Rotary Valve

Abstract

To secure a seal function and inhibit increase of rotation torque of a valve body.SOLUTION: A housing 11 has a housing part 36, and a valve body 51 includes a valve body part 52 and a shaft part 61. The housing 11 has a first facing wall surface 34 and a second facing wall surface 15 which sandwich the housing part 36 from both sides as seen in a direction along an axis L1 of the shaft part 61 and face each other. The valve body 51 has: a first end surface 53 which faces the first facing wall surface 34; and a second end surface 67 which contacts with the second facing wall surface 15. The shaft part 61 is located closer to the second facing wall surface 15 side than the valve body part 52. An inflow side packing 81 is disposed between the first facing wall surface 34 and the first end surface 53. The shaft part 61 has the second end surface 67 and is formed by a component formed separately from the valve body part 52 having the first end surface 53. The shaft part 61 is connected to the valve body part 52 so as to move in the direction along the axis L1 and rotate integrally with the valve body part 52. Between the shaft part 61 and the valve body part 52, an elastic member 78 which biases those components to both sides as seen in the direction along the axis L1 is disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary valve that switches a fluid flow path by rotating a valve element. [Background technology]

[0002] A known rotary valve for switching a fluid flow path includes a housing having an accommodation portion and a valve body. The housing has an inlet and an outlet for the fluid formed facing the accommodation portion. The valve body has a valve body contained in the accommodation portion and a shaft portion that rotatably supports the valve body in the housing. The valve body has a movable flow path that connects the inlet and the outlet. When the valve body is rotated about the shaft portion, the outlet that is connected to the inlet via the movable flow path is switched, and the fluid flow path is switched.

[0003] The housing has a first opposing wall surface and a second opposing wall surface that face each other and sandwich the accommodation portion from both sides in a direction along the axis of the shaft portion. The valve body has a first end surface that faces the first opposing wall surface and a second end surface that contacts the second opposing wall surface. The shaft portion is located closer to the second opposing wall surface than the valve main body portion.

[0004] As an example of the above rotary valve, as described in Patent Document 1, there is one in which a packing is disposed between the first opposing wall surface and the first end surface. In this type of rotary valve, the packing is compressed to generate a reaction force (hereinafter referred to as a "compression reaction force") that pushes back the valve body and the housing to both sides in the direction along the axis. In the above rotary valve, the compression reaction force seals the gap between the first opposing wall surface and the first end surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-180240 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above rotary valve may have the following problems depending on the dimensional variations of the components that make up the rotary valve. The packing absorbs the above-mentioned variations to a certain extent by elastically deforming. However, if the above-mentioned variations are greater than the packing can absorb, a gap may occur between the valve body and the packing, and the sealing function may not be ensured. This problem can be solved by compressing the packing more to increase the compression reaction force. On the other hand, as the compression reaction force of the packing increases, the sliding resistance generated between the first end face and the packing increases with the rotation of the valve body. In addition, the sliding resistance generated between the second end face and the second opposing wall surface increases with the rotation of the valve body. As a result, the rotation torque required to rotate the valve body increases.

[0007] The dimensional variations of the above-mentioned parts include variations that occur during the manufacture of the parts, and variations due to environmental factors such as temperature after the rotary valve is manufactured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A rotary valve that solves the above problem includes a housing having an accommodation portion, and an inlet and an outlet for a fluid formed facing the accommodation portion, a valve body portion that is accommodated in the accommodation portion and has a movable flow path that communicates the inlet and the outlet, and a valve element that has a shaft portion that rotatably supports the valve body portion in the housing, and switches the outlet that is communicated with the inlet via the movable flow path by rotation of the valve body portion about the shaft portion, wherein the housing has a first opposing wall surface and a second opposing wall surface that face each other and sandwich the accommodation portion from both sides in a direction along the axis of the shaft portion, and the valve element is configured to switch the outlet through the movable flow path by rotating the valve body portion about the shaft portion. a rotary valve having a first end face facing a wall surface and a second end face in contact with the second opposing wall surface, the shaft portion being located closer to the second opposing wall surface than the valve main body portion, and further having a gasket disposed between the first opposing wall surface and the first end surface, the shaft portion being constructed from a part separate from the valve main body portion, the valve main body portion having the first end surface and the shaft portion having the second end surface, the shaft portion being connected to the valve main body portion so as to be movable in a direction along the axis and to be rotatable together with the valve main body portion, and an elastic member being disposed between the shaft portion and the valve main body portion for biasing the shaft portion and the valve main body portion in both directions along the axis.

