Multi-port valve

Abstract

To enable various passage layouts in a multi-port valve.SOLUTION: A multi-port valve 10 includes: a housing 12 having at least four ports communicating with a cylindrical space 16, arranged in its axial direction S, and facing in the same direction; and a valve body 14 rotatably disposed in the space 16 and configured to select, according to an angular position in the space 16, one of switching modes, i.e., a first mode in which a first port 21 and a third port 23 are connected and a second port 22 and a fourth port 24 are connected, a second mode in which the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 are connected and the second port 22 and the third port 23 are connected, and a third mode in which the first port 21 and the second port 22 are connected and the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 are connected, given that the four ports are referred to as the first port 21, the second port 22, the third port 23, and the fourth port 24 in an arrangement order in the axial direction. The multi-port valve 10 has a switching mode which uses an area which does not face each port of the valve port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-port valve.

Background Art

[0002] A multi-port valve having a partial circumferential seal is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). This valve includes a shell body and a seal member housed within a housing. The seal member is configured not to completely surround the shell body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional example, a cylindrical shell body (valve body) has vertical passages (pockets) and horizontal passages, and by rotating this shell body around its axis, the combination of connections of a plurality of ports arranged vertically and horizontally can be changed.

[0005] However, in this conventional example, only two flow path layouts, a mode of connecting ports adjacent to each other horizontally and a mode of connecting ports adjacent to each other vertically, can be realized.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to enable a variety of flow path layouts in a multi-port valve.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The multi-port valve according to the first aspect has a housing provided with a cylindrical space inside, and at least four ports communicating with the space and arranged in the axial direction of the space. A valve body is disposed in the space and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the space. When the four ports are the first port, the second port, the third port, and the fourth port in the axial order, according to the angular position in the space, a first mode of connecting the first port and the third port and connecting the second port and the fourth port, a second mode of connecting the first port and the fourth port and connecting the second port and the third port, and a third mode of connecting the first port and the second port and connecting the third port and the fourth port are selected.

[0008] In this multi-port valve, the valve body has three switching modes, specifically, a first mode of connecting the first port and the third port and connecting the second port and the fourth port, a second mode of connecting the first port and the fourth port and connecting the second port and the third port, and a third mode of connecting the first port and the second port and connecting the third port and the fourth port. Therefore, more flow path layouts are possible compared with the conventional example having only two flow path layouts.

[0009] The second aspect is the multi-port valve according to the first aspect, wherein the four ports are arranged in a staggered manner in the axial direction of the space.

[0010] A third aspect is the multi-port valve according to the first aspect, wherein the valve body extends in the axial direction of the space and includes a first circumferential partition, a second circumferential partition, a third circumferential partition, and a fourth circumferential partition that sequentially partition the space in the circumferential direction, and a first axial partition that axially partitions a first region defined by the first circumferential partition and the second circumferential partition between the first port and the second port, a second axial partition that axially partitions a second region defined by the second circumferential partition and the third circumferential partition between the second port and the third port, and a third axial partition that axially partitions a third region defined by the third circumferential partition and the fourth circumferential partition between the second port and the third port. On the first port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition in the first circumferential partition, a first passage is provided to communicate a fourth region defined by the fourth circumferential partition and the first circumferential partition with the first region on the first port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition. Between the first axial partition and the second axial partition in the second circumferential partition, a second passage is provided to communicate the first region on the second port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition with the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition. On the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition in the third circumferential partition, a third passage is provided to communicate the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition with the third region on the second port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition. On the third port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition in the third circumferential partition, a fourth passage is provided to communicate the second region on the third port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition with the third region on the third port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition. On the third port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition in the fourth circumferential partition, a fifth passage is provided to communicate the third region on the third port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition with the fourth region.

[0011] In this multi-port valve, three switching modes are enabled by rotating a valve body having various partitions and various passages within the space of a housing and changing its angular position.

[0012] A fourth aspect is the multi-port valve according to the third aspect, wherein in the first mode in which the first circumferential partition is at an angular position between the first port and the third port and the second port and the fourth port, the first port and the third port are connected through the fourth region, and the second port and the fourth port are connected through the first region on the second port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition. In the second mode in which the second circumferential partition is at an angular position between the first port and the third port and the second port and the fourth port, the second port and the third port are connected through the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, the second passage, and the first region on the second port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition. The first port and the fourth port are connected through the first region on the first port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition, the first passage, the fourth region, the fifth passage, the third region on the third port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition, the fourth passage, and the second region on the third port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition. In the third mode in which the third circumferential partition is at an angular position between the first port and the third port and the second port and the fourth port, the first port and the second port are connected through the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, the third passage, and the third region on the second port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition. The third port and the fourth port are connected through the second region on the third port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, the fourth passage, and the third region on the third port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition.

