Valve device

Abstract

To provide a valve device capable of suppressing leakage of a refrigerant, deterioration of cooling efficiency, and noise due to a refrigerant flow.SOLUTION: A valve module 10 has a valve body 100 having a plurality of refrigerant passages, and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body 100. The plurality of refrigerant passages includes a high-temperature refrigerant passage through which a high-temperature refrigerant flows, a medium-temperature refrigerant passage through which a medium-temperature refrigerant with a temperature lower than that of the high-temperature refrigerant flows, and a low-temperature refrigerant passage through which a low-temperature refrigerant with a temperature lower than that of the medium-temperature refrigerant flows. The shortest distance between the low-temperature refrigerant passage and the medium-temperature refrigerant passage is shorter than the shortest distance between the high-temperature refrigerant passage and the medium-temperature refrigerant passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 37

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device used in a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional refrigeration cycle apparatus. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerant circuit switching unit including first to third on-off valves. The refrigerant circuit switching unit switches between a first circuit and a second circuit. In the first circuit, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor condenser flows sequentially through the receiver dryer, the heating expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger. In the second circuit, the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger flows sequentially through the receiver dryer, the cooling expansion valve, and the indoor evaporator. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, in the first circuit, the receiver dryer is disposed upstream of the heating expansion valve, and in the second circuit, the receiver dryer is disposed upstream of the cooling expansion valve. The receiver dryer stores the surplus of the liquid-phase refrigerant condensed in the indoor condenser. Thereby, the refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor evaporator serving as an evaporator has superheat.

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 refrigeration cycle apparatus, the indoor condenser, the first on-off valve, and the second on-off valve are connected via a three-way joint and piping. Also, the receiver dryer and other components are similarly connected. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus has many connection points, increasing the possibility of refrigerant leakage. Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus, since each component is connected via a three-way joint and piping, the apparatus becomes large-sized.

[0005] For example, by using a valve device having one valve body with a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body for changing the passage areas of the plurality of refrigerant passages in a refrigeration cycle device, the number of connection points can be reduced. An example of such a valve device is shown in FIG. 41.

[0006] The valve device 905 shown in FIG. 41 is incorporated in an air conditioner 901 which is a refrigeration cycle device. The valve device 905 has a valve body 910. On the outer surface of the valve body 910, a first indoor-side opening 911, a second indoor-side opening 912, a third indoor-side opening 913, a first outdoor-side opening 914, a second outdoor-side opening 915, a first intermediate opening 916, and a second intermediate opening 917 are formed.

[0007] The valve body 910 has a first refrigerant passage 921, a second refrigerant passage 922, a third refrigerant passage 923, a fourth refrigerant passage 924, a fifth refrigerant passage 925, and a sixth refrigerant passage 926. The first refrigerant passage 921 connects the first indoor-side opening 911 and the second intermediate opening 917. The second refrigerant passage 922 connects the first indoor-side opening 911 and the second outdoor-side opening 915. The third refrigerant passage 923 connects the first intermediate opening 916 and a connection point 922c of the second refrigerant passage 922. The fourth refrigerant passage 924 connects the first outdoor-side opening 914 and the second intermediate opening 917. The fifth refrigerant passage 925 connects the first intermediate opening 916 and the second indoor-side opening 912. The sixth refrigerant passage 926 connects the first outdoor-side opening 914 and the third indoor-side opening 913. The second refrigerant passage 922 has a first passage portion 922a between the first indoor-side opening 911 and the connection point 922c, and a second passage portion 922b between the second outdoor-side opening 915 and the connection point 922c.

[0008] The valve device 905 has a first on-off valve unit 930, a second on-off valve unit 940, a third on-off valve unit 950, a flow rate adjustment valve unit 960, a first check valve unit 970, and a second check valve unit 980. These valve units are attached to the valve body 910.

[0009] The first on-off valve unit 930 can open and close the first refrigerant passage 921. The second on-off valve unit 940 can open and close the first passage portion 922a of the second refrigerant passage 922. The third on-off valve unit 950 can open and close the sixth refrigerant passage 926. The flow rate adjustment valve unit 960 can steplessly change the passage area of the second passage portion 922b of the second refrigerant passage 922. The first check valve unit 970 allows the flow of refrigerant from the first intermediate opening 916 in the third refrigerant passage 923 to the second refrigerant passage 922 and prohibits the flow of refrigerant from the second refrigerant passage 922 to the first intermediate opening 916. The second check valve unit 980 allows the flow of refrigerant from the first outdoor-side opening 914 in the fourth refrigerant passage 924 to the second intermediate opening 917 and prohibits the flow of refrigerant from the second intermediate opening 917 to the first outdoor-side opening 914.

[0010] The first indoor-side opening 911 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 30 via the indoor condenser 40. The second indoor-side opening 912 is connected to the flow rate adjustment valve 70 which is an expansion valve for cooling. The flow rate adjustment valve 70 is connected to the inlet of the indoor evaporator 50. The outlet of the indoor evaporator 50 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 30. The third indoor-side opening 913 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 30. The first outdoor-side opening 914 is connected to the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 60. The second outdoor-side opening 915 is connected to the inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 60. The first intermediate opening 916 is connected to the outlet of the receiver dryer 20. The second intermediate opening 917 is connected to the inlet of the receiver dryer 20.

[0011] In the cooling mode, the first on-off valve unit 930 closes the first refrigerant passage 921, the second on-off valve unit 940 opens the first passage portion 922a, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 960 sets the passage area of the second passage portion 922b to the maximum area (fully open state), and the third on-off valve unit 950 closes the sixth refrigerant passage 926. In the cooling mode, the refrigerant sequentially passes through the compressor 30, the indoor condenser 40, the second refrigerant passage 922 (the second on-off valve unit 940, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 960), the outdoor heat exchanger 60, the fourth refrigerant passage 924 (the second check valve unit 980), the receiver dryer 20, the fifth refrigerant passage 925, the flow rate adjustment valve 70, and the indoor evaporator 50, and returns to the compressor 30. In FIG. 41, the flow of the refrigerant is schematically shown by arrows.

[0012] In the cooling mode, the high-temperature refrigerant flowing out of the indoor condenser 40 flows through the second refrigerant passage 922 and the fourth refrigerant passage 924. The medium-temperature refrigerant flowing into the flow rate adjustment valve 70 flows through the fifth refrigerant passage 925. Therefore, the temperature of the valve body 910 may increase due to the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage 922 and the fourth refrigerant passage 924, and the medium-temperature refrigerant flowing through the fifth refrigerant passage 925 may be heated. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner 901 may decrease, or noise may occur when the medium-temperature refrigerant passes through the flow rate adjustment valve 70.

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve device that can suppress refrigerant leakage, a decrease in cooling efficiency, and noise caused by refrigerant flow.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the valve device according to the present invention is a valve device used in a refrigeration cycle device, the valve device includes one valve body having a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body, the plurality of refrigerant passages include a high-temperature refrigerant passage through which high-temperature refrigerant flows, and a medium-temperature refrigerant passage through which medium-temperature refrigerant having a lower temperature than the high-temperature refrigerant flows, It is characterized by including a low-temperature refrigerant passage through which a low-temperature refrigerant having a temperature lower than that of the medium-temperature refrigerant flows.

[0015] In the present invention, It is preferable that the outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant passage is adjacent to the outlet of the medium-temperature refrigerant passage.

[0016] In the present invention, It is preferable that the outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant passage is arranged between the outlet of the medium-temperature refrigerant passage and the outlet of the high-temperature refrigerant passage.

[0017] In the present invention, It is preferable that the shortest distance between the low-temperature refrigerant passage and the medium-temperature refrigerant passage is shorter than the shortest distance between the high-temperature refrigerant passage and the medium-temperature refrigerant passage.

[0018] In the present invention, It is preferable that the low-temperature refrigerant passage has a heat exchange mechanism that promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the low-temperature refrigerant passage and the valve body.

[0019] In the present invention, It is preferable that the heat exchange mechanism is a plurality of grooves formed on the inner surface of the low-temperature refrigerant passage.

[0020] In the present invention, It is preferable that the heat exchange mechanism is a heat exchange member having a cylindrical shape, the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange member is in close contact with the inner surface of the low-temperature refrigerant passage, and the refrigerant passes through the inside of the heat exchange member, and the thermal conductivity of the heat exchange member is higher than the thermal conductivity of the valve body.

[0021] In the present invention, the refrigeration cycle device has a compressor and an indoor condenser downstream of the compressor, the high-temperature refrigerant passage is connected to the outlet of the indoor condenser, and it is preferable that the low-temperature refrigerant passage is connected to the suction port of the compressor.

[0022] In the present invention, the refrigeration cycle device or the valve device has an expansion valve, and it is preferable that the medium-temperature refrigerant passage is connected to the expansion valve.

[0023] In the present invention, a first indoor-side opening, a second indoor-side opening, a third indoor-side opening, a fourth indoor-side opening, a first outdoor-side opening, a second outdoor-side opening, a first intermediate opening, and a second intermediate opening are formed on the outer surface of the valve body, and the plurality of refrigerant passages include a first refrigerant passage connecting the first indoor-side opening and the second intermediate opening, a second refrigerant passage connecting the first indoor-side opening and the second outdoor-side opening, a third refrigerant passage connecting the first intermediate opening and the second refrigerant passage, a fourth refrigerant passage connecting the first outdoor-side opening and the second intermediate opening, a fifth refrigerant passage connecting the first intermediate opening and the second indoor-side opening, a sixth refrigerant passage connecting the first outdoor-side opening and the third indoor-side opening, and a seventh refrigerant passage connecting the fourth indoor-side opening and the third indoor-side opening, the second refrigerant passage has a first passage portion between the connection location where the first indoor-side opening and the third refrigerant passage are connected and the second outdoor-side opening and the connection location, and the plurality of valve units include a first on-off valve unit capable of opening and closing the first refrigerant passage, a second on-off valve unit capable of opening and closing the first passage portion of the second refrigerant passage, a third on-off valve unit capable of opening and closing the sixth refrigerant passage, a flow rate adjustment valve unit capable of continuously changing the passage area of the second passage portion of the second refrigerant passage, and a first check valve unit that allows the flow of refrigerant from the first intermediate opening to the second refrigerant passage in the third refrigerant passage and prohibits the flow of refrigerant from the second refrigerant passage to the first intermediate opening. a second check valve unit that allows the refrigerant to flow from the first outdoor opening to the second intermediate opening in the fourth refrigerant passage and prohibits the refrigerant from flowing from the second intermediate opening to the first outdoor opening; In the heating mode, the first refrigerant passage is the high-temperature refrigerant passage, the third refrigerant passage is the medium-temperature refrigerant passage, and the sixth refrigerant passage is the low-temperature refrigerant passage. In the cooling mode, it is preferable that the second refrigerant passage and the fourth refrigerant passage are the high-temperature refrigerant passages, the fifth refrigerant passage is the medium-temperature refrigerant passage, and the seventh refrigerant passage is the low-temperature refrigerant passage. However, in the heating mode, the first on-off valve unit opens the first refrigerant passage, the second on-off valve unit closes the first passage portion, the flow rate adjustment valve unit sets the passage area of the second passage portion to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand, and the third on-off valve unit opens the sixth refrigerant passage. In the cooling mode, the first on-off valve unit closes the first refrigerant passage, the second on-off valve unit opens the first passage portion, the flow rate adjustment valve unit sets the passage area of the second passage portion to a size that does not allow the refrigerant to expand, and the third on-off valve unit closes the sixth refrigerant passage.