[0009] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the shaft portion is rotated, the rotation is transmitted to the valve body portion, and the valve body portion rotates integrally with the shaft portion. The elastic member also rotates together with the shaft portion and the valve body portion. The rotation of the valve body portion switches the outflow port that is connected to the inflow port via the movable flow path, and the flow path of the fluid is switched.

[0010] In the rotary valve, as the packing is compressed between the first opposing wall surface and the first end surface, a compression reaction force is generated in the packing that pushes back the valve body and the housing to both sides in the direction along the axis. Also, as the elastic member is compressed between the shaft and the valve body, a compression reaction force is generated in the elastic member that pushes back the shaft and the valve body to both sides in the direction along the axis.

[0011] The second end face of the shaft portion is pressed against the second opposing wall surface of the housing by the compressive reaction forces of both the packing and the elastic member. The valve body is pressed against the packing by the compression reaction force of the elastic member. The compression reaction force of the packing is also applied to the first end face and the first opposing wall face. The compression reaction forces of both the elastic member and the packing seal the gap between the first opposing wall face and the first end face.

[0012] The packing and the elastic member each elastically deform to absorb dimensional variations in the components that make up the rotary valve. The addition of the elastic member to the packing improves the ability to absorb dimensional variations in the components compared to the case of the packing alone. It is not necessary to increase the compression reaction force by compressing the packing more in order to absorb the variations.

[0013] Therefore, by appropriately compressing the packing to generate a compression reaction force, it is possible to appropriately seal between the first opposing wall surface and the first end surface, regardless of the dimensional variation of the parts that make up the rotary valve. The valve body rotates with the first end surface in contact with the packing and the second end surface in contact with the second opposing wall surface. However, because the compression reaction force is appropriate as described above, the sliding resistance generated between the first end surface and the packing and the sliding resistance generated between the second end surface and the second opposing wall surface as the valve body rotates are not excessive. As a result, an increase in the rotational torque required to rotate the valve body is suppressed.

[0014] In the above rotary valve, it is preferable that the shaft portion and a member of the housing having the second opposing wall surface are made of either a resin material or a metal material.

[0015] The valve element rotates with the second end face of the shaft in contact with the second opposing wall of the housing, and therefore if the shaft and the housing member having the second opposing wall are made of materials with significantly different wear resistance, the member with the lower wear resistance may be worn down by the rotation.

[0016] In this regard, according to the above configuration, the shaft portion and the housing member having the second opposing wall surface are made of either a resin material or a metal material, and the wear resistance is not significantly different between the shaft portion and the housing, so that the shaft portion and the housing are not easily worn even when they rotate relative to each other in a contact state. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the above rotary valve, it is possible to suppress an increase in the rotational torque of the valve body while ensuring a sealing function. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary valve as seen from the body side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary valve as viewed from the cover side. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2. [Figure 6] An exploded cross-sectional view of Figure 5. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Partial cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Figure 5. [Figure 9] 8 is a plan view showing the inlet side packing and the elastic member extracted from FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rotary valve that is provided in the middle of a plurality of fluid flow paths and switches the flow paths will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the fluid includes either liquid or gas, or both. The multiple fluids include multiple types of fluids with different components, as well as multiple fluids of the same type. The multiple fluids of the same type include multiple identical fluids, as well as multiple fluids with the same components but different temperatures or other factors, such as viscosity. In this embodiment, two types of cooling water with the same components but different temperatures are used as the fluids. Note that a type of liquid other than the cooling water may be used as the fluid.

