Flow path switching valve

Abstract

To reduce cost and save a space in a flow passage changeover valve having two valve units.SOLUTION: A flow passage changeover valve 10 includes: two valve units 20 each having a valve body 14 in which a valve chest 12 is formed and a plurality of inlets / outlets are formed on a wall surface forming the valve chest 12, a valve element 16 rotatably disposed within the valve chest 12 and a plurality of flow passages each communicating with the inlet / outlet; and a rotation drive section 18 disposed between the two valve units 20, coupled to the two valve units 20 and rotating the two valve elements 16 so that a communication state of the flow passages in each of the valve units 20 is switched by the valve element 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve. [Background technology]

[0002] A flow path switching valve has been disclosed in which one valve unit is provided for one rotary drive part, and the rotary drive part rotates a valve element in the valve unit (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-106238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if there is one valve unit per rotary drive unit, as in the conventional example described above, two rotary drive units are required when two valve units are installed, which is thought to increase the number of parts and, therefore, lead to increased costs and installation space.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the cost and space required for a flow path switching valve having two valve units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A flow path switching valve according to a first aspect includes a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein and a plurality of inlets and outlets formed in a wall surface that forms the valve chamber, two valve units each including a valve element rotatably arranged within the valve chamber and a plurality of flow paths that communicate with the inlets and outlets, and a rotary drive unit that is arranged between the two valve units and connected to the two valve units, and rotates the two valve elements together so that the communication state of the flow paths in each of the valve units is switched by the valve element.

[0007] In this flow path switching valve, the valve element is rotated by a rotary drive unit, which switches the communication state of the multiple inlets and outlets of the valve chest. Furthermore, because the two valve elements in the two valve units are rotated by a rotary drive unit located between the two valve units, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when a rotary drive unit is provided for each of the two valve units, thereby achieving cost reductions and space savings.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, the two valve units have the same structure.

[0009] In this flow path switching valve, the two valve units have the same structure, so costs can be reduced compared to when the two valve units have different structures.

[0010] In a third aspect, in the flow path switching valve according to the first or second aspect, a female fitting is provided at one end of the flow path, which is structured to be open at both ends, and a male fitting that is structured to be connectable to the female fitting is provided at the other end of the flow path, which is structured to be open at both ends.

[0011] In this flow path switching valve, a female fitting is provided at one end of a flow path that is open on both ends, and a male fitting that is connectable to the female fitting is provided at the other end of the flow path that is also open on both ends. By connecting the female fitting and the male fitting, the flow paths of one valve unit and another valve unit can be easily connected.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, in the flow path switching valve according to the third aspect, the inlet / outlet includes a first inlet / outlet, a second inlet / outlet, and a third inlet / outlet, and the flow paths include a first flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet, a second flow path communicating with the second inlet / outlet, and a third flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet.

[0013] In this flow path switching valve, the communication states of the first inlet / outlet, second inlet / outlet, and third inlet / outlet of the valve chest can be switched through the flow paths of the valve element by rotating the valve element with the rotary drive unit, thereby switching the communication states of the first flow path, second flow path, and third flow path.

[0014] A fifth aspect is the flow path switching valve according to the fourth aspect, wherein the third flow path is arranged to pass between two of the valve units.

[0015] In this flow path switching valve, the third flow path is arranged to pass between the two valve units, making it more compact and space-saving than when the third flow path extends to the opposite side of the rotary drive parts of each valve unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost and space required for a flow path switching valve having two valve units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a flow path switching valve according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear view showing the flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1, showing the flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6, showing the state in which the rotation drive unit is coupled to its upper and lower brackets. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a flow path switching valve according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of flow path switching valves according to a second embodiment are connected together. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a flow path switching valve according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of flow path switching valves according to a third embodiment are connected together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated descriptions and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements between multiple drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0019] Furthermore, in this specification, descriptions of positions and directions such as up / down, left / right, front / rear, etc. are based on the directional arrows in Figure 1 and do not refer to positions and directions in actual use. In Figure 1, "U" indicates the upward direction (upper side), "D" indicates the downward direction (lower side), "LH" indicates the leftward direction (left side), "RH" indicates the rightward direction (right side), "F" indicates the forward direction (front side), and "R" indicates the rearward direction (rear side). "Up / down direction" refers to the directions of arrow U and arrow D. "Right / left direction" refers to the directions of arrow LH and arrow RH. "Front / rear direction" refers to the directions of arrow F and arrow R.

[0020] [First embodiment] 1 to 7, the flow path switching valve 10 according to this embodiment is used as a rotary three-way valve that switches the flow path of a fluid flowing in multiple directions, for example, in the engine compartment of an automobile, and has two valve units 20 and a rotary drive unit 18. Although not shown, the flow path switching valve 10 may also be configured as a four-way valve.

