Slide type switching valve and connection structure

Abstract

To provide a slide-type selector valve which allows piping to be easily connected, and can be reduced in cost, and a connecting structure.SOLUTION: Since a valve main body 2 is formed of a thin plate, a cost can be reduced. Since attachment means 6 has a face 613A as an engagement part which is engaged with a connecting member 20, a joint member 61 and a connector 10 as an insertion part are surrounded by the connecting member 20 in a Z-direction, three pieces of piping 12 to 14 are connected to the valve main body 2, and connection using the connecting member 20 thereby becomes possible, thus enabling easy connection of the piping.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide type switching valve and a connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a slide type switching valve provided in a refrigeration cycle or the like to switch the flow direction of a refrigerant is known. In such a slide type switching valve, it is necessary to directly or indirectly connect the pipes through which the refrigerant passes. Therefore, a method of brazing pipes in a four-way valve as a slide type switching valve has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, the brazing work requires the skill of an operator, and a simpler mounting method has been desired. Further, as another form of slide type switching valve, a four-way valve in which a piston valve chamber is formed in a block body has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Since the block body described in Patent Document 2 has a predetermined thickness, pipes can be connected by fastening bolts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration in which the member forming the valve chamber is block-shaped as described in Patent Document 2, the volume of the member tends to be large, and with the increase in weight, the transportation cost increases or the material cost increases, which may lead to an increase in cost. Thus, it has been difficult to achieve both ensuring the assemblability in connecting pipes and cost reduction.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a slide type switching valve and a connection structure that can easily connect pipes and reduce costs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The slide type switching valve of the present invention includes a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein by a thin plate, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface formed with a plurality of valve ports and provided in the valve chamber, a valve body for opening and closing the valve ports with respect to the valve chamber, and a joint member connected to the valve body, and includes assembling means for connecting a pipe to the valve body. The joint member has a seal surface for inserting the pipe or a connector connected to the pipe as an insertion portion and sealing between the insertion portion. The assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with a connecting member that sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the joint member. The engaging portion faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipe with respect to the valve body in the insertion direction.

[0007] According to the present invention as described above, the valve body is formed of a thin plate, so that the cost can be reduced. At this time, since the assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with the connecting member, the connecting member sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion (pipe or connector) in the insertion direction, and the pipe can be connected to the valve body. That is, the connecting member engages with each of the unit on the valve body side including the valve body and the joint member and the unit on the pipe side including the pipe (and the connector), and a part of each unit is sandwiched by the connecting member in the insertion direction, and relative movement in which these units move away from each other in the insertion direction is restricted and the connection is maintained. In this way, connection using the connecting member becomes possible, and the pipe can be easily connected.

[0008] At this time, when viewing the engaging portion from the intersecting direction (preferably orthogonal) that intersects both the insertion direction and the sliding direction of the valve body, it is preferable that no other member is provided on at least one side of the engaging portion in the intersecting direction. According to such a configuration, when moving the connecting member along the intersecting direction with respect to the valve body, interference with other members can be suppressed, and the piping can be easily connected.

[0009] At this time, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, the engaging portion may be provided in a region facing the opposite side of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body. According to such a configuration, when the engaging portion is provided on the curved surface portion convex outward among the valve bodies formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, for example, it can be engaged with the concave portion of the connecting member. Further, when the engaging portion is provided on the flat surface portion of the valve body, the contact area with the connecting member can be ensured. Thus, in any case, it is possible to easily hold the engagement with the connecting member.

[0010] Further, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, the joint member is formed of a thin plate, and has a small diameter portion inserted into the valve body, a large diameter portion into which the insertion portion is inserted, and a radially extending portion extending along the radial direction between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, and the engaging portion may be provided on the radially extending portion. According to such a configuration, the engaging portion is located in the vicinity of the piping, the connecting member can be miniaturized, and the cost can be reduced. Further, by forming the joint member of a thin plate, the weight can be reduced.

[0011] Furthermore, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the engaging portion is arranged with a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the valve body. According to such a configuration, a part of the connecting member can be arranged in this gap to facilitate engagement with the engaging portion.

[0012] Further, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the engaging portion has a portion extending along a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction. According to such a configuration, when the above two units tend to separate in the insertion direction, the engaging portion abuts against the connecting member, thereby transmitting the separating force to the connecting member and facilitating the maintenance of the connection.

[0013] Further, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the assembling means has three or more of the joint members arranged along the sliding direction of the valve body. According to such a configuration, by moving the connecting member along the crossing direction (preferably orthogonal direction) that crosses both the insertion direction and the sliding direction of the valve body with respect to the above two units, three or more pipes can be connected simultaneously.

[0014] Further, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the inner peripheral surface of the joint member has an inclined surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip side at the end portion on the opening side. According to such a configuration, when the insertion portion is inserted into the joint member, the insertion portion can be guided by the inclined surface.

[0015] Further, in the sliding type switching valve of the present invention, the valve seat member has a guide portion for guiding the valve body along a predetermined sliding direction along the valve seat surface, and the guide portion sandwiches the valve body from a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction in a plane along the valve seat surface and extends along the sliding direction. According to such a configuration, displacement between the valve body and the valve port in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction can be suppressed. Further, when the valve body is a thick-walled one, it is relatively easy to provide the guide portion, whereas when the valve body is formed of a thin plate, if the guide portion is to be provided in the valve body 2, the shape tends to become complicated and it is difficult to provide the guide portion. At this time, if the valve body is guided by the valve seat member, both cost reduction and ensuring of positional accuracy can be achieved.

[0016] Furthermore, in the slide type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that a concave portion is formed in the valve body at a position facing the corner between the valve seat surface and the guide portion. According to such a configuration, powder and other foreign matters generated by wear of the valve body and the valve seat surface can be discharged into the concave portion, suppressing scratches caused by biting of foreign matters and the like, and suppressing leakage of fluid.

