Switching valve

Abstract

Provided is a selector valve capable of switching a fluid circuit to a large number of modes.　This selector valve comprises: a stator 30 provided with one seat surface 30A having a plurality of openings and another seat surface 30B positioned on an opposite side to the one seat surface 30A and having a plurality of openings; one rotor 50A which abuts against the one seat surface 30A and which is capable of causing a through hole 52A through which a working fluid flows to selectively communicate with at least one opening of the plurality of openings; another rotor 50B which abuts against the other seat surface 30B and which is capable of causing a through hole 52B through which a working fluid flows to selectively communicate with at least one opening of the plurality of openings; a rotary shaft 84 that transmits a drive force to the one rotor 50A and the other rotor 50B; one biasing means 90 for biasing the one rotor 50A against the one seat surface 30A; and another biasing means 91 for biasing the other rotor 50B against the other seat surface 30B.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching valve that switches a flow path through which a fluid flows. [Background technology]

[0002] In various industrial fields, fluid circuits are used in which a fluid supply source and a fluid load such as a fluid working device or a heat exchanger are connected by a flow path. Some of these fluid circuits are provided with a switching valve that switches the flow path of the working fluid, thereby realizing multiple modes for operating the fluid load using a single fluid circuit.

[0003] For example, the switching valve in Patent Document 1 switches the fluid circuit that constitutes a heat pump that uses the heat of vaporization and condensation of a heat medium. The heat pump has a compressor as a fluid supply source, a first outdoor heat exchanger as a fluid load, an expansion valve, and a second indoor heat exchanger, with the first heat exchanger, expansion valve, and second heat exchanger connected in series. The switching valve switches between the first and second heat exchangers connected directly downstream of the compressor, thereby switching between cold air operation and warm air operation.

[0004] The switching valve is primarily composed of a rotor rotated by a motor and a stator with a seating surface against which one axial end face of the rotor abuts. The rotor and stator are housed in a space within a case. The stator seating surface has four equally spaced openings: an inlet opening connected to the discharge side of the compressor, an outlet opening connected to the suction side of the compressor, a first opening connected to the first heat exchanger, and a second opening connected to the second heat exchanger.

[0005] The rotor has a circumferentially formed communication groove that opens toward the seating surface. By rotating the rotor in one direction, the communication groove connects the outlet opening and the first opening, and the introduction opening and the second opening are connected through the space in the case. By rotating the rotor in the opposite direction, the communication groove connects the outlet opening and the second opening, and the introduction opening and the first opening are connected through the space in the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 2-22088 (Utility Model Application No. 3-114681) (pages 7-11, Figure 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Although the switching valve of Patent Document 1 can be used to switch the connections of each flow path through which the working fluid flows, thereby switching the fluid load to operate in one of two modes, multiple switching valves must be used when a large number of modes are required and the piping is complex and extensive, such as a mode in which the working fluid is supplied to multiple fluid loads simultaneously, or a mode in which the working fluid is supplied only to specific fluid loads. Therefore, providing multiple switching valves can increase costs, require a large installation space, complicate the piping layout, and make switching control cumbersome.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and has as its object to provide a switching valve that can switch a fluid circuit between multiple modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the switching valve of the present invention comprises: A switching valve that switches a flow path through which a fluid flows, a stator including one seating surface having a plurality of openings and another seating surface provided on the opposite side to the one seating surface and having a plurality of openings; one rotor abutting against the one seating surface and capable of selectively connecting a through hole through which the working fluid passes to at least one of the plurality of openings; another rotor abutting against the other seating surface and capable of selectively connecting a through hole through which the working fluid passes to at least one of the plurality of openings; a rotating shaft that transmits a driving force to the one rotor and the other rotor; one biasing means for biasing the one rotor against the one seating surface; and another biasing means for biasing the other rotor against the other seating surface. This allows the two rotors to be pressed against their corresponding seating surfaces in a sealed state, and the flow path connected by one rotor to the other can be switched, so the switching valve has a simple structure but can switch the fluid circuit between multiple modes.

[0010] The rotation shaft is movable in an axial direction, The one rotor may be fixed to the rotary shaft. According to this, the switching valve has a simple structure in which one rotor and the rotary shaft are integrated, and it is possible to achieve both high accuracy in switching the flow path and high sealing performance.

[0011] The other rotor may be spline-engaged with the rotary shaft. According to this, the other rotor can be moved axially relative to the rotary shaft, so that the switching valve can achieve both high accuracy in switching the flow path and high sealing performance.

[0012] The one biasing means and the other biasing means may be springs. In this way, the force acting on the rotor is biased by the spring regardless of the state of the working fluid, so that the rotor is pressed against the seating surface, thereby enabling the switching valve to reliably seal the switched flow path.

