Slide-type switching valve

Abstract

The present invention provides a slide-type switching valve that can improve workability while ensuring airtightness, and a refrigeration cycle system equipped with the slide-type switching valve. [Solution] The through hole 191 formed in the valve seat member 19 has a cylindrical portion 192 and an inclined surface portion 193 that widens in diameter towards the outside. By inserting the pipe members 14-16 through the through hole 191 from the open surface 19B side and fixing the screw 29 to the female screw portion 194, the pipe members 14-16 can be fixed to the valve body 11 and the valve seat member 19, improving workability. The inclined surface portion 193 of the through hole 191 allows the O-ring 27 to be compressed, ensuring a tight seal between the pipe members 14-16 and the through hole 191.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide-type switching valve and a refrigeration cycle system.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a slide-type switching valve for switching a flow path in a refrigeration cycle system is known. As such a slide-type switching valve, a four-way valve in which a valve body portion is provided in an accumulator has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the four-way valve described in Patent Document 1, since variations in the positions and orientations of the four brazed tubes are likely to occur, by brazing three of them to the accumulator, the positional accuracy of the connection portion with the other tube is improved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when connecting a tube to a slide-type switching valve by brazing, the number of assembly steps tends to increase. Also, it was difficult to remove the tube during inspection or replacement. On the other hand, if the connection method is simplified, the sealing performance at the connection portion may decrease. That is, it was difficult to achieve both connection workability and sealing performance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a slide-type switching valve capable of improving workability while ensuring sealing performance, and a refrigeration cycle system including the slide-type switching valve.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a sliding type switching valve comprising: a cylindrical valve body; a valve seat member having a valve seat surface provided within the valve body; and a valve element having a sliding contact surface that slides against the valve seat surface and is housed within the valve body, wherein an opening is formed in the side surface of the valve body where the valve seat member is arranged, the valve seat member has the valve seat surface and an open surface formed on the opposite side and open to the outside of the valve body, and a through hole is formed extending from the valve seat surface to the open surface, the through hole having a cylindrical portion and an inclined surface portion provided outside the valve body beyond the cylindrical portion and increasing in diameter toward the outside, and the open surface is provided with a fixed portion to which a predetermined fixing portion can be fixed.

[0007] According to the present invention as described above, the pipe member can be fixed to the valve body and valve seat member by inserting the pipe member through the through hole from the open side and fixing the fixing part to the part to be fixed, thereby improving workability. At this time, since the through hole has an inclined surface, by placing a sealing member such as an O-ring on the outer circumference of the pipe member and moving it toward the inside of the valve body, the O-ring is compressed by the inclined surface, and airtightness between the pipe member and the through hole can be ensured.

[0008] In this case, in the slide-type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the opening surface is positioned outside the side surface of the valve body, and that the valve seat member has a through portion that penetrates the opening. With such a configuration, the inner periphery of the opening and the outer periphery of the through portion can be connected all around by, for example, brazing, making it easier to ensure airtightness between the valve body and the valve seat member. .

[0009] Furthermore, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the valve seat member has a plurality of through holes and is provided with fewer fixed parts than the plurality of through holes. With such a configuration, the number of connection points can be reduced by connecting a plurality of pipe members to the valve seat member together.

[0010] Furthermore, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, the valve seat member may be provided with more fixed parts than the number of through holes. With such a configuration, the pipe members can be connected individually, improving the degree of freedom of work. In this case, it is more preferable that there are multiple pairs of through holes and fixed parts, where the number of through holes and fixed parts are equal and the distance between the through holes and fixed parts is equal. With such a configuration, the fixing structure can be standardized for each pair.

[0011] Furthermore, in the slide-type switching valve of the present invention, a second opening is further formed on the side surface of the valve body, and a mounting portion is provided in the second opening, wherein the mounting portion has a second through hole that connects the inside and outside of the valve body, and a second fixed portion provided on the surface of the valve body that is open to the outside and capable of fixing a predetermined fixing portion. With such a configuration, even in the second opening, the pipe member can be fixed to the valve body by inserting the pipe member through the second through hole from the outside of the valve body and fixing the fixing portion to the second fixed portion, thereby improving workability.

[0012] Furthermore, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the valve seat member is configured such that a pipe member is inserted into the cylindrical portion, the fixed portion is a female threaded portion, and the pipe member is fixed by screw fastening. With such a configuration, the pipe member can be easily fixed to the valve seat member.