[0020] 3 and 4, the rotary valve 10 includes a housing 11, a valve body 51, an elastic member 78, an inlet side packing 81, and a plurality of outlet side packings 91. Next, each of the members will be described.

[0021] <Housing 11> 1 and 2, the housing 11 includes a body 12 and a cover 31. The body 12 includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 13 extending along an axis L1 of a shaft portion 61 described below. One end of the peripheral wall portion 13 in the direction along the axis L1 is closed by a closing portion 14. The other end of the peripheral wall portion 13 is an open end (see FIG. 4).

[0022] The peripheral wall 13 is formed with a plurality of protruding walls 16 each protruding outward in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the protruding walls 16 are formed at equal angles. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an annular recess 17 recessed toward the closing portion 14 is formed in the peripheral edge of the open end of the peripheral wall 13. A cylindrical bearing portion 18 extending along the axis L1 is formed in the center of the closing portion 14 (see Figure 6).

[0023] The cover 31 is disposed at a location adjacent to the open end of the peripheral wall portion 13. An annular protrusion 32 protruding toward the body 12 is formed on the peripheral edge of the cover 31. Most of the area of ​​the cover 31 surrounded by the annular protrusion 32 is formed of a flat portion 33. The flat portion 33 has a mounting portion 33a on which the inflow side packing 81 is mounted, in an area including the axis L1. Projections 35 for positioning the inflow side packing 81 are formed at a plurality of locations on the mounting portion 33a that are spaced apart from one another (see FIG. 6). The annular protrusion 32 of the cover 31 is joined to the body 12 while being inserted into the annular recess 17.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the space surrounded by the body 12 and the cover 31 constitutes a storage section 36. The housing 11 has a first opposing wall surface 34 and a second opposing wall surface 15 which face each other and sandwich the storage section 36 from both sides in the direction along the axis L1. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the first opposing wall surface 34 is constituted by a flat portion 33. The first opposing wall surface 34 faces the storage section 36 in a state perpendicular to the axis L1. The second opposing wall surface 15 is constituted by a surface of the bearing portion 18 on the first opposing wall surface 34 side. The second opposing wall surface 15 faces the storage section 36 while surrounding the axis L1.

[0025] An inlet 41 for the fluid FL1 is formed in the center of the flat surface portion 33. A connecting pipe portion 42 is formed on the periphery of the inlet 41 in the cover 31, protruding toward the side away from the storage portion 36. A pipe 102 having a flow path 101 for the fluid FL1 is connected to the connecting pipe portion 42. An inlet 43 for the fluid FL2 is formed at a location radially outwardly shifted from the inlet 41 in the flat surface portion 33. A connecting pipe portion 44 is formed on the periphery of the inlet 43 in the cover 31, protruding toward the side away from the storage portion 36. A pipe 104 having a flow path 103 for the fluid FL2 is connected to the connecting pipe portion 44.

[0026] 7 and 8, any one of the outlets 21-23 is formed in each of the protruding wall portions 16. These outlets 21-23 are open facing the accommodation portion 36. Connection pipe portions 24-26 protrude outward in the radial direction of the body 12 from the peripheral edge portions of the outlets 21-23 in the protruding wall portion 16. A pipe 112 having a flow path 111 is connected to the connection pipe portion 24, a pipe 114 having a flow path 113 is connected to the connection pipe portion 25, and a pipe 116 having a flow path 115 is connected to the connection pipe portion 26.

[0027] <Valve body 51> 3 and 4, the valve body 51 includes a valve main body portion 52 and a shaft portion 61. The valve body 51 has a first end surface 53 (see FIG. 4) facing the first opposing wall surface 34, and a second end surface 67 (see FIG. 3) in contact with the second opposing wall surface 15.

[0028] The valve body 52 and the shaft 61 are formed from different parts. The valve body 52 is a part that forms the framework of the valve element 51, and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The surface of the valve body 52 on the side of the first opposing wall surface 34 is perpendicular to the axis L1, and forms the first end surface 53. The outer peripheral surface 54 of the valve body 52 is formed by a cylindrical surface centered on the axis L1.