[0024] In the present invention, It is preferable that the third indoor opening is adjacent to the second indoor opening.

[0025] In the present invention, It is preferable that the third indoor opening is disposed between the second outdoor opening and the second indoor opening.

[0026] In the present invention, the refrigeration cycle device includes a compressor, an indoor condenser downstream of the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow rate adjustment valve, and an indoor evaporator downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve. The valve device has a receiver dryer. The first indoor opening is connected to the outlet of the indoor condenser. The inner opening of the second chamber is connected to the flow rate adjustment valve, The inner opening of the third chamber is connected to the suction port of the compressor, The inner opening of the fourth chamber is connected to the outlet of the indoor evaporator, The outer opening of the first chamber is connected to the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, The outer opening of the second chamber is connected to the inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, The intermediate opening of the first chamber is connected to the outlet of the receiver dryer, It is preferable that the intermediate opening of the second chamber is connected to the inlet of the receiver dryer.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] The valve device according to the present invention includes a single valve body having a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress refrigerant leakage at the connection points between the refrigerant passages and at the connection points between the refrigerant passages and the valve units, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts for connection. Further, the plurality of refrigerant passages included in the valve body include a high-temperature refrigerant passage through which high-temperature refrigerant flows, an intermediate-temperature refrigerant passage through which intermediate-temperature refrigerant having a lower temperature than the high-temperature refrigerant flows, and a low-temperature refrigerant passage through which low-temperature refrigerant having a lower temperature than the intermediate-temperature refrigerant flows. Therefore, the temperature rise of the valve body can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the low-temperature refrigerant passage. As a result, it is possible to suppress the intermediate-temperature refrigerant from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant via the valve body, compared to a configuration in which the valve body has only the high-temperature refrigerant passage and the intermediate-temperature refrigerant passage. Therefore, it is possible to suppress refrigerant leakage, a decrease in cooling efficiency, and noise caused by refrigerant flow.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

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Figure 41

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 40.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner having a valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 1 is in the heating mode. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 1 is in the cooling mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant when the air conditioner of FIG. 1 is in the dehumidifying heating mode. FIG. 5 is a front view of the valve device of the air conditioner of FIG. 1. FIGS. 6 to 13 are a perspective view, another perspective view, a front view, a right side view, a left side view, a plan view, a bottom view, and a rear view of a valve module of the valve device of FIG. 5. FIGS. 14 to 18 are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A, line B-B, line C-C, line D-D, and line E-E of FIG. 9. FIGS. 19 to 22 are cross-sectional views taken along line F-F, line G-G, line H-H, and line J-J of FIG. 8. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line K-K of FIG. 13. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of FIG. 8. FIGS. 25 and 26 are a plan view and a right side view of a valve body of the valve module of FIG. 6. FIGS. 27 to 29 are cross-sectional views of a first on-off valve unit, a second on-off valve unit, and a flow rate adjustment valve unit of the valve module of FIG. 6. FIGS. 30 to 32 are a perspective view, a front view, and a plan view of a receiver dryer of the valve device of FIG. 5. FIGS. 33 and 34 are diagrams for explaining a manufacturing method of the valve device of FIG. 5. FIG. 33 shows a state before attaching the receiver dryer to the valve body. FIG. 34 shows a state after attaching the receiver dryer to the valve body. FIGS. 35 and 36 are diagrams for explaining the flow of high-temperature refrigerant, medium-temperature refrigerant, and low-temperature refrigerant in the heating mode. FIGS. 37 and 38 are diagrams for explaining the flow of high-temperature refrigerant, medium-temperature refrigerant, and low-temperature refrigerant in the cooling mode. FIGS. 35 and 37 schematically show the flow of refrigerant in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 21. FIGS. 36 and 38 schematically show the flow of refrigerant in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 22. In FIGS. 35 to 38, solid arrows schematically show the flow of high-temperature refrigerant, dashed-dotted arrows schematically show the flow of medium-temperature refrigerant, and dashed arrows schematically show the flow of low-temperature refrigerant. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first modification of the valve device of FIG. 5. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second modification of the valve device of FIG. 5.In each figure, the X direction indicated by arrow X is the left - right direction, the Y direction indicated by arrow Y is the front - back direction, and the Z direction indicated by arrow Z is the up - down direction. In arrow X, the side with the letter "X" is the right side, in arrow Y, the side with the letter "Y" is the back side, and in arrow Z, the side with the letter "Z" is the upper side.

[0031] The air - conditioning device 1 is, for example, a vehicle air - conditioning device mounted on a vehicle that cools or heats the blown air into the passenger compartment. The air - conditioning device 1 is a refrigeration cycle device.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the air - conditioning device 1 includes a valve device 5, a compressor 30, an indoor condenser 40, an indoor evaporator 50, an outdoor heat exchanger 60, and a flow rate adjustment valve 70.

[0033] The valve device 5 includes a valve module 10 and a receiver - dryer 20.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 29, the valve module 10 includes a valve body 100, a first on - off valve unit 300, a second on - off valve unit 400, a third on - off valve unit 500, a flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, a first check valve unit 700, and a second check valve unit 800.

[0035] The valve body 100 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, by extruding an aluminum alloy. The valve body 100 has a front surface 101, a back surface 102, a left side surface 103, a right side surface 104, an upper surface 105, and a lower surface 106. Each surface is an outer surface of the valve body 100 and is formed in a planar shape.

[0036] On the front surface 101, a first indoor-side opening 111 is formed (Figs. 6 and 8). On the back surface 102, a first outdoor-side opening 121 and a fourth indoor-side opening 114 are formed (Figs. 7 and 13). On the left side surface 103, a second indoor-side opening 112, a third indoor-side opening 113, and a second outdoor-side opening 122 are formed (Figs. 7 and 10). On the left side surface 103, the third indoor-side opening 113 is adjacent to the second indoor-side opening 112. Also, on the left side surface 103, the third indoor-side opening 113 is disposed between the second outdoor-side opening 122 and the second indoor-side opening 112. The third indoor-side opening 113 may be formed on the upper surface 105. On the lower surface 106, a first intermediate opening 131 and a second intermediate opening 132 are formed (Fig. 12).

[0037] The valve body 100 has a plurality of refrigerant passages formed by machining. Specifically, the valve body 100 has a first refrigerant passage 151, a second refrigerant passage 152, a third refrigerant passage 153, a fourth refrigerant passage 154, a fifth refrigerant passage 155, a sixth refrigerant passage 156, and a seventh refrigerant passage 157.

[0038] The first refrigerant passage 151 connects the first indoor-side opening 111 and the second intermediate opening 132. The first refrigerant passage 151 extends from the first indoor-side opening 111 toward the back surface 102 side, then extends toward the upper surface 105 side, and then extends to the second intermediate opening 132 on the lower surface 106. A first on-off valve unit 300 is disposed in the first refrigerant passage 151.

[0039] The second refrigerant passage 152 connects the first indoor-side opening 111 and the second outdoor-side opening 122. The second refrigerant passage 152 extends from the first indoor-side opening 111 toward the back surface 102, then continues to extend toward the left side surface 103, then continues to extend toward the upper surface 105, and then extends toward the second outdoor-side opening 122 on the left side surface 103. A third refrigerant passage 153 is connected to the connection point 152c of the second refrigerant passage 152. The second refrigerant passage 152 has a first passage portion 152a between the first indoor-side opening 111 and the connection point 152c, and a second passage portion 152b between the second outdoor-side opening 122 and the connection point 152c. A second on-off valve unit 400 is disposed in the first passage portion 152a. A flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 is disposed in the second passage portion 152b.

[0040] The third refrigerant passage 153 connects the first intermediate opening 131 and the second refrigerant passage 152. The third refrigerant passage 153 extends from the first intermediate opening 131 toward the upper surface 105, then continues to extend toward the front surface 101 and is connected to the second refrigerant passage 152. A first check valve unit 700 is disposed in the third refrigerant passage 153.

[0041] The fourth refrigerant passage 154 connects the first outdoor-side opening 121 and the second intermediate opening 132. The fourth refrigerant passage 154 extends from the first outdoor-side opening 121 toward the front surface 101 and then extends toward the second intermediate opening 132 on the lower surface 106. A second check valve unit 800 is disposed in the fourth refrigerant passage 154.

[0042] The fifth refrigerant passage 155 connects the first intermediate opening 131 and the second indoor-side opening 112. The fifth refrigerant passage 155 extends from the first intermediate opening 131 toward the upper surface 105 and then extends toward the second indoor-side opening 112 on the left side surface 103. A valve unit capable of changing the passage area is not disposed in the fifth refrigerant passage 155.

[0043] The sixth refrigerant passage 156 connects the first outdoor opening 121 and the third indoor opening 113. The sixth refrigerant passage 156 extends from the first outdoor opening 121 toward the front surface 101, then extends toward the left side surface 103, then extends toward the front surface 101, and then extends to the third indoor opening 113 on the left side surface 103. A third on-off valve unit 500 is disposed in the sixth refrigerant passage 156.

