Valve device

Abstract

To provide a valve device capable of increasing inlets and outlets while suppressing an increase of components and the enlargement of a housing.SOLUTION: A valve device is equipped with a rotary shaft (61), a housing (10) that forms a flow path (F) and has a plurality of opening portions (151, 152, 163, and 166), and rotating first movable disc (30) and second movable disc (50). The plurality of opening portions includes a plurality of one side opening portions (152 and 163) on one side in an axis direction, and a plurality of the other side opening portions (166) on the other side in the axis direction. The housing has one side partition wall partitioning the flow path into a plurality of one side flow paths (Fi2 and Fo3), and the other side partition wall partitioning the flow path into a plurality of the other side flow paths (Fo6). The first movable disc rotates with rotations of the shaft, thereby switching the one side flow paths communicating to a first through-hole (34). The second movable disc rotates with rotations of the shaft, thereby switching the other side flow paths communicating to a second through-hole (54).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a valve device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a valve device for switching a flow path through which a fluid flows has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This valve device includes a cylindrical housing that forms a flow path through which a fluid flows and has three openings, and two sealing disk units that are disposed apart from each other inside the housing and open and close the three openings.

[0003] In this valve device, the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening, which are the three openings, are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical housing so as to be axially separated from each other in the order of the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening. Also, in the valve device, one of the two sealing disk units is disposed between the first opening and the second opening among the three openings, and the other is disposed between the second opening and the third opening among the three openings. Thereby, the flow path inside the housing is partitioned into three rooms by the two sealing disk units. And one opening is provided in each of these three rooms.

[0004] Each of the two sealing disk units has a fixed sealing disk and a rotatable sealing disk. Notch portions for allowing a fluid to flow are formed in these fixed sealing disk and rotatable sealing disk. When the sealing disk rotates and the notch portions of the fixed sealing disk and the sealing disk overlap each other, the fluid can pass through the sealing disk unit.

[0005] The valve device switches the opening through which fluid flows in and out by changing the rotational position of the sealing disc, thereby switching which of the three chambers allows fluid to enter and exit. In this way, the valve device can switch the flow path of the fluid flowing into the valve device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9874284 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Here, the inventors considered a valve device that could switch between even more flow paths by increasing the number of openings through which fluid can flow in and out. However, in a configuration like the valve device in Patent Document 1, where one opening is provided in each chamber partitioned by a sealing disc unit, the number of switchable flow paths is determined by the number of chambers partitioned by the sealing disc unit. This is because there is a one-to-one correspondence between the chambers partitioned by the sealing disc unit and the openings.

[0008] Therefore, to increase the number of openings, it is necessary to increase the number of rooms partitioned by the sealing disc unit, as well as to increase the axial size of the housing. This is undesirable because it increases the number of components in the valve device and further enlarges the size of the housing.

[0009] This disclosure aims to provide a valve device that can increase the number of openings through which fluid can flow in and out, while suppressing an increase in the number of component parts and an increase in the size of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A valve device, A shaft (61) extending along the axial direction (DRa) and rotating about a predetermined axis (CL), A housing (10) that forms a fluid passage (F) through which fluid flows, and has a plurality of openings (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167) that communicate with the passage and function as either an inlet for introducing fluid into the passage or an outlet for introducing fluid out of the passage, The first movable disk (30) and are arranged axially and spaced apart from each other within the flow path, thereby dividing the flow path in the axial direction, and rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft. Located on the other side in the axial direction from the first movable disc. A second movable disc (50) is provided, The multiple openings include a plurality of one-side openings (152, 154, 161, 162, 163, 167) provided on one side in the axial direction of the first movable disk, and a plurality of other-side openings (153, 164, 165, 166) formed on the other side in the axial direction of the second movable disk. The housing has a one-sided partition wall (1124) that divides the flow path on one side in the axial direction from the first movable disk into a plurality of one-sided flow paths (Fi2, Fi4, Fo1, Fo2, Fo3, Fo7) that communicate with a plurality of one-sided openings, and a other-sided partition wall (1214) that divides the flow path on the other side in the axial direction from the second movable disk into a plurality of other-sided flow paths (Fi3, Fo4, Fo5, Fo6) that communicate with a plurality of other-sided openings. The first movable disk has first through holes (34, 341, 342) formed through the first movable disk in the axial direction, and rotates with the rotation of the shaft, thereby switching the flow path that communicates with multiple other flow paths from among multiple one-side flow paths. The second movable disk has a second through-hole (54) formed through the second movable disk in the axial direction, and rotates as the shaft rotates, thereby switching the flow path that communicates with the second through-hole among a plurality of other-side flow paths.

[0011] According to this configuration, by rotating the first movable disk and switching the one-sided flow path communicating with the first through-hole, the inlet for fluid flowing into the flow path and the outlet for fluid flowing out of the flow path can be switched to one of a plurality of one-sided openings. Similarly, by rotating the second movable disk and switching the other-sided flow path communicating with the second through-hole, the inlet for fluid flowing into the flow path and the outlet for fluid flowing out of the flow path can be switched to one of a plurality of other-sided openings. With this configuration, even if the number of movable disks is two, the number of openings for fluid inflow and out can be increased without increasing the axial size of the housing.

[0012] The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between that component and the specific components described in the embodiments described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an external view of the valve device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view of section III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a top view of the lower fixed disk according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower movable disk according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a bottom view of the lower movable disk according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of section VIII in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Figure 1. [Figure 10] This is a top view of the upper fixed disk according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper movable disk according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12]Top view of the upper movable disk according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a figure for demonstrating the operation mode of the valve device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. [Figure 14] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. [Figure 15] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. [ [Figure 16] It is an external view of the valve device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a figure corresponding to Fig. 4 of the valve device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a top view of the lower fixed disk according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a bottom view of the lower movable disk according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a figure for demonstrating the operation mode of the valve device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. [Figure 21] It is an external view of the valve device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. [Figure 22] [[ID= (30)]]It is a figure corresponding to Fig. 4 of the valve device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a top view of the lower fixed disk according to the third embodiment. [Figure 24] It is a bottom view of the lower movable disk according to the third embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a figure for demonstrating the operation mode of the valve device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. [Figure 26] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. [Figure 27] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on the 1st modification of 4th Embodiment. [Figure 28] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on the 2nd modification of 4th Embodiment. [Figure 29] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on 5th Embodiment. [Figure 30] It is sectional drawing of the valve device which concerns on the 1st modification of 5th Embodiment. [Figure 31] This is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to a second modified example of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 32] This is a cross-sectional view of the lower fixed disk according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 33] This is a cross-sectional view of the lower movable disk according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 34] This is a cross-sectional view of the upper fixed disk according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 35] This is a cross-sectional view of the upper movable disk according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 36] This is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to the seventh embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those described in the prior embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted. Also, if only a part of a component is described in an embodiment, the components described in the prior embodiments can be applied to the other parts of that component. The following embodiments can be partially combined with each other, even if not explicitly stated, as long as it does not impede the combination.