[0029] The shaft portion 61 is located closer to the second opposing wall surface 15 than the valve body portion 52, and has the axis L1. The shaft portion 61 is connected to the valve body portion 52 so as to be movable in a direction along the axis L1 and to be rotatable together with the valve body portion 52. This connection is achieved by fitting a fitting protrusion 56 provided on one of the valve body portion 52 and the shaft portion 61 into a fitted portion 66 provided on the other.

[0030] 3, 4 and 6, an annular protrusion 55 is formed on the peripheral edge of an end face 57 of the valve body 52 on the second opposing wall face 15 side, protruding toward the second opposing wall face 15. The fitting protrusions 56 are formed in a region of the valve body 52 surrounded by the annular protrusion 55 and are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction on a virtual circle centered on the axis L1. Each fitting protrusion 56 protrudes from the end face 57 of the valve body 52 toward the second opposing wall face 15.

[0031] The shaft portion 61 includes a shaft main body portion 62, an annular portion 63, a connecting portion 64, and a flange portion 65. The shaft main body portion 62 is cylindrical and extends along the axis L1. The annular portion 63 is annular, is located in an area surrounded by the annular protrusion 55 of the valve main body portion 52, and surrounds the end of the shaft main body portion 62 on the first opposing wall surface 34 side. The connecting portion 64 connects the end of the annular portion 63 on the first opposing wall surface 34 side to the shaft main body portion 62. The surface of the connecting portion 64 on the second opposing wall surface 15 side constitutes the second end surface 67. The flange portion 65 is formed around the end of the annular portion 63 on the second opposing wall surface 15 side, and is annular. The flange portion 65 is formed to have a diameter slightly smaller than that of the annular protrusion 55 (see FIG. 5).

[0032] The fitted portions 66 are formed at a plurality of locations spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 63 of the shaft portion 61. In this embodiment, the plurality of fitted portions 66 are formed at equal angles on the annular portion 63. Each fitted portion 66 penetrates the annular portion 63 in the direction along the axis L1.

[0033] 5, each fitting protrusion 56 is fitted into a corresponding fitted portion 66. In this state, an accommodation space 68 for accommodating an elastic member 78 is formed in a region between the fitting protrusions 56 and the annular protrusion 55, between the end face 57 and the flange portion 65.

[0034] The entire valve body 52 and a portion of the shaft portion 61 excluding the shaft main body 62 are housed in the housing 36, and the shaft main body 62 is inserted into the bearing portion 18. The shaft portion 61 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 18 relative to the body 12. An O-ring 69 is interposed between the shaft main body 62 and the bearing portion 18. Note that instead of the O-ring 69, a seal member may be interposed between the shaft main body 62 and the bearing portion 18, against which the coaxial shaft main body 62 can slide.

[0035] Here, both the shaft portion 61 having the above-mentioned second end surface 67 and the body 12 having the second opposing wall surface 15 are formed from a resin material. The material forming the shaft portion 61 and the material forming the body 12 may be the same type of resin material or different types of resin materials.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the valve main body 52 is formed with one movable flow path 71 through which the fluid FL1 flows, and two movable flow paths 75, 77 through which the fluid FL2 flows. The movable flow path 71 is composed of one common flow path portion 72 constituting the upstream portion thereof, and two branch flow path portions 73 each constituting a downstream portion thereof. An upstream end 71a of the movable flow path 71 is opened at the center of the first end face 53 and faces the inlet 41. A downstream end 71b of each branch flow path portion 73 is opened at the outer circumferential face 54. As the valve body 51 rotates, both branch flow path portions 73 move (pivot), changing the state of communication between the inlet 41 and the outlets 22, 23 via the movable flow path 71.

[0037] An upstream end 75a of the movable flow passage 75 is opened at a location of the first end face 53 that is shifted radially outward from the axis L1 (upstream end 71a). A downstream end 75b of the movable flow passage 75 is opened at the outer circumferential surface 54. As the valve body 51 rotates, the movable flow passage 75 moves (pivots) as a whole about the axis L1, thereby changing the state of communication between the inlet 43 and the outlet 23 via the movable flow passage 75.