[0044] The seventh refrigerant passage 157 connects the fourth indoor opening 114 and the third indoor opening 113. The seventh refrigerant passage 157 extends from the fourth indoor opening 114 toward the front surface 101 and then extends to the third indoor opening 113 on the left side surface 103. No valve unit capable of changing the passage area is disposed in the seventh refrigerant passage 157.

[0045] The first refrigerant passage 151 and the second refrigerant passage 152 share a portion (refrigerant passage 151a) connected to the first indoor opening 111. The first refrigerant passage 151 and the fourth refrigerant passage 154 share a portion (refrigerant passage 151b) connected to the second intermediate opening 132. The third refrigerant passage 153 and the fifth refrigerant passage 155 share a portion (refrigerant passage 153a) connected to the first intermediate opening 131. The fourth refrigerant passage 154 and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 share a portion (refrigerant passage 154a) connected to the first outdoor opening 121. The sixth refrigerant passage 156 and the seventh refrigerant passage 157 share a portion (refrigerant passage 156a) connected to the third indoor opening 113.

[0046] The shortest distance D1 (FIG. 17) between the third refrigerant passage 153 (refrigerant passage 153a) and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 (refrigerant passage 156a) is shorter than the shortest distance D2 between the third refrigerant passage 153 and the first refrigerant passage 151 (FIG. 24). The shortest distance D1 is also the shortest distance between the fifth refrigerant passage 155 and the seventh refrigerant passage 157. The shortest distance D1 is shorter than the shortest distance D3 between the fifth refrigerant passage 155 (refrigerant passage 153a) and the fourth refrigerant passage 154 (FIG. 17).

[0047] The valve body 100 also has a first through hole 171 and a second through hole 172 (FIGS. 8 and 20). The first through hole 171 and the second through hole 172 linearly extend from the upper surface 105 to the lower surface 106.

[0048] The first on-off valve unit 300 is disposed at a location near the right side surface 104 of the upper surface 105. The first on-off valve unit 300 is configured to be able to open and close the first refrigerant passage 151 (that is, the passage area can be changed to 0 or an area larger than 0).

[0049] The first on-off valve unit 300, together with the valve body 100, constitutes a pilot-operated on-off valve. The first on-off valve unit 300 is of the normally-closed type. A first mounting hole 161 for disposing the first on-off valve unit 300 is formed in the upper surface 105 of the valve body 100. Inside the first mounting hole 161, the valve body 100 has a first valve chamber 311, a first valve port 312 that opens into the first valve chamber 311, and a first valve seat 313 that surrounds the first valve port 312. The first valve chamber 311 and the first valve port 312 are part of the first refrigerant passage 151.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 27, the first on-off valve unit 300 has a main valve body 320 and a valve body driving unit 330.

[0051] The main valve body 320 has a disk shape. The main valve body 320 has a pilot passage 325 and a pressure equalizing passage 326. When the main valve body 320 contacts the first valve seat 313, the first valve port 312 closes, and when the main valve body 320 separates from the first valve seat 313, the first valve port 312 opens.

[0052] The valve body driving unit 330 has a holder 331, a case 332, a plunger 333, an electromagnetic coil 334, a pilot valve body 335, and a fixed core 336.

[0053] The holder 331 has a cylindrical shape. The holder 331 is attached to the first mounting hole 161 of the valve body 100 by a screw structure. Inside the holder 331, the main valve body 320 is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction. The main valve body 320 partitions the first valve chamber 311 and the back pressure chamber 314 inside the holder 331. The pilot passage 325 connects the back pressure chamber 314 and the first valve port 312. The pressure equalizing passage 326 connects the first valve chamber 311 and the back pressure chamber 314. An opening spring 337 is arranged between the main valve body 320 and the holder 331. The opening spring 337 is a compression coil spring. The opening spring 337 presses the main valve body 320 upward.

[0054] The case 332 has a cylindrical shape. The lower end portion of the case 332 is arranged inside the holder 331 and joined to the holder 331. Inside the upper end portion of the case 332, a cylindrical fixed core 336 is arranged. The fixed core 336 is joined to the upper end portion of the case 332. A spring receiving member 336a is arranged on the lower end surface of the fixed core 336.

[0055] The plunger 333 has a cylindrical shape. The plunger 333 is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction inside the case 332. A spring accommodation hole 333a is formed on the upper end surface of the plunger 333. A plunger spring 338 is arranged between the bottom surface 333b of the spring accommodation hole 333a and the spring receiving member 336a of the fixed core 336. The plunger spring 338 is a compression coil spring. The plunger spring 338 presses the plunger 333 downward.

[0056] The electromagnetic coil 334 has a cylindrical shape. The case 332 is arranged inside the electromagnetic coil 334. The electromagnetic coil 334 magnetizes the fixed core 336 and the plunger 333.

[0057] The pilot valve body 335 has a conical shape facing downward. The pilot valve body 335 is integrally connected to the lower end surface of the plunger 333. The pilot valve body 335 is disposed in the back pressure chamber 314. The pilot valve body 335 opens and closes the pilot passage 325.

[0058] In the first on-off valve unit 300, when the electromagnetic coil 334 is de-energized, the plunger 333 is pushed downward by the plunger spring 338 and moves downward. The pilot valve body 335 also moves downward, the pilot valve body 335 closes the pilot passage 325, and pushes the main valve body 320 downward. The main valve body 320 contacts the first valve seat 313, and the first valve port 312 closes. When the first valve port 312 closes, the flow of the refrigerant from the first valve chamber 311 and the back pressure chamber 314 to the first valve port 312 is blocked. The refrigerant stays in the first valve chamber 311 and the back pressure chamber 314. The main valve body 320 is pressed against the first valve seat 313 by the refrigerant.

[0059] In the first on-off valve unit 300, when the electromagnetic coil 334 is energized, the plunger 333 moves upward by the magnetic force. The pilot valve body 335 also moves upward, and the pilot passage 325 opens. The refrigerant in the back pressure chamber 314 flows to the first valve port 312 through the pilot passage 325, and the refrigerant pressure in the back pressure chamber 314 becomes lower than the refrigerant pressure in the first valve chamber 311. Also, the valve opening spring 337 pushes the main valve body 320 upward. Thereby, the main valve body 320 separates from the first valve seat 313, and the first valve port 312 opens.

[0060] The second on-off valve unit 400 is disposed at a position near the front surface 101 on the right side surface 104. The second on-off valve unit 400 is configured to be able to open and close the first passage portion 152a of the second refrigerant passage 152 (that is, the passage area can be changed to 0 or an area larger than 0).

[0061] The second on-off valve unit 400 constitutes a pilot-operated on-off valve together with the valve body 100. The second on-off valve unit 400 is of the normally open type. A second mounting hole 162 in which the second on-off valve unit 400 is disposed is formed in the right side surface 104 of the valve body 100. Inside the second mounting hole 162, the valve body 100 has a second valve chamber 411, a second valve port 412 that opens into the second valve chamber 411, and a second valve seat 413 that surrounds the second valve port 412. The second valve chamber 411 and the refrigerant passage 151a (Figs. 19 and 24) extending from the first indoor side opening 111 to the second valve chamber 411 are part of the first refrigerant passage 151 and also part of the second refrigerant passage 152. The second valve port 412 is part of the second refrigerant passage 152.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 28, the second on-off valve unit 400 has a main valve body 420 and a valve body drive unit 430.

[0063] The main valve body 420 integrally has a body portion 421, a first flange portion 422, and a second flange portion 423. The body portion 421 has a cylindrical shape. The first flange portion 422 has an annular shape. The inner peripheral edge of the first flange portion 422 is connected to the right end portion of the body portion 421. The second flange portion 423 has an annular shape. The inner peripheral edge of the second flange portion 423 is connected to the left end portion of the body portion 421. The body portion 421 has a pilot passage 425. The first flange portion 422 has a pressure equalizing passage 426. An annular plate-shaped packing is disposed on the second flange portion 423. When the main valve body 420 (specifically, the packing on the second flange portion 423) contacts the second valve seat 413, the second valve port 412 closes, and when the main valve body 420 separates from the second valve seat 413, the second valve port 412 opens. An opening valve spring 437 is disposed between the first flange portion 422 of the main valve body 420 and the valve body 100. The opening valve spring 437 is a compression coil spring. The opening valve spring 437 presses the first flange portion 422 of the main valve body 420 to the right.

[0064] The valve body drive unit 430 has a fixed core 431, a case 432, a plunger 433, an electromagnetic coil 434, a pilot valve body 435, and a valve shaft 436.

[0065] The fixed core 431 integrally has a large-diameter cylindrical portion 431a and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 431a is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the second mounting hole 162 of the valve body 100 by a screw structure. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b is arranged coaxially with the large-diameter cylindrical portion 431a. The outer diameter of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b is smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 431a. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b is arranged so as to protrude from the right side surface 104. Inside the large-diameter cylindrical portion 431a, a first flange portion 422 is arranged to be movable in the left-right direction. The first flange portion 422 partitions the second valve chamber 411 and the back pressure chamber 414 inside the large-diameter cylindrical portion 431a. The pilot passage 425 connects the back pressure chamber 414 and the second valve port 412. The pressure equalizing passage 426 connects the second valve chamber 411 and the back pressure chamber 414.

[0066] The case 432 has a cylindrical shape with an open left end and a closed right end. Inside the left end of the case 432, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b of the fixed core 431 is arranged. The left end of the case 432 is joined to the fixed core 431.

[0067] The plunger 433 has a cylindrical shape. The plunger 433 is arranged to be movable in the left-right direction inside the case 432. A plunger spring 438 is arranged between the plunger 433 and the fixed core 431. The plunger spring 438 is a compression coil spring. The plunger spring 438 presses the plunger 433 to the right.

[0068] The electromagnetic coil 434 has a cylindrical shape. The case 432 is arranged inside the electromagnetic coil 434. The electromagnetic coil 434 magnetizes the fixed core 431 and the plunger 433.

[0069] The pilot valve body 435 is integrally connected to the left end of the valve shaft 436. The pilot valve body 435 is disposed in the back pressure chamber 414. The pilot valve body 435 is connected to the plunger 433 via the valve shaft 436. A disc-shaped packing is disposed on the pilot valve body 435. The pilot valve body 435 opens and closes the pilot passage 425.