[0013] The refrigeration cycle system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant fluid, a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in cooling mode, a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in cooling mode, an expansion means for expanding and reducing the pressure of the refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and a slide-type switching valve. With such a refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, it is possible to improve workability while ensuring airtightness in the slide-type switching valve as described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the slide type switching valve and the refrigeration cycle system of the present invention, workability can be improved while ensuring sealing performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle provided with a slide type switching valve according to an embodiment which is an example of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the slide type switching valve. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a pipe member is connected to the slide type switching valve. [Figure 4] It is a side view showing the slide type switching valve. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing a valve seat member of the slide type switching valve. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing a valve seat member of the slide type switching valve. [Figure 7] It is a side view showing a pipe member connected to the slide type switching valve. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view and a plan view showing a member for fixing a pipe member to the slide type switching valve. [Figure 9] It is a bottom view showing a state in which a pipe member is connected to the slide type switching valve. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing the slide type switching valve. [Figure 11] It is a plan view showing a state in which a pipe member is connected to the slide type switching valve. [Figure 12] It is a plan view showing a valve seat member in a slide type switching valve according to a modification example of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a bottom view showing a state in which a pipe member is connected to the slide type switching valve. [Figure 14] It is a plan view showing a slide type switching valve according to another modification example of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a plan view showing a state in which a pipe member is connected to the slide type switching valve.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The four-way switching valve (slide-type switching valve) 10 of the present embodiment is provided, for example, in a refrigeration cycle 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The refrigeration cycle 1 is used in an air conditioner such as a car air conditioner, and includes a compressor 2 that compresses a refrigerant as a fluid, an outdoor heat exchanger 3 as a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in the cooling mode, an indoor heat exchanger 4 as a second heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in the cooling mode, an expansion valve 5 as an expansion means for expanding and decompressing the refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the indoor heat exchanger 4, a four-way switching valve 10, and a pilot solenoid valve 6 that controls the switching of the flow path of the four-way switching valve 10. These are connected by refrigerant pipes. Note that the expansion means is not limited to the expansion valve 5 and may be a capillary tube. In addition, the refrigerant circulating as described above contains lubricating oil (refrigerant oil) for lubricating the operation of the compressor 2.

[0017] In the cooling mode (cooling operation) shown in FIG. 1, this refrigeration cycle 1 constitutes a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 2, the four-way switching valve 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the expansion valve 5, the indoor heat exchanger 4, the four-way switching valve 10, and the compressor 2. On the other hand, in the heating mode (heating operation), it constitutes a heating cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 2, the four-way switching valve 10, the indoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the four-way switching valve 10, and the compressor 2. The switching between this heating cycle and the cooling cycle is performed by the switching operation of the four-way switching valve 10 by the pilot solenoid valve 6.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the four-way switching valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylindrical valve body 11 and a valve element 12 slidably provided inside the valve body 11. Hereinafter, the sliding direction of the valve element 12 will be referred to as the X direction, the two directions perpendicular to the X direction and mutually perpendicular will be referred to as the Y direction and the Z direction, and the left and right directions in the X direction and the up and down directions in the Z direction will be based on Figures 2 to 4. As will be described later, the four-way switching valve 10 is connected to a high-pressure side pipe member 13 that communicates with the discharge port of the compressor 2, a low-pressure side pipe member 14 that communicates with the suction port of the compressor 2, an indoor side pipe member 15 that communicates with the indoor heat exchanger 4, and an outdoor side pipe member 16 that communicates with the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0019] The cylindrical valve body 11 has plugs 17 and 18 that close both axial ends and a valve seat member 19 fixed inside the valve body 11, and is configured as a sealed cylinder. Conduits communicating with the pilot solenoid valve 6 are connected to the plugs 17 and 18, respectively. The valve seat member 19 is shaped to which pipe members 14 to 16 can be connected, as will be described later. The upper surface of the valve seat member 19 is a guide surface, i.e., a valve seat surface 19A, that guides the valve body 12 to slide.