[0017] Also, in the slide type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that an insertion hole through which the joint member is inserted is formed in the valve seat member from the side opposite to the valve seat surface. According to such a configuration, although the length of the portion through which the joint member is inserted in the valve body formed of a thin plate is about the plate thickness, since the joint member is also inserted into the insertion hole of the valve seat member, the total length of the portion of the joint member that is inserted can be ensured. Thereby, misalignment between the valve port and the pipe can be suppressed, the flow of fluid from the pipe toward the valve body (or vice versa) can be made smooth, and the pressure loss can be reduced. It is preferable that the depth of the insertion hole is set such that the joint member has a portion inserted into the insertion hole over the entire circumference.

[0018] Also, in the slide type switching valve of the present invention, it is preferable that the valve body, the valve seat member, and the joint member are made of stainless steel. According to such a configuration, heat transfer between each fluid or between the outside air can be suppressed, and high efficiency can be achieved.

[0019] On the other hand, the connection structure of the present invention is characterized in that in the slide type switching valve according to any one of the above, the pipe is connected to the valve body by sandwiching the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion with the connection member. According to the connection structure of the present invention, by using the connection member, the pipe can be easily connected as described above and the cost can be reduced.

[0020] In addition, the slide type switching valve of the present invention includes a valve body having a valve chamber formed inside by being formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface formed with a plurality of valve ports and provided in the valve chamber, and a valve body that opens and closes the valve ports with respect to the valve chamber. The valve seat member has a guide portion that guides the valve body along a predetermined slide direction along the valve seat surface. The guide portion sandwiches the valve body from a direction orthogonal to the slide direction in a plane along the valve seat surface and extends along the slide direction. According to the slide type switching valve of the present invention, it is possible to achieve both cost reduction and ensuring of positional accuracy as described above.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the slide type switching valve and the connection structure of the present invention, the piping can be easily connected and the cost can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments after the second embodiment, the common parts with the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals.

[0024] [First Embodiment] The four-way switching valve (slide-type switching valve) 1 of this embodiment is provided, for example, in a refrigeration cycle 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The refrigeration cycle 100 is used in an air conditioner, and includes a compressor 200 that compresses a refrigerant as a fluid, an outdoor heat exchanger 300 as a first heat exchanger that functions as a condenser in the cooling mode, a second heat exchanger as an indoor heat exchanger 400 that functions as an evaporator in the cooling mode, an expansion valve 500 as an expansion means for expanding and depressurizing the refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger 300 and the indoor heat exchanger 400, and the four-way switching valve 1, and these are connected by refrigerant pipes. Note that the expansion means is not limited to the expansion valve 500, and a capillary tube may also be used. In addition, the refrigerant circulating as described above may contain lubricating oil (refrigerant oil) for lubricating the operation of the compressor 200.

[0025] In the cooling mode (cooling operation) shown in FIG. 1, this refrigeration cycle 100 constitutes a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 200, the four-way switching valve 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 300, the expansion valve 500, the indoor heat exchanger 400, the four-way switching valve 1, and the compressor 200. On the other hand, in the heating mode (heating operation), it constitutes a heating cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 200, the four-way switching valve 1, the indoor heat exchanger 400, the expansion valve 500, the outdoor heat exchanger 300, the four-way switching valve 1, and the compressor 200. The switching between this heating cycle and the cooling cycle is performed by operating the drive unit 5 in the four-way switching valve 1.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the four-way switching valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cylindrical valve body 2, a valve seat member 3 provided inside the valve body 2, a valve element 4 slidably provided with respect to the valve seat member 3, a drive unit 5 for moving the valve element 4, and an assembling means 6 for connecting pipes 11 to 14 to the valve body 2. Hereinafter, the sliding direction of the valve element 4 is defined as the X direction, two directions orthogonal to the X direction and orthogonal to each other are defined as the Y direction and the Z direction, the up and down in the Z direction are based on FIGS. 2 and 3, the left side in FIG. 2 is one side in the X direction, and the right side is the other side. As will be described later, the four-way switching valve 1 is connected to a high-pressure side pipe 11 communicating with the discharge port of the compressor 200, a low-pressure side pipe 12 communicating with the suction port of the compressor 200, a room-side pipe 13 communicating with the indoor heat exchanger 400, and an outdoor-side pipe 14 communicating with the outdoor heat exchanger 300.

[0027] The cylindrical valve body 2 is formed in a hollow shape by, for example, a thin stainless steel plate, extends in a cylindrical shape along the X direction, and the opening at the other end 22 is closed by the lid portion 24 and the case 7, so that the whole is sealed to form a valve chamber R1. The valve body 2 is formed with a valve port (inflow port) 2A opening at one end 21 and openings 2B to 2D opening at the side surface 23. That is, a valve port 2A to which the high-pressure side pipe 11 is connected to allow the refrigerant to flow into the inside of the valve body 2 and openings 2B to 2D to which the pipes 12 to 14 are connected are provided. The opening 2B is provided substantially at the center in the X direction, the opening 2C is provided adjacent to the opening 2B on one side in the X direction, and the opening 2D is provided on the other side in the X direction with respect to the opening 2B. That is, the three openings 2B to 2D are provided so as to be arranged linearly along the X direction.

[0028] The valve body 2 is formed by press working and such a thin plate, that is, it is not in a block shape. Note that being formed by a thin plate means that the wall thickness is substantially constant as a whole, and the wall thickness may be slightly changed at openings, ends, etc.

[0029] The valve seat member 3 is formed separately from the valve body 2, for example, by stainless steel, is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending along the XY plane as a whole, and is provided in the valve chamber R1. The valve seat member 3 is overlapped with the region of the inner surface of the valve body 2 where the openings 2B to 2D are formed. The surface of the plate-shaped valve seat member 3 facing the inside of the valve chamber R1 becomes the valve seat surface 31, that is, the guide surface for slidingly guiding the valve element 4.

[0030] Three valve ports 3B to 3D are formed on the valve seat surface 31 of the valve seat member 3, and the valve ports 3B to 3D penetrate the valve seat member 3 in the plate thickness direction (the direction orthogonal to the valve seat surface 31, which is the Z direction). The three valve ports 3B to 3D are arranged so as to overlap with each of the three openings 2B to 2D. That is, the three valve ports 3B to 3D are provided so as to be linearly arranged along the X direction.