[0070] The valve shaft 436 has an elongated cylindrical shape. The right end of the valve shaft 436 is fixed to the left end of the plunger 433. The valve shaft 436 is disposed inside the small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b of the fixed core 431. The valve shaft 436 is supported by the small-diameter cylindrical portion 431b so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0071] In the second on-off valve unit 400, when the electromagnetic coil 434 is energized, the plunger 433 moves leftward by magnetic force. The pilot valve body 435 also moves leftward, the pilot valve body 435 closes the pilot passage 425, and pushes the main valve body 420 leftward. The main valve body 420 contacts the second valve seat 413, and the second valve port 412 closes. When the second valve port 412 closes, the flow of refrigerant from the second valve chamber 411 and the back pressure chamber 414 to the second valve port 412 is blocked. The refrigerant stays in the second valve chamber 411 and the back pressure chamber 414. The main valve body 420 is pressed against the second valve seat 413 by the refrigerant.

[0072] In the second on-off valve unit 400, when the electromagnetic coil 434 is de-energized, the plunger 433 is pushed by the plunger spring 438 and moves rightward. The pilot valve body 435 also moves rightward, and the pilot passage 425 opens. The refrigerant in the back pressure chamber 414 flows through the pilot passage 425 to the second valve port 412, and the refrigerant pressure in the back pressure chamber 414 becomes lower than the refrigerant pressure in the second valve chamber 411. Also, the valve opening spring 437 pushes the main valve body 420 rightward. Thereby, the main valve body 420 separates from the second valve seat 413, and the second valve port 412 opens.

[0073] The third on-off valve unit 500 is disposed at a position near the back surface 102 of the right side surface 104. The third on-off valve unit 500 is configured to be able to open and close the sixth refrigerant passage 156 (that is, the passage area can be changed to 0 or an area larger than 0).

[0074] The third on-off valve unit 500 constitutes a pilot-operated on-off valve together with the valve body 100. The third on-off valve unit 500 is of the normally open type. A third mounting hole 163 where the third on-off valve unit 500 is disposed is formed on the right side surface 104 of the valve body 100. The valve body 100 has, inside the third mounting hole 163, a third valve chamber 511, a third valve port 512 that opens into the third valve chamber 511, and a third valve seat 513 that surrounds the third valve port 512. The third valve chamber 511 and the refrigerant passage 154a (FIGS. 19 and 23) extending from the first outdoor side opening 121 to the third valve chamber 511 are part of the fourth refrigerant passage 154 and also part of the sixth refrigerant passage 156. The third valve port 512 is part of the sixth refrigerant passage 156. Further, the refrigerant passage 156a (FIG. 22) extending from the connection point 156c where the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is connected to the sixth refrigerant passage 156 to the third indoor side opening 113 is part of the sixth refrigerant passage 156 and also part of the seventh refrigerant passage 157.

[0075] The third on-off valve unit 500 has a main valve body 520 and a valve body driving unit 530. The main valve body 520 has a pilot passage 525 and an equalizing passage 526. The fixed core of the valve body driving unit 530 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the third mounting hole 163 of the valve body 100 by a screw structure. In the third on-off valve unit 500, when the electromagnetic coil of the valve body driving unit 530 is energized, the main valve body 520 contacts the third valve seat 513 and the third valve port 512 closes. In the third on-off valve unit 500, when the electromagnetic coil of the valve body driving unit 530 is de-energized, the main valve body 520 separates from the third valve seat 513 and the third valve port 512 opens. Since the third on-off valve unit 500 has the same (including substantially the same) configuration as the second on-off valve unit 400, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0076] The flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 is disposed at a location near the left side surface 103 of the upper surface 105. The flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 is configured to be able to continuously change the passage area of the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152.

[0077] The flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 and the valve body 100 constitute a flow rate adjustment valve. A fourth mounting hole 164 for disposing the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 is formed in the upper surface 105 of the valve body 100. Inside the fourth mounting hole 164, the valve body 100 has a fourth valve chamber 611, a fourth valve port 612 that opens into the fourth valve chamber 611, and a fourth valve seat 613 that surrounds the fourth valve port 612. The fourth valve chamber 611 and the fourth valve port 612 are part of the second refrigerant passage 152.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 29, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 has a valve body 620 and a valve body drive unit 630.

[0079] The valve body 620 has a stem 621, a valve portion 622, a spring receiving portion 623, and a ball receiving portion 624. The stem 621 has a cylindrical shape. The valve portion 622 is disposed at the lower end of the stem 621. The valve portion 622 has an annular shape. The valve portion 622 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the stem 621. The spring receiving portion 623 is disposed at the upper end of the stem 621. The spring receiving portion 623 has a flange 623a that protrudes radially outward. The ball receiving portion 624 has a disk portion and a convex portion formed on the lower surface of the disk portion. The convex portion of the ball receiving portion 624 is fitted into a hole formed in the spring receiving portion 623. The valve body 620 continuously changes the opening area of the fourth valve port 612 (that is, the passage area of the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152) by moving the valve portion 622 forward and backward with respect to the fourth valve port 612.

[0080] The valve body driving unit 630 moves the valve body 620 in the vertical direction so that the valve part 622 advances and retreats with respect to the fourth valve port 612. The valve body driving unit 630 includes a holder 640, a cam 650, a rotor 660, a planetary gear mechanism 670, a drive shaft 682, a ball 684, and a stator unit 690.

[0081] The holder 640 is made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The holder 640 has a cylindrical shape. The holder 640 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the fourth mounting hole 164 by a screw structure. Inside the upper part of the holder 640, a cylindrical drive shaft support member 642 is arranged. A female thread 642c is formed at the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the drive shaft support member 642. A valve body support member 644 is arranged between the lower end of the holder 640 and the valve body 100. The valve body support member 644 has a cylindrical shape. The valve body support member 644 has a valve body support hole 644a that penetrates in the vertical direction. Inside the valve body support hole 644a, the stem 621 of the valve body 620 is arranged. An opening valve spring 646 is arranged between the flange 623a and the valve body support member 644. The opening valve spring 646 is a compression coil spring. The opening valve spring 646 presses the valve body 620 upward.

[0082] The cam 650 has a cylindrical shape with an open lower end and a closed upper end. The lower end of the cam 650 is joined to the holder 640 via an annular member 651.

[0083] The rotor 660 has a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the rotor 660 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cam 650. The rotor 660 is rotatably arranged inside the cam 650. A disk-shaped connecting member 662 is joined to the upper end of the rotor 660. The connecting member 662 closes the upper end of the rotor 660. The rotor shaft 663 passes through the center of the connecting member 662. The rotor 660 is connected to the rotor shaft 663 via the connecting member 662.

[0084] The planetary gear mechanism 670 has a fixed ring gear 671, a sun gear 672, a plurality of planetary gears 673, a carrier 674, an output gear 675, and an output shaft 676. The sun gear 672 is coaxially coupled with the connecting member 662. The sun gear 672 rotates together with the rotor 660 and the connecting member 662. The rotation of the sun gear 672 is decelerated by the fixed ring gear 671, the plurality of planetary gears 673, the carrier 674, and the output gear 675 and transmitted to the output shaft 676. The output shaft 676 is disposed inside the drive shaft support member 642.

[0085] The drive shaft 682 has a cylindrical portion 682a and a flat plate portion 682b. The flat plate portion 682b is connected to the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 682a. The cylindrical portion 682a and the flat plate portion 682b are integrally formed. A male thread 682c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 682a. The male thread 682c is screwed into the female thread 642c of the drive shaft support member 642. The flat plate portion 682b is disposed inside the slit 676a of the output shaft 676 so as to be vertically movable. The drive shaft 682 is rotated by the output shaft 676 and moves vertically by a screw feed action. The ball 684 is disposed between the drive shaft 682 and the ball receiving portion 624 of the valve body 620.

[0086] The stator unit 690 has a cylindrical stator 691. The cam 650 is disposed inside the stator 691. The stator 691 and the rotor 660 constitute a stepping motor.

[0087] In the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, the stator 691 is energized so that the rotor 660 rotates in one direction. The rotation of the rotor 660 is decelerated by the planetary gear mechanism 670, and the drive shaft 682 is rotated by the output shaft 676. When the drive shaft 682 is rotated, the drive shaft 682 moves downward by a screw feed action. The drive shaft 682 pushes the valve body 620 downward via the ball 684. The valve body 620 moves downward, and the opening area of the fourth valve port 612 becomes smaller. In this embodiment, the minimum opening area of the fourth valve port 612 is 0, and the fourth valve port 612 is in a fully closed state.

[0088] In the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, current is applied to the stator 691 so that the rotor 660 rotates in the other direction. The rotation of the rotor 660 is decelerated by the planetary gear mechanism 670, and the drive shaft 682 is rotated by the output shaft 676. When the drive shaft 682 is rotated, the drive shaft 682 moves upward by a screw feed action. The valve body 620 pressed by the valve opening spring 646 moves upward, and the opening area of the fourth valve port 612 increases. When the fourth valve port 612 is fully opened, the refrigerant flows through the fourth valve port 612 without expanding.

[0089] The second refrigerant passage 152 includes the second valve port 412 and the fourth valve port 612. The second refrigerant passage 152 has a portion extending leftward from the second valve port 412 and a portion extending downward from the fourth valve port 612, and these portions are connected at a right angle. That is, the portion between the second valve port 412 and the fourth valve port 612 in the second refrigerant passage 152 has an L shape (FIG. 14).

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 24, the first check valve unit 700 is disposed in the third refrigerant passage 153. The first check valve unit 700 is configured to allow the flow of refrigerant from the first intermediate opening 131 in the third refrigerant passage 153 to the second refrigerant passage 152 and prohibit the flow of refrigerant from the second refrigerant passage 152 to the first intermediate opening 131.

[0091] The first check valve unit 700 constitutes a check valve together with the valve body 100. The valve body 100 has an annular tapered valve seat 713 in the third refrigerant passage 153. The refrigerant passage 153a (FIGS. 17 and 21) extending upward from the first intermediate opening 131 is a part of the third refrigerant passage 153 and also a part of the fifth refrigerant passage 155.

[0092] The first check valve unit 700 has a valve body 720, a coil spring 730, and a holding member 740. The valve body 720 is disposed in the third refrigerant passage 153 so as to be movable in the refrigerant flow direction (front-rear direction). The valve body 720 has an annular valve portion 721. The central axis of the coil spring 730 is disposed along the refrigerant flow direction in the third refrigerant passage 153. One end of the coil spring 730 is connected to the valve body 720, and the other end is held by the holding member 740 fixed to the valve body 100. The valve body 720 is pushed rearward by the coil spring 730. When the valve body 720 moves rearward, the valve portion 721 contacts the valve seat 713.

