Slider assembly and switching valve

Abstract

This is a slider assembly and a switching valve. The slider assembly includes a slider body (1) and an inner housing (2). A chamber (11) is formed inside the slider body (1), the inner housing (2) is located inside the chamber (11), an outer flow path (2) is formed between the outer surface of the inner housing (2) and the chamber wall of the chamber (11), an inner flow path (22) is formed surrounded by the inner surface of the inner housing (2), and the inner housing (2) is welded to the chamber wall of the chamber (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Related Application) This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application with an application number of 202323290508.3 and an invention title of "Slider Assembly and Switching Valve", filed on December 4, 2023, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of switching valves, and more specifically, to slider assemblies and switching valves.

Background Art

[0003] A switching valve includes a valve body and a slider assembly. A plurality of connection pipes are connected to the valve body. The slider assembly is slidably mounted within the valve body, and a chamber is formed within the slider assembly. By sliding the slider assembly within the valve body, different connection pipes are connected through the chamber, thereby realizing the direction switching of the switching valve.

[0004] In a certain slider assembly, an inner housing is further provided. By dividing the chamber of the slider assembly into two flow paths by the inner housing, it is possible to prevent the generation of turbulent flow when the fluid flows through the chamber. In a conventional slider assembly provided with an inner housing, usually, the inner housing is locked to the slider assembly. On the other hand, when processing the inner housing and the slider assembly, it is necessary to process the locking and fitting structures respectively, which complicates the processing of the inner housing and the slider assembly and increases the manufacturing cost. Also, the installation of the inner housing is unstable. When the inner housing is subjected to the impact of the fluid, it shakes and generates noise, and there is a risk that the inner housing may fall off from the slider assembly.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present application, a slider assembly and a switching valve are provided.

[0006] This application provides the following technical aspects: A slider assembly comprising a slider body and an inner housing, wherein a chamber is formed within the slider body, the inner housing is located within the chamber, an outer flow path is formed enclosed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the chamber wall of the chamber, and an inner flow path is formed enclosed by the inner surface of the inner housing, the inner housing being welded to the chamber wall of the chamber.

[0007] In some embodiments, the inner housing is provided with two welds, each located on a different side of the inner housing. This ensures that both sides of the inner housing are welded to the slider body, resulting in a more stable connection.

[0008] In some embodiments, the inner housing is provided with a notch located at an opening in the inner housing, and the notch forms a weld. This facilitates the processing of the weld, and welding with a notch prevents the welding material from flowing to the first end face of the slider body and affecting the seal between the slider body and the valve seat.

[0009] In some embodiments, the notch includes a straight segment. This allows the welder to weld along the straight segment, making the welding operation easier.

[0010] In some embodiments, the slider body has a first end face, the inner housing has a second end face, the second end face is located inside the chamber, and the distance between the first and second end faces is A, where 0.1 mm ≤ A ≤ 1 mm. In this way, the setting of distance A ensures a wear margin in advance for the first end face of the slider body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the slider body has a first end face, the straight segment is parallel to the first end face, and the distance between the straight segment and the first end face is B, where 1.5 mm ≤ B ≤ 8 mm. Thus, it can be seen that by setting the distance B, a distance is ensured between the welding position and the first end face, preventing the welding from affecting the flatness of the first end face.

[0012] In some embodiments, the slider assembly further includes support pins, which are located within a chamber and whose ends are welded to the slider body and / or inner housing. This allows the support pins to improve the pressure resistance of the slider body.

[0013] In some embodiments, the notch includes a positioning recess, the shape of which matches the shape of the outer edge of the support pin. This allows both ends of the support pin to fit into the two positioning recesses, thereby positioning the support pin and facilitating subsequent welding of the support pin.

[0014] In some embodiments, the slider body includes a main body and a steel lining, the outer surface of which is fixedly connected to the main body, and a chamber is formed on the inner surface of the steel lining. This allows the steel lining to reinforce the slider body and improve its pressure resistance.

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, this application further provides a switching valve including the slider assembly described above.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: By welding the inner housing to the slider body, the inner housing and the slider body are fixed together, and since neither the inner housing nor the slider assembly requires a machined locking fitting structure, the manufacturing process is simplified, which is advantageous in reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, the connection between the inner housing and the slider body is fixed by welding, so there is no risk of the inner housing falling off the slider body, and the inner housing does not vibrate, thus preventing noise caused by the vibration of the inner housing.

[0017] Details of one or more embodiments of this application are described in the following drawings and description. Other features, purposes, and advantages of this application will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] One or more drawings may be referenced to better describe and illustrate the embodiments and / or examples of the inventions disclosed herein. Any additional details or examples used to illustrate the drawings should not be considered to limit the scope of any of the disclosed inventions, the embodiments and / or examples described herein, or the best modes of these inventions as understood herein.

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the slider assembly. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the slider assembly. [Figure 3] This is a magnified view of area A in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the inner housing. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a slider assembly without support pins.