[0013] the one biasing means and the other biasing means are fluid pressures, The one rotor may be arranged to face a low-pressure working fluid, and the other rotor may be arranged to face a high-pressure working fluid. According to this, the other rotor is pressed against the other seating surface by utilizing the high-pressure working fluid, thereby enabling the switching valve to reliably seal the switched flow path.

[0014] The rotating shaft is driven by a motor, The motor may be disposed facing a low pressure working fluid. According to this, since a low-pressure fluid is introduced into the space in which the motor is disposed, the space is well sealed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two rotors and a stator of the switching valve. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing mode M1 of a fluid circuit and a main part of a switching valve in the same mode. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing mode M2 ​​of the fluid circuit and the main parts of the switching valve in the same mode. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing mode M3 of the fluid circuit and the main parts of the switching valve in the same mode. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing mode M4 of the fluid circuit and the main parts of the switching valve in the same mode. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing mode M5 of the fluid circuit and the main parts of the switching valve in the same mode. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Example]

[0017] The switching valve according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 12. In the following description, the top and bottom of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the top and bottom of the switching valve. In more detail, the top side of the paper on which the motor is located will be referred to as the top side of the switching valve, and the opposite side, the bottom side of the paper, will be referred to as the bottom side of the switching valve.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the switching valve V of the present invention is used to select one of a plurality of modes of a fluid circuit and to switch the flow path through which a heat transfer medium as a working fluid flows. The switching valve V in this embodiment is an electric motor-operated rotary valve, and is a so-called six-way switching valve to which six flow paths are connected.

[0019] 1 and 2, the switching valve V is mainly composed of a housing 10 made of a metal or resin material, two discs 50A and 50B (see FIG. 2) as rotors disposed within the housing 10, a motor 80 that is hermetically fixed to the housing 10 and drives the discs 50A and 50B, and two coil springs 90 and 91 (see FIG. 2) as biasing means. The discs 50A and 50B are so-called valve bodies.

[0020] The housing 10 is composed of an upper housing 20 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, a stator 30 having a cylindrical shape with a step on the outer diameter side, and an underhousing 40 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

[0021] 2, a communication hole 21 that penetrates in the axial direction and communicates with the suction side of a compressor C (described later) is formed on the outer diameter side of the annular plate-shaped bottom portion 20A of the upper housing 20. In addition, a cylindrical portion 22 that extends axially upward is formed on the inner diameter end of the bottom portion 20A.

[0022] Also, on the inner diameter side of the upper housing 20, there are formed, in order from the upper axial side, a small diameter through portion 23 that has a stepped cross section and opens axially upward, and a large diameter through portion 24 that is continuous with the small diameter through portion 23 and has a larger diameter than the small diameter through portion 23. The small diameter through portion 23 and the large diameter through portion 24 penetrate the upper housing 20 in the axial direction.

[0023] A communication hole 41 that penetrates in the axial direction and communicates with the discharge side of a compressor C (described later) is formed on the outer diameter side of a disk-shaped bottom portion 40A of the underhousing 40. In addition, a recess 42 into which a bearing 87 is inserted is formed in the center of the bottom portion 40A, and an annular groove 43 into which the lower end of a coil spring 91 serving as the other biasing means is inserted on the outer diameter side of the recess 42.

[0024] Further, a large diameter recess 44 is formed on the inner diameter side of the underhousing 40. The communication hole 41 communicates with the large diameter recess 44.

[0025] The stator 30 is mainly composed of a cylindrical base 31 that can be inserted into the large-diameter through-hole 24 of the upper housing 20 and the large-diameter recess 44 of the underhousing 40, and a flange portion 32 that protrudes outward from the axial center of the base 31.

[0026] The stator 30 is also formed with a through-hole 33 that passes through the axial direction at the radial center of the base 31. The multiple flow paths formed in the stator 30 will be described later.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, four equally spaced convex portions 25, 35, 45 are formed on the outer diameter sides of the upper housing 20, the stator 30, and the underhousing 40, protruding radially outward, and the convex portions 25, 35, 45 have through holes formed therethrough in the axial direction.

[0028] The upper end of the base 31 of the stator 30 is inserted into the large diameter through-hole 24 of the upper housing 20, and the lower end of the base 31 of the stator 30 is inserted into the large diameter recess 44 of the underhousing 40. With this in mind, bolts (not shown) are inserted into the through-holes of the convex portions 25, 35, and 45, and nuts (not shown) are screwed into them, thereby assembling the upper housing 20, stator 30, and underhousing 40 together.

[0029] In addition, the upper housing 20 and the underhousing 40 are sealed from the stator 30 by O-rings 38 and 39 inserted into annular grooves 36 and 37 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 31 of the stator 30.

[0030] In this way, by inserting bolts into the through holes of the convex portions 25, 35, 45, the upper housing 20, the stator 30, and the underhousing 40 can be easily aligned in the circumferential direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the flange portion 32 of the stator 30 is axially sandwiched between the opening edges of the upper housing 20 and the underhousing 40. Therefore, the axial positions of the upper housing 20 and the underhousing 40 relative to the stator 30 can be easily determined.