[0093] When the refrigerant pressure at the first intermediate opening 131 is greater than the refrigerant pressure at the connection point 152c of the second refrigerant passage 152, the valve body 720 is pushed forward by the refrigerant, and the coil spring 730 is compressed. Then, the valve portion 721 separates from the valve seat 713, and the third refrigerant passage 153 opens. Thereby, the flow of refrigerant from the first intermediate opening 131 to the second refrigerant passage 152 in the third refrigerant passage 153 is permitted.

[0094] When the refrigerant pressure at the first intermediate opening 131 is less than or equal to the refrigerant pressure at the connection point 152c of the second refrigerant passage 152, the coil spring 730 is restored, and the valve body 720 is pushed rearward by the coil spring 730. Then, the valve portion 721 contacts the valve seat 713, and the third refrigerant passage 153 closes. Thereby, the flow of refrigerant from the second refrigerant passage 152 to the first intermediate opening 131 in the third refrigerant passage 153 is prohibited.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 19, the second check valve unit 800 is disposed in the fourth refrigerant passage 154. The second check valve unit 800 is configured to permit the flow of refrigerant from the first outdoor side opening 121 to the second intermediate opening 132 in the fourth refrigerant passage 154 and to prohibit the flow of refrigerant from the second intermediate opening 132 to the first outdoor side opening 121.

[0096] The second check valve unit 800 constitutes a check valve together with the valve body 100. The valve body 100 has a valve seat 813 in an annular taper shape in the fourth refrigerant passage 154. The refrigerant passage 151b (FIGS. 16 and 19) extending upward from the second intermediate opening 132 is part of the first refrigerant passage 151 and also part of the fourth refrigerant passage 154.

[0097] The second check valve unit 800 has a valve body 820 and a coil spring 830. The valve body 820 is disposed movably in the flow direction (vertical direction) of the refrigerant within the fourth refrigerant passage 154. The valve body 820 has an annular valve portion 821. The central axis of the coil spring 830 is disposed along the flow direction of the refrigerant within the fourth refrigerant passage 154. One end portion of the coil spring 830 is connected to the valve body 820, and the other end portion is held by the second joint member 260 disposed in the refrigerant passage 151b. The valve body 820 is pushed upward by the coil spring 830. The valve portion 821 of the valve body 820 comes into contact with the valve seat 813 by moving upward.

[0098] When the refrigerant pressure at the first outdoor opening 121 is greater than the refrigerant pressure at the second intermediate opening 132, the valve body 820 is pushed downward by the refrigerant, and the coil spring 830 is compressed. Then, the valve portion 821 separates from the valve seat 813, and the fourth refrigerant passage 154 opens. Thereby, the flow of the refrigerant from the first outdoor opening 121 to the second intermediate opening 132 in the fourth refrigerant passage 154 is allowed.

[0099] When the refrigerant pressure at the first outdoor opening 121 is less than or equal to the refrigerant pressure at the second intermediate opening 132, the coil spring 830 is restored, and the valve body 820 is pushed upward by the coil spring 830. Then, the valve portion 821 comes into contact with the valve seat 813, and the fourth refrigerant passage 154 closes. Thereby, the flow of the refrigerant from the second intermediate opening 132 to the first outdoor opening 121 in the fourth refrigerant passage 154 is prohibited.

[0100] The receiver dryer 20 separates the refrigerant into gas and liquid and stores the surplus of the liquid-phase refrigerant. Further, the receiver dryer 20 removes moisture in the refrigerant. As shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, the receiver dryer 20 includes a receiver dryer main body 210 and a lid body 220. The receiver dryer main body 210 and the lid body 220 are made of metal such as an aluminum alloy.

[0101] The receiver dryer main body 210 has a cylindrical shape with an open upper end and a closed lower end. The receiver dryer main body 210 houses a desiccant (not shown) for removing moisture in the refrigerant.

[0102] The lid body 220 has a disc shape. The lid body 220 has a first connection hole 231, a second connection hole 232, a first screw hole 271, and a second screw hole 272.

[0103] The first connection hole 231 is arranged corresponding to the first intermediate opening 131 of the valve body 100. The diameter of the first connection hole 231 is the same as the diameter of the first intermediate opening 131. The second connection hole 232 is arranged corresponding to the second intermediate opening 132 of the valve body 100. The diameter of the second connection hole 232 is the same as the diameter of the second intermediate opening 132. The first connection hole 231 and the second connection hole 232 communicate with the inner space of the receiver dryer main body 210 directly or indirectly via a pipe (not shown).

[0104] The first screw hole 271 is arranged corresponding to the first through hole 171 of the valve body 100. The second screw hole 272 is arranged corresponding to the second through hole 172 of the valve body 100.

[0105] The first intermediate opening 131 and the first connection hole 231 are connected via a first joint member 250. The first joint member 250 has a cylindrical shape. The first joint member 250 has a first portion 251 and a second portion 252 connected in order from below to above.

[0106] The first part 251 and the second part 252 are axially connected to the first joint member 250. The outer diameter of the first part 251 is the same as the diameter of the first connection hole 231. The first part 251 is disposed in the first connection hole 231. A sealing member (such as an O-ring made of rubber material) is disposed between the first part 251 and the inner peripheral surface of the first connection hole 231. The outer diameter of the second part 252 is the same as the diameter of the first intermediate opening 131. The second part 252 is disposed in the refrigerant passage 153a extending upward from the first intermediate opening 131. A sealing member is disposed between the second part 252 and the inner peripheral surface of the refrigerant passage 153a. The refrigerant in the inner space of the receiver dryer body 210 passes through the first connection hole 231 and the inner space 250a of the first joint member 250 and flows into the refrigerant passage 153a (the third refrigerant passage 153, the fifth refrigerant passage 155).

[0107] The second intermediate opening 132 and the second connection hole 232 are connected via the second joint member 260. The second joint member 260 has a cylindrical shape with an open lower end and a closed upper end. The second joint member 260 has a first part 261, a second part 262, and a third part 263 connected in order from below to above.

[0108] The first part 261, the second part 262, and the third part 263 are axially connected to the second joint member 260. The outer diameter of the first part 261 is the same as the diameter of the second connection hole 232. The first part 261 is disposed in the second connection hole 232. A sealing member is disposed between the first part 261 and the inner peripheral surface of the second connection hole 232. The outer diameter of the second part 262 is the same as the diameter of the second intermediate opening 132. The second part 262 is disposed in the refrigerant passage 151b that extends upward from the second intermediate opening 132. A sealing member is disposed between the second part 262 and the inner peripheral surface of the refrigerant passage 151b. The third part 263 has a peripheral wall portion 263a and an upper wall portion 263b. The lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 263a is connected to the second part 262. The outer diameter of the peripheral wall portion 263a is smaller than the outer diameter of the second part 262. The upper wall portion 263b is connected to the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 263a. The peripheral wall portion 263a and the upper wall portion 263b have through holes. The refrigerant in the refrigerant passage 151b (the first refrigerant passage 151, the fourth refrigerant passage 154) flows through the through holes of the third part 263, the inner space 260a of the second joint member 260, and the second connection hole 232 and into the inner space of the receiver dryer body 210.

[0109] The upper wall portion 263b of the third part 263 of the second joint member 260 holds the other end portion of the coil spring 830 of the second check valve unit 800.

[0110] Next, an example of a manufacturing method of the valve device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34.

[0111] An opening, a refrigerant passage, a first through hole 171, and a second through hole 172 are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped workpiece to produce the valve body 100. Then, the first check valve unit 700 and the second check valve unit 800 are attached to the valve body 100 (FIG. 33).

[0112] A lid body 220 is fabricated by forming a first connection hole 231, a second connection hole 232, a first screw hole 271, and a second screw hole 272 in a disk-shaped workpiece. A receiver dryer body 210 is fabricated by metal drawing. A desiccant (not shown) is accommodated in the receiver dryer body 210, and the lid body 220 is welded to the upper end portion of the receiver dryer body 210 (FIG. 33).

[0113] The first portion 251 of the first joint member 250 is inserted into the first connection hole 231 of the lid body 220, and the second portion 252 is inserted into the first intermediate opening 131 (refrigerant passage 153a) of the valve body 100. The first portion 261 of the second joint member 260 is inserted into the second connection hole 232 of the lid body 220, and the second portion 262 and the third portion 263 are inserted into the second intermediate opening 132 (refrigerant passage 151b) of the valve body 100. The lid body 220 is brought into contact with the lower surface 106 of the valve body 100. As a result, the entire first joint member 250 is disposed inside the valve body 100 and inside the lid body 220. The entire second joint member 260 is disposed inside the valve body 100 and inside the lid body 220. Bolts 7 are inserted into the first through hole 171 and the second through hole 172 of the valve body 100 from the upper surface 105 side. The bolts 7 are screwed into the first screw hole 271 and the second screw hole 272 to fasten the valve body 100 and the lid body 220 with the bolts 7 (FIG. 34).

[0114] The first on-off valve unit 300 is attached to the location of the first mounting hole 161 of the valve body 100. The second on-off valve unit 400 is attached to the location of the second mounting hole 162 of the valve body 100. The third on-off valve unit 500 is attached to the location of the third mounting hole 163 of the valve body 100. The flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 is attached to the location of the fourth mounting hole 164 of the valve body 100. In this way, the valve device 5 is completed.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge port of the compressor 30 is connected to the inlet of the indoor condenser 40 via the pipe P1. The compressor 30 sucks in the refrigerant, compresses the refrigerant, and discharges the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The indoor condenser 40 is configured to release the heat of the refrigerant discharged by the compressor 30. The indoor condenser 40 heats the air blown into the passenger compartment. The outlet of the indoor condenser 40 is connected to the first indoor-side opening 111 of the valve device 5 via the pipe P2. The indoor evaporator 50 is configured such that the refrigerant flowing through it exchanges heat with the air blown into the passenger compartment. The indoor evaporator 50 cools the blown air. The outlet of the indoor evaporator 50 is connected to the fourth indoor-side opening 114 via the pipe P3. The inlet of the indoor evaporator 50 is connected to the second indoor-side opening 112 of the valve device 5 via the pipe P4. A flow rate adjustment valve 70 is disposed in the pipe P4. The flow rate adjustment valve 70 is configured to be able to continuously change the passage area of the pipe P4. The outdoor heat exchanger 60 is configured such that the refrigerant flowing through it exchanges heat with the outside air. The outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 60 is connected to the first outdoor-side opening 121 of the valve device 5 via the pipe P5. The inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 60 is connected to the second outdoor-side opening 122 of the valve device 5 via the pipe P6. The third indoor-side opening 113 of the valve device 5 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 30 via the pipe P7. The pipes P1 to P7 are refrigerant passages.

