Flow path switching device
The flow path switching device enhances port connectivity through adjacent and opposing passages, enabling numerous flow path patterns and efficient fluid flow with reduced pressure loss and compact size.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022170578
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing flow path switching devices, such as those described in Patent Document 1, are limited in the number of switchable flow path patterns and do not efficiently utilize the available ports, leading to restricted functionality.
A flow path switching device with a rotating member that includes adjacent and opposing port communication passages, allowing for increased flexibility in flow path patterns by connecting ports in various combinations, and is constructed with stacked disk members to facilitate complex communication passage designs.
The device enables multiple switchable flow path patterns, reduces pressure loss, and allows for a compact design while maintaining fluid flow efficiency.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flow path switching device that switches a flow path pattern through which a fluid flows. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a valve that switches the ports to be communicated by rotating a main valve element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-49364 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In Patent Document 1, the flow path pattern that connects ports arranged circumferentially around the main valve body is disclosed only when the main valve body is positioned in the second rotation position, and the valve disclosed in Patent Document 1 has few switchable flow path patterns.
[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a flow path switching device that can switch between many flow path patterns. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, there is provided a flow path switching device having a first fixed member, a second fixed member, and a disk-shaped rotating member provided between the first fixed member and the second fixed member, wherein a plurality of ports of the first fixed member and a plurality of ports of the second fixed member are provided, the rotating member having communication passages for connecting the ports of the first fixed member and the ports of the second fixed member, and the rotating member rotating about the central axis of the disk to switch combinations of the ports of the first fixed member and the ports of the second fixed member that are connected by the communication passages, wherein the communication passages include adjacent port communication passages for connecting the ports of the first fixed member and the ports of the second fixed member that are provided at positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating member when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating member, and opposing port communication passages for connecting the ports of the first fixed member and the ports of the second fixed member that are provided at positions radially opposing each other in the axial direction of the rotating member when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating member.
[0007] According to this aspect, in addition to the flow path pattern formed by the adjacent port communication passage, it is also possible to switch to the flow path pattern formed by the opposing port communication passage, thereby increasing the number of switchable flow path patterns, and therefore enabling switching to many different flow path patterns.
[0008] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the plurality of opposing port communication passages are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the rotary member while intersecting the radial direction of the rotary member.
[0009] According to this aspect, the multiple opposing port communication passages can be provided so as not to interfere with each other in the axial direction of the rotating member, thereby making it possible to form a flow path pattern using the multiple opposing port communication passages.
[0010] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the plurality of opposing port communication passages intersect in the radial direction of the rotary member and are inclined in the axial direction of the rotary member so as not to interfere with each other.
[0011] According to this aspect, a flow path pattern can be formed using a plurality of opposing port communication passages, and the fluid flowing through the opposing port communication passage can flow smoothly along the slope, thereby reducing pressure loss of the fluid.
[0012] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the opposing port communication passage is formed in a flat shape so as to widen in the radial direction of the rotary member.
[0013] According to this aspect, the width of the opposing port communication passage in the axial direction of the rotating member can be reduced while ensuring the flow cross-sectional area of the opposing port communication passage, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the flow path switching device while ensuring the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the opposing port communication passage.
[0014] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the rotating member is formed by stacking a plurality of disc members, and that each of the plurality of disc members is a resin molded body in which a portion of the communication passage is formed.
[0015] According to this aspect, a communication passage having a complex shape can be easily formed using the rotary member, and therefore communication passages having a variety of shapes can be formed.
[0016] In the above aspect, it is preferable that three or more ports of the first fixed member and three or more ports of the second fixed member are provided, and that the ports are arranged at positions offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the rotating member, and that the three or more opposing port communication passages intersect in the radial direction of the rotating member but do not interfere with one another in the axial direction of the rotating member.
