Refrigerant piping, refrigerant piping connection structure, and valve device

Abstract

To provide refrigerant pipes capable of easily being connected with brazing even when their materials are different, a connection structure for refrigerant pipes, and a valve device.SOLUTION: A joint member 100 made of stainless steel, is provided with an inner peripheral surface 100a at least at one end part in a longitudinal direction, and a copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200 brazed to an outer peripheral surface 100b or both surfaces thereof. Therefore, even when the joint member 100 itself is made of stainless steel, it can be easily connected to a connection target using brazing through an end part provided with the copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant pipe, a connection structure for the refrigerant pipe, and a valve device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in air conditioners such as room air conditioners, the refrigerant is returned to the compressor via a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger connected via a refrigerant pipe during cooling operation, and the refrigerant is returned to the compressor via a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger during heating operation, so that the refrigerant is returned to the compressor via the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger. As such, a slide-type switching valve having a valve body slidably installed inside a valve body is widely used as a flow path switching valve (so-called four-way switching valve) which is a valve device that reverses the refrigerant return path (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an air conditioner, the refrigerant pipe installed inside the device and the joint members (refrigerant pipes) installed as the discharge pipe and the suction pipe of the slide-type switching valve are connected by brazing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-125238 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, such a valve device (slide type switching valve) generally has a main body made of brass, and other parts such as coupling members made of copper. However, due to the recent rapid rise in the price of copper, there is a trend to switch from copper, which has traditionally been used as a material for coupling members in valve devices, to stainless steel. On the other hand, in air conditioners in which valve devices are installed, copper is still used as the material for refrigerant piping, as in the past, due to its ease of processing and stable performance. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to simply connect the stainless steel coupling members of the valve device and the copper refrigerant piping of the air conditioner by brazing, as in the past, because they are made of different materials.

[0005] Moreover, when using a flux to ensure wettability in brazing the joint member of the valve device to the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner, the flux is difficult to remove, so no flux has been used in the past. In other words, the refrigerant pipe, which contains stainless steel, and the joint member, which contains copper, are made of different materials, and no flux is used, so brazing them together has been an extremely difficult task.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant pipe, a refrigerant pipe connection structure, and a valve device that can be easily connected by brazing even if the materials used are different. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The refrigerant pipe of the present invention is a refrigerant pipe made of stainless steel, and a thin plate-like connection auxiliary part made of copper or a copper alloy is provided on an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, or both of them at at least one end in a longitudinal direction, and a molten and solidified layer of a brazing material is formed between the inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface, or both of them and the connection auxiliary part. The connection auxiliary portion is disposed by being pressed against the inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, or both of the refrigerant pipe via the melt-solidified layer. It is characterized by:

[0008] According to the present invention, even if the refrigerant pipe itself is made of stainless steel, at least one end of the refrigerant pipe in the longitudinal direction has an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, or both surfaces thereof, which is made of copper or a copper alloy and is joined via a molten and solidified layer of a brazing material (i.e., by brazing), and therefore the pipe can be easily connected to a connection target by brazing via the connection auxiliary part. Furthermore, compared to a case where a member such as a copper ring or a sleeve is provided for connection to another refrigerant pipe that is a connection target, the thickness of the connection auxiliary part can be made thinner, and therefore connection costs such as material costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the heat of brazing during connection to the connection target is easily transmitted, overheating during the brazing can be suppressed, and the clearance with the connection target can be stabilized, thereby improving the quality of the brazing.

[0009] At this time, in the refrigerant piping of the present invention, the connection assistant The part The inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, or both of the refrigerant pipes Through the melt-solidified layer It is pressed and placed do. According to this configuration, the connection auxiliary part can be easily arranged without the trouble of holding it at the arrangement portion by spot welding or the like. Moreover, it is preferable that the connection auxiliary part is arranged in a state where it is rolled into a C-shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. According to this configuration, when the connection auxiliary part is arranged on the inner circumferential surface at the end of the refrigerant pipe, the connection auxiliary part is pressed and held against the inner circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe by an elastic force for maintaining the shape in a direction in which the connection auxiliary part opens from the rolled into a C-shape, and when the connection auxiliary part is arranged on the outer circumferential surface at the end of the refrigerant pipe, the connection auxiliary part is held against the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe by an elastic force for maintaining the shape in a direction in which the connection auxiliary part is rolled into a C-shape, so that the connection auxiliary part can be easily arranged with a simple structure.

[0010] In the refrigerant piping of the present invention, the connection auxiliary part is preferably an annular cylindrical body. With this configuration, the connection auxiliary part of the cylindrical body can be expanded in the outer diameter direction or contracted in the inner diameter direction according to the placement location, which eliminates the need to hold the connection auxiliary part at the placement location by spot welding, for example, and makes it easy to place the connection auxiliary part.

[0011] In addition, in the refrigerant pipe of the present invention, it is preferable that the connection auxiliary part is formed to extend to the end face at the one end. According to this configuration, the connection auxiliary part is provided not only on the surface (inner or outer circumferential surface) that contacts the surface (outer or inner circumferential surface) of the refrigerant pipe to be connected, but also extending to the end face of the refrigerant pipe, so that when the material of the connection object is the same copper or copper alloy as the connection auxiliary part, a good fillet is easily formed. As a result, the connection is made without any gaps, the airtightness of the brazing part can be reliably ensured, and the reliability of the connection can be further ensured. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that the connection auxiliary part has a flange part facing the end face, and a molten and solidified layer of the brazing material is formed between the flange part and the end face. As a result, the connection auxiliary part that extends to the end face of the refrigerant pipe can be easily provided, so that the reliability of the connection can be more easily ensured.

