valve body 30, a fourth valve body 40, a housing 50, and a drive unit 60.

[0021] The housing 50 is composed of a cylindrical upper case 51 that opens downward and has a bottom, and a disk-shaped lower case 52. The upper case 51 and the lower case 52 are made of a metal material or a resin material.

[0022] 2, upper case 51 has a plurality of flanges 51a spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protruding outward from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface. A first port P1, a second port P2, a third port P3, and a fourth port P4 are provided in bottom portion 51A of upper case 51, penetrating in the vertical direction.

[0023] Furthermore, a recess 51b that opens downward is provided in the center of the bottom portion 51A, and the upper end of a fixed shaft 61 is fixed thereto as described below.

[0024] The first port P1 and the third port P3 function as outflow ports through which the working fluid in the switching valve V flows out to an external fluid load (not shown).

[0025] The second port P2 and the fourth port P4 function as inflow ports through which the working fluid discharged from an external fluid load (not shown) flows into the switching valve V.

[0026] 3, the lower case 52 has a plurality of flange portions 52a spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface thereof. The upper case 51 and the lower case 52 are connected and fixed by fastening the flange portions 51a and 52a with bolts (not shown) (see FIG. 1).

[0027] The lower case 52 is provided with a fifth port P5, a sixth port P6, a seventh port P7, and an eighth port P8 that penetrate therethrough in the vertical direction.

[0028] Furthermore, a recess 52b that opens upward is provided in the center of the lower case 52, and the lower end of a fixed shaft 61 is fixed thereto as described below.

[0029] The fifth port P5 and the seventh port P7 function as inflow ports through which the working fluid discharged from an external fluid load (not shown) flows into the switching valve V.

[0030] The sixth port P6 and the eighth port P8 are connected to a fluid load (not shown), respectively. The sixth port P6 and the eighth port P8 function as outflow ports through which the working fluid in the switching valve V flows out to an external fluid load (not shown).

[0031] Next, the first valve body 10 and the fourth valve body 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] 4, the first valve body 10 is disk-shaped. The first valve body 10 is provided with through holes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, a communication groove 17 as a communication passage, and an insertion hole 18.

[0033] The insertion hole 18 is provided through the center of the first valve body 10, and the fixed shaft 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 18. Note that a bearing 7 is disposed between the fixed shaft 61 and the first valve body 10, so that the first valve body 10 can rotate around the fixed shaft 61 (see FIG. 1).

[0034] Through hole 11 is provided at the 3 o'clock position of the first valve body 10. Through hole 12 is provided at a position between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock of the first valve body 10. Through hole 13 is provided at a 6 o'clock position of the first valve body 10. Through hole 14 is provided at a position between 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock of the first valve body 10. Through hole 15 is provided at a 9 o'clock position of the first valve body 10. Through hole 16 is provided at a 12 o'clock position of the first valve body 10.

[0035] The communication groove 17 is a groove with a concave cross section that opens upward. The communication groove 17 is provided on the inner diameter side of the through holes 11-16 in the first valve body 10, and has bulging portions at positions between the 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions and between the 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions of the first valve body 10. An insertion hole 18 is provided in the bottom surface of the communication groove 17.

[0036] These through holes 11-16 and communication groove 17 are not connected to each other, and a packing 19 is fixedly provided on the upper edge of each of them. The packing 19 can seal the gap between the surface of the bottom part 51A of the upper case 51 and the first valve body 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0037] The fourth valve body 40 has a shape obtained by turning the first valve body 10 upside down, and is provided with through holes 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46, a communication groove 47 as a communication passage, an insertion hole 48, and a packing 49. The packing 49 can seal the gap between the upper surface of the lower case 52 and the fourth valve body 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0038] Next, the second valve body 20 and the third valve body 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] 5, the second valve body 20 is disk-shaped. The second valve body 20 is provided with through holes 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, a communication groove 27 as a communication passage, and an insertion hole .

[0040] The insertion hole 28 is provided through the center of the second valve body 20, and the fixed shaft 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 28. Note that a bearing 7 is disposed between the fixed shaft 61 and the second valve body 20, so that the second valve body 20 can rotate around the fixed shaft 61 (see FIG. 1).