[0038] An upstream end 77a of the movable flow passage 77 is opened at a location of the first end face 53 that is shifted radially outward from the axis L1 (upstream end 71a). A downstream end 77b of the movable flow passage 77 is opened at the outer circumferential surface 54. As the valve body 51 rotates, the movable flow passage 77 moves (pivots) as a whole about the axis L1, thereby changing the state of communication between the inlet 43 and the outlet 21 via the movable flow passage 77.

[0039] The valve body 51 having the above-mentioned structure is rotated by a motor (not shown), manual operation, or the like. In addition, when the movable flow path 71 has the branch flow path portion 73 as described above, the number of branch flow path portions 73 may be three or more. Also, the number of movable flow paths 71, 75, 77 in the valve body 51 may be one or three or more. When there is one movable flow path 71, 75, 77, it may be branched into multiple paths along the way.

[0040] <Elastic member 78> As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 9, the elastic member 78 biases the shaft portion 61 and the valve body portion 52 in both directions along the axis L1. The elastic member 78 is annular with a smaller diameter than the annular protrusion 55. The elastic member 78 is formed with a larger diameter than the imaginary circle centered on the axis L1 and passing through the multiple fitting protrusions 56. The elastic member 78 is made of a metal spring. In this embodiment, a wave coil spring is used as the spring. The elastic member 78 is arranged in the accommodation space 68 (see Fig. 5) in a state compressed in the direction along the axis L1.

[0041] <Inlet side packing 81> 3 and 4, the inflow side packing 81 is a member that corresponds to the packing in the claims, and is mostly made of an elastic material such as rubber. The inflow side packing 81 includes a packing main body 82, a first seal portion 84, and a second seal portion 85. The packing main body 82 is a part that constitutes the framework of the inflow side packing 81, and has a thickness direction along the axis L1, and is plate-shaped.

[0042] The packing body 82 has inflow openings 83, the number of which is equal to or greater than the number of inlets 41, 43 (see FIG. 9). Each inflow opening 83 is formed by a hole penetrating the packing body 82 in a direction along the axis L1. Two of the inflow openings 83 are formed in positions facing the inlets 41, 43.

[0043] The first seal portion 84 is a surface of the packing body 82 facing the first opposing wall surface 34, and is formed around each inlet opening 83 to have an annular shape (see FIG. 6). A part of the first seal portion 84 is in contact with the first opposing wall surface 34 around the inlets 41, 43 (see FIG. 5).

[0044] The second seal portion 85 is formed on the surface of the packing body 82 on the first end face 53 side around each inlet opening 83 and has an annular shape. The second seal portion 85 corresponding to the inlet 41 contacts the first end face 53 around the upstream end 71a of the movable flow path 71 regardless of the rotation phase of the valve body 51. The second seal portion 85 corresponding to the inlet 43 contacts the first end face 53. When the upstream ends 75a, 77a of the movable flow paths 75, 77 face the inlet 43 as the valve body 51 rotates, the second seal portion 85 contacts the first end face 53 around the upstream ends 75a, 77a.

[0045] Notches 86 are formed in multiple locations on the periphery of the packing body 82. Each notch 86 engages with the protrusion 35 of the cover 31, thereby positioning the inlet-side packing 81 relative to the cover 31 (see Figures 3, 5, and 6).

[0046] <Outlet side packing 91> 8, the outflow side packing 91 is disposed between each of the protruding wall portions 16 at a plurality of locations and the outer circumferential surface 54 of the valve body portion 52. Each outflow side packing 91 has the same configuration. A large portion of each outflow side packing 91 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0047] 3, 4 and 6, each outflow side packing 91 includes a packing body 92, a third seal portion 94 and a fourth seal portion 95. Each packing body 92 is a part that constitutes the framework of the outflow side packing 91, and is plate-shaped with its thickness direction aligned with the radial direction of the valve body 52. ​​Each packing body 92 has an outflow opening 93 at a position facing each of the outflow ports 21 to 23.