[0012] In addition, in the refrigerant pipe of the present invention, it is preferable that the connection auxiliary part has a U-shaped cross section, and the one end part is inserted into the inner periphery of the U-shape. With this configuration, it is possible to easily provide a connection auxiliary part that covers not only both the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the end part of the refrigerant pipe, but also the end face of the refrigerant pipe as a whole, so that when the material of the connection object is the same copper or copper alloy as the connection auxiliary part, a good fillet is easily formed. This makes it possible to easily realize a configuration that can be joined without gaps, reliably ensures airtightness of the brazed part, and further ensures the reliability of the connection.

[0013] Furthermore, in the refrigerant pipe of the present invention, it is preferable that a pipe stopper portion for regulating the insertion depth of another refrigerant pipe to be connected is formed at a portion where an inner end portion of the connection auxiliary portion in the longitudinal direction of the refrigerant pipe is located. With such a configuration, the insertion depth of the refrigerant pipe (joint member) to be connected can be easily regulated and dripping of the brazing material used for brazing can be prevented.

[0014] In this case, it is preferable that the pipe stopper portion protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe or protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe. With this configuration, the pipe stopper portion can be formed integrally with the refrigerant pipe, eliminating the need to provide the pipe stopper portion separately and reducing the number of parts.

[0015] Furthermore, in the refrigerant pipe of the present invention, it is preferable that a pipe stopper portion for regulating the insertion depth of another refrigerant pipe to be connected is formed at an inner end portion of the connection auxiliary portion in the longitudinal direction when the connection auxiliary portion is provided on the refrigerant pipe. With such a configuration, the insertion depth of the refrigerant pipe to be connected (joint member) can be easily regulated and dripping of the brazing material used for brazing can be prevented.

[0016] In this case, it is preferable that the pipe stopper portion protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the connection auxiliary portion, inward from the inner peripheral surface, or both. With this configuration, the pipe stopper portion can be integrally formed with the connection auxiliary portion, eliminating the need to provide the pipe stopper portion separately, and reducing the number of parts. It is also preferable that the thickness of the connection auxiliary portion is thinner than the thickness of the refrigerant pipe. It is also preferable that the thickness of the melted and solidified layer is thinner than the thickness of the connection auxiliary portion.

[0017] The refrigerant pipe connection structure of the present invention is a refrigerant pipe connection structure in which a first refrigerant pipe and a second refrigerant pipe are connected by brazing, the first refrigerant pipe is made of stainless steel, and a thin-plate-shaped connection auxiliary part made of a second metal material different from stainless steel is joined to an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, or both of the surfaces of an end part of the second refrigerant pipe side via a molten and solidified layer of a brazing material, the connection auxiliary portion is disposed by being pressed against an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, or both of the first refrigerant pipe via the molten and solidified layer; The second refrigerant pipe is made of the second metal material, or a thin-plate-shaped connection auxiliary part made of the second metal material is joined to an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, or both of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the first refrigerant pipe side end portion via a melted and solidified layer of the brazing material. The connection auxiliary portion is disposed by being pressed against an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, or both of the second refrigerant pipe via the molten solidified layer.According to the present invention, even if the first refrigerant pipe is made of stainless steel, since a connection assistant part made of a second metal material (e.g., copper, copper alloy, aluminum, etc.) is provided on the inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, or both of the surfaces of the end part of the second refrigerant pipe, the first refrigerant pipe can be easily connected by brazing to a second refrigerant pipe to be connected, which is made of the second metal material or has a connection assistant part made of the second metal material on the inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, or both of the surfaces of the end part of the first refrigerant pipe.

[0018] Furthermore, the refrigerant piping connection structure of the present invention is In the first refrigerant pipe The connection auxiliary portion teeth, An end surface of the first refrigerant pipe at an end portion on the second refrigerant pipe side The front end is formed so as to extend to the front When the second refrigerant piping is not made of the second metallic material, The connection auxiliary portion is It is preferable that the connection auxiliary part is formed so as to extend to the end face of the end part of the second refrigerant pipe on the side of the first refrigerant pipe. According to this structure, the connection auxiliary part is provided not only on the surfaces that come into contact with each other in both the first and second refrigerant pipes, i.e., on the surfaces (outer or inner surfaces) of both end parts to be connected, but also extending to the end faces of both end parts to be connected, so that when the material of the second refrigerant pipe to be connected to the first refrigerant pipe or the connection auxiliary part provided on the end part of the first refrigerant pipe is made of the same second metal material as the connection auxiliary part of the first refrigerant pipe, a good fillet is easily formed. This allows joining without gaps, reliably ensuring airtightness of the brazed part, and further ensuring reliability of the connection. .Ma In addition, it is preferable that the connection auxiliary part has a flange part facing the end face, and a melted and solidified layer of the brazing material is formed between the flange part and the end face. It is also preferable that the thickness of the connection auxiliary part is thinner than the thickness of the first refrigerant pipe. It is also preferable that the thickness of the melted and solidified layer is thinner than the thickness of the connection auxiliary part.