[0013] In this multiport valve, three switching modes are enabled by rotating a valve body having various partitions and various passages within the space of the housing. In particular, the connection between the first port and the fourth port in the second mode is made possible by utilizing the fourth region and the third region that do not face the first port and the fourth port.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, in a multiport valve, a variety of flow path layouts become possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing mean the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, redundant descriptions and reference numerals may be omitted. Also, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships between the elements shown in the drawings, the ratios of the elements, etc. do not necessarily match the actual ones. Also, the dimensional relationships between the elements and the ratios of the elements do not necessarily match between multiple drawings.

[0017] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the multiport valve 10 according to the present embodiment is a flow path switching valve having at least four ports. This multiport valve 10 has a housing 12 and a valve body 14. Between the housing 12 and the valve body 14, it is sealed so that fluid does not flow between unintended ports. The valve body 14 is rotationally driven within the space 16 of the housing 12 by driving means (not shown) when switching the flow path.

[0018] The housing 12 is, for example, prismatic, and has a cylindrical space 16 inside. The axial direction S of the space 16 is the longitudinal direction of the housing 12. The outer shape of the housing 12 is not limited to a prism, and may be a cylinder or the like. Further, the housing 12 has at least four ports that communicate with the space 16 respectively and are arranged, for example, in a staggered pattern in the axial direction S of the space 16. In the present embodiment, the four ports are the first port 21, the second port 22, the third port 23, and the fourth port 24 in a staggered arrangement order. Each port is formed, for example, on the front surface 12A of the housing 12. Each port protrudes from the front surface 12A, for example, but may not protrude. In FIG. 1(A), the front surface 12A is divided into two rows of "A - B" in the width direction of the housing 12 and four rows of "1 to 4" in the longitudinal direction, and addresses are assigned, for example, with the right row being "A" and the topmost row being "1". Then, the first port 21 is arranged at address A - 1, the second port is arranged at address B - 2, the third port is arranged at address A - 3, and the fourth port 24 is arranged at address B - 4. Note that the round marks attached to the corners of the housing 12 in each figure indicate the same corner.

[0019] In FIGS. 1(C), 2(D), and 3(C), a manifold 20 is shown. The manifold 20 is a part where the connection parts with other devices in the multiport valve 10 are grouped together, and the numbered rectangles correspond to the respective ports. The rectangle numbered 1 corresponds to the first port 21, the rectangle numbered 2 corresponds to the second port 22, the rectangle numbered 3 corresponds to the third port 23, and the rectangle numbered 4 corresponds to the fourth port 24. The rectangle without a number corresponds to another multiport valve (not shown) having four ports. Two multiport valves 10 according to the present embodiment may be used and connected to one manifold 20.

[0020] The valve body 14 is disposed within the space 16 of the housing 12 and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the space 16. The valve body 14 has three switching modes according to the angular position within the space 16. The first mode shown in FIG. 1 is a mode in which the first port 21 and the third port 23 are connected and the second port 22 and the fourth port 24 are connected. The second mode shown in FIG. 2 is a mode in which the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 are connected and the second port 22 and the third port 23 are connected. The third mode shown in FIG. 3 is a mode in which the first port 21 and the second port 22 are connected and the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 are connected.

[0021] Between the disk portions 14A and 14B at both axial ends of the valve body 14, there are a circumferential partition that extends in the axial direction S of the space 16 of the housing 12 and partitions the space 16 in the circumferential direction C, and an axial partition that partitions the space 16 in the axial direction S. Specifically, the valve body 14 is provided with a first circumferential partition 31, a second circumferential partition 32, a third circumferential partition 33, and a fourth circumferential partition 34 that sequentially partition the space 16 in the circumferential direction C as the circumferential partition. From the first circumferential partition 31 to the fourth circumferential partition 34, they are arranged evenly at intervals of, for example, 90° in the circumferential direction C.

[0022] In the valve body 14, the first circumferential direction partition 31 and the second circumferential direction partition 32 partition the first region 51. The second circumferential direction partition 32 and the third circumferential direction partition 33 partition the second region 52. The third circumferential direction partition 33 and the fourth circumferential direction partition 34 partition the third region 53. And the fourth circumferential direction partition 34 and the first circumferential direction partition 31 partition the fourth region 54. These regions are, for example, each substantially quarter-cylindrical.

[0023] The valve body 14 has, as axial direction partitions, a first axial direction partition 41, a second axial direction partition 42, and a third axial direction partition 43. The first axial direction partition 41 axially partitions the first region 51 between the first port 21 and the second port 22 in the axial direction S. The second axial direction partition 42 axially partitions the second region 52 between the second port 22 and the third port 23 in the axial direction S. The third axial direction partition 43 axially partitions the third region 53 between the second port 22 and the third port 23 in the axial direction S. These axial direction partitions are, for example, each substantially quarter-circular plate-shaped.