[0041] Through hole 21 is provided at a position between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock on second valve body 20. Through hole 22 is provided at a position between 3 o'clock on second valve body 20. Through hole 23 is provided at a position between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock on second valve body 20. Through hole 24 is provided at a position between 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock on second valve body 20. Through hole 25 is provided at a position between 9 o'clock on second valve body 20. Through hole 26 is provided at a position between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock on second valve body 20.

[0042] The communication groove 27 is a groove with a concave cross section that opens upward. The communication groove 27 is provided on the inner diameter side of the through holes 21-26 in the second valve body 20, and has portions that bulge at the 12 o'clock position and the 6 o'clock position of the second valve body 20. An insertion hole 28 is provided on the bottom surface of the communication groove 27. Also, a hole 271 is provided on the bottom surface of the portion of the communication groove 27 that bulges at the 12 o'clock position. In other words, the hole 271 constitutes a part of the communication groove 27.

[0043] These through holes 21-26 and communication groove 27 are not connected to each other, and packings 29 are fixedly provided on the upper surface edges and lower surface parts of the through holes 21-26 and communication groove 27. The upper packing 29 can seal the gap between the first valve body 10 and the second valve body 20, and the lower packing 29 can seal the gap between the second valve body 20 and the third valve body 30 (see FIG. 1).

[0044] The third valve body 30 has a shape obtained by turning the second valve body 20 upside down, and the third valve body 30 is provided with through holes 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, a communication groove 37 as a communication passage, an insertion hole 38, and a packing 39. The communication groove 37 has a hole 371. The packing 39 can seal the gap between the third valve body 30 and the fourth valve body 40 (see FIG. 1). The packing 39 is not provided on the upper surface side of the third valve body 30.

[0045] Returning to Fig. 1, the drive unit 60 is mainly composed of a fixed shaft 61 and drive devices 63, 64, 65, and 66. The drive devices 63, 64, 65, and 66 are devices that transmit driving force from the outside to the outer circumferential surfaces of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40. For example, the drive devices 63, 64, 65, and 66 in this embodiment include a motor, a gear box, and a rotary encoder, and are capable of rotating the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 to any rotation position around the fixed shaft 61.

[0046] In this manner, the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 of this embodiment are capable of rotating relatively to each other by the drive devices 63 to 66, respectively.

[0047] Next, an example of each flow path pattern of the switching valve V and each rotational position of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 constituting each flow path pattern will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 12. For convenience of explanation, (a) to (d) in Figures 6 to 12 show the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 as viewed from above, and the first port P1 to the eighth port P8 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. Furthermore, each formed flow path is indicated by a different dot.

[0048] [First flow path pattern] Figure 6(e) shows the first flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 6(a) to (d) show the rotation positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the first flow path pattern.

[0049] In the first flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 is connected to the sixth port P6 through the through hole 14 of the first valve body 10, the through hole 24 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 32 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 42 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0050] The fourth port P4 communicates with the first port P1 through the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10. The fifth port P5 communicates with the third port P3 through the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40, the communication groove 37 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 23 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 12 of the first valve body 10. The seventh port P7 communicates with the eighth port P8 through the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0051] In this way, the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10 extends in the planar direction from the fourth port P4 as one inlet port and communicates with the first port P1. As a result, the fluid flowing in from the fourth port P4 is guided in the planar direction and flows to the first port P1, which is in a different phase in the planar direction. Similarly, the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40 guides the fluid flowing in from the seventh port P7 in the planar direction and communicates with the eighth port P8. That is, the flow path that communicates between the fourth port P4 and the first port P1 and the flow path that communicates between the seventh port P7 and the eighth port P8 are return flow paths that allow the fluid to flow in a substantially U-shaped manner.

[0052] Furthermore, the communication groove 37 of the third valve body 30 extends in the planar direction from the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40 as one through hole, and communicates with the through hole 23 of the second valve body 20. As a result, the fluid flowing in from the fifth port P5 is guided in the planar direction within the communication groove 37, and flows through the hole portion 371 to the through hole 23 of the second valve body 20 which is out of phase with the planar direction. In other words, the flow passage communicating between the fifth port P5 and the third port P3 is a crank flow passage which allows the fluid to flow in a substantially Z-shape.

[0053] Further, the flow passage connecting the second port P2 and the sixth port P6 is a straight flow passage that extends linearly in the vertical direction.