[0019] The valve device of the present invention is a valve device in which a coupling member is connected to a valve body, and any of the above-mentioned refrigerant pipes is used as the coupling member. According to the present invention, as in the above, even if the coupling member is made of stainless steel, the connection side end of the coupling member is provided with a connection auxiliary part made of copper or a copper alloy on its inner circumferential surface, outer circumferential surface, or both, so that it can be easily connected to the refrigerant pipe to be connected by brazing. In addition, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned refrigerant pipes can be obtained. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant pipe connection structure, and the valve device of the present invention, even if the refrigerant pipes are made of different materials, they can be easily connected by brazing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a slide type switching valve according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a joint member provided in the slide type switching valve of FIG. 1, illustrating a state in which a connection auxiliary portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part at an end portion of the joint member in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to a modified example, with a connection auxiliary portion provided on the inner circumferential surface. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a joint member according to Modification 2, in which a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 2 is provided on the inner circumferential surface. FIG. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B show a connection auxiliary part provided in the joint member of FIG. 5, in which (a) is a front view seen from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 7] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a connection state between a joint member and a refrigerant pipe in the slide type switching valve of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to Modification 3, with a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 3 provided on the inner circumferential surface. FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B show a connection auxiliary part provided in the joint member of FIG. 8, in which (a) is a front view seen from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction. [Figure 10] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to Modification 4, in which a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 4 is provided on the outer peripheral surface. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to Modification 5, in which a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 5 is provided on the outer circumferential surface. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part at an end portion of the joint member in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to a sixth modification, in which a connection auxiliary portion according to the sixth modification is provided on the outer circumferential surface. [Figure 14] 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a connection state between a joint member and a refrigerant pipe in the slide type switching valve of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to Modification 7, illustrating a state in which a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 7 having a U-shaped cross section is provided from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion of a coupling member according to Modification 8, illustrating a state in which a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 8 having a U-shaped cross section is provided from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the end portion of a joint member according to Modification 9, illustrating the state in which a connection auxiliary portion according to Modification 9 having a U-shaped cross section from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface and a pipe stopper portion is provided. [Figure 18] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the end portion of a joint member according to a tenth modification, illustrating the state in which a connection auxiliary portion according to the tenth modification is provided, the cross section of which is U-shaped from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface and which has a pipe stopper portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerant pipe, a refrigerant pipe connection structure, and a valve device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a four-way switching valve (slide type switching valve) 10 of this embodiment includes a pair of pistons 2L, 2R, a connecting plate 3, a valve seat 4, and a valve element 5 in a valve housing 1 as a "valve body".

[0024] The valve housing 1 is composed of a cylindrical part 11 made of a metal such as stainless steel and two cap parts 12L, 12R made of a metal such as stainless steel. The cap parts 12L, 12R are attached to the cylindrical part 11 so as to close the ends of the cylindrical part 11. The central axes of the cylindrical part 11 and the cap parts 12L, 12R are the axis X of the valve housing 1. The pair of pistons 2L, 2R are arranged opposite each other and can reciprocate while pressing the packing 21 against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 11. As a result, the inside of the valve housing 1 is divided by the two pistons 2L, 2R into a high pressure chamber 11A in the center and two working chambers, a first working chamber 12A and a second working chamber 12B, on both sides of the high pressure chamber 11A. The connecting plate 3 is made of a metal plate and is installed between the pistons 2L, 2R so as to be arranged on the axis X of the valve housing 1, and holds the valve body 5 in the center. The connecting plate 3 is also formed with a through hole 3a. When the pistons 2L, 2R move, the valve body 5 slides on the valve seat 4 in conjunction with the connecting plate 3, and stops at a predetermined left or right position.

[0025] The valve seat 4 is disposed in the middle of the cylindrical portion 11, and the D joint pipe 13d is attached to the middle of the cylindrical portion 11 at a position facing the valve seat 4 as a joint member of the refrigerant pipe of this embodiment that opens into the cylindrical portion 11. The E joint pipe 13e, the S joint pipe 13s, and the C joint pipe 13c are attached to the valve seat 4 in a straight line in the axial direction X of the valve housing 1 as joint members of the refrigerant pipe of this embodiment. The valve body 5 has a bowl-shaped recess 5A formed on its inside. At the end position on the left side of FIG. 1, the valve body 5 connects the S joint pipe 13s and the E joint pipe 13e through the bowl-shaped recess 5A. At this time, the C joint pipe 13c is connected to the D joint pipe 13d mainly through the through hole 3a of the connecting plate 3 in the high pressure chamber 11A. Furthermore, the valve body 5 communicates between the S joint pipe 13s and the C joint pipe 13c through the bowl-shaped recess 5A at the end position on the right side of Fig. 1. At this time, the E joint pipe 13e communicates with the D joint pipe 13d mainly through the through hole 3a in the high pressure chamber 11A.

[0026] Here, the slide type switching valve 10 of this embodiment is provided in, for example, a refrigeration cycle (not shown). Note that, since a wide variety of general refrigeration cycles can be applied as the refrigeration cycle, illustration thereof is omitted here for convenience.

[0027] In this refrigeration cycle, the D joint pipe 13d is connected to the discharge port of the compressor, and the S joint pipe 13s is connected to the suction port of the compressor. The C joint pipe 13c is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the E joint pipe 13e is connected to the indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are connected via a throttling device. The refrigeration cycle is composed of the path from the C joint pipe 13c to the outdoor heat exchanger, the throttling device, the indoor heat exchanger, and the E joint pipe 13e, and the path from the S joint pipe 13s to the compressor and the D joint pipe 13d. Note that the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle contains a small amount of refrigeration oil to protect the compressor and other equipment.