[0048] Each of the third seal portions 94 is formed in an annular shape on the surface of the packing body portion 92 facing the peripheral wall portion 13, around the outflow opening 93. Each of the third seal portions 94 is in contact with the protruding wall portion 16 around the outflow ports 21-23.

[0049] Further, each fourth seal portion 95 is formed in an annular shape around the outflow opening 93 on the surface of the packing body 92 facing the valve body 52. ​​Each fourth seal portion 95 contacts the outer peripheral surface 54 of the valve body 52. ​​When the downstream ends 71b, 75b, 77b of the movable flow paths 71, 75, 77 face the outflow ports 21-23 as the valve body 51 rotates, each fourth seal portion 95 contacts the outer peripheral surface 54 around the downstream ends 71b, 75b, 77b.

[0050] Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described, along with the effects that accompany the operation. 5, a fluid FL1 flowing through a flow path 101 is sent to an inlet 41 via a connecting pipe section 42. A fluid FL2 flowing through a flow path 103 is sent to an inlet 43 via a connecting pipe section 44.

[0051] On the other hand, in the valve body 51, the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52 are configured as separate parts. However, in this embodiment, the fitting protrusions 56 are fitted into the corresponding fitted portions 66, so that the shaft portion 61 is connected to the valve body 52 so as to be movable in the direction along the axis L1 and to be rotatable together. Therefore, when the shaft portion 61 is rotated by a motor (not shown), manual operation, or the like, the rotation is transmitted to the valve body 52 via the fitted portions 66 and the fitting protrusions 56. With the rotation of the shaft portion 61, the valve body 52 rotates together with the shaft portion 61. The elastic member 78 arranged in the accommodation space 68 also rotates together with the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52. ​​With the above-mentioned rotation of the valve body 51, at least a part of the movable flow paths 71, 75, and 77 moves.

[0052] As the valve body 51 rotates, in the movable flow path 71, the common flow path portion 72 rotates about the axis L1, and both branch flow path portions 73 move (turn) around the axis L1. As a result, the communication state between the inlet 41 and the outlets 22, 23 via the movable flow path 71 is changed. Although not shown, when the inlet 41 and the outlet 23 are communicated via the movable flow path 71, the fluid FL1 flows through the inlet 41, the movable flow path 71, and the outlet 23 in this order, and then flows out into the flow path 115 via the connecting pipe portion 26.

[0053] In contrast, as shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8, when the inlet 41 and the outlet 22 are connected via the movable flow path 71, the fluid FL1 flows sequentially through the inlet 41, the movable flow path 71 and the outlet 22, and then flows out into the flow path 113 via the connecting pipe portion 25.

[0054] Furthermore, with the rotation of the valve body 51, the entire movable flow path 75 moves (rotates) around the axis L1. This movement changes the connection state between the movable flow path 75 and the inlet 43, and changes the communication state between the inlet 43 and the outlet 23 via the movable flow path 75. Although not shown, when the inlet 43 and the outlet 23 are communicated via the movable flow path 75, the fluid FL2 flows through the inlet 43, the movable flow path 75, and the outlet 23 in this order, and then flows out into the flow path 115 via the connecting pipe portion 26.

[0055] Furthermore, with the rotation of the valve body 51, the entire movable flow path 77 moves (rotates) around the axis L1. This movement changes the connection state between the movable flow path 77 and the inlet 43, and changes the communication state between the inlet 43 and the outlet 21 via the movable flow path 77. As shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8, when the inlet 43 and the outlet 21 are communicated via the movable flow path 77, the fluid FL2 flows through the inlet 43, the movable flow path 77 and the outlet 21 in this order, and then flows out into the flow path 111 via the connecting pipe portion 24.

[0056] In this way, the communication state of the inlets 41, 43 and the outlets 21-23 is changed via the movable channels 71, 75, 77. The connection state between the multiple inlet channel paths 101, 103 and the multiple outlet channel paths 111, 113, 115 is switched.