[0021] (Valve unit) 5, the two valve units 20 have a valve body 14, a valve element 16, and a plurality of flow paths, namely, a first flow path 21, a second flow path 22, and a third flow path 23. The valve unit 20 can switch, for example, between a state in which the first flow path 21 and the third flow path 23 are connected to each other, a state in which the second flow path 22 and the third flow path 23 are connected to each other, and a state in which the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are not connected to each other. The two valve units 20 may have the same structure. Note that "same" does not necessarily mean a completely identical structure, but also includes similar structures.

[0022] The valve body 14 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a valve chamber 12 formed therein. A first inlet / outlet 31, a second inlet / outlet 32, and a third inlet / outlet 33, which are examples of a plurality of inlets and outlets, are formed on the wall surface that forms the valve chamber 12.

[0023] The first flow path 21 is a flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet 31 and can also be referred to as a first port. The second flow path 22 is a flow path communicating with the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​and can also be referred to as a second port. The third flow path 23 is a flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet 33 and can also be referred to as a third port. In this embodiment, the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​face each other across the valve chamber 12, and the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 protrude in opposite directions from the valve chamber 12. The center of the first flow path 21 and the center of the second flow path 22 are, for example, on the same line. The third flow path 23 protrudes from the valve chamber 12 forward (in the direction of arrow F), for example, perpendicular to the direction connecting the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 (the left-right direction).

[0024] (Valve body) 5, the valve element 16 is a ball-shaped member made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is rotatably disposed within the valve chamber 12. A valve stem 28 is inserted into the valve element 16. For example, an internal flow path 36 is formed in the valve element 16 to selectively connect the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 of the valve body 14, in other words, to selectively switch the communication states of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33. Note that the valve element 16 may not necessarily have the internal flow path 36.

[0025] Sealing portions 38 that seal the gap between the valve element 16 and the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 are provided, respectively. The sealing portions 38 include, for example, a seat member 40 and an O-ring 42. The seat member 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and is formed in an annular shape with openings corresponding to the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet. The seat members 40 are disposed around the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 on the inner wall surface of the valve body 14, respectively. Three seat members 40 abut the valve element 16 on three sides, and the valve element 16 is rotatable and slidable while in contact with each seat member 40.

[0026] The gap between the seat member 40 and the valve body 14 is sealed, for example, airtight or watertight, by O-rings 42. The O-rings 42 are attached to O-ring grooves 14A formed in the valve body 14, for example.

[0027] As an example, the valve body 14 and the valve element 16 may be made of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), the seat member 40 may be made of PTFE (fluororesin), and the O-ring 42 may be made of synthetic rubber.

[0028] In this embodiment, before the valve unit 20 is assembled, the valve body 14 includes a base 24 having the valve chamber 12 and the like, a second flow path 22, and Second entrance / exit 32The valve body 16 and the sealing portion 38 are placed in the valve chamber 12 of the base 24, and then the holder portion 26 is joined to the base 24 by welding, for example.

[0029] The bracket 30 also serves as a cover member that closes the opening of the valve chamber 12 on the valve stem 28 side, and is, for example, welded to the valve body 14. The bracket 30 also has bosses 30A, for example, at three locations, through which bolts 44 are passed, and a support hole 30B that supports the valve stem 28. Because the mounting portion 18A provided on the rotary drive unit 18 is arranged asymmetrically when viewed from above and below, the bracket 30 of the upper valve unit 20 and the bracket 30 of the lower valve unit 20 are symmetrical to each other across the rotary drive unit 18. As long as the mounting portion 18A of the rotary drive unit 18 is arranged in the same way when viewed from above and below, the upper and lower brackets 30 may have the same shape.

[0030] The mounting portion 18A of the rotary drive unit 18 is sandwiched between the bosses 30A of the upper and lower brackets 30, and the upper and lower brackets 30 and the rotary drive unit 18 are fastened together with bolts 44 and nuts 46 (Fig. 7). The head of the bolt 44 and the nut 46 are both housed in a counterbore provided in the boss 30A.

[0031] 5, the upper and lower valve shafts 28 are fitted from above and below into the output part 18B of the rotary drive part 18. An O-ring 34 is attached to the valve shafts 28 to ensure watertightness between the valve shafts 28 and the support hole 30B.

[0032] (Rotation drive unit)

[0033] 1 to 7, the rotary drive unit 18 is disposed between and connected to the two valve units 20, and is a device that rotates the two valve elements 16 together so that the communication state of the flow path in each valve unit 20 is switched by the valve element 16. The rotary drive unit 18 is, for example, a geared motor, and is provided with a connector 50 to which, for example, wiring for communication with a control unit and for power supply is connected. The rotary drive unit 18 also has a cylindrical output portion 18B. As described above, the upper and lower valve shafts 28 are fitted into the output portion 18B from above and below, respectively, and rotation of the output portion 18B rotates the upper and lower valve elements 16 via the upper and lower valve shafts 28.

