Flow channel switching valve

Abstract

To reduce total torque when rotatably driving a plurality of valve bodies by one rotation driving part, and suppress the size of a flow channel switching valve.SOLUTION: A flow channel switching valve 10 includes: a valve unit 20 having a valve body 14 in which a first inlet / outlet port 31 and a second inlet / outlet port 32 are formed on a wall surface of a valve chamber 12, and a third inlet / outlet port 33 is formed on a bottom surface of the valve chamber 12, a valve element 16 rotatably arranged in the valve chamber 12, a first flow channel 21, a second flow channel 22, and a third flow channel 23; and a rotation driving part 18 connected to the valve unit 20 for rotating the valve element 16. One valve unit 20 is connected to the other valve unit 20 in an overlapping manner, and the two valve elements 16 in the two valve units 20 are rotated by one rotation driving part 18. A delay angle θ is set for delaying the rotation start of the valve element 16 positioned on a side far from the rotation driving part 18 from the rotation start of the valve element 16 positioned on a side close to the rotation driving part 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve.

Background Art

[0002] There is disclosed a valve device in which a plurality of valve bodies integrally formed are attached to a shaft, and the plurality of valve bodies are rotated synchronously by rotationally driving the shaft (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the total torque for rotating a plurality of valve bodies synchronously is the sum of the torques for moving each valve body, when the number of valve bodies increases, more output is required from the actuator for rotating the valve bodies, and it is considered that the actuator becomes larger.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the total torque when rotating a plurality of valve bodies with one rotational drive unit and suppress the enlargement of the flow path switching valve.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first aspect includes a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein, with a first inlet / outlet and a second inlet / outlet through which fluid respectively enters and exits formed on the wall surface forming the valve chamber, and a third inlet / outlet formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber; a valve element rotatably disposed in the valve chamber and having a flow path formed therein; a first flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet; a second flow path juxtaposed with the first flow path across the valve body and communicating with the second inlet / outlet; and a third flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet and having an opening on the side opposite to the third inlet / outlet. The valve unit further includes a rotation driving unit connected to the valve unit for rotating the valve element so that the communication states of the first inlet / outlet, the second inlet / outlet, and the third inlet / outlet are selectively switched through the flow path of the valve element. Another valve unit is stacked and connected to one of the valve units, and the two valve elements in the two valve units are configured to be rotated by one rotation driving unit. A delay angle is set to delay the start of rotation of the valve element located on the side farther from the rotation driving unit compared to the start of rotation of the valve element located on the side closer to the rotation driving unit.

[0007] In this flow path switching valve, the two valve elements in the two valve units are rotated by one rotation driving unit. When the valve element rotates, the friction at the portion where the valve element contacts changes from static friction to dynamic friction. Among these, the maximum torque generated during the rotation of the valve element is at the time of static friction. In this flow path switching valve, since the rotation start timings of the two valve elements are shifted due to the setting of the delay angle, the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve elements is suppressed. Therefore, the output required for the rotation driving unit can be suppressed.

[0008] The second aspect is the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, wherein the delay angle is 1° or more.

[0009] Here, when the delay angle is less than 1°, it becomes difficult to suppress the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve elements. In this flow path switching valve, by appropriately setting the delay angle, the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve elements can be suppressed, and the total torque that becomes the load of the rotation driving unit can be reduced.

[0010] The third aspect is the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, wherein valve shafts for transmitting driving force to the valve bodies are respectively attached to the two valve bodies, and the two valve shafts are connected by a connecting shaft, and a rotational clearance in the rotational direction for setting the delay angle is provided between at least the valve body located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit and the valve shaft.