[0017] According to this embodiment, in a six-way valve or a valve having more than six ports (for example, an eight-way valve), a flow path pattern using three or more opposed port communication passages can be formed. [Effects of the Invention]
[0018] According to the flow path switching device of the present disclosure, it is possible to switch between many flow path patterns. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a flow path switching device (in the case of a six-way valve) according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention (a driving unit is not shown). [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention (a driving unit is not shown). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the rotating disk. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an image diagram of the rotary disk as viewed from the axial direction in the first embodiment, showing the arrangement of rotary disk communication paths in the first flow path pattern. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary disk taken along the dashed line α in FIG. 6, viewed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top view of the first layer of disk members. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top view of the second-layer disk member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of the third-layer disk member. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view of the fourth-layer disk member. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a top view of the fifth-layer disk member. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of the rotary disk as viewed from the axial direction in the first embodiment, showing the arrangement of rotary disk communication paths in the second flow path pattern. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary disk taken along the dashed line α in FIG. 13, viewed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. [Figure 15]FIG. 10 is an image diagram of the rotary disk as viewed from the axial direction in the first embodiment, showing the arrangement of rotary disk communication paths in the third flow path pattern. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary disk taken along the dashed line α in FIG. 15, viewed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram showing the temperature adjustment system when the flow path switching device is set to the first flow path pattern. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the temperature adjustment system when the flow path switching device is set to the second flow path pattern. [Figure 19] 10 is a diagram showing the temperature adjustment system when the flow path switching device is set to a third flow path pattern. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of the rotary disk as viewed from the axial direction in the second embodiment, showing the arrangement of rotary disk communication paths in the second flow path pattern. [Figure 21] 21 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary disk taken along the dashed line α in FIG. 20, viewed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. [Figure 22] 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 20. [Figure 23] 21 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 20 taken along line B-B. [Figure 24] 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 20. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an opposing port communication passage in the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is an image diagram of the rotary disk as viewed from the axial direction in the third embodiment, showing the arrangement of rotary disk communication paths in the second flow path pattern. [Figure 27] 27 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary disk taken along the dashed line α in FIG. 26, viewed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A flow path switching device 1 as an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
[0021] <Overall overview of the flow path switching device> First, an overview of the entire flow path switching device 1 of this embodiment will be described.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the flow path switching device 1 has a housing 11, a valve body portion 12, and a drive portion .
[0023] The housing 11 is provided with an inlet port 20, which is a flow path through which the fluid flows in, and an outlet port 30, which is a flow path through which the fluid flows out. Here, the flow path switching device 1 is, as an example, a six-way valve, and the housing 11 is provided with three inlet ports 20 and three outlet ports 30. The three inlet ports 20 are provided as a first inlet port 21, a second inlet port 22, and a third inlet port 23. The three outlet ports 30 are provided as a first outlet port 31, a second outlet port 32, and a third outlet port 33.
[0024] The housing 11 is formed of, for example, resin. The housing 11 is an example of a "second fixing member" in the present disclosure, and the outlet port 30 (i.e., the first outlet port 31, the second outlet port 32, and the third outlet port 33) is an example of a "port of the second fixing member" in the present disclosure.
[0025] The valve body portion 12 is provided inside the housing 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this valve body portion 12 includes a rotating rotary disk 40 and a fixed disk 50. The rotary disk 40 and the fixed disk 50 are stacked and arranged in the direction of a central axis L (hereinafter simply referred to as the "axial direction") of a disk portion 41 of the rotary disk 40 and a disk portion 51 of the fixed disk 50, which will be described later.
[0026] The rotating disk 40 and the fixed disk 50 are made of, for example, resin. The rotating disk 40 is an example of a "rotating member" in the present disclosure, and the fixed disk 50 is an example of a "first fixed member" in the present disclosure.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rotary disc 40 includes a disk portion 41 and a rotary shaft portion .
[0028] The disk portion 41 is formed in a disk shape and is provided between the fixed disk 50 and the housing 11. The disk portion 41 is provided with a rotary disk communication passage 60 for communicating between a fixed disk port 70 (described later) and the outlet port 30. Details of the disk portion 41 and the rotary disk communication passage 60 will be described later.
[0029] The rotating shaft 42 is connected to the disk 41 at one end in the direction of its central axis, and is connected to the drive unit 13 at the other end. The rotating shaft 42 is provided at the center of the disk 41 so that its central axis coincides with the central axis L of the disk 41. When the rotating shaft 42 receives rotational power from the drive unit 13 and rotates around its central axis, the disk 41 connected to the rotating shaft 42 rotates around its disk-shaped central axis L. In this way, the rotating disk 40 rotates around the central axis L by receiving rotational power from the drive unit 13.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the fixed disk 50 includes a disk portion 51 and a cylindrical portion 52.