[0054] [Second flow path pattern] Figure 7(e) shows the second flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 7(a) to (d) show the rotation positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the second flow path pattern.

[0055] In the second flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first valve body 10 does not rotate, the second valve body 20 rotates approximately 45 degrees clockwise from the rotation position of the first flow path pattern, the third valve body 30 does not rotate, and the fourth valve body 40 rotates approximately 90 degrees clockwise.

[0056] In the second flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 is connected to the eighth port P8 through the through hole 14 of the first valve body 10, the communicating groove 27 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 35 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0057] The fourth port P4 communicates with the first port P1 through the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10. The fifth port P5 communicates with the third port P3 through the through hole 42 of the fourth valve body 40, the communication groove 37 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 22 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 12 of the first valve body 10. The seventh port P7 communicates with the sixth port P6 through the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0058] [Third Flow Path Pattern] Figure 8(e) shows a third flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 8(a) to (d) show the rotational positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the third flow path pattern.

[0059] In the third flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first valve body 10 rotates approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise from the rotation position of the second flow path pattern, the second valve body 20 rotates approximately 180 degrees, the third valve body 30 rotates approximately 45 degrees clockwise, and the fourth valve body 40 rotates approximately 180 degrees.

[0060] In the third flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 communicates with the first port P1 through the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10. In addition, the fourth port P4 communicates with the sixth port P6 through the through hole 12 of the first valve body 10, the communication groove 27 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 31 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0061] In addition, the fifth port P5 communicates with the eighth port P8 through the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40. In addition, the seventh port P7 communicates with the third port P3 through the through hole 42 of the fourth valve body 40, the through hole 36 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 25 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 14 of the first valve body 10.

[0062] [Fourth flow path pattern] Figure 9(e) shows a fourth flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 9(a) to (d) show the rotation positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the fourth flow path pattern.

[0063] In the fourth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first valve body 10 does not rotate from the rotation position of the third flow path pattern, the second valve body 20 rotates approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise, the third valve body 30 rotates approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise, and the fourth valve body 40 rotates approximately 180 degrees.

[0064] In the fourth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 communicates with the first port P1 through the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10. In addition, the fourth port P4 communicates with the eighth port P8 through the through hole 12 of the first valve body 10, the through hole 24 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 35 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0065] The fifth port P5 communicates with the third port P3 through the through hole 42 of the fourth valve body 40, the communication groove 37 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 26 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 14 of the first valve body 10. The seventh port P7 communicates with the sixth port P6 through the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0066] [Fifth flow path pattern] Figure 10(e) shows a fifth flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 10(a) to (d) show the rotation positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the fifth flow path pattern.

[0067] In the fifth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first valve body 10 rotates approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise from the rotation position of the fourth flow path pattern, the second valve body 20 does not rotate, the third valve body 30 rotates approximately 180 degrees clockwise, and the fourth valve body 40 rotates approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise.

[0068] In the fifth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 communicates with the third port P3 through the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10. In addition, the fourth port P4 communicates with the eighth port P8 through the through hole 14 of the first valve body 10, the through hole 24 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 32 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 42 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0069] In addition, the fifth port P5 communicates with the sixth port P6 through the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40. In addition, the seventh port P7 communicates with the first port P1 through the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40, the communication groove 37 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 23 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 12 of the first valve body 10.

[0070] [Sixth Flow Path Pattern] Figure 11(e) shows a sixth flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 11(a) to (d) show the rotational positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the sixth flow path pattern.

[0071] In the sixth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first valve body 10 rotates approximately 45 degrees clockwise from the rotation position of the fifth flow path pattern, the second valve body 20 does not rotate, the third valve body 30 rotates approximately 45 degrees clockwise, and the fourth valve body 40 rotates approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise.

[0072] In the sixth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 communicates with the sixth port P6 through the through hole 16 of the first valve body 10, the through hole 21 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 34 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 46 of the fourth valve body 40. In addition, the fourth port P4 communicates with the eighth port P8 through the through hole 13 of the first valve body 10, the through hole 24 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 31 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 43 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0073] The fifth port P5 communicates with the first port P1 through the through hole 41 of the fourth valve body 40, the through hole 36 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 23 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 11 of the first valve body 10. The seventh port P7 communicates with the third port P3 through the through hole 45 of the fourth valve body 40, the through hole 33 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 26 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 15 of the first valve body 10.