[0116] The air conditioner 1 has a control device (not shown). The control device controls the compressor 30, the valve device 5 (the first on-off valve unit 300, the second on-off valve unit 400, the third on-off valve unit 500, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600), and the flow rate adjustment valve 70. The air conditioner 1 has a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a dehumidifying heating mode.

[0117] The heating mode, the cooling mode, and the dehumidifying heating mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. 35 to 38. In FIGS. 2 to 4, hatching is applied to those in the closed state among the first on-off valve unit 300, the second on-off valve unit 400, the third on-off valve unit 500, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, and the flow rate adjustment valve 70.

[0118] In the heating mode, the control device of the air conditioner 1 opens the first refrigerant passage 151 by the first on-off valve unit 300 of the valve device 5, closes the first passage portion 152a of the second refrigerant passage 152 by the second on-off valve unit 400, sets the passage area of the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand by the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, opens the sixth refrigerant passage by the third on-off valve unit 500, and closes the pipe P4 by the flow rate adjustment valve 70. Then, the control device operates the compressor 30 to circulate the refrigerant. As shown in FIG. 2, in the heating mode, the refrigerant sequentially passes through the compressor 30, the indoor condenser 40, the first refrigerant passage 151 (the first on-off valve unit 300), the receiver dryer 20, the third refrigerant passage 153 (the first check valve unit 700), the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 (the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600), the outdoor heat exchanger 60, and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 (the third on-off valve unit 500), and returns to the compressor 30. The flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 operates as a heating expansion valve. Thereby, the refrigerant expanded by the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 60. In the heating mode, the blown air is not cooled by the indoor evaporator 50 and is sent to the passenger compartment after being heated by the indoor condenser 40.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, in the heating mode, the state of the refrigerant RF1 flowing through the first refrigerant passage 151 is a high-temperature gas-liquid (a high-temperature fluid containing a gas phase and a liquid phase). The state of the refrigerant RF3 flowing through the third refrigerant passage 153 is a medium-temperature liquid having a lower temperature than the refrigerant RF1. The state of the refrigerant RF2 flowing through the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 is a low-temperature gas-liquid (a low-temperature fluid containing a gas phase and a liquid phase) having a lower temperature than the refrigerant RF3. The state of the refrigerant RF6 flowing through the sixth refrigerant passage 156 is a low-temperature gas having a lower temperature than the refrigerant RF3. That is, in the heating mode, the first refrigerant passage 151 is a high-temperature refrigerant passage, the third refrigerant passage 153 is a medium-temperature refrigerant passage, and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 is a low-temperature refrigerant passage. The medium-temperature refrigerant RF3 is the refrigerant flowing into the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 which is a heating expansion valve. Thereby, the temperature rise of the valve body 100 can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerant RF6 flowing through the sixth refrigerant passage 156. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the medium-temperature refrigerant RF3 from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant RF1 via the valve body 100. Further, the shortest distance D1 between the third refrigerant passage 153 and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 is shorter than the shortest distance D2 between the third refrigerant passage 153 and the first refrigerant passage 151. Therefore, the low-temperature refrigerant RF6 flows closer to the medium-temperature refrigerant RF3 than the high-temperature refrigerant RF1, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the medium-temperature refrigerant RF3 from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant RF1 via the valve body 100. Therefore, the heating efficiency of the air conditioner 1 can be increased. Further, the noise generated when the medium-temperature refrigerant RF3 passes through the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 can be suppressed. Further, the low-temperature refrigerant RF6 is heated by taking the heat of the valve body 100. Therefore, in the compressor 30, the low-temperature refrigerant RF6 can be efficiently brought into a high-temperature and high-pressure state.

[0120] In the cooling mode, the control device of the air conditioner 1 closes the first refrigerant passage 151 by the first on-off valve unit 300 of the valve device 5, opens the first passage portion 152a of the second refrigerant passage 152 by the second on-off valve unit 400, sets the passage area of the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 to the maximum area (fully open state) by the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, closes the sixth refrigerant passage by the third on-off valve unit 500, and sets the passage area of the pipe P4 by the flow rate adjustment valve 70 to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand. In the cooling mode, the passage area of the second passage portion 152b may be any size as long as the refrigerant does not expand. Then, the control device operates the compressor 30 to circulate the refrigerant. As shown in FIG. 3, in the cooling mode, the refrigerant sequentially passes through the compressor 30, the indoor condenser 40, the second refrigerant passage 152 (the second on-off valve unit 400, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600), the outdoor heat exchanger 60, the fourth refrigerant passage 154 (the second check valve unit 800), the receiver dryer 20, the fifth refrigerant passage 155, the flow rate adjustment valve 70, the indoor evaporator 50, and the seventh refrigerant passage 157, and returns to the compressor 30. The flow rate adjustment valve 70 operates as an expansion valve for cooling. Thereby, the refrigerant expanded by the flow rate adjustment valve 70 flows into the indoor evaporator 50. In the cooling mode, the blown air is sent to the passenger compartment after being cooled by the indoor evaporator 50.

[0121] As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, in the cooling mode, the state of the refrigerant RF2 flowing through the second refrigerant passage 152 is a high-temperature gas. The state of the refrigerant RF4 flowing through the fourth refrigerant passage 154 is a high-temperature gas-liquid. The state of the refrigerant RF5 flowing through the fifth refrigerant passage 155 is a medium-temperature liquid with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF2 and the refrigerant RF4. The state of the refrigerant RF7 flowing through the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is a low-temperature gas with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF5. That is, in the cooling mode, the second refrigerant passage 152 and the fourth refrigerant passage 154 are high-temperature refrigerant passages, the fifth refrigerant passage 155 is a medium-temperature refrigerant passage, and the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is a low-temperature refrigerant passage. The medium-temperature refrigerant RF5 is the refrigerant flowing into the flow rate adjustment valve 70 which is a cooling expansion valve. Thereby, the temperature rise of the valve body 100 can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerant RF7 flowing through the seventh refrigerant passage 157. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the medium-temperature refrigerant RF5 from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant RF2 and the refrigerant RF4 through the valve body 100. Also, the shortest distance D1 between the fifth refrigerant passage 155 and the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is shorter than the shortest distance D3 between the fifth refrigerant passage 155 and the fourth refrigerant passage 154. Therefore, the low-temperature refrigerant RF7 flows closer to the medium-temperature refrigerant RF5 than the high-temperature refrigerant RF4, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the medium-temperature refrigerant RF5 from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant RF4 through the valve body 100. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner 1 can be increased. Also, the noise generated when the medium-temperature refrigerant RF5 passes through the flow rate adjustment valve 70 can be suppressed. Also, the low-temperature refrigerant RF7 is heated by taking the heat of the valve body 100. Therefore, in the compressor 30, the low-temperature refrigerant RF7 can be efficiently brought into a high-temperature and high-pressure state.

[0122] In the dehumidifying and heating mode, the control device of the air conditioner 1 opens the first refrigerant passage 151 by the first on-off valve unit 300 of the valve device 5, closes the first passage portion 152a of the second refrigerant passage 152 by the second on-off valve unit 400, sets the passage area of the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand by the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600, opens the sixth refrigerant passage by the third on-off valve unit 500, and sets the passage area of the pipe P4 to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand by the flow rate adjustment valve 70. Then, the control device operates the compressor 30 to circulate the refrigerant. As shown in FIG. 4, in the dehumidifying and heating mode, the refrigerant sequentially passes through the compressor 30, the indoor condenser 40, the first refrigerant passage 151 (the first on-off valve unit 300), the receiver dryer 20, the third refrigerant passage 153 (the first check valve unit 700), the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 (the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600), the outdoor heat exchanger 60, and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 (the third on-off valve unit 500), and returns to the compressor 30. Also, a part of the refrigerant passes from the receiver dryer 20 through the fifth refrigerant passage 155, the flow rate adjustment valve 70, the indoor evaporator 50, and the seventh refrigerant passage 157, and returns to the compressor 30. As a result, the refrigerant expanded by the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 60, and the refrigerant expanded by the flow rate adjustment valve 70 flows to the indoor evaporator 50. In the dehumidifying and heating mode, the blown air is cooled (dehumidified) by the indoor evaporator 50 and then heated by the indoor condenser 40 and sent into the passenger compartment.

[0123] In the dehumidifying and heating mode, the state of the refrigerant RF1 flowing through the first refrigerant passage 151 is high-temperature gas-liquid. The state of the refrigerant RF3 flowing through the third refrigerant passage 153 is medium-temperature liquid with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF1. The state of the refrigerant RF2 flowing through the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152 is low-temperature gas-liquid with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF3. The state of the refrigerant RF6 flowing through the sixth refrigerant passage 156 is low-temperature gas with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF3. The state of the refrigerant RF5 flowing through the fifth refrigerant passage 155 is medium-temperature liquid with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF1. The refrigerant RF7 flowing through the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is low-temperature gas with a temperature lower than that of the refrigerant RF5. That is, in the dehumidifying and heating mode, the first refrigerant passage 151 is a high-temperature refrigerant passage, the third refrigerant passage 153 and the fifth refrigerant passage 155 are medium-temperature refrigerant passages, and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 and the seventh refrigerant passage 157 are low-temperature refrigerant passages. Thereby, the temperature rise of the valve body 100 can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerants RF6 and RF7. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the medium-temperature refrigerants RF3 and RF5 from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant RF1 via the valve body 100. Therefore, the efficiency of the dehumidifying and heating of the air conditioner 1 can be increased. In addition, the noise generated when the medium-temperature refrigerant RF3 passes through the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 can be suppressed, and the noise generated when the medium-temperature refrigerant RF5 passes through the flow rate adjustment valve 70 can be suppressed.

[0124] The valve device 5 according to the present embodiment includes one valve body 100 having a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of the refrigerant at the connection points between the refrigerant passages and at the connection points between the refrigerant passages and the valve units, and it is possible to reduce the parts for connection.