[0031] The disk portion 51 is formed in a disk shape and includes fixed disk ports 70, which are flow passages that penetrate in the axial direction. Here, the disk portion 51 includes three fixed disk ports 70. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the three fixed disk ports 70 include a first fixed disk port 71, a second fixed disk port 72, and a third fixed disk port 73. The fixed disk ports 70 (i.e., the first fixed disk port 71, the second fixed disk port 72, and the third fixed disk port 73) are an example of a "port of a first fixed member" in the present disclosure.
[0032] The cylindrical portion 52 is connected to the disk portion 51 and is formed to extend in the axial direction from the disk portion 51 so as to surround the fixed disk ports 70. Here, three cylindrical portions 52 are formed so as to correspond to the three fixed disk ports 70, respectively.
[0033] The drive unit 13 includes a motor (not shown) for applying power to the rotation shaft 42 of the rotary disk 40 to rotate it.
[0034] The flow path switching device 1 configured as described above forms a flow path through which a fluid flows by connecting the fixed disk port 70, which communicates with the inflow port 20, the rotary disk communication passage 60, and the outflow port 30. The flow path switching device 1 rotates the rotary disk 40 about the central axis L using the drive unit 13, and switches the combination of the fixed disk port 70 and the outflow port 30 that are connected by the rotary disk communication passage 60, thereby switching the flow path pattern through which the fluid flows (hereinafter referred to as the "flow path pattern"). Examples of switching the flow path pattern will be described later.
[0035] The flow path switching device 1 is not limited to a six-way valve, but may be any other multi-way valve such as a three-way valve or a four-way valve.
[0036] 3, a seal member 81 is provided between the housing 11 and the rotary disk 40, and between the rotary disk 40 and the fixed disk 50. The seal member 81 seals from the outside the flow path formed between the fixed disk port 70 and the rotary disk communication passage 60 communicating with the fixed disk port 70, and the flow path formed between the outlet port 30 and the rotary disk communication passage 60 communicating with the outlet port 30.
[0037] Furthermore, a disk holding spring 82 is provided between the disk portion 51 of the fixed disk 50 and the housing 11. The stress due to the pressing force of this disk holding spring 82 acts on the disk portion 51 of the fixed disk 50. A total of three such disk holding springs 82 are provided, one for each of the three cylindrical portions 52 of the fixed disk 50.
[0038] In addition, a lip seal 83 is provided between the cylindrical portion 52 of the fixed disk 50 and the housing 11 to ensure sealing of the fixed disk port 70 .
[0039] <Regarding switching of flow path patterns> (First Example) First, the first embodiment will be described.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, when viewed from the axial direction of the disk portion 41 of the rotary disk 40, a plurality of fixed disk ports 70 and a plurality of outflow ports 30 (three in the example shown in FIG. 6) are provided at positions offset from each other, alternately spaced at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the disk portion 41.
[0041] In this embodiment, the disk portion 41 of the rotating disk 40 is formed by stacking a plurality of disk members. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the disk portion 41 is formed by stacking a first-layer disk member 41a, a second-layer disk member 41b, a third-layer disk member 41c, a fourth-layer disk member 41d, and a fifth-layer disk member 41e in the axial direction of each disk member. Each of these five disk members 41a to 41e is a resin molded body, and a portion of the rotary disk communication passage 60 is formed therein.
[0042] 8, the first-layer disk member 41a is provided with three adjacent port communication passages 90 and three communication holes 100, which are formed as part of the rotating disk communication passages 60 and penetrate the first-layer disk member 41a in the axial direction. The adjacent port communication passages 90 are communication passages that connect the outflow port 30 and the fixed disk ports 70 that are provided at positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating disk 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40, as will be described in detail later. The first-layer disk member 41a is provided with a first adjacent port communication passage 91, a second adjacent port communication passage 92, and a third adjacent port communication passage 93 as the three adjacent port communication passages 90. A seal member 81 is provided on the underside (not shown) of the first-layer disk member 41a.