[0015] (First Embodiment) This embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. The valve device 1 of this embodiment is applied to a fluid circulation system in which a fluid (in this example, coolant) circulates to regulate the temperature of the cabin and battery of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle. The fluid circulation system is a system that circulates coolant to the vehicle's power source, radiator, heater core for cabin air conditioning, and battery, etc. As the coolant, for example, LLC (Long Life Coolant) containing ethylene glycol is used. The valve device 1 switches the fluid passage of the coolant flowing in the fluid circulation system, or adjusts the flow rate, etc. In this embodiment, the valve device 1 will be described as an example in which it is configured as a 9-way valve.

[0016] First, the configuration of the valve device 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the valve device 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 10, a lower fixed disc 20, a lower movable disc 30, an upper fixed disc 40, an upper movable disc 50, a drive unit 60, a lower lever 70, and an upper lever 75. The valve device 1 also comprises a lower torsion spring 80, an upper torsion spring 85, a compression spring 90, etc. The valve device 1 of this embodiment is configured as a disc valve that switches the fluid passage of cooling water flowing through the fluid circulation system by having the drive unit 60 rotate the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50 together with the shaft 61, which will be described later.

[0017] Furthermore, the valve device 1 is configured to allow switching of its operating mode in order to switch the fluid passage of the cooling water flowing within the fluid circulation system. The operating mode of the valve device 1 is switched by the drive unit 60.

[0018] The housing 10 constitutes the outer shell of the valve device 1 and forms a fluid passage F inside it for fluid to flow. The housing 10 is a non-rotating member. Specifically, the housing 10 has a bottomed cylindrical lower housing 11 and a bottomed cylindrical upper housing 12 connected to the opening side of the lower housing 11. The lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are molded, for example, by injection molding, in which resin material is poured into a mold and solidified into a desired shape.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, a shaft 61 is inserted through the housing 10 from the lower housing 11 to the upper housing 12 and then to the drive unit 60. The housing 10 is arranged such that the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12 are aligned along the direction in which the axis CL of the shaft 61 extends. The housing 10 also houses components such as a lower fixed disk 20, a lower movable disk 30, an upper fixed disk 40, and an upper movable disk 50. The flow path F formed inside the housing 10 is partitioned by these components.

[0020] In a specific example, the flow path F within the housing 10 is partitioned in the direction in which the axis CL of the shaft 61 extends by a lower movable disk 30 and an upper movable disk 50 which are arranged side by side at a distance from each other within the flow path F.

[0021] In the following explanation, as shown in Figure 1 and other figures, the direction along the axis CL of the shaft 61 will be referred to as the axial direction DRa, one direction in the axial direction DRa will be referred to as the downward direction DRa1, and the direction opposite to the downward direction DRa1 will be referred to as the upward direction DRa2. The downward direction DRa1 is the direction in the axial direction DRa from the upper housing 12 to the lower housing 11.

[0022] Furthermore, the radial direction DRr is defined as the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and radiating outward from the axial direction DRa, and the circumferential direction DRc is defined as the direction around the axis CL centered on the axis CL. The circumferential direction DRc is the rotational direction of the shaft 61, which rotates due to the driving force supplied from the drive unit 60. Note that the drive unit 60 is omitted in Figure 2. Also, the directions shown in Figure 1, etc., are examples and do not limit the installation state of the valve device 1 of this disclosure.

[0023] Furthermore, the flow path F within the housing 10 is also called the lower flow path Fb, which is DRa1 downwards from the lower movable disk 30, and the flow path Fa, which is DRa2 upwards from the upper movable disk 50. The space between the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 within the flow path F within the housing 10 is also called the central flow path Fc. In other words, in this embodiment, the flow path F within the housing 10 is divided into the lower flow path Fb, the central flow path Fc, and the upper flow path Fa by the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50.

[0024] The lower housing 11 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and has a lower side wall portion 111 surrounding the axis CL and a lower bottom wall portion 112 forming the bottom surface. The lower housing 11 also forms a part of the flow path F formed by the housing 10. Specifically, the lower housing 11 forms a central flow path Fc and a lower flow path Fb. The lower housing 11 is provided with two fluid inlet portions 151, 152 and three fluid outlet portions 161, 162, 163 that communicate with these central flow path Fc and lower flow path Fb and through which fluid flows.

[0025] The lower housing 11 houses a portion of the upper housing 12, as well as the lower fixed disc 20, lower movable disc 30, upper fixed disc 40, upper movable disc 50, lower lever 70, upper lever 75, lower torsion spring 80, etc. The lower housing 11 also houses the upper torsion spring 85, compression spring 90, etc. The lower housing 11 is constructed as a single molded product in which the lower side wall portion 111 and the lower bottom wall portion 112 are integrally molded. As shown in Figure 2, two fluid inlet portions 151 and 152 and three fluid outlet portions 161, 162, and 163 are connected to the outer circumference of the lower housing 11.

[0026] The lower side wall portion 111 is cylindrical in shape, surrounding the flow path F in the circumferential direction DRc, and extending along the axial direction DRa. The lower side wall portion 111 has an O-ring mounting portion 1111 on the opening side, the upper direction DRa2 side, where an O-ring 113 is placed to close the gap between the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12. The O-ring mounting portion 1111 is formed by making the inner diameter of the end of the lower side wall portion 111 on the upper direction DRa2 side larger than that of other parts. An O-ring 113 is placed in the O-ring mounting portion 1111. The lower bottom wall portion 112 is connected to the lower side wall portion 111 on the lower direction DRa1 side.