[0074] In the sixth flow path pattern, all the flow paths are formed as straight flow paths. In this case, the through holes communicating with each valve body may be freely combined.

[0075] [Seventh Flow Path Pattern] Figure 12(e) shows the seventh flow path pattern of the switching valve V. Figures 12(a) to (d) show the rotation positions of the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 which form the seventh flow path pattern.

[0076] In the seventh flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first valve body 10 rotates approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise from the rotation position of the sixth flow path pattern, the second valve body 20 and the third valve body 30 do not rotate, and the fourth valve body 40 rotates approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise from the rotation position of the sixth flow path pattern.

[0077] In the fifth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the second port P2 communicates with the third port P3 through the communication groove 17 of the first valve body 10. In addition, the fourth port P4 communicates with the eighth port P8 through the through hole 14 of the first valve body 10, the through hole 24 of the second valve body 20, the through hole 31 of the third valve body 30, and the through hole 44 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0078] The fifth port P5 communicates with the first port P1 through the through hole 42 of the fourth valve body 40, the through hole 36 of the third valve body 30, the through hole 23 of the second valve body 20, and the through hole 12 of the first valve body 10. The seventh port P7 communicates with the sixth port P6 through the communication groove 47 of the fourth valve body 40.

[0079] As described above, it is possible to switch between the through holes or the first port P1 to the eighth port P8 communicating with the communication grooves 17, 27, 37, 47 by relatively rotating the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40. Specifically, it is possible to flexibly switch between a plurality of types of flow path patterns by combining the straight flow paths, the turn-back flow paths, and the crank flow paths for the flow paths connecting the first port P1 to the eighth port P8, and therefore it is possible to accommodate a variety of switching modes.

[0080] Furthermore, each of the communication grooves 17, 27, 37, 47 is an open groove, and the opening of the open groove is blocked by the adjacent first valve body 10 to fourth valve body 40 or the housing 50. Since each of the communication grooves 17, 27, 37, 47 can be configured as an open groove in this manner, the structure of each of the communication grooves 17, 27, 37, 47 can be simplified.

[0081] Also, each of the communication grooves 17, 27, 37, 47 extends in the surface direction from the inlet-side through hole or the second port P2, the fourth port P4, the fifth port P5, the seventh port P7 toward the inner diameter side. This allows a pair of inlet and outlet ports to communicate across one through hole, as in the communication grooves 17, 47, and allows two through holes opposing each other across the central axis to communicate, as in the communication grooves 27, 37, so that a wider variety of flow path patterns can be configured.

[0082] Furthermore, since the communication grooves 17, 27, 37, and 47 are formed in the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40, respectively, various flow path patterns can be configured by combining these.

[0083] Also, the number of inflow ports, the second port P2, the fourth port P4, the fifth port P5, and the seventh port P7, and the number of outflow ports, the first port P1, the third port P3, the sixth port P6, and the eighth port P8, are the same. This makes it possible to communicate the inflow ports and the outflow ports in any flow path pattern, so that the fluid does not remain in the switching valve V and is prevented from leaking to other flow paths.

[0084] Furthermore, the valve element flow paths provided in the first valve element 10 to the fourth valve element 40, i.e., the through holes and communication grooves 17, 27, 37, and 47, are greater in number than the inlet ports, the second port P2, the fourth port P4, the fifth port P5, and the seventh port P7, so that the first valve element 10 to the fourth valve element 40 can be rotated at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction, thereby making it possible to configure a greater variety of flow path patterns.

[0085] The number of valve element passages provided in each valve element should be at least half the number of inflow ports. For example, when there are three or four inflow ports, at least two valve element passages are required, and when there are five or six inflow ports, at least three valve element passages are required.

[0086] The valve element flow paths provided in the first valve element 10 to the fourth valve element 40 are equal to or greater than the number of the second port P2, the fourth port P4, the fifth port P5, and the seventh port P7, i.e., a multiple of four minus one. For example, in this embodiment, the first valve element 10 to the fourth valve element 40 each have six through holes and one communication groove, i.e., seven valve element flow paths. This allows a plurality of valve element flow path patterns to be formed in one valve element, thereby enabling a greater variety of flow path patterns to be formed.