[0057] 5 and 6, in the rotary valve 10, the inlet side packing 81 is compressed between the first opposing wall surface 34 and the first end surface 53. As a result of this compression, a compression reaction force is generated in the inlet side packing 81 that pushes back the valve body 52 and the cover 31 to both sides in the direction along the axis L1. In addition, the elastic member 78 is compressed between the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52. ​​As a result of this compression, a compression reaction force is generated in the elastic member 78 that pushes back the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52 to both sides in the direction along the axis L1.

[0058] The second end surface 67 of the connecting portion 64 of the shaft portion 61 is pressed against the second opposing wall surface 15 of the bearing portion 18 in the closing portion 14 by the compressive reaction forces of both the inlet side packing 81 and the elastic member 78 .

[0059] The valve body 52 is pressed against the inlet side packing 81 by the compression reaction force of the elastic member 78. In addition, the compression reaction force of the inlet side packing 81 is applied to the first end face 53 and the first opposing wall face 34. The compression reaction forces of both the elastic member 78 and the inlet side packing 81 seal the gap between the first opposing wall face 34 and the first end face 53.

[0060] Incidentally, the elastic member 78 and the inlet side packing 81 each elastically deform to absorb dimensional variations in the components that make up the rotary valve 10, particularly in the dimension along the axis L1. The addition of the elastic member 78 to the inlet side packing 81 improves the ability to absorb dimensional variations in the above components compared to when only the inlet side packing 81 is used (which is the case for conventional rotary valves). It is not necessary to increase the compression reaction force by compressing the inlet side packing 81 more in order to absorb the variations.

[0061] Therefore, by compressing the inlet packing 81 to generate an appropriate compression reaction force, the gap between the first opposing wall surface 34 and the first end surface 53 can be appropriately sealed regardless of the dimensional variation of the components constituting the rotary valve 10. The valve body 51 rotates in a state in which the first end surface 53 contacts the second seal portion 85 of the inlet packing 81 and the second end surface 67 of the shaft portion 61 contacts the second opposing wall surface 15 of the body 12. However, since the compression reaction force is appropriate as described above, the sliding resistance generated between the first end surface 53 and the inlet packing 81 and the sliding resistance generated between the second end surface 67 and the second opposing wall surface 15 as the valve body 51 rotates are not excessively large. As a result, the increase in the rotational torque required to rotate the valve body 51 can be suppressed.

[0062] In addition to the above, the present embodiment provides the following effects. As described above, the valve body 51 rotates with the second end face 67 in contact with the second opposing wall surface 15. Therefore, if the shaft portion 61 having the second end face 67 and the body 12 having the second opposing wall surface 15 were made of materials having significantly different wear resistance, the member with the lower wear resistance may be worn down by the relative rotation in the contact state.

[0063] In this embodiment, the shaft portion 61 and the body 12 are both made of a resin material, and the wear resistance is not significantly different between them. Therefore, wear of the shaft portion 61 and the body 12 caused by the rotation of the valve body 51 can be suppressed.

[0064] The elastic member 78 in contact with the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52 is made of a metal material having wear resistance significantly different from that of the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52. ​​Therefore, if the elastic member 78 rotates relative to at least one of the shaft portion 61 and the valve body 52, the member that rotates relative to the elastic member 78 in a contacting state may wear.

[0065] In this regard, in the present embodiment, the elastic member 78 rotates together with the shaft portion 61 and the valve main body 52. ​​The elastic member 78 does not rotate in contact with either the shaft portion 61 or the valve main body 52. ​​Therefore, wear of the shaft portion 61 and the valve main body 52 can be suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, by suppressing wear as described above, the durability of the rotary valve 10 can be improved. The above embodiment can also be implemented as modified examples that are changed as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range that does not cause technical contradiction.

[0067] The shaft portion 61 having the second end surface 67 and the body 12 having the second opposing wall surface 15 may be made of a metal material instead of a resin material. The material forming the shaft portion 61 and the material forming the body 12 may be the same type of metal material or different types of metal materials. Even in this case, the wear resistance of the shaft portion 61 and the body 12 does not differ greatly. This provides the effect of suppressing wear of the shaft portion 61 and the body 12 due to rotation of the valve body 51.