[0027] Although not shown in the diagram, a receiving groove is formed on the inside of the lower side wall portion 111 to receive the lower projection 23 of the lower fixing disk 20, which will be described later. The rotation prevention of the lower fixing disk 20 may be achieved not by the lower projection 23, but by, for example, a rotation prevention pin.

[0028] The two fluid inlet sections 151 and 152 are inlet ports that function as inlets for fluid to flow into the flow path F within the housing 10. The three fluid outlet sections 161, 162, and 163 are outlet ports that function as outlets for the fluid that has flowed into the flow path F within the housing 10 to flow out of the valve device 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the two fluid inlets 151 and 152 are located on the downward DRa1 side of the lower housing 11, one of which is located on the upward DRa2 side of the lower housing 11. In contrast, the three fluid outlets 161, 162, and 163 are located on the downward DRa1 side of the lower housing 11. The two fluid inlets 151 and 152 and the three fluid outlets 161, 162, and 163 are composed of tubular members formed to allow fluid to flow through their interiors.

[0030] In the following description, of the two fluid inlets 151 and 152 provided in the lower housing 11, the one on the upward DRa2 side will be referred to as the first fluid inlet 151, and the one on the downward DRa1 side will be referred to as the second fluid inlet 152. Also, the three fluid outlets 161, 162, and 163 provided in the lower housing 11 will be referred to as the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163, respectively.

[0031] The first fluid inlet 151 and the third fluid outlet 163 are arranged side by side along the axial direction DRa. The second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction DRc on the outer circumference of the lower housing 11. In this embodiment, the second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the third fluid outlet 163, and the second fluid outlet 162 are arranged in this order at approximately 90° intervals. The second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 are formed on the outer circumference of the lower housing 11 on the DRa1 side below the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30.

[0032] The first fluid inlet 151 communicates with the central flow path Fc. The second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 communicate with the lower flow path Fb. Note that the arrangement of the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 is not limited to this example and can be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 function as openings. Furthermore, the second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 function as one-sided openings.

[0033] The lower bottom wall portion 112 is the part on which the lower fixing disc 20 is installed and which supports the lower DRa1 side of the shaft 61. As shown in Figure 3, the lower bottom wall portion 112 has a lower mounting surface 1121 on the upper DRa2 side for placing the lower fixing disc 20. The lower bottom wall portion 112 also has a lower bearing hole 1122 for supporting the shaft 61. The lower mounting surface 1121 also has a lower gasket groove 1123 for positioning a lower gasket 114 that seals the gap between the lower fixing disc 20 and the lower mounting surface 1121.

[0034] The lower mounting surface 1121 is formed in a planar manner, extending along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the lower mounting surface 1121 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to the radial direction DRr. Note that the statement that the lower mounting surface 1121 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa does not strictly mean that the lower mounting surface 1121 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, but also includes states where it is slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the axial direction DRa due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0035] The lower bearing hole 1122 has the lower DRa1 side of the shaft 61 fitted into it, and the shaft 61 is rotatably supported.

[0036] The lower gasket 114 is made of, for example, an elastically deformable rubber material and is formed in an annular shape. Specifically, the lower gasket 114 is formed in a shape corresponding to the lower fixing disc 20 and has holes corresponding to the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 formed in the lower fixing disc 20, which will be described later. The lower gasket 114 is fitted into the lower gasket groove 1123 between the lower fixing disc 20 and the lower mounting surface 1121. In this embodiment, the lower gasket 114 functions as a first sealing member.

[0037] Furthermore, the lower bottom wall portion 112 is provided with a step to match the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 of the lower fixed disk 20, which will be described later. In other words, the portion of the lower bottom wall portion 112 facing the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 of the lower fixed disk 20 is further from the upper housing 12 than the portion not facing the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263. As a result, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, four flow paths Fi2, Fo1, Fo2, and Fo3 are formed in the lower bottom wall portion 112.

[0038] Specifically, the lower bottom wall portion 112 has a second inlet channel Fi2, a first outlet channel Fo1, a second outlet channel Fo2, and a third outlet channel Fo3, which communicate with the second fluid inlet portion 152, the first fluid outlet portion 161, the second fluid outlet portion 162, and the third fluid outlet portion 163, respectively. The second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the third outlet channel Fo3 are formed on the downward DRa1 side relative to the lower fixed disk 20. The second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the third outlet channel Fo3 are each separated by four lower partition walls 1124 provided in the lower bottom wall portion 112 of the lower housing 11.

[0039] In other words, of the flow paths F within the housing 10, the lower flow path Fb is partitioned by four lower partition walls 1124 into a second inlet flow path Fi2, a first outlet flow path Fo1, a second outlet flow path Fo2, and a third outlet flow path Fo3. In this embodiment, the second inlet flow path Fi2, the second outlet flow path Fo2, the third outlet flow path Fo3, and the first outlet flow path Fo1 are formed in this order along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0040] The second inlet channel Fi2 has a substantially fan-shaped cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, and is formed such that its cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction DRa is different from the cross-sectional areas perpendicular to the axial direction DRa of the first outlet channel Fo1, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the third outlet channel Fo3. Specifically, the second inlet channel Fi2 is formed such that its cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction DRa is smaller than that perpendicular to the axial direction DRa of the first outlet channel Fo1, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the third outlet channel Fo3. Hereinafter, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the axial direction DRa in each channel will also be referred to as the channel cross-sectional area.

[0041] Furthermore, the second outlet channel Fo2 has a substantially fan-shaped cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, and is formed such that its channel cross-sectional area differs from that of the first outlet channel Fo1 and the third outlet channel Fo3. Specifically, the second outlet channel Fo2 is formed such that its channel cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the first outlet channel Fo1 and the third outlet channel Fo3.

[0042] Furthermore, the first outlet channel Fo1 and the third outlet channel Fo3 have a substantially fan shape in the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, and their respective channel cross-sectional areas are formed to be approximately the same size.

[0043] The thickness of each of the four lower partitions 1124 is constant along the radial direction DRr. Furthermore, the size of each of the four lower partitions 1124 is constant along the axial direction DRa.