[0032] 2 to 4, the suction side disc 50A, which serves as one of the rotors, is formed in the shape of a circular flat plate and is disposed axially above the stator 30, i.e., within the large diameter through-hole 24 of the upper housing 20. The suction side disc 50A is formed with a through-hole 51A (see FIG. 4) that is elongated in the radial direction and penetrates the radial center of the suction side disc 50A in the axial direction, and a communicating passage 52A (see FIG. 4) that penetrates the suction side disc 50A in the axial direction on the outer diameter side and has an arc-shaped cross section.

[0033] The other rotor, the discharge-side disc 50B, is disposed axially below the stator 30, i.e., within the large-diameter recess 44 of the underhousing 40. The discharge-side disc 50B is a component with the same structure as the suction-side disc 50A. In the assembled state, the communication passages 52B of the discharge-side disc 50B are positioned 180 degrees apart from the communication passages 52A of the suction-side disc 50A (see FIG. 4).

[0034] 2, the working fluid delivered from the communication hole 41 of the underhousing 40 into the discharge-side space S1 flows out into one of a plurality of external flow paths connected to the stator 30 through an opening of the stator 30 (a discharge-side flow path described later) selectively connected by the communication passage 52B of the discharge-side disc 50B. Note that to make it easier to understand the flow of the working fluid in the switching valve V, the flow paths are tentatively shown by dotted lines in FIG.

[0035] Here, the above-mentioned discharge side space S1 is defined by the stator 30 and the underhousing 40, and the suction side space S2, which will be described later, is defined by the upper housing 20, the stator 30, and the can 81.

[0036] In addition, the working fluid introduced from one of the multiple external flow paths connected to the stator 30 flows from a selectively connected opening (the suction side flow path described later) of the stator 30 through the connecting passage 52A of the suction side disk 50A into the suction side space S2, and then flows out through the connecting hole 21 of the upper housing 20.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the motor 80 is mainly composed of a cylindrical can 81 with a bottom, a coil stator 82 arranged on the outer diameter side of the can 81 and equipped with a coil, a magnet rotor 83 arranged on the inner diameter side of the can 81 and having multiple permanent magnets fixed to the outer periphery of a base member, a rotating shaft 84 inserted into and fixed to the magnet rotor 83, and a case 85 that houses the can 81, coil stator 82, etc.

[0038] The can 81 is composed of a disk-shaped bottom portion 81A, a middle cylindrical portion 81B, and a flanged cylindrical portion 81C, and both ends of the cylindrical portion 81B are hermetically fixed to the bottom portion 81A and the cylindrical portion 81C. In addition, a recess 81a is formed in the center of the bottom portion 81A of the can 81, into which a bearing 86 is inserted and fixed.

[0039] The can 81 is inserted into and fixed to the upper housing 20 from below. More specifically, the flanged cylindrical portion 81C of the can 81 is inserted into and fitted into the small diameter through-hole 23 of the upper housing 20 from below and fixed thereto. In addition, the gap between the can 81 and the upper housing 20 is sealed by an O-ring 89 inserted into an annular groove 22a formed on the inner surface of the bottom portion 20A of the upper housing 20.

[0040] The case 85 is disposed on and fixed to the upper housing 20 from above using a fixing member (not shown). An O-ring 88 is inserted into an annular groove 22b formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 22 of the upper housing 20 to seal the gap between the case 85 and the cylindrical portion 22 of the upper housing 20 and prevent rattling.

[0041] The magnet rotor 83 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. A small diameter through-hole 83b that passes through the center of the bottom of the magnet rotor 83 in the axial direction communicates with a large diameter recess 83a that opens axially upward of the magnet rotor 83.

[0042] Furthermore, a coil spring 90 as one of the biasing means is inserted into the large diameter recess 83a of the magnet rotor 83. The coil spring 90 is disposed in a compressed state between the bottom 81A of the can 81 and the bottom of the magnet rotor 83.

[0043] The rotating shaft 84 is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape, and is formed with, in order from the upper axial side, an upper detailed portion 84a that is circular in cross section, an upper thick portion 84b (see Figure 3) that is continuous with the lower end of the upper detailed portion 84a, is thicker than the upper detailed portion 84a, and has a cross-sectional shape of an ellipse that is long in the radial direction, a middle detailed portion 84c that is continuous with the lower end of the upper thick portion 84b and has approximately the same diameter as the upper detailed portion 84a, a lower thick portion 84d that is continuous with the lower end of the middle detailed portion 84c, is thicker than the middle detailed portion 84c and slightly smaller than the upper thick portion 84b, and has a cross-sectional shape of an ellipse that is long in the radial direction, and a lower detailed portion 84e that is continuous with the lower end of the lower thick portion 84d and has approximately the same diameter as the upper detailed portion 84a.