[0043] The communication hole 100, together with the first opposing port communication passage 110, communication passage 120, second opposing port communication passage 130, communication hole 140, third opposing port communication passage 150, and communication hole 160 described below, is a communication passage for providing communication between the fixed disk port 70 and the adjacent port communication passage 170 described below.
[0044] 9, the second-layer disk member 41b includes a first opposed port communication passage 110 and five communication holes 120, which are formed to penetrate the second-layer disk member 41b in the axial direction as part of the rotating disk communication passage 60. Here, the first opposed port communication passage 110 is a communication passage for communicating between the outflow port 30 and a fixed disk port 70 provided at a position facing each other in the radial direction of the rotating disk 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40, as will be described in detail later.
[0045] Of the five communication holes 120, three communication holes 120, together with communication holes 140 and 160 described below, are communication passages for providing communication between the adjacent port communication passage 90 and an adjacent port communication passage 170 described below. The remaining two communication holes 120 are connected to a second opposing port communication passage 130 and a third opposing port communication passage 150 described below, and together with communication hole 100, second opposing port communication passage 130, communication passage 140, third opposing port communication passage 150, and communication hole 160, are communication passages for providing communication between the fixed disk port 70 and the adjacent port communication passage 170.
[0046] 10, the third-layer disk member 41c is provided with a second opposed port communication passage 130 and five communication holes 140, which are formed to penetrate the third-layer disk member 41c in the axial direction as part of the rotating disk communication passage 60. Here, the second opposed port communication passage 130 is a communication passage for communicating between the outflow port 30 and a fixed disk port 70 provided at a position facing each other in the radial direction of the rotating disk 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40, as will be described in detail later.
[0047] Of the five communication holes 140, three communication holes 140, together with communication hole 120 and communication hole 160, are communication passages that provide communication between the adjacent port communication passage 90 and the adjacent port communication passage 170. The remaining two communication holes 140 are connected to the first opposing port communication passage 110 and the third opposing port communication passage 150, and together with communication hole 100, the first opposing port communication passage 110, the communication passage 120, the third opposing port communication passage 150, and the communication hole 160, are communication passages that provide communication between the fixed disk port 70 and the adjacent port communication passage 170.
[0048] 11 , the fourth-layer disk member 41d includes a third opposed port communication passage 150 and five communication holes 160, which are formed to penetrate the fourth-layer disk member 41d in the axial direction as part of the rotating disk communication passage 60. Here, the third opposed port communication passage 150 is a communication passage for communicating between the outflow port 30 and a fixed disk port 70 provided at a position facing each other in the radial direction of the rotating disk 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40, as will be described in detail later.
[0049] Of the five communication holes 160, three communication holes 160, together with communication hole 120 and communication hole 140, are communication passages that provide communication between the adjacent port communication passage 90 and the adjacent port communication passage 170. The remaining two communication holes 160 are connected to the first opposing port communication passage 110 and the second opposing port communication passage 130, and, together with communication hole 100, the first opposing port communication passage 110, the communication passage 120, the second opposing port communication passage 130, and the communication hole 140, are communication passages that provide communication between the fixed disk port 70 and the adjacent port communication passage 170.
[0050] 12, the fifth-layer disk member 41e has three adjacent port communication passages 170 formed as part of the rotating disk communication passage 60, penetrating the fifth-layer disk member 41e in the axial direction. As will be described in detail later, the adjacent port communication passages 170 are communication passages that connect the outflow ports 30 and fixed disk ports 70 that are provided at positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating disk 40 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40. The fifth-layer disk member 41e has the three adjacent port communication passages 170: a first adjacent port communication passage 171, a second adjacent port communication passage 172, and a third adjacent port communication passage 173. The rotating shaft 42 is connected to the upper surface of the fifth-layer disk member 41e, and a seal member 81 is also provided thereon.
[0051] In this manner, in this embodiment, the rotary disk 40 is provided with three adjacent port communication paths 90 and three adjacent port communication paths 170 as part of the rotary disk communication paths 60 .
[0052] In addition, the rotating disk 40 has, as part of the rotating disk communication passage 60, in addition to the adjacent port communication passage 90 and the adjacent port communication passage 170, a first opposing port communication passage 110, a second opposing port communication passage 130, and a third opposing port communication passage 150 (hereinafter also referred to as "three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150").