[0011] In this flow path switching valve, the valve shaft of one valve body close to the rotational drive unit and the valve shaft of the other valve body far from the rotational drive unit are connected by a connecting shaft. When one valve body is rotated by the rotational drive unit, the other valve body also rotates via the connecting shaft. By providing a rotational clearance in the rotational direction for setting the delay angle between at least the valve body located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit and the valve shaft, the rotation start timing of the two valve bodies can be shifted.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the total torque when rotating a plurality of valve bodies by one rotational drive unit can be reduced, and an increase in the size of the flow path switching valve can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing mean the same components. In the embodiments described below, duplicate explanations and reference numerals may be omitted. Also, the drawings used in the following explanations are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships between the elements shown in the drawings, the ratios of the elements, etc. do not necessarily match the actual ones. Also, the dimensional relationships between the elements and the ratios of the elements do not necessarily match even between multiple drawings.

[0015] In addition, in this specification, descriptions indicating positions and directions such as up and down, left and right, front and back are based on the direction arrow display in FIG. 1, and do not refer to the positions and directions in the actual usage state. In FIG. 1, "U" indicates the upward direction (upper side), "D" indicates the downward direction (lower side), "LH" indicates the leftward direction (left side), "RH" indicates the rightward direction (right side), "F" indicates the forward direction (front side), and "R" indicates the rearward direction (rear side). The "vertical direction" means the direction of arrow U and the direction of arrow D. The "horizontal direction" means the direction of arrow LH and the direction of arrow RH. And the "front-rear direction" means the direction of arrow F and the direction of arrow R.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the flow path switching valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this flow path switching valve 10, three valve units 20 are connected in the left-right direction, and other valve units 20 are respectively stacked below each valve unit 20. That is, six valve units 20 are combined. FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view showing a flow path switching valve in which two valve units 20 are stacked and two valve bodies are rotated by one rotary drive unit. This FIG. 4 corresponds to extracting the upper and lower two valve units 20 from FIG. 1. FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially broken perspective views showing one valve unit 20.

[0017] The flow path switching valve 10 is used, for example, as a rotary three-way valve (FIG. 5) or four-way valve (FIGS. 13 and 14) that switches the flow path of a fluid flowing in, for example, an engine room of an automobile. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the flow path switching valve 10 has a valve unit 20 and a rotary drive unit 18.

[0018] [Valve unit] The valve unit 20 includes a valve body 14, a valve element 16, a first flow path 21, a second flow path 22, and a third flow path 23. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the valve unit 20 is, for example, a three-way valve that switches between a state where the first flow path 21 and the third flow path 23 communicate, a state where the second flow path 22 and the third flow path 23 communicate, and a state where the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are not in communication with each other.

[0019] (Valve body) In FIG. 6, the valve body 14 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and a valve chamber 12 is formed inside. The upper direction of the valve chamber 12 is open, and a valve body 16 and a sealing portion 38, which will be described later, are inserted from the upper direction. On the wall surface forming the valve chamber 12, for example, a first inlet / outlet 31 and a second inlet / outlet 32 that face each other and through which fluid enters and exits are formed. As an example, the first inlet / outlet 31 is formed on the rear wall surface of the valve chamber 12, and the second inlet / outlet 32 is formed on the front wall surface of the valve chamber 12. That is, the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 face each other in the front-rear direction of the valve chamber 12. Further, a third inlet / outlet 33 is formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber 12.

[0020] (Valve body) In FIGS. 4, 5, 9, and 10, the valve body 16 is, for example, a ball-shaped member made of synthetic resin and is rotatably disposed within the valve chamber 12. An insertion hole 16A into which the valve shaft 28 in the rotation drive portion 18 is inserted is formed in the upper portion of the valve body 16. The valve shaft 28 and the insertion hole 16A are engaged with each other around the axial direction of the valve shaft 28, and the rotation of the valve shaft 28 is transmitted to the valve body 16. The insertion hole 16A penetrates, for example, up to the flow path 36 of the valve body 16.