[0044] An upper portion 84 a of the rotating shaft 84 is rotatably inserted into a bearing 86 .

[0045] The upper detailed portion 84a is press-fitted into the small diameter through-portion 83b of the magnet rotor 83. In this way, the magnet rotor 83 is fixed to the rotary shaft 84.

[0046] The outer dimensions of the upper thick portion 84b of the rotary shaft 84 are formed to be slightly larger than or approximately the same as the inner dimensions of the through-hole 51A of the suction-side disk 50A, and the upper thick portion 84b is press-fitted into the through-hole 51A of the suction-side disk 50A, thereby fixing the suction-side disk 50A to the rotary shaft 84.

[0047] In this way, the suction side disk 50A, the magnet rotor 83, and the rotary shaft 84 are integrated, and are capable of rotating in the same direction and moving in the axial direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the magnet rotor 83 is pressed axially downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 90, which presses the suction side disc 50A against the upper end surface 30A, which serves as one of the bearing surfaces of the stator 30, so that the lower end surface of the suction side disc 50A directly contacts the upper end surface 30A of the stator 30. In this way, the sealing performance between the suction side disc 50A and the upper end surface 30A is improved.

[0049] The central narrow portion 84c of the rotary shaft 84 is formed to have a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole 33 of the stator 30, and is inserted into the stator 30 so as to be rotatable and movable up and down.

[0050] The outer dimensions of the lower thick portion 84d of the rotary shaft 84 are smaller than the inner dimensions of the through-hole 51B of the discharge side disk 50B, and the rotary shaft 84 is inserted into the discharge side disk 50B so as to be movable up and down.

[0051] In addition, the lower thick portion 84d of the rotating shaft 84 and the through hole 51B of the discharge side disk 50B have a cross-sectional shape that is elliptical and long in the radial direction, thereby preventing the discharge side disk 50B from rotating relative to the rotating shaft 84. That is, the discharge side disk 50B is spline-engaged with the lower thick portion 84d of the rotary shaft 84.

[0052] As described above, since the disks 50A and 50B are the same part, the attachment of the discharge side disk 50B to the rotary shaft 84 is easy.

[0053] Furthermore, since the disks 50A and 50B are the same parts and can be used interchangeably, the structure of the switching valve V can be simplified and assembly errors are less likely to occur.

[0054] A lower portion 84e of the rotary shaft 84 is rotatably inserted into a bearing 87 with a coil spring 91 passing through it.

[0055] Furthermore, the coil spring 91 is disposed in a compressed state between the discharge side disc 50B and the bottom 40A of the underhousing 40. As a result, the biasing force of the coil spring 91 presses the discharge side disc 50B against the lower end surface 30B, which serves as the other seating surface of the stator 30, and the upper end surface of the discharge side disc 50B and the lower end surface 30B of the stator 30 directly abut against each other. In this way, the sealing performance between the discharge side disc 50B and the lower end surface 30B is improved.

[0056] Furthermore, the rotary shaft 84 is supported by bearings 86 and 87 and is movable in the axial direction.

[0057] Specifically, the suction side disc 50A is pressed against the upper end surface 30A of the stator 30 by the biasing force of the coil spring 90. At this time, a gap Δ81 is generated between the upper end of the rotary shaft 84 and the bottom surface of the recess 81a in the bottom portion 81A of the can 81.

[0058] Furthermore, the suction-side disc 50A abuts against the upper end surface 30A of the stator 30, thereby restricting the rotary shaft 84 from moving further downward in the axial direction. At this time, a gap Δ42 is generated between the lower end of the rotary shaft 84 and the bottom surface of the recess 42 of the underhousing 40.

[0059] This ensures that the suction side disc 50A is in secure contact with the upper end surface 30A of the stator 30, making it difficult for the heat transfer medium to leak through the flow path formed by the suction side disc 50A and the stator 30. Similarly, it is difficult for the heat transfer medium to leak through the flow path formed by the discharge side disc 50B and the stator 30.

[0060] In addition, when the rotating shaft 84 rotates, friction is prevented from occurring between the upper end of the rotating shaft 84 and the bottom surface of the recess 81a in the bottom 81A of the can 81, and between the lower end of the rotating shaft 84 and the bottom surface of the recess 42 in the underhousing 40, thereby reducing the energy required for driving.

[0061] Next, the flow paths formed in the stator 30 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. The stator 30 is formed with a first communication hole 1-1, a second communication hole 2-1, a third communication hole 3-1, and a fourth communication hole 4-1 drilled radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32 (see Figure 7).

[0062] As shown in Figure 7, the first communication hole 1-1 is recessed upward from the lower end face 30B (see Figure 2) on the inner diameter side of the base 31 of the stator 30, and is connected to the first discharge side flow path 1-2, which is a groove-shaped opening extending in an arc shape in the circumferential direction.