[0044] Each of the four lower partition walls 1124 is positioned to correspond to the four lower partition sections 24 of the lower fixed disk 20, which will be described later. The end of each of the four lower partition walls 1124 on the lower fixed disk 20 side is fixed in a state that matches the orientation of the four lower partition sections 24 of the lower fixed disk 20. As a result, the second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the third outlet channel Fo3 are in communication with the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 of the lower fixed disk 20. In this embodiment, the four lower partition walls 1124 function as one-sided partition walls, and the second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the third outlet channel Fo3, which are partitioned by the four lower partition walls 1124, each function as one-sided channels.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, a lower fixed disc 20 is fixed inside the lower housing 11. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lower fixed disc 20 is positioned between the lower mounting surface 1121 of the lower housing 11 and the lower movable disc 30. The lower fixed disc 20 is a sealing member that seals the gap between the lower housing 11 and the lower movable disc 30. The lower fixed disc 20 is formed in a disc shape and is positioned so that its central axis coincides with the axis CL.

[0046] The lower fixed disc 20 has a lower sealing surface 21 that contacts the lower movable disc 30 and a lower support surface 28 that contacts the lower mounting surface 1121. In addition, as shown in Figure 5, the lower fixed disc 20 has a lower fixing hole 22 formed approximately in the center through which the shaft 61 is inserted.

[0047] The lower sealing surface 21 and the lower support surface 28 are formed in a planar manner, extending along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the lower sealing surface 21 and the lower support surface 28 are perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to the radial direction DRr. However, the statement that the lower sealing surface 21 and the lower support surface 28 are perpendicular to the axial direction DRa does not strictly mean that the lower sealing surface 21 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Furthermore, the statement that the lower sealing surface 21 and the lower support surface 28 are perpendicular to the axial direction DRa includes a state in which they are slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the axial direction DRa due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0048] Furthermore, the lower fixing disc 20 is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, superior wear resistance, and a lower coefficient of friction compared to the constituent materials of the housing 10. For example, the lower fixing disc 20 is made of a high-hardness material that is harder than the housing 10. Specifically, the lower fixing disc 20 is made of at least one of phenol, resin, and ceramic. In this embodiment, the lower fixing disc 20 is made of ceramic.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower fixed disc 20 may be made of a material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and excellent wear resistance, such as ceramic, only in the portion that forms the lower sealing surface 21 on which the lower movable disc 30 slides, compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. Also, the lower fixed disc 20 may be made up of a combination of multiple components.

[0050] Furthermore, the lower fixed disc 20 is positioned so as not to rotate relative to the circumferential direction DRc within the flow path F of the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the lower fixed disc 20 has a lower projection 23 that protrudes radially outward from the DRr. The lower fixed disc 20 is prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction DRc as the shaft 61 rotates by fitting the lower projection 23 into a receiving groove (not shown) formed on the inner circumference of the lower side wall portion 111.

[0051] Furthermore, the lower fixed disk 20 of this embodiment has four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 that penetrate in the axial direction DRa, and four lower partition portions 24 provided between the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263. The four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 are formed to penetrate the lower fixed disk 20 in the axial direction DRa, allowing fluid to pass through. The four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 and the four lower partition portions 24 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction DRc over the entire circumference of the lower fixed disk 20. The four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 have a substantially fan shape in cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. In the following description, the four flow holes 252, 261, 262, and 263 will be referred to as the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263, respectively. In this embodiment, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the third outlet flow hole 263, and the second outlet flow hole 262 are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0052] The second inlet passage 252, the first outlet passage 261, the second outlet passage 262, and the third outlet passage 263 correspond one-to-one with the second inlet passage Fi2, the first outlet passage Fo1, the second outlet passage Fo2, and the third outlet passage Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second inlet passage 252 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the second inlet passage Fi2, and it communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet passage Fi2. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet passage 261 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet passage Fo1, and it communicates with the first fluid outlet section 161 via the first outlet passage Fo1. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second outlet passage 262 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of ​​the second outlet passage Fo2, and it communicates with the second fluid outlet section 162 via the second outlet passage Fo2. The third outlet flow hole 263 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third outlet flow path Fo3, and communicates with the third fluid outlet section 163 via the third outlet flow path Fo3. In this embodiment, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263 function as the first flow path hole.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the lower movable disc 30 is provided within the lower housing 11 and is in surface contact with the lower sealing surface 21 of the lower fixed disc 20. Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the lower movable disc 30 in this embodiment is formed in the shape of a disc with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the lower fixed disc 20, and is positioned so that its central axis coincides with the axis CL.

[0054] The lower movable disc 30 has a lower sliding surface 31 that slides against the lower fixed disc 20. The lower movable disc 30 also has a lower movable hole 32 formed approximately in the center through which a shaft 61 is inserted, and two lower press-fit grooves 33 into which the lower lever 70 (described later) is press-fitted.

[0055] The lower sliding surface 31 is formed in a planar manner, extending along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the lower sliding surface 31 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to the radial direction DRr. Note that the statement that the lower sliding surface 31 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa does not strictly mean that the lower sliding surface 31 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, but also includes states where it is slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the axial direction DRa due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0056] Furthermore, the lower movable disc 30, like the lower fixed disc 20, is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, superior wear resistance, and a lower coefficient of friction compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. For example, the lower movable disc 30 is made of a high-hardness material that is harder than the housing 10. Specifically, the lower movable disc 30 is made of at least one of phenol, resin, and ceramic. In this embodiment, the lower movable disc 30 is made of ceramic, which is the same material as the lower fixed disc 20.

[0057] Furthermore, the lower movable disc 30 may be made of a material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and excellent wear resistance, such as ceramic, only in the portion that forms the lower sliding surface 31 on which the lower fixed disc 20 slides, compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. Also, the lower movable disc 30 may be made up of a combination of multiple components.

[0058] The lower movable disc 30 is formed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the lower housing 11 and is rotatably mounted around the axis CL of the shaft 61. The lower movable disc 30 has one lower flow path through hole 34 that penetrates the lower movable disc 30 in the axial direction DRa and one lower flow path communication hole 35 that does not penetrate the lower movable disc 30.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 and the lower flow passage connecting hole 35 are formed in a substantially fan shape in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Furthermore, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed in a smaller cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa compared to the lower flow passage connecting hole 35. Specifically, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed in a cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa that is less than half the size of the lower flow passage connecting hole 35.