[0125] In addition, the valve device 5 includes a plurality of refrigerant passages in the valve body 100, including a high-temperature refrigerant passage through which high-temperature refrigerant flows, an intermediate-temperature refrigerant passage through which intermediate-temperature refrigerant having a lower temperature than the high-temperature refrigerant flows, and a low-temperature refrigerant passage through which low-temperature refrigerant having a lower temperature than the intermediate-temperature refrigerant flows. Thereby, the temperature rise of the valve body 100 can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the low-temperature refrigerant passage. Therefore, the valve device 5 can suppress the intermediate-temperature refrigerant from being heated by the high-temperature refrigerant through the valve body 100. Accordingly, refrigerant leakage and a decrease in heating and cooling efficiency can be suppressed.

[0126] The valve device 5 is used in the air conditioner 1. The air conditioner 1 includes a compressor 30, an indoor condenser 40 downstream of the compressor 30, an outdoor heat exchanger 60, a flow rate adjustment valve 70, and an indoor evaporator 50 downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 70. The valve device 5 includes a receiver dryer 20.

[0127] On the outer surface of the valve body 100, a first indoor-side opening 111, a second indoor-side opening 112, a third indoor-side opening 113, a fourth indoor-side opening 114, a first outdoor-side opening 121, a second outdoor-side opening 122, a first intermediate opening 131, and a second intermediate opening 132 are formed. A plurality of refrigerant passages include a first refrigerant passage 151 connecting the first indoor-side opening 111 and the second intermediate opening 132, a second refrigerant passage 152 connecting the first indoor-side opening 111 and the second outdoor-side opening 122, a third refrigerant passage 153 connecting the first intermediate opening 131 and the second refrigerant passage 152, a fourth refrigerant passage 154 connecting the first outdoor-side opening 121 and the second intermediate opening 132, a fifth refrigerant passage 155 connecting the first intermediate opening 131 and the second indoor-side opening 112, a sixth refrigerant passage 156 connecting the first outdoor-side opening 121 and the third indoor-side opening 113, and a seventh refrigerant passage 157 connecting the fourth indoor-side opening 114 and the third indoor-side opening 113. The second refrigerant passage 152 has a first passage portion 152a between the first indoor-side opening 111 and a connection point 152c where the first indoor-side opening 111 is connected to the third refrigerant passage 153, and a second passage portion 152b between the second outdoor-side opening 122 and the connection point 152c. A plurality of valve units include a first on-off valve unit 300 capable of opening and closing the first refrigerant passage 151, a second on-off valve unit 400 capable of opening and closing the first passage portion 152a of the second refrigerant passage 152, a third on-off valve unit 500 capable of opening and closing the sixth refrigerant passage 156, a flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 capable of continuously changing the passage area of the second passage portion 152b of the second refrigerant passage 152, a first check valve unit 700 that allows the flow of refrigerant from the first intermediate opening 131 to the second refrigerant passage 152 in the third refrigerant passage 153 and prohibits the flow of refrigerant from the second refrigerant passage 152 to the first intermediate opening 131, and a second check valve unit 800 that allows the flow of refrigerant from the first outdoor-side opening 121 to the second intermediate opening 132 in the fourth refrigerant passage 154 and prohibits the flow of refrigerant from the second intermediate opening 132 to the first outdoor-side opening 121. The first indoor-side opening 111 is connected to the outlet of the indoor condenser 40. The second indoor-side opening 112 is connected to the flow rate adjustment valve 70. The third indoor-side opening 113 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 30. The fourth indoor-side opening 114 is connected to the outlet of the indoor evaporator 50. The first outdoor-side opening 121 is connected to the outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 60.The second outdoor opening 122 is connected to the inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 60. The first intermediate opening 131 is connected to the first connection hole 231 which is the outlet of the receiver dryer 20. The second intermediate opening 132 is connected to the second connection hole 232 which is the inlet of the receiver dryer 20.

[0128] In the heating mode, the first refrigerant passage 151 is a high-temperature refrigerant passage, the third refrigerant passage 153 is a medium-temperature refrigerant passage, and the sixth refrigerant passage 156 is a low-temperature refrigerant passage. In the cooling mode, the second refrigerant passage 152 and the fourth refrigerant passage 154 are high-temperature refrigerant passages, the fifth refrigerant passage 155 is a medium-temperature refrigerant passage, and the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is a low-temperature refrigerant passage. The heating mode is a state in which the first on-off valve unit 300 opens the first refrigerant passage 151, the second on-off valve unit 400 closes the first passage portion 152a, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 sets the passage area of the second passage portion 152b to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand, the third on-off valve unit 500 opens the sixth refrigerant passage 156, and the flow rate adjustment valve 70 closes the pipe P4 connecting the second indoor opening 112 and the inlet of the indoor evaporator 50. The cooling mode is a state in which the first on-off valve unit 300 closes the first refrigerant passage 151, the second on-off valve unit 400 opens the first passage portion 152a, the flow rate adjustment valve unit 600 sets the passage area of the second passage portion to the maximum area, the third on-off valve unit 500 closes the sixth refrigerant passage 156, and the flow rate adjustment valve 70 sets the passage area of the pipe P4 to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand. Because of this, in the heating mode, the temperature rise of the valve body 100 can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the sixth refrigerant passage 156. In the cooling mode, the temperature rise of the valve body 100 can be suppressed by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the seventh refrigerant passage 157. Therefore, a decrease in heating and cooling efficiency can be suppressed.

[0129] Also, the third indoor-side opening 113 is adjacent to the second indoor-side opening 112. In the cooling mode, the third indoor-side opening 113 is the outlet of the seventh refrigerant passage 157 which is a low-temperature refrigerant passage, and the second indoor-side opening 112 is the outlet of the fifth refrigerant passage 155 which is a medium-temperature refrigerant passage. Therefore, the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is disposed near the fifth refrigerant passage 155, and the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the seventh refrigerant passage 157 can cool the medium-temperature refrigerant flowing through the fifth refrigerant passage 155.

[0130] Also, the third indoor-side opening 113 is disposed between the second outdoor-side opening 122 and the second indoor-side opening 112. In the cooling mode, the third indoor-side opening 113 is the outlet of the seventh refrigerant passage 157 which is a low-temperature refrigerant passage, the second outdoor-side opening 122 is the outlet of the second refrigerant passage 152 which is a high-temperature refrigerant passage, and the second indoor-side opening 112 is the outlet of the fifth refrigerant passage 155 which is a medium-temperature refrigerant passage. Therefore, the seventh refrigerant passage 157 is disposed between the second refrigerant passage 152 and the fifth refrigerant passage 155, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the medium-temperature refrigerant flowing through the fifth refrigerant passage 155 from being warmed by the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage 152.

[0131] Also, the valve device 5 includes a valve module 10 and a receiver dryer 20. The valve module 10 includes a single valve body 100 having a plurality of refrigerant passages, and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body 100. The receiver dryer 20 includes a cylindrical receiver dryer body 210 capable of storing refrigerant, and a lid body 220 joined to the upper end portion of the receiver dryer body 210. And the lid body 220 is disposed in contact with the valve body 100. By doing so, the valve module 10 and the receiver dryer 20 can be disposed closest to each other. Therefore, the valve device 5 can be miniaturized.

[0132] Further, the lid body 220 has a first screw hole 271 and a second screw hole 272. The valve body 100 has a first through hole 171 disposed corresponding to the first screw hole 271 and a second through hole 172 disposed corresponding to the second screw hole 272. The lid body 220 is attached to the valve body 100 by bolts 7 that pass through the first through hole 171 and are screwed into the first screw hole, and bolts 7 that pass through the second through hole 172 and are screwed into the second screw hole 272. By doing so, the lid body 220 of the receiver dryer 20 can be surely attached to the valve body 100 with a relatively simple structure.

[0133] FIGS. 39 and 40 show a modified example of the valve module 10 of the valve device 5.

[0134] In the valve module 10 shown in FIG. 39, a plurality of grooves 191 are formed in a refrigerant passage 156a shared by the sixth refrigerant passage 156 and the seventh refrigerant passage 157. The plurality of grooves 191 extend in the inner circumferential direction of the refrigerant passage 156a and have a circular shape or a C shape. By forming the plurality of grooves 191, the area of the inner surface of the refrigerant passage 156a is increased. Therefore, the plurality of grooves 191 promote the heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 156a and the valve body 100, and can more effectively suppress the temperature rise of the valve body 100.

[0135] In the valve module 10 shown in FIG. 40, a heat exchange member 192 is disposed in the refrigerant passage 156a. The heat exchange member 192 has a cylindrical shape. The outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange member 192 is in close contact with the inner surface of the refrigerant passage 156a. Refrigerant passes through the inside of the heat exchange member 192. The heat exchange member 192 is made of, for example, copper. The thermal conductivity of the heat exchange member 192 is greater than the thermal conductivity of the valve body 100 made of an aluminum alloy. Therefore, the heat exchange member 192 promotes the heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 156a and the valve body 100, and can more effectively suppress the temperature rise of the valve body 100. The plurality of grooves 191 and the heat exchange member 192 are heat exchange mechanisms.

[0136] In the valve device 5 according to the present embodiment, the positions of the openings (the first indoor side opening 111, the second indoor side opening 112, the third indoor side opening 113, the fourth indoor side opening 114, the first outdoor side opening 121, and the second outdoor side opening 122) formed on the outer surface of the valve body 100 are set so that the size (volume) of the valve device 5 is minimized. However, by appropriately changing the positions of these openings to change the piping layout, it may be possible to contribute to reducing the size and occupied space of the air conditioner 1.

[0137] The valve device 5 described above has a configuration in which each valve unit is controlled by a higher-level device or a control device of the system into which it is incorporated. In addition to such a configuration, for example, the valve device 5 may have a control unit, and the control unit may receive all signals from a higher-level device or system and centrally control a plurality of valve units.

[0138] Further, the first on-off valve unit 300 of the valve device 5 described above is a pilot-type on-off valve unit that operates by electromagnetic force and requires power supply to maintain the valve-open state in which the first valve port 312 is open. The second on-off valve unit 400 is a pilot-type on-off valve unit that operates by electromagnetic force and requires power supply to maintain the valve-closed state in which the second valve port 412 is closed. The third on-off valve unit 500 has the same configuration as the second on-off valve unit 400. And in the valve device 5, instead of these on-off valve units, a latch-type on-off valve unit that maintains the valve-open state and the valve-closed state even when the power supply is stopped may be employed.