[0063] To explain the opening in detail, the first discharge-side flow path 1-2 is an opening in the lower end face 30B that forms the seating surface, and this opening can selectively communicate with the communication passage 52B of the discharge-side disk 50B. The following openings have the same meaning, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0064] Furthermore, referring to Figure 6, both circumferential ends of the first discharge side flow path 1-2 are connected to first suction side flow paths 1-3, 1-4 as openings that axially penetrate the bottom of the first discharge side flow path 1-2 and the upper end surface 30A of the stator 30.

[0065] 6 and 7, the second communication hole 2-1 is formed on the inner diameter side of the base 31 of the stator 30 and communicates with a through-flow passage that penetrates in the axial direction. For ease of explanation, of this through-flow passage, the portion closer to the bottom of the underhousing 40 than the second communication hole 2-1 will be referred to as a second discharge-side flow passage 2-2, and the portion closer to the bottom of the upper housing 20 than the second communication hole 2-1 will be referred to as a second suction-side flow passage 2-3, also serving as an opening.

[0066] 5 and 6, the second intake side flow path 2-3 is recessed downward from the upper end surface 30A and communicates with the second intake side flow path 2-4, which is a groove-shaped opening extending in an arc shape in the circumferential direction.

[0067] 6 and 7, the third communication hole 3-1 is formed on the inner diameter side of the base 31 of the stator 30 and communicates with a through-flow passage that penetrates in the axial direction. For ease of explanation, within this through-flow passage, the portion of the through-flow passage closer to the bottom of the underhousing 40 than the third communication hole 3-1 will be referred to as a third discharge-side flow passage 3-2, and the portion of the through-flow passage closer to the bottom of the upper housing 20 than the third communication hole 3-1 will be referred to as a third suction-side flow passage 3-3.

[0068] 7, the fourth communication hole 4-1 is recessed upward from the lower end face 30B on the inner diameter side of the base portion 31 of the stator 30, and communicates with a fourth discharge-side flow path 4-2 as an opening that extends in an arc shape in the circumferential direction. The fourth communication hole 4-1 does not communicate with the bottom side of the upper housing 20.

[0069] Next, switching of the mode of the fluid circuit R by the switching valve V will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. In this description, the working fluid is a heat medium used in a refrigeration cycle, and the fluid supply source is a compressor C.

[0070] First, we will explain the fluid circuit R. The fluid circuit R is mainly composed of a compressor C, a switching valve V, fluid loads L1 to L3, and each external flow path.

[0071] Regarding the external flow paths connected to the switching valve V in detail, the discharge side flow path C1 connected to the discharge side of the compressor C is connected to the communication hole 41 of the switching valve V (see Figure 2), the second external flow path 12 connected to one side of the first fluid load L1 is connected to the second communication hole 2-1 of the switching valve V, the fourth external flow path 14 connected to the external flow path 15 between the first fluid load L1 and the second fluid load L2 is connected to the fourth communication hole 4-1 of the switching valve V, the third external flow path 13 connected to the external flow path 16 between the second fluid load L2 and the third fluid load L3 is connected to the third communication hole 3-1 of the switching valve V, the first external flow path 11 connected to the other side of the third fluid load L3 is connected to the first communication hole 1-1 of the switching valve V, and the suction side flow path C2 connected to the suction side of the compressor C is connected to the communication hole 21 of the switching valve V (see Figure 2).

[0072] Next, the fluid circuit R in each of the modes M1 to M5 will be described.

[0073] As shown in Figure 8, in mode M1, the switching valve V has the connecting passage 52A of the suction side disc 50A connected to the first suction side flow path 1-3 (see Figure 8(b)), and the connecting passage 52B of the discharge side disc 50B connected to the second discharge side flow path 2-2 (see Figure 8(c)).

[0074] On the other hand, the suction side disk 50A blocks all suction side flow paths other than the first suction side flow path 1-3 (see Figure 8(b)), and the discharge side disk 50B blocks all discharge side flow paths other than the second discharge side flow path 2-2 (see Figure 8(c)).

[0075] As a result, the heat transfer medium sent from the discharge side flow path C1 into the discharge side space S1 (see Figure 2) is introduced into the second external flow path 12 through the second discharge side flow path 2-2, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 8(a), passes through the first fluid load L1, the external flow path 15, the second fluid load L2, the external flow path 16, the third fluid load L3, and the first external flow path 11, and is introduced into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) through the first suction side flow path 1-3, and is sent to the compressor C from the suction side flow path C2.

[0076] When switching the fluid circuit R from mode M1 to mode M2, the motor 80 is driven to rotate the disks 50A and 50B together with the rotary shaft 84 by approximately 70 degrees in the clockwise direction.