[0053] The three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 are arranged so as to intersect with each other in the radial direction of the disk portion 41 of the rotary disk 40, while not interfering with each other in the axial direction of the disk portion 41 of the rotary disk 40.
[0054] Specifically, three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 are individually formed in the second layer disc member 41b, the third layer disc member 41c, and the fourth layer disc member 41d, intersecting the radial direction of the rotating disk 40, and are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40 (see Figure 14 described later).
[0055] With the above-described structure of the rotating disk 40, in this embodiment, the flow path pattern can be switched as follows: In Fig. 6, the first opposing port communication passage 110 is hatched with dots to make the shapes of the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150 easier to understand.
[0056] 6 and 7, in the first flow path pattern, the first fixed disk port 71 and the first outlet port 31 are connected to each other by the first adjacent port connecting passage 91. More specifically, the first fixed disk port 71, which is connected to the first inlet port 21, is connected to the first outlet port 31 via the first adjacent port connecting passage 91, the connecting hole 120, the connecting hole 140, the connecting hole 160, and the first adjacent port connecting passage 171.
[0057] The second fixed disk port 72 and the second outlet port 32 are connected to each other through the second adjacent port communication passage 92. More specifically, the second fixed disk port 72, which is connected to the second inlet port 22, and the second outlet port 32 are connected to each other through the second adjacent port communication passage 92, the communication hole 120, the communication hole 140, the communication hole 160, and the second adjacent port communication passage 172.
[0058] Furthermore, the third fixed disk port 73 and the third outlet port 33 are connected to each other through the third adjacent port connecting passage 93. More specifically, the third fixed disk port 73, which is connected to the third inlet port 23, and the third outlet port 33 are connected to each other through the third adjacent port connecting passage 93, the connecting hole 120, the connecting hole 140, the connecting hole 160, and the third adjacent port connecting passage 173.
[0059] Next, in a second flow path pattern obtained by rotating the disk portion 41 of the rotating disk 40 counterclockwise by 30 degrees from the first flow path pattern, the first fixed disk port 71 and the third outlet port 33 are communicated with each other via the first opposed port communication passage 110, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. More specifically, the first fixed disk port 71, which is communicated with the first inlet port 21, and the third outlet port 33 are communicated with each other via the communication hole 100, the first opposed port communication passage 110, the communication hole 140, the communication hole 160, and the third adjacent port communication passage 173.
[0060] The second fixed disk port 72 and the first outlet port 31 are connected to each other through the second opposed port communication passage 130. More specifically, the second fixed disk port 72, which is connected to the second inlet port 22, is connected to the first outlet port 31 through the communication hole 100, the communication hole 120, the second opposed port communication passage 130, the communication hole 160, and the first adjacent port communication passage 171.
[0061] Furthermore, the third fixed disk port 73 and the second outlet port 32 are connected to each other through the third opposed port communication passage 150. More specifically, the third fixed disk port 73, which is connected to the third inlet port 23, is connected to the second outlet port 32 via the communication hole 100, the communication hole 120, the communication hole 140, the third opposed port communication passage 150, and the second adjacent port communication passage 172.
[0062] Next, in a third flow path pattern obtained by rotating the disk portion 41 of the rotating disk 40 counterclockwise by 30 degrees from the second flow path pattern, the first fixed disk port 71 and the second outlet port 32 are communicated with each other via the second adjacent port communication passage 172, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. More specifically, the first fixed disk port 71, which is communicated with the first inlet port 21, and the second outlet port 32 are communicated with each other via the second adjacent port communication passage 92, the communication hole 120, the communication hole 140, the communication hole 160, and the second adjacent port communication passage 172.
[0063] Additionally, the second fixed disk port 72 and the third outlet port 33 are connected to each other through the third adjacent port connecting passage 173. More specifically, the second fixed disk port 72, which is connected to the second inlet port 22, and the third outlet port 33 are connected to each other through the third adjacent port connecting passage 93, the connecting hole 120, the connecting hole 140, the connecting hole 160, and the third adjacent port connecting passage 173.