[0021] In order to selectively communicate the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 of the valve body 14, in other words, in order to selectively switch the communication state of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33, a flow path (internal flow path) 36 is provided inside the valve body 16. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a lateral hole 36A that communicates from the outer periphery (side portion) of the valve body 16 to the flow path 36 is formed in the valve body 16. Further, a lower hole 36C that communicates from the outer periphery (lower portion) of the valve body 16 to the flow path 36 is formed in the valve body 16. The flow path 36 communicates from the lateral hole 36A to the lower hole 36C. Depending on the state of the valve body 16, the lateral hole 36A can face the first inlet / outlet 31 or the second inlet / outlet 32. In a state where the lateral hole 36A does not face any of the inlets / outlets, the valve body 16 is in a state of being in close contact with a seat member 40, which will be described later, and is closed.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a rib 16B extending in the direction (vertical direction) toward the third inlet / outlet 33 is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16. This rib 16B is, for example, a thin plate-like protrusion and is formed, for example, on the inner wall on the back side of the lateral hole 36A in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16.

[0023] In FIGS. 4 and 5, between the valve body 16 and the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32, sealing portions 38 for sealing between each are provided respectively. The sealing portion 38 has, for example, a sheet member 40 and an O-ring 42. The sheet member 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and is formed in an annular shape having openings corresponding to the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32. This sheet member 40 is disposed around the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 on the inner wall surface of the valve body 14 (the front and rear wall surfaces of the valve chamber 12). The valve body 16 is sandwiched between two sheet members 40 and is disposed so as to be rotatably slidable while contacting each sheet member 40.

[0024] Between the sheet member 40 and the valve body 14, they are sealed, for example, airtightly and watertightly by the O-ring 42. The O-ring 42 is attached, for example, to an O-ring groove (not shown) formed in the sheet member 40.

[0025] As an example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) can be used for the valve body 14 and the valve body 16, PTFE (fluororesin) can be used for the sheet member 40, and synthetic rubber can be used for the O-ring 42.

[0026] (Rotary drive unit) In FIG. 4, the rotation drive unit 18 is connected to the valve unit 20 and is a device that rotates the valve body 16 so that the communication states of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 are selectively switched through the flow path of the valve body 16. The rotation drive unit 18 is disposed above the valve body 14 in the upper valve unit 20. Specifically, for example, a bracket 24 is fixed on the upper valve body 14, and the rotation drive unit 18 is fixed on the bracket 24 using, for example, a screw 26 (FIG. 1). The upward opening (FIG. 5) in the valve chamber 12 of the upper valve body 14 is blocked by, for example, the bracket 24 (FIG. 12). In other words, the bracket 24 has a shape that closes the opening of the valve chamber 12. The bracket 24 is welded in a state of being inserted and fitted inside the opening of the valve chamber 12. The bracket 24 is provided with a convex portion 30. This convex portion 30 faces or abuts against the edge around the valve chamber 12 in the valve body 14. The convex portion 30 may be a melting allowance. Also, the convex portion 30 may be provided on the valve body 14 instead of the bracket 24.

[0027] The rotation drive unit 18 is, for example, a geared motor. The rotation drive unit 18 is provided with a connector 50 to which, for example, wiring for communication with a control unit and power supply is connected. A valve shaft 28 as an output shaft is coupled to the rotation drive unit 18. The valve shaft 28 is inserted through a through hole 24A formed in the bracket 24. An O-ring 29 is attached to the valve shaft 28. The O-ring 29 ensures the watertightness between the valve shaft 28 and the through hole 24A. Also, the lower end of the valve shaft 28 is inserted into the insertion hole 16A (FIG. 5) of the valve body 16.

[0028] (First flow path, second flow path, third flow path)

[0029] In FIGS. 4 to 6, the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are, for example, pipe portions integrally formed with the valve body 14. It can also be said that the first flow path 21 is the first port, the second flow path 22 is the second port, and the third flow path 23 is the third port.