[0068] There are no particular restrictions on the materials that are used to form the valve body 52 of the valve element 51 and the cover 31 of the housing 11. This is because there is no relative rotation in a contacting state, and there is no risk of wear due to the relative rotation.

[0069] The inlet side packing 81 may have a shape that is difficult to elastically deform. For example, this applies to an inlet side packing 81 in which the first seal portion 84 protrudes less from the packing body portion 82 than in the above embodiment. In this case, the amount of dimensional variation of the components that constitute the rotary valve 10 that is absorbed is less than in the above embodiment. However, there are cases in which absorbing dimensional variation only with the elastic member 78 can reduce the rotational torque required to rotate the valve body 51 more than absorbing dimensional variation only with the inlet side packing 81.

[0070] The elastic member 78 may be a type of spring other than a wave coil spring, for example, a general coil spring. The elastic member 78 may have a smaller diameter than that of the above embodiment, for example, a diameter approximately the same as that of the shaft main body 62.

[0071] The elastic member 78 may have an annular shape other than a circular shape. A member having a form other than a spring may be used as the elastic member 78, provided that the member is capable of biasing the shaft portion 61 and the valve body portion 52 in both directions along the axis L1. For example, an O-ring may be used as the elastic member 78.

[0072] Furthermore, the elastic member 78 may be made of a material other than a metal material, for example, a resin material (including rubber). The number of fitting protrusions 56 on the valve body 52 and the number of fitted portions 66 on the shaft portion 61 may be changed to numbers different from those in the above embodiment.

[0073] Contrary to the above embodiment, the shaft 61 may be provided with a fitting protrusion 56, and the valve body 52 may be provided with a fitted portion 66. The fitting protrusion 56 may be fitted into the fitted portion 66, so that the shaft 61 is connected to the valve body 52 so as to be movable in the direction along the axis L1 and rotatable together with the valve body 52. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10...Rotary valve 11. Housing 15…Second opposing wall 21,22,23…outlet 34…First opposing wall 36…Storage section 41,43...Inlet 51...Valve body 52...Valve body 53...First end surface 61...Shaft 67…Second end face 71, 75, 77... Movable flow passage 78...Elastic member 81...Inlet side packing (packing) FL1, FL2…Fluid L1…Axis line

Claims

1. a housing having an accommodation portion, and an inlet and an outlet for a fluid formed facing the accommodation portion; a valve body portion accommodated in the accommodation portion, and having a movable flow path that connects the inlet and the outlet; and a valve element having a shaft portion that rotatably supports the valve body portion in the housing, and which switches the outlet port that is connected to the inlet port via the movable flow path by rotation of the valve body portion about the shaft portion, the housing has a first opposing wall surface and a second opposing wall surface that face each other and sandwich the accommodation portion from both sides in a direction along the axis of the shaft portion, and the valve body has a first end surface that faces the first opposing wall surface and a second end surface that contacts the second opposing wall surface, The shaft portion is located closer to the second opposing wall surface than the valve body portion, and a packing is disposed between the first opposing wall surface and the first end surface. the shaft portion is configured as a separate part from the valve body portion, the valve body portion has the first end surface, the shaft portion has the second end surface, and the shaft portion is connected to the valve body portion so as to be movable in a direction along the axis and to be rotatable together with the valve body portion, The shaft portion has a shaft main body portion extending along the axis as a portion that rotatably supports the valve main body on the housing, The shaft main body is located only on the opposite side of the valve main body from the first opposing wall surface in the direction along the axis, an elastic member is disposed between the shaft portion and the valve body portion to bias the shaft portion and the valve body portion in both sides in a direction along the axis; The valve body is provided with an annular protrusion radially outwardly of the elastic member in the shaft portion of the rotary valve.

2. 2. The rotary valve according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion and a member of the housing that has the second opposing wall surface are made of either a resin material or a metal material.

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