[0077] As shown in Figure 9, in mode M2, the switching valve V has the connecting passage 52A of the suction side disc 50A connected to the first suction side flow path 1-4 (see Figure 9(b)), and the connecting passage 52B of the discharge side disc 50B connected to the third discharge side flow path 3-2 (see Figure 9(c)).

[0078] On the other hand, the suction side disk 50A blocks all suction side flow paths other than the first suction side flow path 1-4 (see Figure 9(b)), and the discharge side disk 50B blocks all discharge side flow paths other than the third discharge side flow path 3-2 (see Figure 9(c)).

[0079] As a result, the heat transfer medium sent from the discharge side flow path C1 into the discharge side space S1 (see Figure 2) is introduced into the third external flow path 13 through the third discharge side flow path 3-2, passes through the external flow path 16, the third fluid load L3, and the first external flow path 11, and is introduced into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) through the first suction side flow path 1-4, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 9(a), and is sent to the compressor C from the suction side flow path C2.

[0080] When switching the fluid circuit R from mode M2 ​​to mode M3, the motor 80 is driven to rotate the disks 50A and 50B together with the rotary shaft 84 by approximately 70 degrees in the clockwise direction.

[0081] As shown in Figure 10, in mode M3, the switching valve V has the connecting passage 52A of the suction side disc 50A connected to the second suction side flow path 2-3 (see Figure 10(b)), and the connecting passage 52B of the discharge side disc 50B connected to the fourth discharge side flow path 4-2 (see Figure 10(c)).

[0082] On the other hand, the suction side disk 50A blocks all suction side flow paths other than the second suction side flow path 2-3 (see Figure 10(b)), and the discharge side disk 50B blocks all discharge side flow paths other than the fourth discharge side flow path 4-2 (see Figure 10(c)).

[0083] As a result, the heat transfer medium sent from the discharge side flow path C1 into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) is introduced into the fourth external flow path 14 through the fourth discharge side flow path 4-2, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 10(a), passes through the external flow path 15, the first fluid load L1, and the second external flow path 12, and is introduced into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) through the second suction side flow path 2-3, and is sent to the compressor C from the suction side flow path C2.

[0084] When switching the fluid circuit R from mode M3 to mode M4, the motor 80 is driven to rotate the disks 50A and 50B together with the rotary shaft 84 by approximately 70 degrees in the clockwise direction.

[0085] As shown in Figure 11, in mode M4, the switching valve V has the connecting passage 52A of the suction side disc 50A connected to the second suction side flow path 2-4 (see Figure 11(b)), and the connecting passage 52B of the discharge side disc 50B connected to the first discharge side flow path 1-2 (see Figure 11(c)).

[0086] On the other hand, the suction side disk 50A blocks all suction side flow paths other than the second suction side flow paths 2-4, 2-3 (see Figure 11(b)), and the discharge side disk 50B blocks all discharge side flow paths other than the first discharge side flow path 1-2 (see Figure 11(c)).

[0087] As a result, the heat transfer medium sent from the discharge side flow path C1 into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) is introduced into the first external flow path 11 through the first discharge side flow path 1-2, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 11(a), passes through the third fluid load L3, the external flow path 16, the second fluid load L2, the external flow path 15, the first fluid load L1, and the second external flow path 12, and is introduced into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) through the second suction side flow paths 2-4 and 2-3, and is sent to the compressor C from the suction side flow path C2.

[0088] When switching the fluid circuit R from mode M4 to mode M5, the motor 80 is driven to rotate the disks 50A and 50B together with the rotary shaft 84 by approximately 70 degrees in the clockwise direction.

[0089] As shown in Figure 12, in mode M5, the switching valve V has the connecting passage 52A of the suction side disc 50A connected to the third suction side flow path 3-3 (see Figure 12(b)), and the connecting passage 52B of the discharge side disc 50B connected to the first discharge side flow path 1-2 (see Figure 12(c)).

[0090] On the other hand, the suction side disk 50A blocks all suction side flow paths other than the third suction side flow path 3-3 (see Figure 12(b)), and the discharge side disk 50B blocks all discharge side flow paths other than the first discharge side flow path 1-2 (see Figure 12(c)).

[0091] As a result, the heat transfer medium sent from the discharge side flow path C1 into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) is introduced into the first external flow path 11 through the first discharge side flow path 1-2, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 12(a), passes through the third fluid load L3, the external flow path 16, and the third external flow path 13, and is introduced into the suction side space S2 (see Figure 2) through the third suction side flow path 3-3, and is sent to the compressor C from the suction side flow path C2.

[0092] When switching the fluid circuit R from mode M5 to mode M1, the motor 80 is driven to rotate the disks 50A and 50B together with the rotary shaft 84 by approximately 70 degrees in the clockwise direction.