[0060] The lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed to penetrate the lower movable disk 30 and is designed to allow fluid to pass through. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 is connected on the downward DRa1 side to one of the second inlet flow hole 252, first outlet flow hole 261, second outlet flow hole 262, or third outlet flow hole 263 of the lower fixed disk 20. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 is connected on the upward DRa2 side to the central flow passage Fc.

[0061] The lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed with a flow passage cross-sectional area that is slightly larger than the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the second inlet flow passage hole 252 of the lower fixed disk 20, and is large enough to cover the entire second inlet flow passage hole 252. In contrast, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed with a flow passage cross-sectional area that is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional areas of the first outlet flow passage hole 261, the second outlet flow passage hole 262, and the third outlet flow passage hole 263 of the lower fixed disk 20. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 is large enough that it is not possible to cover the entirety of the first outlet flow passage hole 261, the second outlet flow passage hole 262, and the third outlet flow passage hole 263.

[0062] Furthermore, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed to communicate with one or two of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disk 30. Specifically, if the lower flow passage through-hole 34 overlaps with only one of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates only with the overlapping flow hole. Also, if the lower flow passage through-hole 34 overlaps with two of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates with the two overlapping flow holes.

[0063] In other words, the lower movable disk 30 has a lower flow path through hole 34 that, as it rotates with the rotation of the shaft 61, communicates with at least one of the second inlet flow path Fi2, the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0064] The lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed by a recess in a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 that slides against the lower fixed disk 20. In other words, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed without penetrating the lower movable disk 30. Furthermore, the flow channel cross-sectional area of ​​the lower flow channel communication hole 35 is larger than the flow channel cross-sectional areas of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower flow channel communication hole 35 is sized to cover all of these second inlet flow hole 252, first outlet flow hole 261, second outlet flow hole 262, and third outlet flow hole 263.

[0065] In this embodiment, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed to be large enough to simultaneously cover at least a portion of any two or three of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0066] Furthermore, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed to communicate with any two or three of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. Specifically, if the lower flow channel communication hole 35 overlaps any two of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it connects the two overlapping flow holes. Also, if the lower flow channel communication hole 35 overlaps any three of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263, it connects the three overlapping flow holes. As a result, the flow holes that communicate with each other via the lower flow channel communication hole 35 among the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263 are connected to each other.

[0067] In other words, the lower movable disk 30 has a lower flow path communication hole 35 that, as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61, connects multiple of the second inlet flow path Fi2, the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0068] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 communicates with one or two of the second inlet flow passage 252, the first outlet flow passage 261, the second outlet flow passage 262, and the third outlet flow passage 263. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 then communicates with the flow passage corresponding to the flow passage it communicates with among the second inlet flow passage Fi2, the first outlet flow passage Fo1, the second outlet flow passage Fo2, and the third outlet flow passage Fo3. As a result, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 communicates with the central flow passage Fc and the flow passage it communicates with among the second inlet flow passage Fi2, the first outlet flow passage Fo1, the second outlet flow passage Fo2, and the third outlet flow passage Fo3.

[0069] Furthermore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 connects any two or three of the second inlet flow channel 252, the first outlet flow channel 261, the second outlet flow channel 262, and the third outlet flow channel 263. Then, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 connects with the flow channels corresponding to each of the two or three flow channels it connects with among the second inlet flow channel Fi2, the first outlet flow channel Fo1, the second outlet flow channel Fo2, and the third outlet flow channel Fo3. In this way, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 connects the two or three flow channels it connects with among the second inlet flow channel Fi2, the first outlet flow channel Fo1, the second outlet flow channel Fo2, and the third outlet flow channel Fo3.

[0070] In this embodiment, the rotation range of the lower movable disk 30 is predetermined, and the lower flow passage through-hole 34 can communicate with one or two of the first outlet flow passage 261, the second outlet flow passage 262, and the third outlet flow passage 263. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 cannot communicate with the second inlet flow passage 252. In other words, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 cannot communicate with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow passage Fi2.

[0071] Furthermore, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and can communicate with at least one of the first outlet flow hole 261 and the second outlet flow hole 262. As a result, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 can connect the second inlet flow hole 252 to either the first outlet flow hole 261 or the second outlet flow hole 262. The lower flow channel communication hole 35 cannot communicate with the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0072] In this embodiment, the lower fixed disk 20 functions as the first fixed disk, and the lower movable disk 30 functions as the first movable disk.

[0073] The upper housing 12 is a member that covers the opening side of the lower housing 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper housing 12 is a bottomed cylindrical shape and has an upper bottom wall portion 121 that forms the bottom surface and a lid portion 122 that closes the lower housing 11. The upper housing 12 also forms a part of the flow path F formed by the housing 10. Specifically, the upper housing 12 forms the upper flow path Fa. The upper housing 12 is provided with one fluid inlet portion 153 and three fluid outlet portions 164, 165, and 166 that communicate with the upper flow path Fa and through which fluid flows.

[0074] The upper housing 12 accommodates the upper fixed disc 40 and a portion of the upper movable disc 50. The upper bottom wall portion 121 and the lid portion 122 are formed as a single, integrally molded product.

[0075] The upper bottom wall portion 121 is cylindrical in shape, surrounding the upper flow path Fa in the circumferential direction DRc, and extends along the axial direction DRa. The outer diameter of the upper bottom wall portion 121 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower side wall portion 111. A lid portion 122 is connected to the lower DRa1 side of the upper bottom wall portion 121. One fluid inlet portion 153 and three fluid outlet portions 164, 165, and 166 are connected to the outer circumference of the upper bottom wall portion 121.

[0076] One fluid inlet 153 is an inlet port that functions as an inlet for fluid to flow into the flow path F within the housing 10. Three fluid outlets 164, 165, and 166 are outlet ports that function as outlets for the fluid that has flowed into the flow path F within the housing 10 to flow out of the valve device 1.

[0077] The single fluid inlet 153 and the three fluid outlets 164, 165, and 166 are composed of tubular members formed to allow fluid to flow through their interiors. In the following description, the single fluid inlet 153 provided in the upper housing 12 will be referred to as the third fluid inlet 153, and the three fluid outlets 164, 165, and 166 will be referred to as the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166, respectively.