[0028] The pilot valve is connected to the slide type switching valve 10. The pilot valve has a structure similar to that of the slide type switching valve 10, and switches the flow path by moving the valve body with an electromagnetic actuator or the like. The pilot valve switches the connection destination of the conduit communicating with the S joint pipe 13s of the slide type switching valve 10 connected to the suction port of the compressor between the pressure introduction pipe 14L communicating with the first working chamber 12A on the left side of the slide type switching valve 10 and the pressure introduction pipe 14R communicating with the second working chamber 12B on the right side, and at the same time switches the connection destination of the conduit communicating with the D joint pipe 13d of the slide type switching valve 10 connected to the discharge port of the compressor between the pressure introduction pipe 14R and the pressure introduction pipe 14L. As a result, due to the pressure difference between the pressure in the first working chamber 12A to which the suction pressure or discharge pressure of the compressor is introduced, and the pressure in the second working chamber 12B on the opposite side, the pistons 2L, 2R, connecting plate 3 and valve body 5 move along the axis X of the valve housing 1, switching the position of the valve body 5 and switching the flow path of the refrigeration cycle.

[0029] With the above configuration, the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor flows into the main valve chamber 11A from the D joint pipe 13d, and in the cooling operation state, the high-pressure refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger from the C joint pipe 13c. In addition, in the heating operation state in which the valve body 5 is switched, the high-pressure refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger from the E joint pipe 13e. That is, in the cooling operation state, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor circulates from the C joint pipe 13c to the outdoor heat exchanger, the throttling device, the indoor heat exchanger, and the E joint pipe 13e, and the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, thereby performing cooling. In addition, in the heating operation state, the refrigerant circulates in the reverse direction, and the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, thereby performing heating.

[0030] Each piston 2L, 2R of the slide type switching valve 10 has a mirror-symmetrical structure as shown in Fig. 1. Each piston 2L, 2R is equipped with a packing 21, a fixed disk 22 fixed to the connecting plate 3, a leaf spring 23, and a disk-shaped stopper plate 24. The packing 21, the fixed disk 22, the leaf spring 23, and the stopper plate 24 are arranged coaxially with the axis X as the center and fixed together with rivets, and the integrated pistons 2L, 2R are fixed to the connecting plate 3 with bolts.

[0031] Hereinafter, the D joint pipe 13d, the E joint pipe 13e, the S joint pipe 13s, and the C joint pipe 13c as joint members which are the refrigerant pipes of this embodiment attached to the slide type switching valve 10 having such a configuration will be described. In the following, these D joint pipe 13d, the E joint pipe 13e, the S joint pipe 13s, and the C joint pipe 13c will be collectively referred to as the joint member 100. In the following, the case where the connection auxiliary part 200 described later is provided on the inner peripheral surface, the case where it is provided on the outer peripheral surface, and the case where it is provided on both the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the joint member 100 will be described in order using Figures 2 to 9, Figures 10 to 14, and Figures 15 to 18, respectively.

[0032] 2 and 3, a joint member 100, which is a refrigerant pipe of this embodiment, is made of stainless steel, and is provided with a thin-plate-like connection auxiliary part 200, also called a lining, made of copper or a copper alloy (here, phosphor bronze containing tin) joined by brazing on an inner peripheral surface 100a at least at one end in the longitudinal direction. Such a connection auxiliary part 200 is preferably made of a thin-plate-like sheet-like body in the form of strips with a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0033] 2, the connection auxiliary part 200A is disposed on the inner circumferential surface 100a at one end in the longitudinal direction of the joint member 100, in a state where it is rounded into a C shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. In this case, the opposing end parts 201 and 202 of the connection auxiliary part 200A may be disposed in abutting contact with each other, or may be disposed with a gap therebetween.

[0034] Such a connection auxiliary part 200 is disposed via a molten solidified layer 300 of a brazing material (here, phosphorus bronze containing tin) formed on the inner peripheral surface 100a at one end of the joint member 100, and is firmly joined by brazing after removing an oxide film formed on the surface of the inner peripheral surface 100a of the joint member 100. The oxide film can be removed, for example, by using an oxidation-reduction furnace, and brazing can be performed in an environment where the oxide film can be removed. At this time, it is preferable that the thickness of the connection auxiliary part 200 is thinner than the thickness of the joint member 100. This reduces the influence of thermal expansion and thermal contraction in the connection auxiliary part 200, and prevents the connection auxiliary part 200 from peeling off from the joint member 100. In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the molten solidified layer 300 is thinner than the thickness of the connection auxiliary part 200. This suppresses variation in the thickness of the molten and solidified layer 300 of the brazing material, and suppresses variation in the attachment position of the connection auxiliary part 200 relative to the inner circumferential surface 100a of the joint member 100. Furthermore, it is preferable that the thickness of the molten and solidified layer 300 of the brazing material is 25% or less of the thickness of the connection auxiliary part 200. By making the thickness of the molten and solidified layer 300 of the brazing material 10% or more of the thickness of the connection auxiliary part 200, the strength of the molten and solidified layer 300 can be maintained. The melting point of the connection auxiliary part 200 is higher than the melting point of the molten and solidified layer 300.