[0031] The valve ports 3B to 3D have a small-diameter portion 32 continuous with the valve seat surface 31, a large-diameter portion 34 communicating with the opposite surface 33, and a stepped portion 35 formed between the small-diameter portion 32 and the large-diameter portion 34. The large-diameter portion 34 functions as an insertion hole into which a joint member 61 to be described later is inserted from the side opposite to the valve seat surface 31, and the over-insertion of the joint member 61 is restricted (the insertion depth is managed) by the stepped portion 35. Further, the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 34 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the openings 2B to 2D. The surface 33 is a curved surface along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical valve body 2, and since the valve ports 3B to 3D are circular, the depths (Z-direction dimensions) of the valve ports 3B to 3D differ depending on their circumferential positions. At this time, the depth of the small-diameter portion 32 is substantially constant regardless of the circumferential direction, and the depth of the large-diameter portion 34 changes. The large-diameter portion 34 has a depth of a predetermined value or more over the entire circumferential direction, and the depth of the large-diameter portion 34 is set so that the joint member 61 has a portion inserted into the large-diameter portion 34 serving as an insertion hole over the entire circumference.

[0032] An opening 2B communicating with the valve port 3B has a low-pressure side pipe 12 connected thereto via a joint member 61, and an opening 2C communicating with the valve port (first port) 3C has an indoor side pipe 13 connected thereto via a joint member 61. Thus, the valve port 3C constitutes an indoor side port. An opening 2D communicating with the valve port (second port) 3D has an outdoor side pipe 14 connected thereto via a joint member 61. Thus, the valve port 3D constitutes an outdoor side port.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve seat member 3 has a pair of guide portions 36 extending along the X direction at both end edges in the Y direction. The pair of guide portions 36 protrude from the valve seat surface 31 into the valve chamber R1, and are arranged to sandwich a valve member 41 (described later) of the valve body 4 from the Y direction.

[0034] The valve body 4 includes a bowl-shaped valve member 41, a leaf spring 42 that biases the valve member 41 toward the valve seat surface 31, and a connecting portion 43 that is connected to the drive portion 5.

[0035] The valve member 41 is an integrally formed member made of synthetic resin. It is formed in a dome shape that opens in a concave shape toward the valve seat member 3 and has an oval shape in plan view. Inside the valve member 41, a communication space R2 is formed such that the valve port 3B and the valve port 3C are communicated and the valve port 3D is not communicated, or the valve port 3B and the valve port 3D are communicated and the valve port 3C is not communicated. The connecting portion 43 protrudes from the valve member 41 to the other side in the X direction and has a hook-shaped portion capable of locking a pin member.

[0036] A recess 411 is formed in the valve member 41 at a position facing a corner portion 37 between the valve seat surface 31 and the guide portion 36. That is, the recess 411 is formed at the outer end of the surface of the valve member 41 that is in sliding contact with the valve seat surface 31, and the recess 411 is not in contact with the corner portion 37 and has a gap. It is preferable that the recess 411 is formed over the entire X direction of the valve member 41, but it may be formed partially.

[0037] The corner portion 37 is formed in a tapered shape (circular arc-shaped in cross section) between a first end portion 371 which is a boundary with the valve seat surface 31 and a second end portion 372 which is a boundary with the inner surface of the guide portion 36. The recess 411 has a surface 411A arranged along the XY plane and separated from the valve seat surface 31, and a surface 411B arranged along the ZX plane and separated from the inner surface of the guide portion 36. The dimension of the surface 411A in the Y direction is preferably equal to or greater than the distance between the first end portion 371 and the second end portion 372 in the Y direction. Also, the dimension of the surface 411B in the Z direction is preferably equal to or greater than the distance between the first end portion 371 and the second end portion 372 in the Z direction.

[0038] Also, the shape of the recess is not limited to that formed by the two planes 411A and 411B as described above. For example, the plane constituting the recess may be inclined with respect to the XY plane or the ZX plane, the recess may include a curved surface (tapered surface), the recess may be formed by one plane (for example, a plane inclined with respect to both the XY plane and the ZX plane) or one curved surface, or the above shapes may be appropriately combined. Also, the dimensions of the recess (particularly the relationship with the corner portion 37) are not limited to the above, and it is sufficient if it has a size that can allow foreign matter or the like generated later to escape. That is, the recess may have a size corresponding to the amount of foreign matter or the like that can be generated, as long as it can sufficiently accommodate the foreign matter or the like.

[0039] The drive unit 5 moves the valve member 41 of the valve body 4 in the X direction, and includes a stepping motor 51 and a conversion mechanism 52.

[0040] The stepping motor 51 is composed of a magnet rotor 512 rotatably disposed inside the case 7, a stator coil 513 disposed opposite to the magnet rotor 512 on the outer periphery of the case 7, and other yokes, exterior members, etc. not shown in the figure.

[0041] The conversion mechanism 52 includes a male screw member 521, a female screw member 522, a bearing member 523, and two connecting arm portions 524. The male screw member 521 is a rotor shaft that is attached to the center of the magnet rotor 512 via a bush, and a male screw portion 521a is formed on its outer periphery. The female screw member 522 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a female screw portion 522a on its inner peripheral surface, and the male screw portion 521a and the female screw portion 522a are screwed together. The guide member 8 has an inner peripheral surface that extends in a cylindrical shape along the X direction and is open on the other side in the X direction. The female screw member 522 is disposed inside the guide member 8, and the female screw member 522 is guided along the X direction by the inner peripheral surface of the guide member 8. The male screw portion 521a of the male screw member 521 and the female screw portion 522a of the female screw member 522 constitute a screw feed mechanism, and the rotation around the central axis along the X direction generated by the stepping motor 51 is converted into a linear motion along the X direction by the conversion mechanism 52.

[0042] The bearing member 523 is a member that rotatably supports the male screw member 521, which is a rotor shaft, at the end on the other side in the X direction. The connecting arm portion 524 is a member for connecting the female screw member 522 and the valve body 4. It extends from the female screw member 522 toward the one side in the X direction, penetrates the bottom portion 82 of the guide member 8, and is connected to the connecting portion 43 of the valve body 4 by a connecting pin 525. By the two connecting arm portions 524 penetrating the bottom portion 82, the rotation of the female screw member 522 around the axis along the X direction is restricted. That is, the female screw member 522 is not carried along by the male screw member 521, and the rotational motion can be converted into a linear motion.