[0078] As shown in Figure 2, the sixth fluid outlet 166 is provided in the lower housing 11, aligned with the first fluid inlet 151 and the third fluid outlet 163 along the axial direction DRa. The third fluid inlet 153, the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 are provided on the outer circumference of the upper housing 12, aligned along the circumferential direction DRc, with a predetermined spacing between them. In this embodiment, the third fluid inlet 153, the fifth fluid outlet 165, the fourth fluid outlet 164, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 are provided in this order with uneven spacing. The third fluid inlet 153, the fifth fluid outlet 165, the fourth fluid outlet 164, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 are formed on the outer circumference of the upper housing 12, on the DRa2 side above the upper fixed disk 40 and the upper movable disk 50.

[0079] The third fluid inlet 153, the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 are in communication with the upper flow path Fa. The arrangement of the third fluid inlet 153, the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 is not limited to this example and can be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, the third fluid inlet 153, the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 are openings that function as other-side openings.

[0080] The lid portion 122 is a member that covers the opening of the lower housing 11 by being fitted onto the opening side of the lower housing 11. The lid portion 122 has a plate portion 1221 and a rib portion 1222. The plate portion 1221 is formed in an annular shape that extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the upper bottom wall portion 121. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the plate portion 1221 increases in a stepped manner from the downward DRa1 side to the upward DRa2 side.

[0081] The rib portion 1222 is the part of the lid portion 122 that is fitted into the opening side of the lower housing 11. The rib portion 1222 is cylindrical in shape, and its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower side wall portion 111, and it is formed so that it can be fitted into the opening side of the lower housing 11.

[0082] The rib portion 1222 is provided so as to protrude downward toward DRa1 from the downward DRa1 side surface of the plate portion 1221. The upper fixing disc 40 is facing the inner circumferential surface of the rib portion 1222. An O-ring 113 is sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface of the lower housing 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the rib portion 1222 in the upper housing 12. The O-ring 113 is made of urethane rubber, which is an annular elastic body, and is configured to be elastically deformable when compressed when sandwiched between the lower side wall portion 111 and the rib portion 1222.

[0083] Although not shown in the diagram, a receiving groove is formed on the inside of the rib portion 1222 to receive the upper projection 43 of the upper fixing disk 40, which will be described later. The rotation prevention of the upper fixing disk 40 may be achieved not by the upper projection 43, but by, for example, a rotation prevention pin.

[0084] Furthermore, the upper bottom wall portion 121 is the part on which the upper fixing disc 40 is installed and which supports the upper DRa2 side of the shaft 61. As shown in Figure 8, the upper bottom wall portion 121 has an upper mounting surface 1211 on the lower DRa1 side for placing the upper fixing disc 40. In addition, an upper bearing hole 1212 for supporting the shaft 61 is formed in the upper bottom wall portion 1211. Furthermore, an upper gasket groove 1213 is formed in the upper mounting surface 1211 for positioning an upper gasket 123 that seals the gap between the upper fixing disc 40 and the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0085] The upper mounting surface 1211 is formed in a planar manner, extending along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the upper mounting surface 1211 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to the radial direction DRr. Note that the statement that the upper mounting surface 1211 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa does not strictly mean that the upper mounting surface 1211 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, but also includes states where it is slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the axial direction DRa due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0086] The upper bearing hole 1212 has the upper DRa2 side of the shaft 61 fitted into it, and the shaft 61 is rotatably supported.

[0087] The upper gasket 123 is made of, for example, an elastically deformable rubber material and is formed in an annular shape. Specifically, the upper gasket 123 is formed in a shape corresponding to the upper fixing disc 40 and has holes corresponding to the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 formed in the upper fixing disc 40, which will be described later. The upper gasket 123 is fitted into the upper gasket groove 1213 between the upper fixing disc 40 and the upper mounting surface 1211. In this embodiment, the upper gasket 123 functions as a second sealing member.

[0088] Furthermore, the upper bottom wall portion 121 is provided with a step to match the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 of the upper fixed disk 40, which will be described later. In other words, the portion of the upper bottom wall portion 121 facing the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 of the upper fixed disk 40, which will be described later, is further from the lower housing 11 than the portion that does not face the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466. As a result, as shown in Figures 1, 8, and 9, four flow paths Fi3, Fo4, Fo5, and Fo6 are formed in the upper bottom wall portion 121.

[0089] Specifically, the upper bottom wall portion 121 has a third inlet passage Fi3, a fourth outlet passage Fo4, a fifth outlet passage Fo5, and a sixth outlet passage Fo6, which communicate with the third fluid inlet portion 153, the fourth fluid outlet portion 164, the fifth fluid outlet portion 165, and the sixth fluid outlet portion 166, respectively. The third inlet passage Fi3, the fourth outlet passage Fo4, the fifth outlet passage Fo5, and the sixth outlet passage Fo6 are formed on the upward DRa2 side relative to the upper fixed disk 40. The third inlet passage Fi3, the fourth outlet passage Fo4, the fifth outlet passage Fo5, and the sixth outlet passage Fo6 are each separated by four upper partition walls 1214 provided on the upper bottom wall portion 121 of the upper housing 12.

[0090] In other words, of the flow paths F within the housing 10, the upper flow path Fa is partitioned by four upper partition walls 1214 into a third inlet flow path Fi3, a fourth outlet flow path Fo4, a fifth outlet flow path Fo5, and a sixth outlet flow path Fo6. In this embodiment, the third inlet flow path Fi3, the sixth outlet flow path Fo6, the fourth outlet flow path Fo4, and the fifth outlet flow path Fo5 are formed in this order along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0091] The third inlet channel Fi3, the fourth outlet channel Fo4, the fifth outlet channel Fo5, and the sixth outlet channel Fo6 are formed such that their cross-sectional areas differ from each other, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel being approximately fan-shaped in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Specifically, the cross-sectional areas of the channel are formed such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel increases in that order: the fourth outlet channel Fo4, the third inlet channel Fi3, the sixth outlet channel Fo6, and the fifth outlet channel Fo5.

[0092] As shown in Figure 9, the thickness of all four upper partitions 1214 is constant along the radial direction DRr. Furthermore, the size of all four upper partitions 1214 is constant along the axial direction DRa.