[0020] 1 Slider body, 11 Chamber, 12 First end face, 13 Body, 14 Steel lining, 2 Inner housing, 21 Outer flow path, 22 Inner flow path, 23 Notch, 24 Straight segment, 25 Second end face, 26 Positioning recess, 3 Support pin. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The technical solution of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments that those skilled in the art can obtain without creative efforts are within the protection scope of this application.

[0022] In the description of this application, when terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. appear, the orientation or positional relationship indicated is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is for the convenience of explaining this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or suggesting that this device or component must have a specific orientation, be configured in a specific orientation, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be understood as limiting this application. Furthermore, when terms such as "first", "second", "third" appear, they are only used for the purpose of explanation and should not be understood as indicating or suggesting relative importance.

[0023] In the description of this application, unless there are clear regulations and limitations, when terms such as "attachment", "connection", "linkage" appear, for example, it may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection, a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a communication inside two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific situation.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the slider assembly of this embodiment includes a slider body 1 and an inner housing 2. The slider body 1 includes a body 13 and a steel backing 14. The steel backing 14 has inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface of the steel backing 14 is fixed to the body 13, and a chamber 11 is formed on the inner surface. The body 13 may be injection molded, and by directly injection molding on the outer surface of the steel backing 14, the connection between the body 13 and the steel backing 14 is realized. The material of the body 13 is plastic, and the material of the steel backing 14 is steel. The steel backing 14 can strengthen the slider body 1 and enhance the pressure resistance performance of the slider body 1. The slider body 1 may not have the steel backing 14. In this case, a chamber 11 is formed on the inner surface of the body 13.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner housing 2 is located within the chamber 11. The inner housing 2 is in a bowl shape and has an opening. A part of the outer surface of the inner housing 2 is in close contact with the chamber wall of the chamber 11, and a part has a gap with the chamber wall of the chamber 11. Thus, an outer flow path 21 is formed between the outer surface of the inner housing 2 and the chamber wall of the chamber 11, and an inner flow path 22 is formed surrounded by the inner surface of the inner housing 2. The close contact part between the outer surface of the inner housing 2 and the chamber wall of the chamber 11 is welded to the chamber wall of the chamber 11.

[0026] When the slider assembly is attached to and used with a switching valve, the chamber 11 conducts the two connection ports of the switching valve. When the fluid in the connection ports flows through the chamber 11, part of the fluid flows through the outer flow path 21, and another part of the fluid flows through the inner flow path 22. By diverting the fluid, it is possible to avoid the generation of turbulent flow of the fluid in the chamber 11, thereby improving the flow path velocity of the fluid.

[0027] By welding the inner housing 2 to the slider body 1, the inner housing 2 and the slider body 1 are fixed together. Since neither the inner housing 2 nor the slider assembly requires a machined locking fitting structure, the manufacturing process is simplified, which is advantageous in reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the connection between the inner housing 2 and the slider body 1 is fixed by welding, ensuring stability and preventing the inner housing 2 from detaching from the slider body 1 or from shaking, thus preventing noise caused by the shaking of the inner housing 2.

[0028] Specifically, referring to Figures 1, 2, and 5, the inner housing 2 is provided with two welds, each located on either side of the inner housing 2, and the inner housing 2 is welded to the chamber wall of the chamber 11 by these two welds. Laser welding, argon arc welding, cold welding, etc., may be used as the welding method. Both sides of the inner housing 2 are welded to the slider body 1, resulting in a more stable connection.

[0029] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4, the inner housing 2 is provided with a notch 23, the notch 23 is located at the opening of the inner housing 2, the notch 23 forms a weld, the notch 23 includes a straight segment 24, the straight segment 24 is located on the side of the notch 23 away from the opening of the inner housing 2, specifically the notch 23 may be provided as a rectangular notch 23. Providing a weld in the notch 23 makes it easier to process the weld, and welding with the notch 23 prevents the welding material from flowing to the first end face 12 of the slider body 1, the first end face 12 is the engagement surface between the slider body 1 and the valve seat of the switching valve, and affects the seal between the slider body 1 and the valve seat. The welder welds the notch 23 with a welding gun, the welding in the notch 23 is spot welding or multi-stage continuous welding, and the installation of the straight segment 24 allows the welder to weld along the straight segment 24, making the welding work easier.

[0030] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the slider assembly further includes a support pin 3 located within a chamber 11, the ends of which are welded to the slider body 1 and / or inner housing 2. The support pin 3 is used to support the slider body 1, and the support pin 3 can improve the pressure resistance of the slider body 1. Specifically, both ends of the support pin 3 may be welded to the slider body 1, or to the inner housing 2, or to both the slider body 1 and the inner housing 2. If the support pin 3 is welded to both the slider body 1 and the inner housing 2, the support pin 3, the slider body 1, and the inner housing 2 may be formed in a single weld.