[0087] In addition, a pair of the first valve body 10 and the second valve body 20, whose communication grooves 17, 27 have different shapes, and a pair of the third valve body 30 and the fourth valve body 40, whose communication grooves 37, 47 have different shapes, are arranged symmetrically in the up-down direction. This makes it possible to configure a wider variety of flow path patterns by further combining combinations of the rotation positions of the first valve body 10 and the second valve body 20 and combinations of the rotation positions of the third valve body 30 and the fourth valve body 40.

[0088] Furthermore, since the first valve body 10 to the fourth valve body 40 are arranged in a vertically stacked manner, the flow paths connecting the first port P1 to the sixth port P6 can be configured simply, and the switching valve V can be configured compactly.

[0089] In this embodiment, the switching valve V is capable of switching to seven types of flow path patterns, but it goes without saying that the switching valve V can be switched to many more types of flow path patterns.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the number of inflow ports is four and the number of outflow ports is four, but the number of inflow ports and outflow ports can be freely changed as long as they are two or more. Also, the number of inflow ports and outflow ports is not limited to the same, and they may be provided in different numbers.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the inlet port and the outlet port are provided on one side and the other side of the housing, respectively. However, the inlet port and the outlet port may be provided on only one side or the other side of the housing.

[0093] In addition, in the above embodiment, an open groove was described as an example of the communicating passage, but it may also be, for example, a through hole having openings that open upward on both ends in the face direction of the valve body, that is, a tunnel shape in which everything except the openings is closed.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the communication passage extends from one through hole, inlet port, or outlet port so as to straddle one or more through holes, in other words so as to skip one or more through holes adjacent in the circumferential direction, but the communication passage may extend to connect adjacent through holes in the valve body as long as it is possible to connect one through hole, inlet port, or outlet port with another through hole, inlet port, or outlet port. Note that the embodiment in which the communication passage straddles one or more through holes is preferable because it is easy to form various flow path patterns and the fluid pressure acting in the vertical direction from the fluid introduced into the communication passage is easily averaged in the surface direction of the valve body.

[0095] In the above embodiment, each valve element is provided with a communication passage, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that at least one valve element is provided with a communication passage. Also, the number of communication passages provided in one valve element may be multiple.

[0096] Furthermore, as long as the valve bodies are capable of rotating relative to one another, the configuration of the drive device can be freely changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 First valve body 11~16 Through holes 17 Communication groove (communication path) 20 Second valve body 21~26 Through holes 27 Communication groove (communication path) 30 Third valve body 31~36 Through holes 37 Communication groove (communication path) 40 Fourth valve body 41~46 Through holes 47 Communication groove (communication path) 50 Housing 63~66 Drive unit P1 First port (outlet port) P2 Second port (inlet port) P3 3rd port (outlet port) P4 4th port (inlet port) P5 5th port (inlet port) P6 6th port (outlet port) P7 7th port (inlet port) P8 8th port (outlet port) V Switching Valve

Claims

1. Housing and a plurality of inlet ports disposed in the housing; a plurality of outlet ports disposed in the housing; a plurality of valve bodies each having a plurality of through holes that can communicate with the inlet port and the outlet port, the valve bodies being disposed within the housing so as to be movable relative to one another; At least one valve body has a communication passage extending in a planar direction from one through hole, one inlet port, or one outlet port.

2. 2. The changeover valve according to claim 1, wherein the communication passage is an open groove, and an opening of the open groove is closed by the adjacent valve body or the housing.

3. 2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the communication passage extends from the one through hole, the one inlet port, or the one outlet port to an inner diameter side of the valve body.

4. 2. The changeover valve according to claim 1, wherein each of said valve bodies is provided with said communication passages.

5. 5. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the number of said inlet ports and the number of said outlet ports are the same.

6. 2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the number of the through holes and the communication passages in the valve body is equal to or greater than half the number of the inlet ports.

7. 7. The switching valve according to claim 6, wherein the number of the through holes and the communication passages in each of the valve bodies is equal to or greater than a multiple of the number of the inlet ports minus one.

8. 2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein two sets of two valve bodies having communication passages with different shapes are provided symmetrically above and below.

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