[0035] The connection auxiliary part 200 is provided over a range substantially equal to the length over which another refrigerant pipe 60 (see FIG. 7 ), which will be described later as a connection target, is inserted into the coupling member 100. More specifically, the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided over a range that satisfies the brazing strength with the refrigerant pipe connected to the coupling member 100, and specifically, the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided over a range from the end face of the coupling member 100 toward the inside in the longitudinal direction over a length range at least equal to or greater than the wall thickness of the coupling member 100, preferably a length range of at least half the inner diameter of the coupling member 100, and more preferably a length range of at least the inner diameter of the coupling member 100.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the joint member 100 is formed with a pipe stopper portion 101 for regulating the insertion amount of another refrigerant pipe to be connected at a portion where the inner end portion of the connection auxiliary portion 200 in the longitudinal direction is located. At this time, the pipe stopper portion 101 is formed by rolling (inner dowel) so as to protrude inward from the inner peripheral surface 100a of the joint member 100. Note that the pipe stopper portion 101 may be formed so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100 as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, in other words, the end side of the joint member 100 where the connection auxiliary portion 200 is provided is made larger in diameter than the other portions to form the pipe stopper portion 101. With this configuration, the insertion amount of the refrigerant pipe (joint member) to be connected can be easily regulated, and dripping of the brazing material (here, phosphorus copper brazing material not containing tin) used for brazing, which will be described later, can be prevented. Furthermore, since the pipe stopper portion 101 can be formed integrally with the joint member 100, it is not necessary to provide it separately, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0037] According to the present embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained. That is, in the case where the joint member 100 itself is made of a material containing stainless steel, the connection assistant part 200 made of copper or a copper alloy as a second metal material is provided on the inner circumferential surface 100a. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7 described later, the refrigerant pipe 60 inserted into the joint member 100 and the joint member 100 can be easily connected by brazing via the connection assistant part 200.

[0038] In this case, in the joint member 100, the connection auxiliary part made of copper or copper alloy forming the connection auxiliary part 200 is preferably a thin sheet-like body and is arranged in a rolled-up state into a C-shape. According to this configuration, when the connection auxiliary part 200 is arranged on the inner circumferential surface at the end of the joint member 100, the connection auxiliary part 200 of the sheet-like body elastically deformed to an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the joint member 100 is held on the inner circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe by an elastic force for maintaining its shape in the direction of opening from the C-shaped rolled-up state, and when the connection auxiliary part 200 is arranged on the outer circumferential surface at the end of the refrigerant pipe, the connection auxiliary part 200 plastically deformed to an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the joint member 100 is held on the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe by an elastic force for maintaining its shape in the direction of rolling up into a C-shape, so that the connection auxiliary part 200 can be easily arranged without the need to hold it at the arrangement site by, for example, spot welding.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0040] For example, as shown in the second modification in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a flange portion 203 bent radially outward is preferably provided at a portion of the connection auxiliary portion 200 disposed at the open end (end surface 100c) of the joint member 100. As a result, when the connection auxiliary portion 200 is disposed at the open end of the joint member 100 in a C-shaped state, the flange portion 203 faces the end surface 100c of the joint member 100, and the connection auxiliary portion 200 can be easily positioned with respect to the open end. Furthermore, since a molten and solidified layer 300 of the brazing material is formed between the flange portion 203 and the end surface 100c of the joint member 100, the connection auxiliary portion 200 extending to the end surface 100c of the joint member 100 can be easily provided, and the reliability of the connection can be more easily ensured.

[0041] In this way, in the stainless steel joint member 100 having the thin plate-like connection auxiliary part 200 made of phosphor bronze, as shown in Fig. 7, even if the refrigerant pipe 60 in the refrigeration cycle (not shown) connected to the inner peripheral surface 100a side of the joint member 100 is made of copper or a copper alloy, it can be easily connected by brazing. The brazing material used for connecting the refrigerant pipe 60 to the stainless steel joint member 200 having the connection auxiliary part 200 has a lower melting point (lower solidus temperature) than the brazing material used for joining the connection auxiliary part 200 to the joint member 100. For example, phosphorus copper brazing material not containing tin is used as described above. At this time, since the connection auxiliary part 200 made of phosphorus bronze having the flange part 203 extending to the end face 100c of the joint member 100 is provided not only on the surface (inner surface 100a in this case) of the joint member 100 that contacts the outer circumferential surface 60a of the refrigerant pipe 60 but also on the surface of the joint member 100 that contacts the outer circumferential surface 60a of the refrigerant pipe 60, when the material of the refrigerant pipe 60 is copper or a copper alloy as the second metal material of the connection auxiliary part 200, the first fillet 70 for joining the refrigerant pipe 60 well is easily formed. As a result, the joint is formed without any gaps, and the airtightness of the brazing part can be reliably ensured. Therefore, the reliability of the connection between the joint member 100 and the refrigerant pipe 60 can be further ensured. In addition, the end face 60c side of the refrigerant pipe 60 abuts against the pipe stopper part 101, so that the insertion amount of the refrigerant pipe 60 into the joint member 100 can be easily regulated and the dripping of the brazing material used for brazing can be prevented. Furthermore, when the material of the refrigerant pipe 60 is copper or a copper alloy as the second metal material of the connection auxiliary part 200, the second fillet 80 for favorably joining the refrigerant pipe 60 to the connection auxiliary part 200 is also easily formed on the end face 60c side of the refrigerant pipe 60. This ensures joining without gaps, reliably ensures airtightness of the brazed part, and further improves the reliability of the connection between the joint member 100 and the refrigerant pipe 60.