[0064] Furthermore, the third fixed disc port 73 and the first outlet port 31 are connected to each other through the first adjacent port communication passage 171. More specifically, the third fixed disc port 73, which is connected to the third inlet port 23, is connected to the first outlet port 31 via the first adjacent port communication passage 91, the communication hole 120, the communication hole 140, the communication hole 160, and the first adjacent port communication passage 171.
[0065] Using the flow path switching device 1 that can switch the flow path pattern in this way, the battery 211 and the PCU 212 can be warmed up and cooled in the temperature control system 201 mounted on the vehicle as follows.
[0066] 17, the temperature adjustment system 201 has a first flow path 221, a second flow path 222, and a third flow path 223 as flow paths through which a fluid (for example, cooling water) flows. A battery 211, a chiller 231, and a check valve 233 are provided in the first flow path 221. A radiator 232 is provided in the second flow path 222. A PCU 212 and a check valve 234 are provided in the third flow path 223. The flow path switching device 1 is connected to the first flow path 221, the second flow path 222, and the third flow path 223.
[0067] In the temperature adjustment system 201 configured as above, when starting to travel at extremely low temperatures (warming up), the flow path switching device 1 is set to the first flow path pattern as shown in Fig. 17. This allows for heat storage and warming of the PCU 212, warming of the battery 211 by heat storage in the PCU 212, and heating of the vehicle interior by heat storage in the PCU 212, heat generation from the battery 211, and a heater (not shown).
[0068] During quick charging (when the vehicle is not traveling), the flow path switching device 1 is set to the second flow path pattern as shown in Fig. 18. This allows the chiller 231 and the radiator 232 to cool the battery 211.
[0069] Furthermore, during normal running (after warming up), the flow path switching device 1 is set to the third flow path pattern as shown in Fig. 19. This allows the chiller 231 to cool the battery 211 and the radiator 232 to cool the PCU 212.
[0070] In this embodiment, adjacent port communication paths 90 and 170 and opposing port communication paths 110, 130, and 150 are provided as the rotary disk communication path 60.
[0071] This allows switching to a flow path pattern formed by the opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 in addition to the flow path pattern formed by the adjacent port communication passages 90, 170, thereby increasing the number of switchable flow path patterns, and thus enabling switching to many different flow path patterns.
[0072] In addition, three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 are individually formed by the second layer disc member 41b, the third layer disc member 41c, and the fourth layer disc member 41d, while intersecting in the radial direction of the rotating disk 40, and are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40.
[0073] This allows the three opposed port communication passages 110, 130, 150 to be provided without interfering with each other in the axial direction of the rotary disk 40. Therefore, a flow path pattern using the three opposed port communication passages 110, 130, 150 can be formed.
[0074] The rotary disk 40 is formed by stacking five disk members 41a to 41e. Each of the five disk members 41a to 41e is a resin molded body, and has a part of the rotary disk communication passage 60 formed therein.
[0075] This makes it possible to easily form rotary disk communication paths 60 with complex shapes in the rotary disk 40. Therefore, rotary disk communication paths 60 with various shapes can be formed.
[0076] (Second Example) Next, a second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and omitting a description of the commonalities with the first embodiment.
[0077] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150 are formed in a spiral shape. At the intersections between the opposing port communication passages, as shown in Figures 22 to 24, there is a difference in elevation between the opposing port communication passages to prevent them from interfering with each other in the axial direction. In Figure 20, the first opposing port communication passage 110 is hatched with dots to make the shapes of the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150 easier to understand.
[0078] In this manner, in this embodiment, the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 intersect in the radial direction of the rotating disk 40, but are inclined toward the axial direction of the rotating disk 40, as shown in Figures 21 and 25, so as not to interfere with each other in the axial direction of the rotating disk 40.
[0079] This allows a flow path pattern to be formed using the three opposing port communication paths 110, 130, and 150, and also reduces pressure loss of the fluid because the fluid flowing through the three opposing port communication paths 110, 130, and 150 can flow smoothly along the slope. Also, the plate thickness (i.e., the width in the axial direction) of the rotary disk 40 can be reduced, allowing the flow path switching device 1 to be made more compact.
[0080] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25, the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 have R-shaped portions (indicated as "R" in the figure) at their entrances and exits, which more effectively allows the fluid flowing through the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, 150 to flow smoothly along the slope.