[0034] For example, three mounting portions 18A are provided on the rotation drive unit 18, protruding outward from the side surface. As described above, these mounting portions 18A are sandwiched between the bosses 30A of the upper and lower brackets 30, and the upper and lower brackets 30 and the rotation drive unit 18 are fastened and fixed together by bolts 44 and nuts 46.

[0035] (action) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. Referring to Figures 1 to 7, in the flow path switching valve 10 according to this embodiment, the communication state of the multiple inlets and outlets of the valve chest 12 can be switched by the valve element 16 by rotating the valve element 16 with the rotary drive unit 18. Specifically, the communication state of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 of the valve chest 12 can be switched through the internal flow path 36 of the valve element 16. This also makes it possible to switch the communication state of the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23.

[0036] Furthermore, since the two valve bodies 16 in the two valve units 20 are rotated by a rotary drive unit 18 disposed between the two valve units 20, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when a rotary drive unit 18 is provided for each of the two valve units 20, thereby achieving cost reduction and space savings.

[0037] The brackets 30 of the upper and lower valve units 20 are fastened to the rotary drive unit 18 by bolts 44 and nuts 46, so the number of bolts 44 and nuts 46 can be reduced by half compared to when the upper bracket 30 and the lower bracket 30 are fixed to the rotary drive unit 18 separately.

[0038] When the two valve units 20 have the same structure, costs can be reduced compared to when the two valve units 20 have different structures.

[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, the flow path switching valve having two valve units 20 can be reduced in cost and space.

[0040] [Second embodiment] 8, in the flow path switching valve 10 according to this embodiment, the first flow path 21 communicates with a first inlet / outlet (not shown) and is open at both ends. The second flow path 22 is arranged parallel to the first flow path 21 across the valve body 14, communicates with a second inlet / outlet (not shown), and is open at both ends. The third flow path 23 communicates with a third inlet / outlet (not shown) and is open at the side opposite the third inlet / outlet. As an example, the third flow path 23 of the upper valve unit 20 opens forward above the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, avoiding the rotary drive unit 18. The third flow path 23 of the lower valve unit 20 opens forward below the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, avoiding the rotary drive unit 18.

[0041] The first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, which are open at both ends, may be provided at one end with female joints 51 and 52, respectively. The first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, which are open at both ends, may be provided at the other end with male joints 61 and 62, which are connectable to the female joints 51 and 52, respectively.

[0042] With this joint structure, as shown in Figure 9, the first flow path 21 and second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 can be connected to the first flow path 21 and second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20, respectively. By connecting the female joints 51, 52 to the male joints 61, 62, the flow paths of one valve unit 20 and another valve unit 20 can be easily connected to each other. Note that this joint structure is just one example, and any other joint structure can be used.

[0043] (Variation) As in a modified example shown in Figure 10, the third flow path 23 may be arranged to pass between two valve units 20. In this modified example, to ensure space for arranging the third flow path 23, the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 are configured to be longer than in the case of Figure 8. Furthermore, the third flow path 23 of the upper valve unit 20 opens forward on the right side of the rotary drive unit 18. The third flow path 23 of the lower valve unit 20 opens forward on the left side of the rotary drive unit 18. In other words, the rotary drive unit 18 is arranged between the two third flow paths 23.

[0044] 11, the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 can be connected to the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20, respectively. By connecting the female joints 51, 52 and the male joints 61, 62, the flow paths of the one valve unit 20 and the other valve unit 20 can be easily connected to each other.

[0045] Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings and the explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0046] [Other embodiments] The above describes one example of an embodiment of the present invention, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10. Flow path switching valve 12 Valve chamber 14 Valve body 16 Valve body 18 Rotation drive unit 20 Valve Unit 21 First channel (channel) 22 Second flow path (flow path) 23 Third Channel (Channel) 31 First entrance / exit (entrance / exit) 32 Second entrance / exit (entrance / exit) 33 Third entrance / exit (entrance / exit) 51 Female joint 52 Female joint 61 Male joint 62 Male joint

Claims

1. two valve units each including a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein and a plurality of inlets and outlets formed in a wall surface that defines the valve chamber, a valve element rotatably disposed within the valve chamber, and a plurality of flow paths that respectively communicate with the inlets and outlets; a rotary drive unit that is disposed between the two valve units and is connected to the two valve units, and that rotates the two valve bodies together so that the communication state of the flow path in each of the valve units is switched by the valve body; a female joint provided at one end of the flow path having a structure in which both ends are open; a male joint provided at the other end of the flow path, the male joint being connectable to the female joint; and The inlet / outlet includes a first inlet / outlet, a second inlet / outlet, and a third inlet / outlet, a flow path switching valve having, as the flow paths, a first flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet, a second flow path communicating with the second inlet / outlet, and a third flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet, passing between the two valve units, and positioned at the same height as the rotary drive unit.

2. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1 , wherein the two valve units have the same structure.

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