[0042] In the joint member 100, which is the refrigerant pipe of this embodiment, the connection auxiliary part 200A made of copper or a copper alloy forming the connection auxiliary part 200 may be configured as an annular tubular body, as in Modification 3 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in which the same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In addition, the connection auxiliary part 200A shown in FIG. 9 has a circular cross section, but may have a substantially polygonal cross section, and the vertices of the substantially polygonal cross section may be press-fitted into the inner circumferential surface of the joint member 100. In this way, since it is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 100a, it can be easily arranged without the need for spot welding or the like to hold it at the arrangement site. In addition, in each of the joint members 100 shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, the pipe stopper part 101 is formed so that its protrusion amount protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the connection auxiliary part 200. That is, the pipe stopper part 101 is formed so that the inner diameter of the pipe stopper part 101 is smaller than the inner diameter of the connection auxiliary part 200.

[0043] Up to this point, the case where the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 100a of the joint member 100 has been described, but the connection auxiliary part 200 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100 as shown in Modifications 4 and 5 in Figs. 10 and 11, in which the same reference numerals are used to denote parts corresponding to those in Figs. 2 and 4. Even when the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100, the connection auxiliary part 200 is formed over a range that is substantially equal to the length of the joint member 100 inserted into the refrigerant pipe 60 (see Fig. 14 described later). In more detail, the connection auxiliary part 200 is formed over a range that satisfies the brazing strength with the refrigerant pipe connected to the joint member 100, and specifically, the connection auxiliary part 200 is formed over a range from the end face of the joint member 100 that is at least equal to the thickness of the joint member 100, preferably equal to or greater than half the inner diameter of the joint member 100, and more preferably equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the joint member 100.

[0044] Also, when the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100, a pipe stopper part 101 that regulates the insertion amount of another refrigerant pipe to be connected is formed at the part where the inner end part of the connection auxiliary part 200 in the longitudinal direction of the joint member 100 is located, as in the case where the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 100a. In this case, as a fourth modification, the pipe stopper part 101 may be formed by bulging (external dowel) so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100 (FIG. 10), or as a fifth modification, the end part of the joint member 100 where the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided may be formed by reducing the diameter of the end part of the joint member 100 so as to protrude inward from the inner peripheral surface 100a of the joint member 100 (FIGS. 11 and 12). With such a configuration, the insertion amount of the refrigerant pipe (joint member) to be connected can be easily regulated, and dripping of the brazing material used for brazing can be prevented. Furthermore, since the pipe stopper portion 101 can be formed integrally with the joint member 100, there is no need to provide the pipe stopper portion 101 separately, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, in this case, as in the sixth modification shown in Fig. 13, it is preferable that a flange portion 203 bent radially inward is provided at a portion of the connection auxiliary portion 200 disposed at the open end (end surface 100c) of the joint member 100. As a result, when the connection auxiliary portion 200 is disposed at the open end of the joint member 100 in a C-shaped state, the flange portion 203 faces the end surface 100c of the joint member 100, and the connection auxiliary portion 200 can be easily positioned with respect to the open end. Furthermore, since a molten and solidified layer 300 of the brazing material is formed between the flange portion 203 and the end surface 100c of the joint member 100, the connection auxiliary portion 200 extending to the end surface 100c of the joint member 100 can be easily provided, and the reliability of the connection can be more easily ensured.

[0046] In the joint member 100 having the connection auxiliary part 200 joined by brazing as described above, as shown in FIG. 14 in which the same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to those in FIG. 7, even if the refrigerant pipe 60 connected to the outer peripheral surface 100b side of the joint member 100 is made of copper or a copper alloy, the joint member 100 can be easily connected by brazing. In this case, since the connection auxiliary part 200 made of phosphorus bronze having the flange part 203 extending to the end face 100c of the joint member 100 is provided, not only the surface of the joint member 100 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 60b of the refrigerant pipe 60 (in this case, the outer peripheral surface 100b) but also the end face 100c of the joint member 100, is provided, when the material of the refrigerant pipe 60 is the same copper or copper alloy as the connection auxiliary part 200, the first fillet 70 for joining the refrigerant pipe 60 well is easily formed. As a result, the joint is performed without any gaps, and the airtightness of the brazed part can be reliably ensured. Therefore, the reliability of the connection between the joint member 100 and the refrigerant pipe 60 can be further improved. Furthermore, by abutting the end face 60c of the refrigerant pipe 60 against the pipe stopper portion 101, the insertion amount of the refrigerant pipe 60 into the joint member 100 can be easily regulated and dripping of the brazing material used for brazing can be prevented. Furthermore, when the material of the refrigerant pipe 60 is the same copper or copper alloy as the connection auxiliary portion 200, the second fillet 80 for joining the refrigerant pipe 60 well between the connection auxiliary portion 200 and the end face 60c of the refrigerant pipe 60 is also easily formed. This allows joining without gaps, reliably ensures airtightness of the brazed portion, and further improves the reliability of the connection between the joint member 100 and the refrigerant pipe 60.

[0047] Next, a case will be described in which the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided on both the inner peripheral surface 100a and the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100. As shown in Modification 7 and Modification 8 shown in Figures 15 and 16, in which the same reference numerals are used to refer to parts corresponding to those in Figures 2 and 4, the connection auxiliary part 200 may have a U-shaped cross section, and one end of the joint member 100 may be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the U-shape from the end face 100c. In this case, the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided from the inner peripheral surface 100a of the joint member 100 through the end face 100c to the outer peripheral surface 100b.