[0020] The valve body 11 has a plurality of ports 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D formed on its side surface 111. Specifically, there is an inlet port 11A, which is an opening to which the high-pressure side pipe member 13 is connected and to which refrigerant flows into the inside of the valve body 11, and a first port 11C, a second port 11D, and an outlet port 11B formed on the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19 on the radially opposite side surface 111 of the valve body 11 to the inlet port 11A. The outlet port 11B is located approximately in the center in the X direction, and the first port 11C is located relative to the outlet port 11B. The second port 11D is located adjacent to the left side in the X direction, and is located to the right side in the X direction relative to the outflow port 11B. In other words, the three ports 11B to 11D are arranged in a straight line along the X direction.

[0021] The low-pressure pipe member 14 is connected to the outflow port 11B, and the indoor pipe member 15 is connected to the first port 11C, so that the first port 11C constitutes an indoor port, and the outdoor pipe member 16 is connected to the second port 11D, so that the second port 11D constitutes an outdoor port.

[0022] The valve body 12 is composed of a pair of left and right piston bodies 21 and 22 that slide against the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 11, a connecting member 23 that connects the pair of piston bodies 21 and 22 and extends along the X direction, and a bowl-shaped valve member 24 supported by the connecting member 23. The internal space of the valve body 11 is divided into a high-pressure chamber R1 formed between the pair of piston bodies 21 and 22, a first operating chamber R2 formed between one piston body 21 and a plug body 17, and a second operating chamber R3 formed between the other piston body 22 and a plug body 18.

[0023] The connecting member 23 is made of a metal plate and is formed having a connecting plate portion 23A that extends along the axial direction of the valve body 11 and is provided parallel to the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19, a fixing piece portion 23B at one end of the connecting plate portion 23A which is bent and fixed to the piston body 21, and a fixing piece portion 23C at the other end of the connecting plate portion 23A which is bent and fixed to the piston body 22. The connecting plate portion 23A has a retaining hole 23D for holding the valve member 24 and two through holes 23E for circulating the refrigerant.

[0024] The valve member 24 is a one-piece molded member made of synthetic resin, and is formed having a bowl portion 25 that opens concavely toward the valve seat member 19, and a flange portion 26 that extends outward from the opening edge of the bowl portion 25. The bowl portion 25 is formed in a dome shape having an oval shape in plan view and is inserted into the holding hole 23D of the connecting member 23. Inside the bowl portion 25, a communication space R4 is formed such that the outflow port 11B and the first port 11C are connected but the second port 11D is not, or the outflow port 11B and the second port 11D are connected but the first port 11C is not.

[0025] The flange portion 26 has a sliding contact surface 26A on its lower surface (the surface facing the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19) 260, which slides against the valve seat surface 19A, and a valve opening 25A that communicates with the inside of the bowl portion 25. This flange portion 26 is positioned between the valve seat member 19 and the connecting member 23. Due to the pressure difference between the high and low pressure acting on the valve member 24, the sliding contact surface 26A is brought into close contact with the valve seat surface 19A of the valve seat member 19, and the communication space R4 of the bowl portion 25 is closed relative to the valve seat member 19.

[0026] In the four-way switching valve 10 described above, when high-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the second working chamber R3 via the pilot solenoid valve 6 and the conduit, the piston body 22 is pressed, causing the valve body 12 to slide to the left in the X direction, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and move to the first position. Also, when high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 is introduced into the first working chamber R2 via the pilot solenoid valve 6 and the conduit, the piston body 21 is pressed, causing the valve body 12 to slide to the right in the X direction of the valve body 11, and move to the second position.

[0027] When the valve body 12 is in the second position, the bowl portion 25 of the valve member 24 connects the outlet port 11B and the second port 11D through its communication space R4. Furthermore, since the bowl portion 25 is located to the right in the X direction of the first port 11C, the first port 11C is connected to the inlet port 11A via the inside of the valve body 11 (high-pressure chamber R1). In other words, when the valve body 12 is in the second position, the inlet port 11A and the first port 11C are connected, and the outlet port 11B and the second port 11D are connected, resulting in a heating mode (heating operation).

[0028] In this heating mode, high-pressure refrigerant H discharged from compressor 2 is introduced into high-pressure chamber R1 via high-pressure side pipe member 13 and inlet port 11A. The high-pressure refrigerant H that has passed through high-pressure chamber R1 is supplied to indoor heat exchanger 4 via first port 11C and indoor side pipe member 15. In addition, low-pressure refrigerant L is introduced from outdoor heat exchanger 3 via outdoor side pipe member 16 and second port 11D into communication space R4 of bowl section 25. The low-pressure refrigerant L that has passed through communication space R4 is returned to compressor 2 via outlet port 11B and low-pressure side pipe member 14.