[0093] The rotation of the rotary shaft 84 by the motor 80 may be not only clockwise but also counterclockwise. The angle by which the rotary shaft 84 is rotated by the driving of the motor 80 is not limited to approximately 70 degrees and may be changed as appropriate.

[0094] As described above, the switching valve V of this embodiment can switch the flow path communicated by the suction-side disc 50A and the discharge-side disc 50B by sealing the suction-side disc 50A against the upper end surface 30A of the corresponding stator 30 with the coil spring 90, and sealing the discharge-side disc 50B against the lower end surface 30B of the corresponding stator 30 with the coil spring 91. Therefore, the switching valve V can switch the fluid circuit R to one of five modes M1 to M5 despite its simple structure.

[0095] In this embodiment, five modes M1 to M5 are exemplified as the multiple modes, but the present invention is not limited to this and may have three or more modes. In other words, multiple in the present invention means three or more. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the switching valve of the present invention may be applied to a fluid circuit with only one mode, or a fluid circuit that can be switched to one of two modes.

[0096] Furthermore, the switching valve V has a simple structure in which the suction side disc 50A and the rotary shaft 84 are integrated, and it is possible to achieve both high accuracy in switching the flow path and high sealing performance.

[0097] Furthermore, the force acting on the discs 50A, 50B is biased by the coil springs 90, 91, so that the discs 50A, 50B are pressed against the upper end surface 30A and the lower end surface 30B of the stator 30. This allows the switching valve V to reliably seal the switched flow path.

[0098] Furthermore, even if an external force such as a disturbance or impact acts on the switching valve V, causing the rotating shaft 84 to move axially upward relative to the housing 10, the bottom surface of the recess 81a at the bottom 81A of the can 81 functions as a stopper to prevent the rotating shaft 84 from moving excessively away from the stator 30, so that the suction side disc 50A can be stably pressed against the upper end surface 30A of the stator 30 by the biasing force of the coil spring 90.

[0099] Furthermore, since the discharge-side disc 50B is disposed facing the discharge-side space S1 into which the high-pressure heat transfer medium delivered from the compressor C flows, the disc 50B is pressed against the lower end surface 30B of the stator 30 not only by the biasing force of the coil spring 91 but also by the high-pressure heat transfer medium, thereby enabling the switching valve V to reliably seal the switched flow path.

[0100] In addition, the coil spring 91 functions as a stopper that prevents the discharge side disk 50B from moving too far away from the stator 30 even when the compressor C is stopped from pumping out the heat transfer medium, so that by driving the compressor C, the discharge side disk 50B can be pressed against the lower end surface 30B of the stator 30.

[0101] Furthermore, since the motor 80 is disposed facing the suction-side space S2 into which the working fluid is introduced, which has a pressure lower than that of the working fluid in the discharge-side space S1, the motor 80 has better sealing properties than when it is disposed facing the discharge-side space S1. In addition, sealing properties can be easily ensured with a simple configuration.

[0102] Furthermore, since the lower end of the coil spring 91 is inserted into the annular groove 43, the axial dimension of the switching valve V can be made short.

[0103] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0104] For example, in the above embodiment, the switching valve is described as being a six-way switching valve, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of external flow paths to be connected may be changed as appropriate.

[0105] In addition, in the above embodiment, the working fluid is a heat transfer medium and the fluid supply source is a compressor, but this is not limited to this, and the working fluid may be a fluid other than a heat transfer medium, and the fluid supply source may be a pump or the like.

[0106] In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration is described as one in which the suction side flow path is connected to the upper housing and the discharge side flow path is connected to the underhousing, but this is not limited to this, and the discharge side flow path may be connected to the upper housing and the suction side flow path may be connected to the underhousing.

[0107] In addition, in the above embodiment, the communication passage of each disk is described as being capable of selectively communicating with one flow path of the stator, but this is not limited to this, and two or more flow paths may be selectively connected.

[0108] In addition, in the above embodiment, each disk is described as being formed in the shape of a circular flat plate, but this is not limited to this, and it may be C-shaped, fan-shaped, etc., and the shape may be changed as appropriate.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the disc is described as being in direct contact with the upper end surface or the lower end surface of the stator, but this is not limiting, and a sealing member such as an O-ring may be arranged along the periphery of the disc's communication passage or the periphery of the stator opening, etc. In such a configuration, the flow path formed by connecting the disc's communication passage and the stator opening will have even better sealing properties.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the disk is rotated by a motor, but the invention is not limited to this and may be rotated manually or by a drive source other than a motor.