[0024] On the first port 21 side in the axial direction S from the first axial direction partition 41 in the first circumferential direction partition 31, a first passage 61 is provided to communicate the fourth region 54 and the first region 51 on the first port 21 side in the axial direction S from the first axial direction partition 41.

[0025] Between the first axial direction partition 41 and the second axial direction partition 42 in the second circumferential direction partition 32, a second passage 62 is provided to communicate the first region 51 on the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the first axial direction partition 41 and the second region 52 on the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the second axial direction partition 42.

[0026] On the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the second axial direction partition 42 in the third circumferential direction partition 33, a third passage 63 is provided to communicate the second region 52 on the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the second axial direction partition 42 and the third region 53 on the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the third axial direction partition 43.

[0027] On the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the second axial partition 42 in the third circumferential partition 33, a fourth passage 64 is provided that communicates the second region 52 on the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the second axial partition 42 and the third region 53 on the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the third axial partition 43.

[0028] On the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the third axial partition 43 in the fourth circumferential partition 34, a fifth passage 65 is provided that communicates the third region 53 on the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the third axial partition 43 and the fourth region 54.

[0029] Figures 1(A) and 1(B) show the first mode in the switching mode of the multi-port valve 10. In the first mode, the first circumferential partition 31 is at an angular position between the first port 21 and the third port 23, and the second port 22 and the fourth port 24. In the first mode, the first port 21 and the third port 23 are connected through the fourth region 54. Also, the second port 22 and the fourth port 24 are connected through the first region 51 on the side of the second port 22 in the axial direction S from the first axial partition 41.

[0030] Figures 2(A), 2(B), and 2(C) show the second mode in the switching mode of the multi-port valve 10. In the second mode, the second port 22 and the third port 23 are connected through the second region 52 on the side of the second port 22 in the axial direction S from the second axial partition 42, the second passage 62, and the first region 51 on the side of the second port 22 in the axial direction S from the first axial partition 41. Also, the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 are connected through the first region 51 on the side of the first port 21 in the axial direction S from the first axial partition 41, the first passage 61, the fourth region 54, the fifth passage 65, the third region 53 on the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the third axial partition 43, the fourth passage 64, and the second region 52 on the side of the third port 23 in the axial direction S from the second axial partition 42.

[0031] Figures 3(A) and 3(B) show the third mode in the switching mode of the multi-port valve 10. In the third mode, the first port 21 and the second port 22 are connected through the second region 52 on the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the second axial partition 42, the third passage 63, and the third region 53 on the second port 22 side in the axial direction S from the third axial partition 43. Also, the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 are connected through the second region 52 on the third port 23 side in the axial direction S from the second axial partition 42, the fourth passage 64, and the third region 53 on the third port 23 side in the axial direction S from the third axial partition 43.

[0032] (Function) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its function will be described below. In the multi-port valve 10 according to this embodiment, the valve body 14 has three switching modes, specifically, the first mode in which the first port 21 and the third port 23 are connected and the second port 22 and the fourth port 24 are connected, the second mode in which the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 are connected and the second port 22 and the third port 23 are connected, and the third mode in which the first port 21 and the second port 22 are connected and the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 are connected. As described above, by rotating the valve body 14 having various partitions and various passages within the space 16 of the housing 12, its angular position is changed, enabling the three switching modes. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C), the connection between the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 in the second mode is made possible by utilizing the fourth region 54 and the third region 53 that do not face the first port 21 and the fourth port 24. Note that the third axial partition 43 may be in the third region 53 between the third port 23 and the fourth port 24.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, in the first mode, the first port 21 and the third port 23 are connected, and the second port 22 and the fourth port 24 are connected. Other combinations are blocked. Specifically, the connection between the first port 21 and the second port 22 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43. The connection between the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43. The connection between the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43. And the connection between the second port 22 and the third port 23 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, and the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, in the second mode, the first port 21 and the fourth port 24 are connected, and the second port 22 and the third port 23 are connected. Other combinations are blocked. Specifically, the connection between the first port 21 and the second port 22 is blocked by the second circumferential partition 32, the first circumferential partition 31, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43. The connection between the first port 21 and the third port 23 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43. The connection between the second port 22 and the fourth port 24 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the second axial partition 42, the third axial partition 43, and the first axial partition 41. And the connection between the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 is blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the second axial partition 42, the third axial partition 43, and the first axial partition 41.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, in the third mode, the first port 21 and the second port 22 are connected, and the third port 23 and the fourth port 24 are connected. Other combinations are blocked. Specifically, the connections between the first port 21 and the third port 23, the first port 21 and the fourth port 24, and the second port 22 and the fourth port 24 are blocked by the first circumferential partition 31, the second circumferential partition 32, the fourth circumferential partition 34, the first axial partition 41, the second axial partition 42, and the third axial partition 43, respectively.