[0043] The guide member 8 has a contact portion 81 that contacts the valve seat surface 31 of the valve seat member 3. That is, the valve seat member 3 is sandwiched from the Z direction by the valve body 2 and the guide member 8 on the other side in the X direction. The contact portion 81 protrudes toward the valve seat surface 31 in the Z direction more than the other portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical guide member 8.

[0044] The assembling means 6 is for connecting the pipes 11 to 14 to the valve body 2, and includes three joint members 61 provided on the side surface portion 23 and one joint member 62 provided on the end portion 21. The joint member 61 is formed of, for example, a thin stainless steel plate, and integrally has a small-diameter portion 611, a large-diameter portion 612, and a radially extending portion 613 formed therebetween.

[0045] The outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 611 is equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the openings 2B to 2D and the large-diameter portion 34, and is larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 32. Thereby, the small-diameter portion 611 is inserted into the openings 2B to 2D and the large-diameter portion 34, and is not inserted into the small-diameter portion 32. Further, the extending length of the small-diameter portion 611 is larger than the total thickness (dimension in the Z direction) of the openings 2B to 2D and the large-diameter portion 34, and in a state where the small-diameter portion 611 reaches the stepped portion 35 and the insertion is restricted, a part of the small-diameter portion 611 is positioned so as to be exposed outside the valve body 2. The joint member 61 may be fixed to the valve body 2 by, for example, welding or brazing.

[0046] The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 612 is larger than the inner diameters of the openings 2B to 2D and the large-diameter portion 34. The radially extending portion 613 is a portion that extends along the XY plane from the small-diameter portion 611 toward the large-diameter portion 612. In addition, although a curved surface portion due to processing is formed between the radially extending portion 613 and the small-diameter portion 611 and between the radially extending portion 613 and the large-diameter portion 612, the radially extending portion 613 has a flat portion along the XY plane at least on the side facing the valve body 2. Since a part of the small-diameter portion 611 is located outside the valve body 2, the radially extending portion 613 is arranged with a gap from the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 23 of the valve body 2.

[0047] The large-diameter portion 612 has a flange portion 612A whose diameter is enlarged at the end on the tip side (the side opposite to the valve body 2), and the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 612A is an inclined surface 612B whose inner diameter increases toward the tip side.

[0048] The joint member 62 is connected to the valve port 2A. The joint member 62 has, in order from the valve port 2A toward one side in the X direction, a first large-diameter portion 621 having substantially the same diameter as the valve port 2A, a constricted portion 622, and a second large-diameter portion 623. The wall thickness of the joint member 62 is substantially constant, the outer diameter of the first large-diameter portion 621 is larger than that of the second large-diameter portion 623, and the outer diameter of the second large-diameter portion 623 is larger than that of the constricted portion 622. The joint member 62 may be fixed to the valve body 2 by, for example, welding or brazing. The second large-diameter portion 623 has a flange portion 623A whose diameter is enlarged more than other portions at the end on the tip side (the side opposite to the valve body 2), and the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 623A is an inclined surface 623B whose inner diameter increases toward the tip side.

[0049] In the above four-way switching valve 1, when the magnet rotor 512 and the male screw member 521 rotate by driving the stepping motor 51, the connecting arm portion 524 moves along the X direction by the conversion mechanism 52 which is a screw feed mechanism. As a result, the valve body 4 slides along the X direction and moves between the first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the second position shown in FIG. 2.

[0050] In a state where the valve body 4 is in the second position, the valve member 41 communicates the valve port 3B and the valve port 3D through its communication space R2. Further, since the valve member 41 is located on the other side in the X direction from the valve port 3C, this valve port 3C communicates with the valve port 2A through the inside of the valve body 2 (the valve chamber R1 which is a high-pressure chamber). That is, the state where the valve body 4 is in the second position is a heating mode (heating operation) in which the valve port 2A and the valve port 3C communicate with each other and the valve port 3B and the valve port 3D communicate with each other.

[0051] In this heating mode, the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 200 is introduced into the high-pressure chamber R1 through the high-pressure side pipe 11 and the valve port 2A, and the high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the high-pressure chamber R1 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 400 through the valve port 3C and the indoor side pipe 13. Further, the low-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the communication space R2 of the valve member 41 from the outdoor heat exchanger 300 through the outdoor side pipe 14 and the valve port 3D, and the low-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the communication space R2 is refluxed to the compressor 200 through the valve port 3B and the low-pressure side pipe 12.

[0052] On the other hand, in the state where the valve body 4 is in the first position, the valve member 41 communicates the valve port 3B and the valve port 3C through its communication space R2. Further, since the valve member 41 is located on one side in the X direction from the valve port 3D, this valve port 3D communicates with the valve port 2A through the inside (high-pressure chamber R1) of the valve body 2. That is, the state where the valve body 4 is in the first position is a cooling mode (cooling operation) in which the valve port 2A and the valve port 3D communicate with each other, and the valve port 3B and the valve port 3C communicate with each other.

[0053] Here, the details of the connection structure of the pipes 11 to 14 to the four-way switching valve 1 will be described. The pipes 11 to 14 extend from, for example, other devices constituting the air conditioner, and these pipes 11 to 14 are connected to the four-way switching valve 1 through the connector 10 and using the connection members 20 and 30. In the present embodiment, the connector 10 is connected to the pipes 11 to 14, and this connector 10 functions as an insertion portion to be inserted into the joint member. Further, the insertion direction of the connector 10 is the Z direction.

[0054] The connector 10 has a cylindrical main body portion 101 through which pipes 11 to 14 are inserted at one end and the other end is inserted into the large-diameter portion 612 or the second large-diameter portion 623, and an O-ring 102 as a sealing member attached to the outer peripheral side of the main body portion 101. The main body portion 101 includes, in order from the other end side, an insertion portion 101A disposed within the large-diameter portion 612 or the second large-diameter portion 623, a locking convex portion 101B formed to have a larger diameter than the insertion portion 101A and locked to the edge of the joint members 61, 62, and a locking concave portion 101C for locking the pipe side wall portions 203, 303 described later. The O-ring 102 is mounted in a recess formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 101A and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 612 or the second large-diameter portion 623. That is, the inner peripheral surface 612D of the large-diameter portion 612 serves as a sealing surface for sealing between the joint member 61 and the connector 10.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the connecting member 20 is for simultaneously connecting three pipes 12 to 14 to the valve body 2, and has an integrally formed bottom portion 201 extending along the ZX plane, a main body side wall portion 202 erected from one edge of the bottom portion 201 in the Z direction and extending along the XY plane, and a pipe side wall portion 203 erected from the other edge and extending along the XY plane. The bottom portion 201 is arranged to be aligned with the joint member 61 in the Y direction.