[0111] In addition, in the above embodiment, the suction side disc is described as being fixed to the rotating shaft, but this is not limited to this. The disc may be attached so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the rotating shaft, and may be pressed against the seating surface of the stator by a biasing means.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the suction side disk and the rotating shaft are fixed to each other by press-fitting, but this is not limiting, and the rotating shaft and the suction side disk may be integrally formed. Furthermore, the rotating shaft, the suction side disk, and the magnet rotor may be integrally formed.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the suction side disk on the motor side is described as being fixed so as not to be able to move axially relative to the rotating shaft, but the discharge side disk on the opposite side from the motor may also be fixed so as not to be able to move axially relative to the rotating shaft.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the suction disk is fixed to the rotating shaft so as not to move in the axial direction, but both the suction disk and the discharge disk may be attached so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the rotating shaft. In such a configuration, not only the suction disk but also the rotating shaft may be spline-engaged with the magnet rotor.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the through-hole of the suction-side disk and the through-hole of the discharge-side disk are substantially the same size, and the lower thick portion is slightly smaller than the upper thick portion, thereby allowing the suction-side disk to be press-fitted and fixed into the upper thick portion while the discharge-side disk inserted into the lower thick portion to move axially relative to it. However, this is not limiting, and the upper thick portion and the lower thick portion may be substantially the same size, and the through-hole of the discharge-side disk is larger than the through-hole of the suction-side disk, allowing the discharge-side disk inserted into the lower thick portion to move axially relative to it. In other words, the shapes of the discharge-side disk and the rotating shaft may be changed as appropriate, as long as the discharge-side disk is configured to move axially relative to the rotating shaft.

[0116] In addition, in the above embodiment, a coil spring and fluid pressure are used as examples of the biasing means, but the biasing means is not limited to these and may be any well-known spring such as a disc spring, leaf spring, or coiled wave spring, or may be any of various cylinders, and may be changed as appropriate as long as it is capable of applying a biasing force.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the biasing means is exemplified as a combination of a coil spring and fluid pressure, but the biasing means is not limited to this, and may be either a coil spring or fluid pressure alone.

[0118] In addition, in the above embodiment, the biasing means is exemplified as a coil spring separate from the disc, but this is not limited to this, and the biasing means may be configured to have an integral spring portion with elasticity, such as by cutting and raising a part of the disc, underhousing, etc.

[0119] In addition, in the above embodiment, the coil spring that presses the discharge side disc against the lower end surface of the stator is described as being inserted into the annular groove of the underhousing, but this is not limited to this, and the coil spring may be supported by a spring holder provided on the rotating shaft, or may be changed as appropriate.

[0120] In addition, in the above embodiment, the coil spring that presses the suction side disc against the lower end surface of the stator is described as being arranged between the can and the magnet rotor, but this is not limited to this, and the coil spring may also be arranged between the suction side disc and the upper housing, or may be modified as appropriate.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the stopper is described as being the bottom surface of the can and the coil spring, but this is not limited to this. The stopper may be a restricting member such as a rib provided on the upper housing or the under housing and extending toward the inner diameter, or a C-ring fixed to the upper housing or the under housing, and may be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1-2 1st discharge side flow path (opening) 1-3 1st suction side flow path (opening) 1-4 1st suction side flow path (opening) 2-2 2nd discharge side flow path (opening) 2-3 2nd suction side flow path (opening) 2-4 2nd suction side flow path (opening) 3-2 3rd discharge side flow path (opening) 3-3 3rd suction side flow path (opening) 4-2 4th discharge side flow path (opening) 30 Stator 30A Upper end surface (one of the seating surfaces) 30B Lower end surface (other bearing surface) 50A Intake side disc (rotor) 50B Discharge side disc (rotor) 52A communication path 52B Communication path 80 Motor 84 Rotational Axis 90 Coil spring (one of the biasing means) 91 Coil spring (other biasing means) C Compressor L1 1st fluid load L2 2nd fluid load L3 3rd fluid load M1~M5 modes R Fluid circuit S1 Discharge side space S2 Suction side space V-switching valve

Claims

1. a stator including one seating surface having a plurality of openings and another seating surface provided on the opposite side to the one seating surface and having a plurality of openings; one rotor abutting against the one seating surface and capable of selectively connecting a through hole through which the working fluid passes to at least one of the plurality of openings; a second rotor that abuts against the second seating surface and has a through hole through which the working fluid passes that can selectively communicate with at least one of the plurality of openings; a rotating shaft that transmits a driving force from a motor to the one rotor and the other rotor; a magnet rotor that constitutes the motor and is fixed to the rotary shaft; one biasing means that contacts the magnet rotor and biases the one rotor against the one seating surface; and another biasing means for biasing the other rotor against the other seating surface, The rotation shaft is movable in an axial direction, the one rotor is fixed to the rotary shaft, the other rotor is engaged with the rotary shaft so as to be axially movable, A switching valve, wherein the one biasing means and the other biasing means are springs.

2. the one biasing means and the other biasing means are fluid pressures, 2. A switching valve according to claim 1, wherein said one rotor is disposed facing a low-pressure working fluid, and said other rotor is disposed facing a high-pressure working fluid.

3. A switching valve as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor is arranged facing a low-pressure working fluid.

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