[0030] The first flow path 21 has openings at both ends, for example, and communicates with the first inlet / outlet 31 of the valve chamber 12. This first flow path 21 extends linearly in the left - right direction, for example. The first inlet / outlet 31 is connected in the middle of the first flow path 21. As a result, the first flow path 21 and the first inlet / outlet 31 are formed in a substantially T - shape in plan view (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

[0031] The second flow path 22 is arranged parallel to the first flow path 21 with the valve body 14 interposed therebetween. It has openings at both ends, for example, and communicates with the second inlet / outlet 32. The second flow path 22 extends linearly in the left - right direction, for example. The second inlet / outlet 32 is connected in the middle of the second flow path 22. As a result, the second flow path 22 and the second inlet / outlet 32 are formed in a substantially T - shape in plan view (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, female joints 51, 52 are provided at one ends of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, male joints 61, 62 are provided at the other ends of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. The male joints 61, 62 are structured to be connectable to the female joints 51, 52. Annular grooves 61A, 62A are formed on the outer peripheries of the male joints 61, 62. Further, for example, a pair of arc - shaped slits 51A, 52A are formed in the female joints 51, 52. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the male joints 61, 62 are respectively inserted into the female joints 51, 52, and the clip 34 is fitted into the grooves 61A, 62A through the slits 51A, 52A to prevent detachment. The water - stop at the connection part of each joint is performed by, for example, an O - ring 66. By having such a joint structure, the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 can be respectively connected and linked to the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20 (see FIGS. 1, 13, and 14). Note that this joint structure is an example, and any other arbitrary joint structure can be used.

[0033] In FIGS. 6 to 8, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, at the connection portion of the first flow path 21 with the first inlet / outlet 31, a first protrusion 71 that protrudes from the first inlet / outlet 31 side toward the inside of the first flow path 21 is provided. This first protrusion 71 is, for example, an arcuate ridge formed along the opening of the first inlet / outlet 31 with respect to the first flow path 21. The range of the first protrusion 71 is, for example, less than half a circumference on the first inlet / outlet 31 side of the inner peripheral surface of the first flow path 21. One side of the first protrusion 71 in the left-right direction is a concave surface that extends a part of the inner wall of the first flow path 21. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 71 is provided on the left side of the first inlet / outlet 31. Note that the first protrusion 71 may be provided on the right side of the first inlet / outlet 31, or may be provided on both the left and right sides of the first protrusion 71.

[0034] Also, at the connection portion of the second flow path 22 with the second inlet / outlet 32, a second protrusion 72 that protrudes from the second inlet / outlet 32 side toward the inside of the second flow path 22 is provided. This second protrusion 72 is, for example, an arcuate ridge formed along the opening of the second inlet / outlet 32 with respect to the second flow path 22. The range of the second protrusion 72 is, for example, less than half a circumference on the second inlet / outlet 32 side of the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path 22. One side of the second protrusion 72 in the left-right direction is a concave surface that extends a part of the inner wall of the second flow path 22. In the illustrated example, the second protrusion 72 is provided on the left side of the second inlet / outlet 32. Note that the second protrusion 72 may be provided on the right side of the second inlet / outlet 32, or may be provided on both the left and right sides of the second protrusion 72.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 9, a sub-channel 46 blocked by a lid 44 may be provided at a position in the first channel 21, for example, facing the first inlet / outlet 31. The space between the lid 44 and the end of the sub-channel 46 is sealed by welding or water is stopped by a sealing member such as an O-ring 48. By removing the lid 44, it is also possible to utilize the sub-channel 46. For example, a storage tank 54 can be connected to the sub-channel 46. When the valve units 20 are stacked vertically, there are two sub-channels 46 vertically. It is also possible to connect these two sub-channels 46 to a storage tank 54 provided with two connection ports (FIG. 2). In this case, the storage tank 54 may have two storage chambers corresponding to each connection port and separated from each other. Thereby, even the same fluid can store fluids with different temperatures separately.