[0029] On the other hand, when the valve body 12 is in the first position, the bowl portion 25 of the valve member 24 connects the outlet port 11B and the first port 11C through its communication space R4. Also, since the bowl portion 25 is located to the left in the X direction of the second port 11D, this second port 11D is connected to the inlet port 11A via the inside of the valve body 11 (high-pressure chamber R1). In other words, when the valve body 12 is in the first position, the inlet port 11A and the second port 11D are connected, and the outlet port 11B and the first port 11C are connected, resulting in a cooling mode (cooling operation).

[0030] Here, the details of the connection structure of the pipe members 13-16 to the four-way switching valve 10 will be described. The pipe members 13-16 extend from other on-board equipment, for example, and these pipe members 13-16 are directly connected to the four-way switching valve 10.

[0031] First, the connection structure on the lower side in the Z direction will be explained with reference to Figures 5-9. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the valve seat member 19 integrally has an upper surface, the valve seat surface 19A, and a lower surface, the open surface 19B, formed on the opposite side of the valve seat surface 19A. In this embodiment, the valve seat member 19 is entirely made of one type of material. The open surface 19B is open to the outside of the valve body 11. The open surface 19B is the surface facing outwards from the valve body 11. Because the valve seat surface 19A is located inside the valve body 11, and the open surface 19B is located outside the side portion 111 of the valve body 11, the valve seat member 19 penetrates the opening 112 formed in the side portion 111 of the valve body 11. That is, the outer peripheral surface 19C of the rectangular parallelepiped valve seat member 19 becomes the penetration portion.

[0032] The valve seat member 19 has three through holes 191 that extend from the valve seat surface 19A to the open surface 19B and along the Z direction. Each through hole 191 has a cylindrical portion 192 that extends along the Z direction and has a substantially constant inner diameter, and an inclined surface portion 193 that is located outside the valve body 11 and expands in diameter toward the outside. The shape of the cylindrical portion 192 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may correspond to that of the pipe members 14 to 16, and may be, for example, a rectangular tube. The inclined surface portion 193 may have a straight cross-section as shown in the figure, or it may have a curved cross-section such as a concave or convex shape.

[0033] The open surface 19B of the valve seat member 19 has two female threaded portions 194 formed therein, which serve as fixed parts to which a screw 29 (described later) can be fixed. The two female threaded portions 194 are positioned to the left of the through hole 191 in the center of the X direction and on one side of the Y direction, and to the right of the X direction and on the other side of the Y direction, respectively, and they clamp the through hole 191 from a direction inclined with respect to the X direction. That is, if the open surface 19B is virtually rotated 180° with the Z direction as the axial direction, the female threaded portions 194 do not overlap before and after the rotation.

[0034] The ends of the pipe members 14 to 16 are fitted with O-rings (sealing members) 27 on their outer circumference, and these ends are inserted into the through-hole 191 from below. In the illustrated example, the pipe members 14 to 16 have a constricted shape that allows for the placement of the O-rings 27, but the shape for placing the O-rings is not limited to this. In its natural state (before being inserted into the through-hole 191), the outer diameter of the O-ring 27 is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 192 and smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the inclined surface portion 193 (the inner diameter at the lower end in the Z direction).

[0035] To secure the pipe members 14-16, a retaining member 28 and two screws 29, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, are used. The retaining member 28 is formed in a plate shape so as to overlap the open surface 19B and has three openings 281 through which each of the pipe members 14-16 is inserted, and two openings 282 through which the screws 29 are inserted. The openings 282 are formed in positions that overlap the female screw portion 194.

[0036] The pipe members 14 to 16 have large-diameter portions 141 to 161 that are formed to be larger in diameter than the other parts, and these large-diameter portions 141 to 161 are sandwiched from the Z direction by the open surface 19B of the valve seat member 19 and the retaining member 28. Furthermore, the retaining member 28 is fixed to the valve seat member 19 (Figure 9) when the screw 29 that passes through the opening 282 screws into the female screw portion 194, thereby holding the pipe members 14 to 16.

[0037] Because the O-ring 27 has the dimensions described above, when the pipe members 14-16 are inserted into the through hole 191, the O-ring 27 is gradually compressed as it passes through the inclined surface portion 193 toward the upward direction in the Z direction. The O-ring 27 is positioned in the cylindrical portion 192 and, due to its restoring force, adheres tightly to the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipe members 14-16 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 192.