[0081] (Third Example) Next, a third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments, and omitting a description of the commonalities with the first and second embodiments.
[0082] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 , the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150 are formed in a flat shape so as to expand in the radial direction of the rotating disk 40. This allows the plate thickness of the rotating disk 40 to be reduced while ensuring the flow path cross-sectional area of the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150. Therefore, the flow path switching device 1 can be made smaller while ensuring the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150. The three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150 are formed so as not to overlap with the communication holes 120, 140, and 160. In FIG. 26 , the first opposing port communication passage 110 is hatched with dots to make the shapes of the three opposing port communication passages 110, 130, and 150 easier to understand.
[0083] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present disclosure in any way. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.
[0084] For example, the rotating disk 40 may have a plurality of adjacent port communication passages and opposing port communication passages, and may have two or four or more. Also, the fixed disk ports 70 and the outflow ports 30 may each be provided in a plurality, and may have two or four or more. Furthermore, the rotating disk 40 may be formed by stacking a plurality of disc members, and may be formed by stacking two to four or six or more disc members. [Explanation of symbols]
[0085] 1 Flow path switching device 11. Housing 12 Valve body 20 inlet port 21 First inlet port 22 Second inlet port 23 Third inlet port 30 Outlet Port 31 First Outlet Port 32 Second Outlet Port 33 Third Outlet Port 40 rpm disc 41 Disc 41a 1st layer disc member 41b Second layer disc member 41c Third layer disc member 41d Fourth layer disc member 41e 5th layer disc material 50 fixed disks 51 Disc 60 Rotating disc connecting passage 70 fixed disk ports 71 First fixed disk port 72 Second fixed disk port 73 Third fixed disk port 90 Adjacent port connection passage 91 First adjacent port connecting passage 92 Second adjacent port connection passage 93 Third adjacent port connecting passage 110 First opposing port communication passage 130 Second opposing port communication passage 150 Third opposing port connecting passage 170 Adjacent port connecting passage 171 First adjacent port connecting passage 172 Second adjacent port connecting passage 173 Third adjacent port connecting passage L center axis
Claims
1. A first fixing member; A second fixing member; a disk-shaped rotating member provided between the first fixed member and the second fixed member, a plurality of ports are provided on the first fixing member and a plurality of ports are provided on the second fixing member, the rotating member includes a communication passage for communicating the port of the first fixed member with the port of the second fixed member; a flow path switching device that switches a flow path pattern through which a fluid flows by rotating the rotating member about the central axis of the disk to switch a combination of ports of the first fixed member and ports of the second fixed member that are communicated by the communication passage, The communication path is: an adjacent port communication passage for communicating a port of the first fixed member with a port of the second fixed member, the ports being provided at positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotary member when viewed in the axial direction of the rotary member; an opposed port communication passage for communicating a port of the first fixed member with a port of the second fixed member, the opposed port communication passage being provided at a position radially opposed to the rotary member when viewed in the axial direction of the rotary member; that are provided, A flow path switching device characterized by the above.
2. 2. The flow path switching device according to claim 1, the plurality of opposing port communication passages are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the rotary member while intersecting the radial direction of the rotary member; A flow path switching device characterized by the above.
3. 2. The flow path switching device according to claim 1, the plurality of opposing port communication passages intersect in the radial direction of the rotary member and are inclined in the axial direction of the rotary member so as not to interfere with each other; A flow path switching device characterized by the above.
4. 3. The flow path switching device according to claim 2, the opposing port communication passage is formed in a flat shape so as to expand in the radial direction of the rotary member; A flow path switching device characterized by the above.
5. 5. The flow path switching device according to claim 1, The rotating member is formed by stacking a plurality of disk members, each of the plurality of disc members is a resin molded body in which a part of the communication passage is formed; A flow path switching device characterized by the above.
6. 5. The flow path switching device according to claim 1, the number of ports of the first fixed member and the number of ports of the second fixed member are each three or more, and the ports are provided at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating member; three or more of the opposing port communication passages are provided so as to intersect with each other in the radial direction of the rotary member and not to interfere with each other in the axial direction of the rotary member; A flow path switching device characterized by the above.
Citation Information
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