[0036] Also, pumps 81 and 82 can be respectively attached to the female joint 51 or male joint 61 of the first channel 21 at the end of the flow path switching valve 10 and the female joint 52 or female joint 62 of the second channel 22 at the end. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the pump 81 is attached to the female joint 51 (see FIG. 2) of the first channel 21 in the upper valve unit 20. Also, the pump 82 is attached to the female joint 52 of the second channel 22 in the upper valve unit 20. The pump 81 has a joint 91 that serves as an inlet / outlet for the fluid. Also, the pump 82 has a joint 92 that serves as an inlet / outlet for the fluid. The pump 81 can supply the fluid from other devices to the first channel 21 or supply the fluid in the first channel 21 to other devices via the joint 91. Also, the pump 82 can supply the fluid from other devices to the second channel 22 or supply the fluid in the second channel 22 to other devices via the joint 92.

[0037] In FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the third flow path 23 communicates with the third inlet / outlet 33 and is open on the side opposite to the third inlet / outlet 33. Specifically, the third flow path 23 has a bent portion 23A. The third inlet / outlet 33 is located above the bent portion 23A. The end of the opening side of the third flow path 23 is located, for example, in front of the bent portion 23A and protrudes, for example, in front of the second flow path 22. At the end of the opening side of the third flow path 23, a male joint 64, for example, that can be connected to piping to other devices is provided.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at the portion of the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23 that faces the third inlet / outlet 33, that is, below the third inlet / outlet 33, a spherical concave portion 23B, for example, is provided. The concave portion 23B is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The concave portion 23B is recessed below the bottom 23C of the cross-flow path on the front side of the bent portion 23A. As a result, a part of the fluid that has entered the third flow path 23 from the third inlet / outlet 33 falls into the concave portion 23B once and then enters the cross-flow path of the third flow path 23.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 23D is formed in the bottom of the concave portion 23B. The valve shaft 58 can pass through the through hole 23D (FIG. 4). Between the valve shaft 58 and the through hole 23D, water is blocked by an O-ring 60. When no other valve unit is stacked below, a structure without the through hole 23D in the bottom of the concave portion 23B, for example, is adopted like the lower valve unit 20 in FIG. 4. Even if the through hole 23D is provided, it may be configured to be blocked by a separate member (for example, a closing portion 86). For example, the closing portion 86 may include a temperature sensor 84. The temperature sensor 84 is supported by the closing portion 86, for example, and is arranged such that the tip is located inside the third flow path 23. An O-ring 88 is attached to the closing portion 86, for example. By this O-ring 88, the watertightness between the closing portion 86 and the through hole 23D is ensured. By using the temperature sensor 84, the temperature inside the third flow path 23 can be accurately measured.

[0040] [Stacking of Valve Units] In FIGS. 1 and 4, in this embodiment, on the side opposite to the rotation drive unit 18 of one valve unit 20, another valve unit 20 can be stacked and connected. The portion of the upper valve unit 20 that is stacked with the lower valve unit 20 is a lid 68 that closes the valve chamber 12 of the lower valve unit 20. This closing structure is generally the same as the closing structure of the valve chamber 12 by the bracket 24 in FIG. 12, and the bottom of the upper valve body 14 is welded in a state of being inrolled and fitted inside the opening of the valve chamber 12 in the lower valve body 14.

[0041] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a structure may be adopted in which another valve unit 20 is stacked and connected to one valve unit 20, and two valve bodies 16 in the two valve units 20 are rotated by one rotation drive unit 18. In this example, a valve shaft 28 for transmitting a driving force to the valve body 16 in the upper valve unit 20 and a valve shaft 58 for transmitting a driving force to the valve body 16 in the lower valve unit 20 are connected by a connecting shaft 56. The connecting shaft 56 connects the upper and lower valve shafts 28 and 58 through the inside of the upper valve body 16 and the vertical flow path of the third flow path 23. When the upper valve shaft 28 is rotationally driven by the rotation drive unit 18, the rotation is transmitted to the lower valve shaft 58 via the connecting shaft 56, and the upper and lower valve bodies 16 rotate synchronously.