[0038] In this embodiment, the number of female threaded portions 194 in the valve seat member 19 is less than the number of through holes 191 (i.e., the number of pipe members 14 to 16). This allows multiple pipe members 14 to 16 to be fixed together. Furthermore, as described above, the female threaded portions 194 do not have symmetry with respect to 180° rotation, preventing the left and right pipe members 15 and 16 from being connected to the wrong through hole 191.

[0039] Next, the connection structure on the upper side in the Z direction will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11. As described above, an inlet port 11A is formed on the side portion 111 of the valve body 11, and this inlet port 11A functions as a second opening. On the outside of the side portion 111, a mounting portion 30 is provided at a position corresponding to the inlet port 11A. The mounting portion 30 is formed separately from the valve body 11 and is fixed to the valve body 11 by welding, brazing, or the like. The mounting portion and the valve body may be formed integrally.

[0040] The mounting portion 30 has a second through-hole 301 that communicates with the inlet port 11A, thereby connecting the inside and outside of the valve body 11; a surface 302 that is open to the outside of the valve body 11; and a female thread portion 303 provided on the surface 302 as a second fixed portion. The female thread portion 303 is provided in two places so as to sandwich the through-hole 301 from the X direction.

[0041] A retaining member 31 and two screws 32 are used to secure the pipe member 13. The retaining member 31 is formed in a plate shape so as to overlap the surface 302 and has an opening 311 through which the pipe member 13 is inserted and two openings 312 through which the screws 32 are inserted. The openings 312 are formed in a position that overlaps the female screw portion 303.

[0042] The pipe member 13 has a large-diameter portion 131 that is formed to be larger in diameter than the other parts, and this large-diameter portion 131 is sandwiched from the Z direction by the surface 302 of the mounting portion 30 and the retaining member 31. Furthermore, the retaining member 31 is fixed to the mounting portion 30 by the screw 32 that passes through the opening 312 and screws into the female screw portion 303, thereby holding the pipe member 13 (Figure 11).

[0043] In the connection structure on the upper side in the Z direction, similar to the connection structure on the lower side, the through hole 301 has a cylindrical portion 301A and an inclined surface portion 301B, and an O-ring 27 is provided at the tip of the pipe member 13. That is, in the upper connection structure as well, the O-ring 27 is compressed by the inclined surface portion 301B.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the pipe members 14-16 can be fixed to the valve body 11 and valve seat member 19 by inserting the pipe members 14-16 through the through hole 191 from the open surface 19B side and fixing the screw 29 to the female threaded portion 194, thereby improving workability. At this time, since the through hole 191 has an inclined surface portion 193, the O-ring 27 can be compressed, and airtightness between the pipe members 14-16 and the through hole 191 can be ensured.

[0045] Furthermore, the connection structure described above eliminates the need for brazing or welding, and thus eliminates the need for pipe components that require these processes. In other words, pipe components extending directly from other equipment can be directly connected, making it easier to reduce the number of parts.

[0046] Furthermore, since the open surface 19B is positioned outside the side surface 111 of the valve body 11, and the outer peripheral surface 19C of the valve seat member 19 becomes a through-hole that penetrates the opening 112 formed in the valve body 11, the inner peripheral edge of the opening 112 and the outer peripheral surface 19C can be connected all around by means of brazing, for example, making it easier to ensure airtightness between the valve body 11 and the valve seat member 19.

[0047] Furthermore, by providing fewer female threads 194 than the number of through holes 191 in the valve seat member 19, the number of connection points can be reduced by connecting multiple pipe members 14 to 16 to the valve seat member 19 together.

[0048] Furthermore, since an inlet port 11A is formed as a second opening on the side surface 111 of the valve body 11 and a mounting portion 30 is provided, the pipe member 13 can also be fixed to the valve body 11 on the inlet port 11A side by inserting the pipe member 13 from the outside of the valve body 11 and fixing the screw 32 to the female screw portion 303, thereby improving workability. At this time, the through hole 301 of the mounting portion 30 has an inclined surface portion 301B, and an O-ring 27 is provided at the tip of the pipe member 13, and the O-ring 27 is compressed by the inclined surface portion 301B, thereby ensuring airtightness between the pipe member 13 and the through hole 301.