[0056] The main body side wall portion 202 has three cutout portions 202A each having a semi-circular bottom, a convex portion 202B formed between the cutout portions 202A, and a convex portion 202C formed at the X-direction end. The inner surface of the cutout portion 202A has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 611 of the joint member 61, and the small-diameter portion 611 is arranged within the cutout portion 202A.

[0057] The pipe side wall portion 203 has three cutout portions 203A each having a semi-circular bottom, a convex portion 203B formed between the cutout portions 203A, and a convex portion 203C formed at the X-direction end. The inner surface of the cutout portion 203A has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the locking concave portion 101C of the connector 10, and the locking concave portion 101C is arranged within the cutout portion 203A.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, the radially extending portion 613 of the joint member 61 is disposed on the side of the pipes 12 to 14 with respect to the convex portions 202B and 202C of the main body side wall portion 202, and the locking convex portion 101B is disposed on the side of the valve body 2 with respect to the convex portions 203B and 203C of the pipe side wall portion 203. Thereby, pulling out the connector 10 from the joint member 61 is restricted. That is, among the radially extending portions 613, the surface 613A facing the side opposite to the side facing the pipes 12 to 14 with respect to the valve body 2 in the Z direction functions as an engaging portion that engages with the connecting member 20. Further, the locking convex portion 101B also functions as a second engaging portion that engages with the connecting member 20. At this time, the surface 613A has a portion along the XY plane which is a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction.

[0059] Here, the side facing the pipes 12 to 14 with respect to the valve body 2 in the Z direction means the downward direction in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the opposite side means the upward direction in FIGS. 2 and 3. Further, the fact that the surface 613A faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipes 12 to 14 with respect to the valve body 2 in the Z direction specifies the orientation of the surface 613A, and does not specify the relative position between the surface 613A and the pipes 12 to 14. In the present embodiment, the surface 613A as the engaging portion faces upward and is disposed above the pipes 12 to 14, but the engaging portion only needs to face upward, and the engaging portion itself may be located below a part of the pipe.

[0060] In the four-way switching valve 1, when the surface 613A is virtually extended to one side in the Y direction (the back side of the paper in FIGS. 2 and 3), no other members are provided. Thereby, when the connecting member 20 is moved along the Y direction with respect to the valve body 2, the connecting member 20 does not interfere with other members.

[0061] Such a connecting member 20 can be assembled by relatively moving in the Y direction with respect to the valve body 2. Also, the distance between the main body side wall portion 202 and the pipe side wall portion 203 may be equal to or slightly larger than the total Z-direction dimension of the large-diameter portion 612 and the locking convex portion 101B. That is, the connector 10 may be slightly movable in the Z direction with respect to the joint member 61. Even in such a case, if the O-ring 102 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 612, the sealing performance is maintained. Further, at least a part of the connecting member 20 is constituted by an elastic member such as a spring material, and the distance between the main body side wall portion 202 and the pipe side wall portion 203 is made smaller than the total Z-direction dimension of the large-diameter portion 612 and the locking convex portion 101B, so that the main body side wall portion 202 and the pipe side wall portion 203 are deformed to move away from each other by assembly, and a configuration may be adopted in which the assembled state is maintained by utilizing the elastic force.

[0062] The connecting member 30 is for connecting the pipe 11 to the valve body 2, and integrally has a bottom portion 301 extending along the ZX plane, a main body side wall portion 302 erected from the edge on the other side in the X direction of the bottom portion 301 and extending along the YZ plane, and a pipe side wall portion 303 erected from the other edge and extending along the YZ plane. The bottom portion 301 is arranged so as to be aligned in the Y direction with respect to the joint member 62.

[0063] The main body side wall portion 302 has a notch portion 302A whose bottom is formed in a semicircular shape, and convex portions 302B on both sides of the notch portion 302A. The inner surface of the notch portion 302A has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the constricted portion 622 of the joint member 62, and the constricted portion 622 is arranged in the notch portion 302A.

[0064] The pipe side wall portion 303 has a notch portion 303A whose bottom is formed in a semicircular shape, and convex portions 303B on both sides of the notch portion 303A. The inner surface of the notch portion 303A has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the locking concave portion 101C of the connector 10, and the locking concave portion 101C is arranged in the notch portion 303A.

[0065] Although the connecting member 30 differs from the connecting member 20 in the number of the notches 302A and 303A and in the point that the constricted portion 622 is arranged in the notch 302A, it maintains the connection between the joint member 62 and the connector 10 in the same manner as the connecting member 20.

[0066] According to the present embodiment described above, since the valve body 2 is formed of a thin plate, the cost can be reduced. At this time, since the assembling means 6 has the surface 613A as the engaging portion that engages with the connecting member 20, the connecting member 20 sandwiches the joint member 61 and the connector 10 as the insertion portion in the Z direction, and the pipes 12 to 14 can be connected to the valve body 2. That is, the connecting member 20 engages with each of the valve body side unit including the valve body 2 and the joint member 61 and the pipe side unit including the pipes 12 to 14 and the connector 10, and a part of each unit is sandwiched by the connecting member 20 in the Z direction, and relative movement in which these units move away from each other in the Z direction is restricted and the connection is maintained. In this way, connection using the connecting member 20 becomes possible, and the pipes can be easily connected.

[0067] Further, since the surface 613A of the radially extending portion 613 functions as the engaging portion, the engaging portion is located in the vicinity of the pipes 12 to 14, and the distance between the main body side wall portion 202 and the pipe side wall portion 203 in the connecting member 20 can be reduced to miniaturize the connecting member 20, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the joint member 61 is formed of a thin plate, the weight can be reduced.