[0042] In FIGS. 15 and 16, in this embodiment, a delay angle θ is set to delay the start of rotation of the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotation drive unit 18 compared to the start of rotation of the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotation drive unit 18. The delay angle θ is 1° or more. Here, when the delay angle θ is less than 1°, it becomes difficult to suppress the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve bodies 16. A clearance T in the rotational direction for setting the delay angle θ is provided at least between the valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 in the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotation drive unit 18. The valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 are, for example, serration-fitted, and the clearance T corresponds to the backlash of the serration.

[0043] The clearance T may be provided between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56 in the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18. In this case, the delay angle θ is set by the clearance T between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56. That is, the clearance T may be provided between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56 in the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18, or may also be provided between the valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 in the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit 18, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0044] Further, the clearance T may be provided between the valve shaft 28 and the valve body 16 in the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18, or may also be provided between the valve shaft 58 and the valve body 16 in the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit 18, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0045] In the case of a structure in which the valve bodies 16 located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit 18 and on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18 are directly combined with the connecting shaft 56, the delay angle θ is provided by the respective clearances T between the valve bodies 16 and the connecting shaft 56.

[0046] The clearance T may be provided between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56, and between the valve shaft 28 and the valve body 16 in the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18, respectively. Further, the clearance T may be provided between the valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56, and between the valve shaft 58 and the valve body 16 in the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit 18, respectively. In this case, the delay angle θ is provided by the difference between the total of the clearances T in the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18 and the total of the clearances T in the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit 18.

[0047] The means for setting the delay angle θ is not limited to the clearance T, and for example, the elasticity in the torsional direction of the connecting shaft 56 may be utilized. By twisting the connecting shaft 56, the start of rotation of the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotational drive unit 18 may be made to be delayed compared to the start of rotation of the valve body 16 located on the side closer to the rotational drive unit 18.

[0048] In FIGS. 13 and 14, a gap S may be provided between adjacent first flow paths 21 and second flow paths 22. Also, a gap S may be provided between two first flow paths 21 of the stacked valve units 20 and between two second flow paths 22 of the stacked valve units 20.

[0049] In FIG. 1, the center-to-center distance W between the end of the first flow path 21 and the center of the end of the second flow path 22 in one valve unit 20 may be equal to the center-to-center distance H between the ends of the first flow paths 21 in the overlapping direction in a state where another valve unit 20 is stacked and connected to the one valve unit 20. That is, W = H may be satisfied.

[0050] (Operation) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. In FIG. 4, in the flow path switching valve 10 according to this embodiment, by rotating the valve body 16 by the rotary drive unit 18, the communication states of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 of the valve chamber 12 can be selectively switched through the flow path 36 of the valve body 16. Since the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 face each other with the valve chamber 12 interposed therebetween and one lateral hole 36A is formed in the valve body 16, the flow path switching can be performed by rotating the valve body 16 by 180°.

[0051] The first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 are each connectable to the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20. Therefore, flow path switching valves of various specifications can be easily realized by combining the valve units 20. Specifically, female joints 51 and 52 are respectively provided at one ends of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, and male joints 61 and 62 are respectively provided at the other ends of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22. The male joints 61 and 62 can be respectively connected to the female joints 51 and 52. Therefore, for example, the first flow paths 21 of one valve unit 20 and another valve unit 20 and the second flow paths 22 of one valve unit 20 and another valve unit 20 can be easily connected.

[0052] In FIG. 1, for example, when W = H and connecting and coupling two other stacked valve units 20 in the directions of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of the two stacked valve units 20, not only can the first flow paths 21 be connected to each other and the second flow paths 22 be connected to each other, but it is also possible to connect the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22. That is, the two valve units 20 can be connected by rotating each other by 90°. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the combination of the valve units 20 can be further increased.

[0053] Also, the fluid that has flowed into the third flow path 23 from the valve chamber 12 through the third inlet / outlet 33 passes through the bent portion 23A. When a spherical concave portion 23B is provided at a portion of the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23 that faces the third inlet / outlet 33, the resistance of the fluid is reduced as compared with a configuration in which there is no concave portion 23B at the portion and it is simply bent. Therefore, the pressure loss in the third flow path 23 can be suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when a rib 16B extending in the direction toward the third inlet / outlet 33 is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16, the fluid flowing in the valve body 16 can be rectified. When assembling the valve body 16 into the valve chamber 12, the orientation of the valve body 16 can be easily adjusted by applying a force to the rib 16B.