[0048] In this way, even when the connection auxiliary part 200 is provided from the inner peripheral surface 100a to the outer peripheral surface 100b of the joint member 100, the connection auxiliary part 200 is formed over a range substantially equal to the length of the joint member 100 inserted into the refrigerant pipe 60 (see Figs. 7 and 14). In detail, it is formed over a range that satisfies the brazing strength with the refrigerant pipe connected to the joint member 100, specifically, it is formed over a range of a length at least equal to or greater than the wall thickness of the joint member 100 from the end face of the joint member 100, preferably a range of a length equal to or greater than half the inner diameter of the joint member 100, and more preferably a range of a length equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the joint member 100. In addition, in the joint member 100 shown in Figs. 10 to 14, the pipe stopper part 101 is formed so that its protrusion amount protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the connection auxiliary part 200. That is, it is formed so that the outer diameter of the pipe stopper part 101 is larger than the outer diameter of the connection auxiliary part 200. 15 and 16, the pipe stopper portion 101 is formed to protrude inward from the inner circumferential surface of the connection auxiliary portion 200. In other words, the pipe stopper portion 101 is formed so that the inner diameter of the pipe stopper portion 101 is smaller than the inner diameter of the connection auxiliary portion 200.

[0049] According to this configuration, it is possible to easily provide the connection auxiliary part 200 that integrally covers not only both the outer peripheral surface 100b and the inner peripheral surface 100a at the end of the joint part 100 but also the end surface 100c of the joint part 100, so that a good fillet is easily formed when the material of the connection object is the same copper or copper alloy as the connection auxiliary part 200. As a result, the joint part 100 and the connection object are joined without any gaps, the airtightness of the brazed portion can be reliably ensured, and a configuration that can further ensure the reliability of the connection can be easily realized.

[0050] In the above description, the pipe stopper portion 101 for regulating the insertion amount of the other refrigerant pipe to be connected is formed at the location of the inner end portion of the connection auxiliary portion 200 in the longitudinal direction of the coupling member 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as in Modifications 9 and 10 shown in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the pipe stopper portion 205 for regulating the insertion amount of the other refrigerant pipe to be connected may be formed at the inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the connection auxiliary portion 200 when the connection auxiliary portion 200 is provided in the coupling member 100. With this configuration, the insertion amount of the refrigerant pipe (coupling member) to be connected can be easily regulated and dripping of the brazing material used in brazing can be prevented.

[0051] In this case, it is preferable that the pipe stopper portion 205 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 100b of the connection auxiliary portion 200, inward from the inner circumferential surface 100a, or both. According to such a configuration, the pipe stopper portion 205 can be formed integrally with the connection auxiliary portion 200, so that it is not necessary to provide the pipe stopper portion 205 separately from the connection auxiliary portion 200, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the joint member 100, which is a refrigerant pipe, is connected to the refrigerant pipe 60 made of copper or copper alloy of the refrigeration cycle. However, the connection target of the joint member 100 is not limited to refrigerant pipes made of copper or copper alloy, and may be, for example, pipes or joint members made of metal such as stainless steel or iron, which have a copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200 on the inner peripheral surface, outer peripheral surface, or both of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the connection side end like the joint member 100. The material of the refrigerant pipe having the connection auxiliary part 200 is preferably a metal having a higher melting point than copper or copper alloy. In the present embodiment, the connection auxiliary part 200 provided on the joint member 100, which is a refrigerant pipe, is made of copper or copper alloy, but the material (second metal material) of the connection auxiliary part 200 may be the same or equivalent to the material (second metal material) of the refrigerant pipe 60. For example, if the material of the refrigerant pipe 60 is aluminum (second metal material), a connection auxiliary part made of aluminum (second metal material) may be provided on the stainless steel refrigerant pipe 60. In other words, the material of the joint member 100 may be the same as the material of the surface of the refrigerant pipe 60 on the joint member 100 side.

[0053] The connection structure of the refrigerant pipes (coupling member 100) described above is a connection structure of the coupling member 100 in which the coupling member 100 (first refrigerant pipe) and the refrigerant pipe 60 (second refrigerant pipe) are connected by brazing, and the stainless steel coupling member 100 is provided with a copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200 joined by brazing to the inner circumferential surface 100a (or outer circumferential surface 100b) of the refrigerant pipe 60 side end, and it is preferable that the refrigerant pipe 60 is made of copper or a copper alloy (or the refrigerant pipe 60 has a copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200 joined by brazing to the outer circumferential surface 100b or the inner circumferential surface 100a of the coupling member 100 side end). According to such a connection structure of the coupling member 100, even if the coupling member 100 (first refrigerant piping) is made of stainless steel, it has a copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200 brazed to the inner surface 100a or the outer surface 100b of the refrigerant piping 60 (second refrigerant piping) side end, so that it can be easily connected by brazing to the second refrigerant piping to be connected, which is made of copper or a copper alloy, or has a copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part brazed to the outer surface 60a or the inner surface 60b of the first refrigerant piping side end.