[0031] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 1 to 4, the notch 23 includes a positioning recess 26, the shape of which matches the outer circumference of the support pin 3, and the positioning recess 26 is provided on a straight segment 24. The cross-section of the support pin 3 may be set to a shape such as circular, rectangular, semicircular, polygonal, or D-shaped. It is sufficient that the shape of the positioning recess 26 matches the support pin 3 so that the support pin 3 can be fitted into the positioning recess 26. In this application, the cross-section of the support pin 3 is D-shaped, the positioning recess 26 is set in a semicircular shape, the positioning recess 26 is set on a straight segment 24, and after the support pin 3 is fitted into the positioning recess 26, the support pin 3 and the notch 23 still constitute the straight segment 24, thus making welding between the support pin 3, the chamber wall of the chamber 11, and the inner housing 2 easier for the welder. The placement of the positioning recess 26 allows both ends of the support pin 3 to be fitted into the two positioning recesses 26, thereby positioning the support pin 3 and facilitating subsequent welding of the support pin 3.

[0032] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the slider body 1 has a first end face 12, which is the engagement surface between the slider body 1 and the valve seat of the switching valve. The inner housing 2 has a second end face 25, which is the end face at the opening of the inner housing 2. The second end face 25 is located inside the chamber 11, and the distance between the first end face 12 and the second end face 25 is A, where 0.1 mm ≤ A ≤ 1 mm. The straight segment 24 is parallel to the first end face 12, and the distance between the straight segment 24 and the first end face 12 is B, where 1.5 mm ≤ B ≤ 8 mm. The slider body 1 will wear down after long-term use. Because the inner housing 2 is located inside the chamber 11 of the slider body 1, after the slider body 1 wears down, the inner housing 2 may be exposed outside the chamber 11, which may affect the sealing between the slider body 1 and the main valve body of the switching valve. The setting of spacing A ensures a wear margin in advance on the first end face 12 of the slider body 1. Specifically, spacing A may be set to 0.1 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, or 1 mm. If spacing B is less than 1.5 mm, welding material may flow onto the first end face 12 of the slider body 1 and affect the sealing performance. If the spacing is too small, welding of the support pin 3 becomes difficult. If spacing B exceeds 8 mm, welding the support pin 3 onto the straight segment 24 of the spacing will cause the position of the support pin 3 to protrude excessively into the inner housing 2, increasing the flow resistance of the inner flow path 22 and making it unfavorable for the fluid to flow through the inner flow path 22. Specifically, spacing B may be set to 1.5 mm, 3 mm, 5.5 mm, or 8 mm.

[0033] This application further provides a switching valve including a slider assembly in any of the embodiments described above. The switching valve may specifically be provided as a four-way valve, and using the switching valve of the slide assembly described above simplifies the manufacturing of the slider assembly and the inner housing 2, prevents the inner housing 2 from shaking and generating noise when the switching valve is in use, and prevents the inner housing 2 from falling off.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely for illustrative purposes and not limiting to the technical aspects of this application. Having described this application in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art may modify the technical aspects described in the above embodiments or substitute some or all of their technical features with equivalent ones. It should be understood that such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical aspects to deviate from the scope of the technical aspects of the embodiments of this application.

[0035] The technical features of the embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of technical features in the embodiments are described. However, as long as these combinations of technical features do not contradict each other, they should be considered within the scope of this specification.

[0036] The embodiments illustrate several methods of carrying out this application, and while the description is relatively specific and detailed, it should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art should note that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of this application, and all such modifications and improvements are included within the scope of protection. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slider assembly comprising a slider body and an inner housing, wherein a chamber is formed within the slider body, the inner housing is located within the chamber, an outer flow path is formed enclosed between the outer surface of the inner housing and the chamber wall of the chamber, and an inner flow path is formed enclosed by the inner surface of the inner housing, A slider assembly in which the inner housing is welded to the chamber wall of the chamber.

2. The slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner housing is provided with two welded portions, and the two welded portions are located on opposite sides of the inner housing.

3. The slider assembly according to claim 2, wherein the inner housing is provided with a notch, the notch is located in an opening of the inner housing, and the notch forms the welded portion.

4. The slider assembly according to claim 3, wherein the notch includes a straight segment.

5. The slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein the slider body has a first end face, the inner housing has a second end face, the second end face is located within the chamber, and the distance between the first end face and the second end face is A, where 0.1 mm ≤ A ≤ 1 mm.

6. The slider assembly according to claim 4, wherein the slider body has a first end face, the straight segment is parallel to the first end face, and the distance between the straight segment and the first end face is B, where 1.5 mm ≤ B ≤ 8 mm.

7. The slider assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a support pin, the support pin located within the chamber, and the end of the support pin welded to the slider body and / or the inner housing.

8. The slider assembly according to claim 7, wherein the notch includes a positioning recess, and the shape of the positioning recess conforms to the shape of the outer edge of the support pin.

9. The slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein the slider body includes a main body and a steel lining, the outer surface of the steel lining is fixedly connected to the main body, and the chamber is formed on the inner surface of the steel lining.

10. A switching valve comprising a slider assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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