[0055] Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, 13, and 14, when a first protrusion 71 is provided at the connection portion of the first flow path 21 with the first inlet / outlet 31 of the valve chamber 12, the flow of the fluid in the first flow path 21 is disturbed by the first protrusion 71. Thereby, the fluid flowing through the first flow path 21 can be guided to the first inlet / outlet 31. Also, when a second protrusion 72 is provided at the connection portion of the second flow path 22 with the second inlet / outlet 32 of the valve chamber 12, the flow of the fluid in the second flow path 22 is disturbed by the second protrusion 72, so that the fluid flowing through the second flow path 22 can be guided to the second inlet / outlet 32. In this way, the inflow of the fluid from the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 into the valve chamber 12 can be promoted.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, by making it possible to stack and connect another valve unit 20 on the side opposite to the rotational drive unit 18 of one valve unit 20, the degree of freedom in the combination of valve units 20 can be increased.

[0057] When a part of one valve unit 20 that is to be stacked with another valve unit 20 is a lid 68 that closes the valve chamber 12 of the other valve unit 20, when one valve unit 20 and another valve unit 20 are stacked, a separate part for closing the valve chamber 12 of the other valve unit 20 becomes unnecessary. For this reason, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, and the workability when stacking and connecting the valve units 20 can be improved.

[0058] When rotating the two valve bodies 16 in the two stacked valve units 20 by one rotational drive unit 18, compared with the case where rotational drive units 18 are provided for the two valve units 20 respectively, reduction in the number of parts and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0059] As described above, according to the present embodiment, flow path switching valves with various specifications can be easily realized.

[0060] When rotating the two valve bodies 16 in the two valve units 20 by one rotational drive unit 18, during the rotation of the valve body 16, the friction at the portion (sealing portion 38) where the valve body 16 comes into contact changes from static friction to dynamic friction. Among these, the maximum torque generated during the rotation of the valve body 16 is at the time of static friction. In the present embodiment, since the rotation start timings of the two valve bodies 16 are shifted by setting an appropriate delay angle θ, the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve bodies 16 is suppressed. Therefore, the total torque that becomes the load on the rotational drive unit 18 can be reduced.

[0061] In this embodiment, the valve shaft 28 of one valve body 16 close to the rotary drive unit 18 and the valve shaft 58 of the other valve body 16 far from the rotary drive unit 18 are connected by a connecting shaft. When the rotary drive unit 18 rotates one valve body 16, the other valve body 16 also rotates via the connecting shaft 56. By providing a clearance T (FIGS. 15 and 16) in the rotational direction for setting a delay angle θ between at least the valve body 16 located on the side far from the rotary drive unit 18 and the valve shaft 58, the rotation start timings of the two valve bodies 16 can be shifted.

[0062] When rotating a plurality of valve bodies 16 with one rotary drive unit 18, the total torque can be reduced, and the output required for the rotary drive unit 18 can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the size of the flow path switching valve 10 can be suppressed.

[0063] FIG. 17 shows an example of the relationship between the rotation angle and torque of the rotary drive unit 18. The "one-step switching torque" in the figure indicates the torque fluctuation when the rotary drive unit 18 rotates the valve body 16 of one valve unit 20. Also, the "two-step switching torque" indicates the torque fluctuation when the rotary drive unit 18 rotates the valve bodies 16 of two valve units 20. It can be seen that by setting the delay angle θ, the "two-step switching torque" is not twice the "one-step switching torque" but is suppressed to be smaller than twice. The same applies to the peak value of the torque. Also, since the peak of the "two-step switching torque" is the sum of the dynamic friction of the valve body 16 on the side close to the rotary drive unit 18 and the static friction of the valve body 16 on the side far from the rotary drive unit 18, it can be seen that the position of the peak is shifted later than the peak of the "one-step switching torque".