[0068] Further, since the radially extending portion 613 having the surface 613A as the engaging portion is arranged with a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 23 of the valve body 2, the main body side wall portion 202 of the connecting member 20 can be arranged in this gap, and it is easy to engage with the surface 613A as the engaging portion.

[0069] In addition, since the surface 613A as the engaging portion has a portion extending along the XY plane, when the unit on the valve body side including the valve body 2 and the joint member 61 and the unit on the pipe side including the pipes 12 to 14 and the connector 10 tend to separate in the Z direction, the surface 613A abuts against the connecting member 20, thereby transmitting the separating force to the connecting member 20 and making it easier to maintain the connection.

[0070] In addition, the assembling means 6 has three joint members 61 arranged along the X direction which is the sliding direction of the valve body 4, and since the connecting member 20 has three notches 202A and 203A on the body side and the pipe side respectively, the three pipes 12 to 14 can be simultaneously connected by moving the connecting member 20 along the Y direction.

[0071] In addition, since the joint member 61 has an inclined surface 612B whose inner diameter increases toward the tip side, when the connector 10 is inserted into the joint member 61, the connector 10 can be guided by the inclined surface 612B.

[0072] In addition, since the valve seat member 3 has the guide portion 36, the displacement between the valve member 41 of the valve body 4 and the valve ports 3B to 3D in the Y direction can be suppressed. Also, while it is relatively easy to provide a guide portion for a thick valve body, when the valve body 2 is formed of a thin plate, the shape tends to become complicated when trying to provide a guide portion on the valve body 2, and it is difficult to provide a guide portion. At this time, by guiding the valve member 41 with the valve seat member 3, it is possible to achieve both cost reduction and ensuring of positional accuracy.

[0073] In addition, since the recess 411 is formed at a position facing the corner portion 37 between the valve seat surface 31 and the guide portion 36 of the valve member 41, powder and other foreign matters generated by wear of the valve member 41 and the valve seat surface 31 can be discharged into the recess 411, suppressing damage caused by biting of foreign matters and the like and suppressing fluid leakage.

[0074] Also, by inserting the joint member 61 into the valve ports 3B to 3D of the valve seat member 3 from the side opposite to the valve seat surface 31, in the valve body 2 formed of a thin plate, the total length of the portion through which the joint member 61 is inserted can be ensured. Thereby, the misalignment between the valve ports 3B to 3D and the pipes 12 to 14 can be suppressed, the flow of fluid from the pipes 12 to 14 toward the valve body 2 (or vice versa) can be made smooth, the pressure loss can be reduced, and it is not necessary to increase the size of the entire four-way switching valve 1 for ensuring the flow rate. Also, at this time, it is not necessary to use a block-shaped fixing member for suppressing misalignment, and the entire four-way switching valve 1 can be reduced in size.

[0075] Also, since the valve body 2, the valve seat member 3, and the joint member 61 are made of stainless steel, heat transfer between the respective fluids or between the outside air can be suppressed, and high efficiency can be achieved. Also, compared with the case where some or all of these are formed of brass, it is easy to ensure strength even when thinned, and it is easy to reduce the size of the entire four-way switching valve 1.

[0076] [Second Embodiment] The four-way switching valve (slide type switching valve) of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that the connecting member 40 for connecting the joint member 61 and the connector 10, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0077] The connecting member 40 integrally has a bottom portion 401 extending along the ZX plane, a main body side wall portion 402 erected from one edge of the bottom portion 401 in the Z direction and extending along the XY plane, and a pipe side wall portion 403 erected from the other edge and extending along the XY plane.

[0078] The main body side wall portion 402 is formed with three notch portions 402A having a semi-circular bottom, similar to the main body side wall portion 202 of the connecting member 20 in the first embodiment. However, it is different from the first embodiment in that the inner surface of the notch portion 402A has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 612. That is, the large diameter portion 612 is disposed in the notch portion 402A. At this time, a flange portion 612A is disposed on the side of the pipes 12 to 14 with respect to the main body side wall portion 402, and a portion of the flange portion 612A facing away from the pipes 12 to 14 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the connecting member 40.

[0079] Also in the four-way switching valve of the present embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the engaging portion is provided on the flange portion 612A, the distance between the main body side wall portion 402 and the pipe side wall portion 403 can be narrowed, and the connecting member 40 can be further miniaturized.

[0080] [Third Embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the four-way switching valve (slide type switching valve) of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the joint member 61 and the connecting member 50 for connecting the joint member 61 and the connector 10, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the joint member 61 has a convex portion 612C protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 612. The convex portion 612C may be provided over the entire circumferential direction or may be provided partially.

[0082] The connecting member 50 integrally has a bottom portion 501 extending along the ZX plane, a main body side wall portion 502 erected from one edge of the bottom portion 501 in the Z direction and extending along the XY plane, and a pipe side wall portion 503 erected from the other edge and extending along the XY plane.

[0083] The main body side wall portion 502 has three notch portions 502A with a semi-circular bottom, similar to the main body side wall portion 202 of the connecting member 20 in the first embodiment. However, it differs from the first embodiment in that the inner surface of the notch portion 502A has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 612. Also, the distance between the main body side wall portion 502 and the pipe side wall portion 503 is different from the distance between the main body side wall portion 402 and the pipe side wall portion 403 in the second embodiment. The large diameter portion 612 is disposed in the notch portion 502A. At this time, a convex portion 612C is disposed on the main body side wall portion 502 on the side of the pipes 12 to 14, and a portion of the convex portion 612C facing away from the pipes 12 to 14 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the connecting member 50.

[0084] Also with the four-way switching valve of this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by providing the engaging portion on the convex portion 612C, the distance between the main body side wall portion 502 and the pipe side wall portion 503 can be narrowed, and the connecting member 50 can be miniaturized.

[0085] [Fourth Embodiment] The four-way switching valve (slide type switching valve) of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that it has a connecting member 60 for connecting the joint member 61 and the connector 10, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0086] In the four-way switching valve of this embodiment, three connecting members 60 are used. That is, each connecting member 60 integrally has a bottom portion 601 extending along the ZX plane, a main body side wall portion 602 erected from one edge of the bottom portion 601 in the Z direction and extending along the XY plane, and a pipe side wall portion 603 erected from the other edge and extending along the XY plane.