[0139] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. For those skilled in the art, modifications such as adding, deleting, or designing changes to the components, or appropriately combining the features of the embodiments, are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they do not go against the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0140] 1…Air conditioner, 5…Valve device, 7…Bolt, 10…Valve module, 20…Receiver dryer, 30…Compressor, 40…Indoor condenser, 50…Indoor evaporator, 60…Outdoor heat exchanger, 70…Flow control valve, 100…Valve body, 111…First indoor side opening, 112…Second indoor side opening, 113…Third indoor side opening, 114…Fourth indoor side opening, 121…First outdoor side opening, 122…Second outdoor side opening, 131…First intermediate opening, 132…Second intermediate opening, 151…First refrigerant passage, 151a…Refrigerant passage, 151b…Refrigerant passage, 152…Second refrigerant passage, 152a…First passage portion, 152b…Second passage portion, 152c…Connection point, 153…Third refrigerant passage, 153a…Refrigerant passage, 154…Fourth refrigerant passage, 154a…Refrigerant passage, 155…Fifth refrigerant passage, 156…Sixth refrigerant passage, 156a…Refrigerant passage, 157…Seventh refrigerant passage, 161…First mounting hole, 162…Second mounting hole, 163…Third mounting hole, 164…Fourth mounting hole, 171…First through hole, 172…Second through hole, 191…Groove, 192…Heat exchange member, 210…Receiver dryer body, 220…Cover body, 231…First connection hole, 232…Second connection hole, 271…First screw hole, 272…Second screw hole, 250…First joint member, 250a…Inner space, 251…First part, 252…Second part, 260…Second joint member, 261…First part, 262…Second part, 263…Third part, 263a…Peripheral wall portion, 263b…Upper wall portion, 300…First on-off valve unit, 311…First valve chamber, 312…First valve port, 313…First valve seat, 314…Back pressure chamber, 320…Main valve body, 325…Pilot passage, 326…Equalizing passage, 330…Valve body drive part, 331…Holder, 332…Case, 333…Plunger, 333a…Spring accommodation hole, 333b…Bottom surface, 334…Electromagnetic coil, 335…Pilot valve body, 336…Fixed core, 336a…Spring receiving member, 337…Opening spring, 338…Plunger spring, 400…Second on-off valve unit, 411…Second valve chamber, 412…Second valve port, 413…Second valve seat, 414…Back pressure chamber, 420…Main valve body, 421…Barrel portion, 422…First flange portion, 423…Second flange portion, 425…Pilot passage, 426…Equalizing passage, 430…Valve body drive part, 431…Fixed core, 431a…Large diameter cylindrical portion, 431b…Small diameter cylindrical portion, 432…Case, 433…Plunger, 434…Electromagnetic coil, 435…Pilot valve body, 436…Valve shaft, 437…Opening spring, 438…Plunger spring,500…Third on-off valve unit, 511…Third valve chamber, 512…Third valve port, 513…Third valve seat, 520…Main valve body, 525…Pilot passage, 526…Equalizing passage, 530…Valve body drive part, 600…Flow control valve unit, 611…Fourth valve chamber, 612…Fourth valve port, 613…Fourth valve seat, 620…Valve body, 621…Stem, 622…Valve part, 623…Spring receiving part, 623a…Flange, 624…Ball receiving part, 630…Valve body drive part, 640…Holder, 642…Drive shaft support member, 642c…Female thread, 644…Valve body support member, 644a…Valve body support hole, 646…Valve opening spring, 650…Cam, 651…Annular member, 660…Rotor, 662…Connecting member, 663…Rotor shaft, 670…Planetary gear mechanism, 671…Fixed ring gear, 672…Sun gear, 673…Planetary gear, 674…Carrier, 675…Output gear, 676…Output shaft, 676a…Slit, 682…Drive shaft, 682a…Cylindrical part, 682b…Flat part, 682c…Male thread, 684…Ball, 690…Stator unit, 691…Stator, 700…First check valve unit, 713…Valve seat, 720…Valve body, 721…Valve part, 730…Coil spring, 740…Holding member, 800…Second check valve unit, 813…Valve seat, 820…Valve body, 821…Valve part, 830…Coil spring, P1~P7…Pipes

Claims

1. A valve device for use in a refrigeration cycle device, The valve device includes a valve body having a plurality of refrigerant passages, and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body, The plurality of refrigerant passages are a high-temperature refrigerant passage through which a high-temperature refrigerant flows; a medium temperature refrigerant passage through which a medium temperature refrigerant having a temperature lower than that of the high temperature refrigerant flows; a low-temperature refrigerant passage through which a low-temperature refrigerant having a temperature lower than that of the medium-temperature refrigerant flows; The valve arrangement, wherein an outlet of the low temperature refrigerant passage is adjacent to an outlet of the medium temperature refrigerant passage.

2. The valve arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the low temperature refrigerant passage is disposed between the outlet of the medium temperature refrigerant passage and the outlet of the high temperature refrigerant passage.

3. 3. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between the low temperature refrigerant passage and the medium temperature refrigerant passage is shorter than a shortest distance between the high temperature refrigerant passage and the medium temperature refrigerant passage.

4. 4. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the low-temperature refrigerant passage has a heat exchange mechanism that promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the low-temperature refrigerant passage and the valve body.

5. 5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the heat exchange mechanism is a plurality of grooves formed on an inner surface of the low-temperature refrigerant passage.

6. The heat exchange mechanism is a heat exchange member having a cylindrical shape, The outer circumferential surface of the heat exchange member is in close contact with the inner surface of the low-temperature refrigerant passage, and the refrigerant passes through the inside of the heat exchange member; The valve assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the heat exchange member has a higher thermal conductivity than the valve body.

7. The refrigeration cycle device has a compressor and an indoor condenser downstream of the compressor, the high-temperature refrigerant passage is connected to an outlet of the indoor condenser; The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the low-temperature refrigerant passage is connected to a suction port of the compressor.

8. The refrigeration cycle apparatus or the valve device has an expansion valve, The valve arrangement according to claim 7 , wherein the medium temperature refrigerant passage is connected to the expansion valve.

9. A valve device for use in a refrigeration cycle device, The valve device includes a valve body having a plurality of refrigerant passages, and a plurality of valve units attached to the valve body, The plurality of refrigerant passages are a high-temperature refrigerant passage through which a high-temperature refrigerant flows; a medium temperature refrigerant passage through which a medium temperature refrigerant having a temperature lower than that of the high temperature refrigerant flows; a low-temperature refrigerant passage through which a low-temperature refrigerant having a temperature lower than that of the medium-temperature refrigerant flows; A first indoor side opening, a second indoor side opening, a third indoor side opening, a fourth indoor side opening, a first outdoor side opening, a second outdoor side opening, a first intermediate opening and a second intermediate opening are formed on an outer surface of the valve body, The plurality of refrigerant passages are a first refrigerant passage connecting the first indoor opening and the second intermediate opening; a second refrigerant passage connecting the first indoor opening and the second outdoor opening; a third refrigerant passage connecting the first intermediate opening and the second refrigerant passage; a fourth refrigerant passage connecting the first outdoor opening and the second intermediate opening; a fifth refrigerant passage connecting the first intermediate opening and the second indoor opening; a sixth refrigerant passage connecting the first outdoor opening and the third outdoor opening; a seventh refrigerant passage connecting the fourth indoor opening and the third indoor opening, the second refrigerant passage has a first passage portion between the first indoor opening and a connection point at which the third refrigerant passage is connected, and a second passage portion between the second outdoor opening and the connection point, The plurality of valve units are a first on-off valve unit capable of opening and closing the first refrigerant passage; a second on-off valve unit capable of opening and closing the first passage portion of the second refrigerant passage; a third on-off valve unit capable of opening and closing the sixth refrigerant passage; a flow rate regulating valve unit capable of steplessly changing a passage area of ​​the second passage portion of the second refrigerant passage; a first check valve unit that allows a refrigerant to flow from the first intermediate opening in the third refrigerant passage to the second refrigerant passage and prevents a refrigerant from flowing from the second refrigerant passage to the first intermediate opening; a second check valve unit that allows a refrigerant to flow from the first outdoor side opening to the second intermediate opening in the fourth refrigerant passage and prohibits a refrigerant to flow from the second intermediate opening to the first outdoor side opening, In a heating mode, the first refrigerant passage is the high temperature refrigerant passage, the third refrigerant passage is the medium temperature refrigerant passage, and the sixth refrigerant passage is the low temperature refrigerant passage; In a cooling mode, the second refrigerant passage and the fourth refrigerant passage are the high temperature refrigerant passage, the fifth refrigerant passage is the medium temperature refrigerant passage, and the seventh refrigerant passage is the low temperature refrigerant passage. provided that the heating mode is a state in which the first on-off valve unit opens the first refrigerant passage, the second on-off valve unit closes the first passage portion, the flow rate regulating valve unit adjusts the passage area of ​​the second passage portion to a size that allows the refrigerant to expand, and the third on-off valve unit opens the sixth refrigerant passage, The cooling mode is a state in which the first on-off valve unit closes the first refrigerant passage, the second on-off valve unit opens the first passage portion, the flow rate control valve unit sets the passage area of ​​the second passage portion to a size such that the refrigerant does not expand, and the third on-off valve unit closes the sixth refrigerant passage.

10. The valve arrangement of claim 9 , wherein the third chamber side opening is adjacent to the second chamber side opening.

11. The valve device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the third indoor opening is disposed between the second indoor opening and the second indoor opening.

12. the refrigeration cycle device includes a compressor, an indoor condenser downstream of the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a flow control valve, and an indoor evaporator downstream of the flow control valve; the valve assembly includes a receiver dryer; The first indoor opening is connected to an outlet of the indoor condenser, The second indoor opening is connected to the flow rate adjustment valve, The third indoor opening is connected to a suction port of the compressor, The fourth indoor opening is connected to an outlet of the indoor evaporator, The first outdoor opening is connected to an outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, The second outdoor opening is connected to an inlet of the outdoor heat exchanger, the first intermediate opening is connected to an outlet of the receiver-drier; A valve arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the second intermediate opening is connected to an inlet of the receiver-drier.

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