[0064] (Modification example) The valve unit 20 is not limited to a three-way valve. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for example, it may be a four-way valve. In this case, the valve body 16 is formed with a lateral hole 36B that joins from the outer periphery (side portion) to the center of the lateral hole 36A, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis O1 of the valve body 16 and orthogonal to the lateral hole 36A. By rotating the valve body 16 by 90°, the state where the first inlet / outlet 31 communicates with the third inlet / outlet 33 and the state where the second inlet / outlet 32 communicates with the third inlet / outlet 33 can be switched.

[0065] [Other Embodiments] As described above, an example of an embodiment of the present invention has been explained. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the above.

[0066] Female joints 51 and 52 are provided at one ends of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively, and male joints 61 and 62 having a structure connectable to the female joints 51 and 52 are provided at the other ends of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. However, a configuration without such a joint structure may also be used.

[0067] Although a concave portion 23B is provided in the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23, a configuration without such a concave portion 23B may also be used. Although a rib 16B is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16, a configuration without such a rib 16B may also be used.

[0068] Although a first protrusion 71 is provided at the connection portion of the first flow path 21 with the first inlet / outlet 31 and a second protrusion 72 is provided at the connection portion of the second flow path 22 with the second inlet / outlet 32, either the first protrusion 71 or the second protrusion 72 may be provided, or neither the first protrusion 71 nor the second protrusion 72 may be provided.

[0069] Although it is possible to stack and connect another valve unit 20 on the side opposite to the rotational drive portion 18 of one valve unit 20, other members may be interposed between the two valve units 20. Also, such connection may not be possible.

[0070] Although the center-to-center distance W between the end of the first flow path 21 and the center of the end of the second flow path 22 in one valve unit 20 is made equal to the center-to-center distance H between the ends of the first flow paths 21 in the overlapping direction in a state where another valve unit 20 is stacked and connected to one valve unit 20 (W = H), the center-to-center distance W may be different from the center-to-center distance H. Also, in the above-described flow path switching valve, the valve units 20 are configured to be stacked in two stages, but they may be stacked in three or more stages.

Description of Symbols

[0071] 10 Flow path switching valve 12 Valve chamber 14 Valve body 16 Valve element 18 Rotary drive unit 20 Valve unit 21 First flow path 22 Second flow path 23 Third flow path 28 Valve shaft 31 First inlet / outlet 32 Second inlet / outlet 33 Third inlet / outlet 36 Flow path 58 Valve shaft T Clearance θ Delay angle

Claims

1. A valve body having a valve chamber formed therein, and a first inlet / outlet and a second inlet / outlet through which fluid enters and exits are respectively formed on the wall surface forming the valve chamber, and a third inlet / outlet is formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber; a valve element rotatably disposed in the valve chamber and having a flow path formed therein; a first flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet; a second flow path juxtaposed with the first flow path across the valve body and communicating with the second inlet / outlet; and a third flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet and having an opening on the side opposite to the third inlet / outlet, a valve unit comprising: A rotary drive unit connected to the valve unit and configured to rotate the valve element so that the communication states of the first inlet / outlet, the second inlet / outlet, and the third inlet / outlet are selectively switched through the flow path of the valve element; having Another said valve unit is superposed and connected to one said valve unit, The two valve elements in the two valve units are configured to be rotated by one rotary drive unit, and a delay angle is set to delay the start of rotation of the valve element located on the side farther from the rotary drive unit compared to the start of rotation of the valve element located on the side closer to the rotary drive unit. A flow path switching valve.

2. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the delay angle is 1° or more.

3. Valve shafts for transmitting a driving force to the valve elements are respectively attached to the two valve elements, The two valve shafts are connected by a connecting shaft, The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, wherein a clearance in the rotational direction for setting the delay angle is provided at least between the valve element located on the side farther from the rotary drive unit and the valve shaft.

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