[0087] The main body side wall portion 602 has a notch portion 602A and a small diameter portion 611 is disposed in the notch portion 602A, and the pipe side wall portion 603 has a notch portion 603A and a locking recess 101C is disposed in the notch portion 603A. That is, the position where the connecting member 60 engages in the four-way switching valve is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0088] Even with the four-way switching valve of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the three pipes 12 to 14 are individually connected by the three connection members 60, assembly is facilitated even if there are some dimensional errors in each part as compared with a configuration in which a plurality of pipes are connected simultaneously.

[0089] [Fifth Embodiment] The four-way switching valve (slide type switching valve) 1E of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that there is only a connection member 70 for connecting the joint member 61 and the connector 10, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.

[0090] The connection member 70 is for connecting the three pipes 12 to 14 to the valve body 2 simultaneously, and integrally has a bottom portion 701 extending along the ZX plane, a main body side wall portion 702 erected from one edge of the bottom portion 701 in the Z direction and extending along the XY plane, and a pipe side wall portion 703 erected from the other edge and extending along the XY plane. The bottom portion 701 is arranged so as to be aligned with the joint member 61 in the Y direction.

[0091] The main body side wall portion 702 is arranged on the side opposite to the pipes 12 to 14 with respect to the valve body 2, and contacts the vertex portion 23A on the side opposite to the pipes 12 to 14 of the outer peripheral surface of the side portion 23. That is, the vertex portion 23A functions as an engaging portion that engages with the connection member 70. The vertex portion 23A is provided in a region of the outer peripheral surface of the side portion 23 that faces the side opposite to the pipes 12 to 14.

[0092] The pipe side wall portion 703 has a notch portion 703A, similar to the pipe side wall portion 203 of the first embodiment, and the locking recess 101C is arranged in the notch portion 703A.

[0093] Even with the four-way switching valve of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the vertex portion 23A of the outer peripheral surface of the side portion 23 of the valve body 2 contacts the main body side wall portion 702, neither the valve body 2 nor the connection member 70 is processed for engagement, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0094] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes other configurations and the like that can achieve the object of the present invention. Modifications and the like as shown below are also included in the present invention. For example, in the fifth embodiment, the apex portion 23A of the side surface portion 23 of the valve body 2 is simply in contact with the main body side wall portion 702. However, the engagement mode is not limited to such an engagement mode, and engagement modes such as Modification Examples 1 and 2 exemplified below may be adopted.

[0095] In Modification Example 1 shown in FIG. 22, a recess 23B is formed in the apex portion 23A, and a pin 704 protruding from the main body side wall portion 702 toward the valve body 2 is provided. The pin 704 is engaged with the recess 23B. That is, the recess 23B functions as an engaging portion. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the engagement from being unintentionally released.

[0096] In Modification Example 2 shown in FIG. 23, a recess 705 is formed in the surface of the main body side wall portion 702 on the valve body 2 side. The recess 705 has a shape along the shape around the apex portion 23A of the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 23, and the periphery of the apex portion 23A is disposed and engaged in the recess 705. That is, a predetermined region including the apex portion 23A of the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 23 functions as an engaging portion. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the engagement from being unintentionally released.

[0097] Further, in the configuration in which the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 23 of the valve body 2 is an engaging portion as in the fifth embodiment, a plurality of pipes may not be simultaneously connected by one connecting member. As in the fourth embodiment, a configuration in which individual pipes are connected to the valve body by a plurality of connecting members may be adopted.

[0098] In the first embodiment, the valve seat member 3 is configured by a single plate-shaped member. However, the valve seat member may be divided into a plurality of members. For example, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the valve seat member 9 may have a configuration in which a valve seat surface side member 91 having a valve seat surface 911 and a pedestal member 92 arranged to contact the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 are separate bodies. In such a configuration, it is sufficient if the valve seat surface side member 91 has a pair of guide portions 912. Further, both the valve seat surface side member 91 and the pedestal member 92 may be made of, for example, stainless steel or the like, and they may be fixed to each other by, for example, brazing or adhesion.

[0099] In the first embodiment, the connector 10 connected to the pipes 12 to 14 is inserted into the joint member 61. However, a pipe having an appropriate shape and material may be directly inserted into the joint member to serve as an insertion portion.

[0100] In the first embodiment, a part of the small diameter portion 611 is located outside the valve body 2, so that the radially extending portion 613 is arranged with a gap from the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 23. However, in a configuration in which an engaging portion is provided on the joint member, a recess may be formed in the outer peripheral surface of the valve body to form a space on the side opposite to the pipe with respect to the engaging portion, and a configuration in which the connecting member can be locked may be adopted.

[0101] In the first embodiment, the surface 613A as the engaging portion has a portion extending along the XY plane orthogonal to the Z direction which is the insertion direction. However, the engaging portion may have a shape corresponding to the connecting member. For example, a curved surface portion is formed on the connecting member, and a curved surface-shaped engaging portion corresponding to this may be provided so that the two are engaged with each other.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the assembling means 6 has three joint members 61 arranged along the X direction which is the sliding direction of the valve body 4. However, four or more joint members may be arranged in the sliding direction, or two or less joint members arranged in the sliding direction may be used. When a plurality of joint members are arranged side by side in one direction, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of pipes may be connected simultaneously. Also, when a plurality of joint members are not arranged side by side in one direction, as in the fourth embodiment, a plurality of joint members may be connected individually. Further, even when a plurality of joint members are not arranged side by side in one direction, by using a connecting member corresponding to the arrangement of the joint members, a plurality of pipes may be connected simultaneously. Also, some of the plurality of joint members arranged side by side in one direction may be connected simultaneously by a common connecting member, and the rest may be connected by other connecting members.

[0103] In the first embodiment, the joint member 61 has an inclined surface 612B. However, such an inclined surface may not be formed. For example, a tapered portion with a tapered shape may be provided at the tip of the connector. Also, if the difference between the inner diameter of the portion of the joint member into which the connector is inserted and the outer diameter of the connector is large (i.e., if the thickness of the sealing member is large), it is difficult for the connector and the joint member to interfere with each other at the initial stage of insertion, and smooth insertion is possible without providing a guiding surface.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the valve seat member 3 has a guide portion 36. However, a protrusion may be provided on the valve body side, and a groove portion that extends in the sliding direction and in which this protrusion is arranged may be formed in the valve seat member, so that the valve body may be guided. Also, when the valve body can be guided by the valve body itself, or when the valve body moves sufficiently straight by the drive unit, etc., a guiding mechanism may not be provided in the valve seat member.