[0093] Each of the four upper partition walls 1214 is positioned to correspond to the four upper partition sections 44 of the upper fixed disk 40, which will be described later. The end of each of the four upper partition walls 1214 on the upper fixed disk 40 side is fixed in a state that matches the orientation of the four upper partition sections 44 of the upper fixed disk 40. As a result, the third inlet channel Fi3, the fourth outlet channel Fo4, the fifth outlet channel Fo5, and the sixth outlet channel Fo6 are in communication with the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 of the upper fixed disk 40. In this embodiment, the four upper partition walls 1214 function as other-side partition walls, and the third inlet channel Fi3, the fourth outlet channel Fo4, the fifth outlet channel Fo5, and the sixth outlet channel Fo6, which are partitioned by the four upper partition walls 1214, function as other-side channels.

[0094] As shown in Figure 1, an upper fixed disc 40 is fixed inside the upper housing 12. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, the upper fixed disc 40 is positioned between the upper mounting surface 1211 of the upper housing 12 and the upper movable disc 50. The upper fixed disc 40 is a sealing member that seals the gap between the upper housing 12 and the upper movable disc 50. The upper fixed disc 40 is formed in a disc shape and is positioned so that its central axis coincides with the axis CL.

[0095] The upper fixing disc 40 has an upper sealing surface 41 that contacts the upper movable disc 50 and an upper support surface 48 that contacts the upper mounting surface 1211. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the upper fixing disc 40 has an upper fixing hole 42 formed approximately in the center through which the shaft 61 is inserted. The outer diameter of the upper fixing disc 40 is larger than that of the lower fixing disc 20. Also, the inner diameter of the upper fixing hole 42 is larger than that of the lower fixing hole 22. This is because the portion of the shaft 61 that passes through the upper fixing disc 40 is larger than the portion that passes through the lower fixing disc 20.

[0096] The upper sealing surface 41 and the upper support surface 48 are formed in a planar manner, extending along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the upper sealing surface 41 and the upper support surface 48 are perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to the radial direction DRr. However, the statement that the upper sealing surface 41 and the upper support surface 48 are perpendicular to the axial direction DRa does not strictly mean that the upper sealing surface 41 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Furthermore, the statement that the upper sealing surface 41 and the upper support surface 48 are perpendicular to the axial direction DRa includes a state in which they are slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the axial direction DRa due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0097] Furthermore, the upper fixing disc 40, like the lower fixing disc 20, is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, superior wear resistance, and a lower coefficient of friction compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. For example, the upper fixing disc 40 is made of a high-hardness material that is harder than the housing 10. Specifically, the upper fixing disc 40 is made of at least one of phenol, resin, and ceramic. In this embodiment, the upper fixing disc 40 is made of ceramic.

[0098] Furthermore, the upper fixed disc 40 may be made of a material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and superior wear resistance, such as ceramic, only in the portion that forms the upper sealing surface 41 on which the upper movable disc 50 slides, compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. Also, the upper fixed disc 40 may be composed of a combination of multiple components.

[0099] Furthermore, the upper fixed disk 40 is positioned so as not to rotate relative to the circumferential direction DRc within the flow path F of the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the upper fixed disk 40 has an upper projection 43 that protrudes radially outward from the DRr. The upper fixed disk 40 is prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction DRc as the shaft 61 rotates by fitting the upper projection 43 into a receiving groove (not shown) formed on the inner circumference of the rib portion 1222.

[0100] Furthermore, the upper fixed disk 40 of this embodiment has four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 that penetrate in the axial direction DRa, and four upper partition portions 44 provided between the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466. The four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 are formed to penetrate the upper fixed disk 40 in the axial direction DRa, allowing fluid to pass through. The four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 and the four upper partition portions 44 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction DRc over the entire circumference of the upper fixed disk 40. The four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 have a substantially fan shape in cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. In the following description, the four flow holes 453, 464, 465, and 466 will be referred to as the third inlet flow hole 453, the fourth outlet flow hole 464, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466, respectively. In this embodiment, the third inlet flow hole 453, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, the fourth outlet flow hole 464, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466 are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0101] The third inlet passage 453, the fourth outlet passage 464, the fifth outlet passage 465, and the sixth outlet passage 466 correspond one-to-one with the third inlet passage Fi3, the fourth outlet passage Fo4, the fifth outlet passage Fo5, and the sixth outlet passage Fo6 in the upper flow path Fa. Specifically, the third inlet passage 453 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third inlet passage Fi3 and communicates with the third fluid inlet section 153 via the third inlet passage Fi3. The fourth outlet passage 464 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth outlet passage Fo4 and communicates with the fourth fluid outlet section 164 via the fourth outlet passage Fo4. The fifth outlet passage 465 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fifth outlet passage Fo5 and communicates with the fifth fluid outlet section 165 via the fifth outlet passage Fo5. The sixth outlet flow hole 466 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the sixth outlet flow path Fo6, and communicates with the sixth fluid outlet section 166 via the sixth outlet flow path Fo6. In this embodiment, the third inlet flow hole 453, the fourth outlet flow hole 464, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466 function as second flow path holes.

[0102] As shown in Figure 8, the upper movable disk 50 is partially located within the upper housing 12 and is rotatable around the axis CL of the shaft 61. The upper movable disk 50 is in surface contact with the upper sealing surface 41 of the upper fixed disk 40. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, the upper movable disk 50 in this embodiment is formed in the shape of a disc with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the upper fixed disk 40, and is positioned so that its central axis coincides with the axis CL.

[0103] The upper movable disc 50 has an upper sliding surface 51 that slides against the upper fixed disc 40. The upper movable disc 50 also has an upper movable hole 52 formed approximately in the center through which a shaft 61 is inserted, and two upper press-fit grooves 53 into which the upper lever 75 (described later) is press-fitted. The outer diameter of the upper movable disc 50 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper movable disc 50. The inner diameter of the upper movable hole 52 is larger than that of the lower movable hole 32.