[0054] The above-described slide type switching valve 10 as a valve device is a valve device in which a coupling member 11 is connected to a valve housing 1 as a valve body, and it is preferable that any of the above-described refrigerant pipes (coupling members 100) is used as the coupling member. According to such a slide type switching valve 10, even if the coupling member 100 is made of stainless steel, as in the above-described coupling member 100, the connection side end of the coupling member 100 is provided with a brazed copper or copper alloy connection auxiliary part 200 on its inner peripheral surface 100a or outer peripheral surface 100b, so that the coupling member 100 can be easily connected to the refrigerant pipe to be connected by brazing. In addition, the same effects as those of each of the above-described coupling members 100 can be obtained.

[0055] Although the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention is mainly illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, but does not deviate from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant piping of the present invention is applied to a slide-type switching valve, but the refrigerant piping of the present invention is not limited to slide-type switching valves, and can be applied to various valve devices such as motor valves, solenoid valves, and check valves, as well as various devices such as heat exchangers, accumulators, oil separators, and compressors. In addition, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations. Therefore, the description of the shapes, materials, and the like disclosed above is illustrative in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and therefore the description of the names of members from which some or all of the limitations on the shapes, materials, and the like are removed is included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Valve housing (valve body) 11 Cylindrical part 12 Cap section 2 Pistons 21 Packing 22 Fixed disc 23 Leaf spring 3 Connecting plate 4 Valve seat 5 Valve body 10. Slide type switching valve 100 Joint member (refrigerant piping, first refrigerant piping) 100a Inner surface 100b Outer surface 100c end face 101 Pipe stopper part 200 Connection auxiliary part 201 End 202 End 203 Flange 205 Pipe stopper part 300 Melted and solidified layer 60 Refrigerant piping (second refrigerant piping) 60a Outer periphery 60b Inner surface 60c end face 70 First Fillet 80 Second Fillet

Claims

1. A refrigerant pipe made of stainless steel, A thin plate-like connection auxiliary part made of copper or a copper alloy is provided on an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, or both of them at least at one end in the longitudinal direction, a molten and solidified layer of the brazing material is formed between the inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, or both of these surfaces and the connection auxiliary portion; The refrigerant pipe, wherein the connection auxiliary portion is arranged by being pressed against an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, or both of the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe via the molten and solidified layer.

2. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the connection auxiliary portion is arranged in a rolled C-shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

3. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the connection auxiliary portion is an annular tubular body.

4. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the connection auxiliary portion is provided so as to extend to an end face at the one end portion.

5. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 4 , wherein the connection auxiliary portion has a flange portion facing the end face, and a melted and solidified layer of brazing material is formed between the flange portion and the end face.

6. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the connection auxiliary portion has a U-shaped cross section, and the one end portion is inserted into an inner periphery of the U-shape.

7. 2. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1, wherein a pipe stopper portion for regulating an insertion amount of another refrigerant pipe to be connected is formed at a portion where an inner end portion of the connection auxiliary portion is located in the longitudinal direction of the refrigerant pipe.

8. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 7 , wherein the pipe stopper portion protrudes outward from an outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe or protrudes inward from an inner circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe.

9. 2. The refrigerant piping according to claim 1, wherein a piping stopper portion is formed at an inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the connection auxiliary portion when the connection auxiliary portion is attached to the refrigerant piping, for regulating an insertion amount of another refrigerant piping to be connected.

10. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 9 , wherein the pipe stopper portion protrudes outward from an outer circumferential surface of the connection auxiliary portion, inward from an inner circumferential surface of the connection auxiliary portion, or both.

11. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the connection auxiliary portion is thinner than a thickness of the refrigerant pipe.

12. The refrigerant pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the melt-solidified layer has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the connection auxiliary portion.

13. A refrigerant piping connection structure in which a first refrigerant piping and a second refrigerant piping are connected by brazing, the first refrigerant pipe is made of stainless steel, and a thin-plate-shaped connection auxiliary part made of a second metal material different from stainless steel is joined to an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, or both of the surfaces of the end part of the second refrigerant pipe via a molten and solidified layer of a brazing material, and the connection auxiliary part is arranged by being pressed against the inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, or both of the surfaces of the first refrigerant pipe via the molten and solidified layer; a connection structure for refrigerant piping, characterized in that the second refrigerant piping is made of the second metallic material, or a thin-plate connection auxiliary part made of the second metallic material is joined to an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface, or both of the first refrigerant piping end portion via a molten and solidified layer of the brazing material, and the connection auxiliary part is positioned by being pressed against the inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface, or both of the second refrigerant piping via the molten and solidified layer.

14. The connection auxiliary portion of the first refrigerant piping is formed to extend to an end face of the first refrigerant piping at an end portion of the first refrigerant piping on the side of the second refrigerant piping, 14. The refrigerant piping connection structure according to claim 13, wherein when the second refrigerant piping is not made of the second metallic material, the connection auxiliary portion is formed to extend to an end face of the second refrigerant piping at an end portion on the first refrigerant piping side.

15. 15. The refrigerant pipe connection structure according to claim 14, wherein the connection auxiliary portion has a flange portion facing the end face, and a molten and solidified layer of brazing material is formed between the flange portion and the end face.

16. The refrigerant pipe connection structure according to claim 13 , wherein a thickness of the connection auxiliary portion is thinner than a thickness of the first refrigerant pipe.

17. The refrigerant pipe connection structure according to claim 13 , wherein the melt-solidified layer has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the connection auxiliary portion.

18. A valve device in which a coupling member is connected to a valve body, A valve device, comprising the refrigerant pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 12 as the joint member.

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