[0105] In addition, in the first embodiment, the recess 411 is formed at a position facing the corner 37 between the valve seat surface 31 and the guide portion 36 of the valve member 41. However, a recess may be formed at another position to allow foreign matter to escape. Further, when foreign matter is unlikely to occur or when a configuration for removing foreign matter is provided, etc., a recess for allowing foreign matter to escape may not be provided.

[0106] In addition, in the first embodiment, the joint member 61 is inserted into the valve ports 3B to 3D of the valve seat member 3 from the side opposite to the valve seat surface 31. However, for example, when using a jig when connecting the joint member to the valve body and misalignment is unlikely to occur, or when the outer diameter of the joint member is sufficiently smaller than the wall thickness of the valve body and misalignment is unlikely to occur, etc., the joint member may not be inserted into the valve seat member.

[0107] Also, although the valve body 2, the valve seat member 3, and the joint member 61 are made of stainless steel, the material of each part may be appropriately selected according to cost, strength, weight, heat transfer performance, etc.

[0108] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0109] 1... four-way switching valve (slide type switching valve), 2... valve body, 23... side surface portion, 23A... apex portion (engagement portion), 3, 9... valve seat member, 31, 911... valve seat surface, 3B to 3D... valve ports (insertion holes), 36, 912... guide portion, 4... valve body, 6... assembling means, 61... joint member, 611... small diameter portion, 612... large diameter portion, 612B... inclined surface, 612D... inner peripheral surface (sealing surface), 613... radially extending portion, 613A... surface (engagement portion), 10... connector, 12 to 14... pipes, R1... valve chamber

Claims

1. A valve body having a valve chamber inside formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, A valve seat member having a valve seat surface formed with a plurality of valve ports and provided in the valve chamber, A valve element for opening and closing the valve ports with respect to the valve chamber, It has a joint member connected to the valve body, and assembling means for connecting a pipe to the valve body, The joint member has a seal surface for inserting the pipe or a connector connected to the pipe as an insertion portion and sealing between the insertion portion, The assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with a connecting member that sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the joint member, The engaging portion faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipe with respect to the valve body in the insertion direction, The engaging portion is provided in a region facing the opposite side of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body, and is a slide type switching valve.

2. A valve body having a valve chamber inside formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, A valve seat member having a valve seat surface formed with a plurality of valve ports and provided in the valve chamber, A valve element for opening and closing the valve ports with respect to the valve chamber, It has a joint member connected to the valve body, and assembling means for connecting a pipe to the valve body, The joint member has a seal surface for inserting the pipe or a connector connected to the pipe as an insertion portion and sealing between the insertion portion, The assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with a connecting member that sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the joint member, The engaging portion faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipe with respect to the valve body in the insertion direction, The joint member is formed of a thin plate, and has a small-diameter portion inserted into the valve body, a large-diameter portion into which the insertion portion is inserted, and a radially extending portion extending along the radial direction between the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion, The engaging portion is provided in the radially extending portion, and is a slide type switching valve.

3. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion is arranged with a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the valve body.

4. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the engaging portion has a portion extending along a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction. **Claim 5**: A valve body having a valve chamber inside formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface formed with a plurality of valve ports and provided in the valve chamber, a valve element for opening and closing the valve ports with respect to the valve chamber, a joint member connected to the valve body, and an assembling means for connecting a pipe to the valve body, wherein the joint member has a seal surface for inserting the pipe or a connector connected to the pipe as an insertion portion and sealing between the insertion portion and the insertion portion, the assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with a connecting member that sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the joint member, the engaging portion faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipe with respect to the valve body in the insertion direction, the assembling means has three or more of the joint members arranged along the sliding direction of the valve element, characterized in that it is a sliding type switching valve. **Claim 6** The inner peripheral surface of the joint member has an inclined surface whose inner diameter increases toward the tip side at the end of the opening side, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is a sliding type switching valve. **Claim 7**: A valve body having a valve chamber inside formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, a valve seat member having a valve seat surface formed with a plurality of valve ports and provided in the valve chamber, a valve element for opening and closing the valve ports with respect to the valve chamber, a joint member connected to the valve body, and an assembling means for connecting a pipe to the valve body, wherein the joint member has a seal surface for inserting the pipe or a connector connected to the pipe as an insertion portion and sealing between the insertion portion and the insertion portion, the assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with a connecting member that sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the joint member, the engaging portion faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipe with respect to the valve body in the insertion direction, the valve seat member has a guide portion for guiding the valve element along a predetermined sliding direction along the valve seat surface, the guide portion sandwiches the valve element from a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction in a plane along the valve seat surface and extends along the sliding direction, characterized in that it is a sliding type switching valve. **Claim 8** The slide type switching valve according to claim 7, wherein a concave portion is formed in the valve body at a position facing a corner between the valve seat surface and the guide portion.

9. A valve body having a valve chamber inside by being formed in a hollow shape by a thin plate, A valve seat member having a valve seat surface in which a plurality of valve ports are formed and provided in the valve chamber, A valve body that opens and closes the valve port with respect to the valve chamber, It has a joint member connected to the valve body and assembling means for connecting a pipe to the valve body, The joint member has a seal surface for sealing between the insertion portion into which the pipe or a connector connected to the pipe is inserted as an insertion portion, The assembling means has an engaging portion that engages with a connecting member that sandwiches the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the joint member, The engaging portion faces the side opposite to the side facing the pipe with respect to the valve body in the insertion direction, The slide type switching valve, wherein the valve seat member is formed with an insertion hole into which the joint member is inserted from the side opposite to the valve seat surface.

10. The slide type switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the valve body, the valve seat member, and the joint member are made of stainless steel.

11. In the slide type switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a connection structure characterized in that the pipe is connected to the valve body by sandwiching the joint member or the valve body and the insertion portion with the connecting member.

Images