[0036] Thus, according to the present embodiment, compared with the conventional example having only two types of flow path layouts, many flow path layouts are possible, and various flow path layouts are possible.

[0037] As described above, an example of the embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0038] The multiport valve 10 has been described as having four ports, but it may have five or more ports. Also, the ports may not be arranged in a staggered manner.

[0039] The configuration of the multiport valve 10 is also valid without the third circumferential partition 33. When the third circumferential partition 33 is omitted, the third passage 63 and the fourth passage 64 formed in the third circumferential partition 33 also disappear, and the second region 52 and the third region 53 communicate with each other above and below the second axial partition 42 and the third axial partition 43, respectively.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 10 Multiport valve 12 Housing 14 Valve body 16 Space 21 First port 22 Second port 23 Third port 24 Port 4 31 First-round Direction Partition 32 Second-round Direction Partition 33 Third-round Direction Partition 34 Fourth-round Direction Partition 41 First-axis Direction Partition 42 Second-axis Direction Partition 44 Third-axis Direction Partition 51 First Region 52 Second Region 53 Third Region 54 Fourth Region 61 First Passage 62 Second Passage 63 Third Passage 64 Fourth Passage 65 Fifth Passage C Circumferential Direction S Axial Direction

Claims

1. a housing having a cylindrical space therein and at least four ports communicating with the space, the ports being disposed in the axial direction of the space and facing the same direction; a valve element that is disposed in the space and is rotatable in a circumferential direction of the space, and, assuming that the four ports are arranged in axial order as a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, selects one of three switching modes in accordance with an angular position in the space: a first mode in which the first port connects the third port and the second port and the fourth port, a second mode in which the first port connects the fourth port and the second port and the third port, and a third mode in which the first port connects the second port and the third port, and the third port connects the fourth port; having A multi-port valve having a switching mode that utilizes areas of the valve body not facing the first port, the second port, the third port, and the fourth port.

2. 2. The multi-port valve according to claim 1, wherein the four ports are arranged in a staggered manner in the axial direction of the space.

3. The valve body is a first circumferential partition, a second circumferential partition, a third circumferential partition, and a fourth circumferential partition extending in an axial direction of the space and dividing the space in the circumferential direction, a first axial partition that axially divides a first region defined by the first circumferential partition and the second circumferential partition between the first port and the second port; a second axial partition that axially divides a second region defined by the second circumferential partition and the third circumferential partition between the second port and the third port; a third axial partition that axially divides a third region defined by the third circumferential partition and the fourth circumferential partition between the second port and the third port, a first passage is provided in the first circumferential partition on the first port side of the first axial partition, the first passage communicating a fourth region defined by the fourth circumferential partition and the first circumferential partition with the first region on the first port side of the first axial partition in the axial direction, a second passage is provided between the first axial partition and the second axial partition in the second circumferential partition, the second passage communicating between the first region on the second port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition and the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, a third passage is provided on the third circumferential partition on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, the third passage communicating between the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition and the third region on the second port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition, a fourth passage is provided on the third circumferential partition on the third port side of the second axial partition in the axial direction, the fourth passage communicating between the second region on the third port side of the second axial partition in the axial direction and the third region on the third port side of the third axial partition, 2. The multi-port valve according to claim 1, wherein a fifth passage is provided on the fourth circumferential partition on a side of the third port in the axial direction from the third axial partition, the fifth passage connecting the third region on the side of the third port in the axial direction from the third axial partition to the fourth region.

4. in the first mode in which the first circumferential partition is in an angular position between the first port and the third port, and the second port and the fourth port, the first port and the third port are connected through the fourth region, and the second port and the fourth port are connected through the first region on the second port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition, In the second mode in which the second circumferential partition is in an angular position between the first port and the third port, and the second port and the fourth port, the second port and the third port are connected to each other through the second region on the second port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, the second passage, and the first region on the second port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition, and the first port and the fourth port are connected to each other through the first region on the first port side in the axial direction from the first axial partition, the first passage, the fourth region, the fifth passage, a third region on the third port side in the axial direction from the third axial partition, the fourth passage, and the second region on the third port side in the axial direction from the second axial partition, 4. The multiport valve according to claim 3, wherein in the third mode in which the third circumferential partition is in an angular position between the first port and the third port, and the second port and the fourth port, the first port and the second port are connected through the second region on the axial side of the second axial partition to the second port, the third passage, and the third region on the axial side of the second port to the third axial partition, and the third port and the fourth port are connected through the second region on the axial side of the third port to the third axial partition to the third port, the fourth passage, and the third region on the axial side of the third port to the third axial partition.

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