[0049] Furthermore, a female threaded portion 194 is formed on the valve seat member 19 as a fixed portion, and the pipe members 14 to 16 are fixed by screw fastening, so that the pipe members 14 to 16 can be easily fixed to the valve seat member 19.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes other configurations that can achieve the objectives of the present invention, including the following modifications. For example, in the embodiments described above, the valve seat member 19 is provided with fewer female threads 194 than the number of through holes 191, but as shown in Figure 12, the valve seat member 190 may have the same number of female threads 194 as the number of through holes 191. In such a configuration, as shown in Figure 13, each of the pipe members 14 to 16 can be connected individually using the retaining member 28B and the screw 29, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the work.

[0051] Furthermore, in the modified configuration shown in Figures 12 and 13, three pairs of through holes 191 and female threaded portions 194 are formed corresponding to each of the pipe members 14 to 16, and the distance between the through hole 191 and the female threaded portion 194 (i.e., the center-to-center distance) is equal in each pair. With this configuration, the fixing structure can be standardized for each pair.

[0052] Furthermore, in each pair of through-holes and female threaded portions as described above, the distances between the through-holes and female threaded portions may differ, and such a configuration makes it easier to attach each pipe member to the correct position. Also, the number of female threaded portions may be greater than the number of through-holes, for example, multiple female threaded portions may be used to attach one pipe member, or some female threaded portions may not be used.

[0053] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows that the mounting portion 30 has two female threaded portions 303, the number of female threaded portions (second fixed portions) provided on the mounting portion is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. That is, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the mounting portion 300 may have only one female threaded portion 303 formed on it, and only one female threaded portion 303 may be used to fix the pipe member 14. In this case, a retaining member 31B and a screw 32 are used for fixing.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the opening surface 19B of the valve seat member 19 is positioned outside the side portion 111 of the valve body 11, but the opening surface may be positioned inside the side portion. With such a configuration, it is easier to miniaturize the entire slide-type switching valve.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pipe member 13 is inserted from the outside of the valve body 11 on the inlet port 11A side and fixed by a screw 32, but other fixing methods such as brazing or welding may be used on the inlet port 11A side.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a female threaded portion 194 is formed as the fixed portion and a fixing method by screw fastening is employed, but other fixing methods may be employed, and the valve seat member should be provided with a fixed portion of an appropriate form according to the fixing method. The same applies to the mounting portion. An example of another fixing method is a method using a fixing pin.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the valve seat member 19 integrally has a valve seat surface 19A and an open surface 19B, and the entire structure is made of one type of material, but the structure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the valve seat surface may be formed by providing a seat member made of a sliding material to the base of the valve seat member or by applying a coating. "The valve seat member integrally has a valve seat surface and an open surface" includes not only a valve seat member that is originally configured as a single part, but also a valve seat member that is configured to be handled as a single part by integrating multiple parts that were originally configured as separate parts. Moreover, in both cases, as described above, where the valve seat member is originally a single part and where multiple parts are integrated, the materials of each part of the valve seat member may be the same, or the materials of each part may be different.

[0058] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...Refrigeration cycle, 2...Compressor, 3...Outdoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger), 4...Indoor heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), 5...Expansion valve (expansion means), 10...Four-way switching valve (slide-type switching valve), 11...Valve body, 111...Side part, 112...Opening, 11A...Inlet port (second opening), 12...Valve body, 13-16...Pipe member, 19...Valve seat member, 191...Through hole, 192...Cylindrical part, 193...Inclined surface part, 194...Female thread part (fixed part), 19A...Valve seat surface, 19B...Open surface, 19C...Outer circumference surface (through part), 26A...Sliding contact surface, 30...Mounting part, 301...Second through hole, 303...Female thread part (second fixed part)

Claims

[Claim 1] A sliding type switching valve comprising a cylindrical valve body, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface provided within the valve body, and a valve element having a sliding contact surface that slides against the valve seat surface and is housed within the valve body, An opening is formed in the side surface of the valve body, where the valve seat member is positioned. The valve seat member has a valve seat surface and an open surface formed on the opposite side thereof and open to the outside of the valve body, and a through hole is formed extending from the valve seat surface to the open surface. The through hole has a cylindrical portion and an inclined surface portion that is located outside the valve body beyond the cylindrical portion and whose diameter increases as it extends outward. A sliding type switching valve characterized in that the open surface is provided with a fixed portion to which a predetermined fixed portion can be fixed.

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