[0104] The upper sliding surface 51 is formed in a planar manner, extending along the radial direction DRr and the circumferential direction DRc. That is, the upper sliding surface 51 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa and parallel to the radial direction DRr. Note that the statement that the upper sliding surface 51 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa does not strictly mean that the upper sliding surface 51 is perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, but also includes states where it is slightly deviated from being perpendicular to the axial direction DRa due to manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0105] Furthermore, the upper movable disc 50, like the upper fixed disc 40, is made of a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, superior wear resistance, and a lower coefficient of friction compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. For example, the upper movable disc 50 is made of a high-hardness material that is harder than the housing 10. Specifically, the upper movable disc 50 is made of at least one of phenol, resin, and ceramic. In this embodiment, the upper movable disc 50 is made of ceramic, which is the same material as the upper fixed disc 40.

[0106] Furthermore, the upper movable disc 50 may be made of a material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and superior wear resistance, such as ceramic, only in the portion that forms the upper sliding surface 51 on which the upper fixed disc 40 slides, compared to the constituent material of the housing 10. Also, the upper movable disc 50 may be constructed by combining multiple components.

[0107] The upper movable disc 50 is formed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the rib portion 1222 and is rotatably mounted around the axis CL of the shaft 61. The upper movable disc 50 has one upper flow path through hole 54 that penetrates the upper movable disc 50 in the axial direction DRa and one upper flow path communication hole 55 that does not penetrate the upper movable disc 50.

[0108] The upper flow passage through-hole 54 and the upper flow passage connecting hole 55 are formed in a substantially fan shape in the cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Furthermore, the upper flow passage through-hole 54 is formed in a smaller cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction DRa compared to the upper flow passage connecting hole 55. Specifically, the upper flow passage through-hole 54 is formed in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction DRa that is less than half the size of the upper flow passage connecting hole 55.

[0109] The upper flow passage through-hole 54 is formed to penetrate the upper movable disk 50 and is designed to allow fluid to pass through. The upper flow passage through-hole 54 is connected on the upward DRa2 side to one of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 of the upper fixed disk 40. The upper flow passage through-hole 54 is connected on the downward DRa1 side to the central flow passage Fc.

[0110] The upper flow channel through-hole 54 is formed with a flow channel cross-sectional area slightly larger than that of the fourth outlet flow channel hole 464, and is large enough to completely cover the fourth outlet flow channel hole 464. In contrast, the upper flow channel through-hole 54 is formed with a flow channel cross-sectional area smaller than that of the third inlet flow channel hole 453, the fifth outlet flow channel hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow channel hole 466. As a result, the upper flow channel through-hole 54 is not large enough to completely cover the third inlet flow channel hole 453, the fifth outlet flow channel hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow channel hole 466.

[0111] Furthermore, the upper flow passage through-hole 54 is formed to communicate with one or two of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466, depending on the rotational position of the upper movable disk 50. Specifically, if the upper flow passage through-hole 54 overlaps with only one of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates only with the overlapping flow hole. Also, if the upper flow passage through-hole 54 overlaps with two of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates with the two overlapping flow holes.

[0112] In other words, the upper movable disk 50 has an upper flow path through hole 54 that, as it rotates with the rotation of the shaft 61, communicates with at least one of the third inlet flow path Fi3, the fourth outlet flow path Fo4, the fifth outlet flow path Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow path Fo6.

[0113] The upper flow channel communication hole 55 is formed by a recess in a portion of the upper sliding surface 51 that slides against the upper fixed disk 40. In other words, the upper flow channel communication hole 55 is formed without penetrating the upper movable disk 50. Furthermore, the flow channel cross-sectional area of ​​the upper flow channel communication hole 55 is larger than the flow channel cross-sectional areas of the third inlet flow hole 453, the fourth outlet flow hole 464, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466. The upper flow channel communication hole 55 is sized to cover all of these third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466.

[0114] In this embodiment, the upper flow channel communication hole 55 is formed to be large enough to simultaneously cover at least a portion of any two or three of the third inlet flow hole 453, the fourth outlet flow hole 464, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466.

[0115] Furthermore, the upper flow channel communication hole 55 is formed to communicate with any two or three of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466. Specifically, if the upper flow channel communication hole 55 overlaps any two of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 in the axial direction DRa, it connects the two overlapping flow holes. Also, if the upper flow channel communication hole 55 overlaps any three of the third inlet flow hole 453, fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 in the axial direction DRa, it connects the three overlapping flow holes. As a result, the flow holes that communicate with the upper flow channel communication hole 55 among the third inlet flow hole 453, the fourth outlet flow hole 464, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466 are connected to each other.

[0116] In other words, the upper movable disk 50 has an upper flow path communication hole 55 that, as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61, connects multiple of the third inlet flow path Fi3, the fourth outlet flow path Fo4, the fifth outlet flow path Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow path Fo6.

[0117] Therefore, when the upper movable disk 50 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the upper flow passage through-hole 54 communicates with one or two of the third inlet flow passage 453, the fourth outlet flow passage 464, the fifth outlet flow passage 465, and the sixth outlet flow passage 466. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 then communicates with the flow passage corresponding to the flow passage it communicates with among the third inlet flow passage Fi3, the fourth outlet flow passage Fo4, the fifth outlet flow passage Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow passage Fo6. As a result, the upper flow passage through-hole 54 communicates with the central flow passage Fc and the flow passage it communicates with among the third inlet flow passage Fi3, the fourth outlet flow passage Fo4, the fifth outlet flow passage Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow passage Fo6.

[0118] Furthermore, when the upper movable disk 50 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the upper flow channel communication hole 55 communicates with any two or three of the third inlet flow channel 453, the fourth outlet flow channel 464, the fifth outlet flow channel 465, and the sixth outlet flow channel 466. Then, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 communicates with the flow channels that communicate with each of the two or three flow channels with which it communicates, from among the third inlet flow channel Fi3, the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4, the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6. In this way, the upper flow channel communication hole 55 connects the two or three flow channels with which it communicates, from among the third inlet flow channel Fi3, the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4, the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6.

[0119] In this embodiment, the rotation range of the upper movable disk 50 is predetermined, and the upper flow passage through-hole 54 can communicate with one or two of the fourth outlet flow passage holes 464, the fifth outlet flow passage hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow passage hole 466. The upper flow passage through-hole 54 cannot communicate with the third inlet flow passage hole 453. In other words, the upper flow passage through-hole 54 cannot communicate with the third fluid inlet section 153 via the third inlet flow passage Fi3.

[0120] Furthermore, the upper flow channel communication hole 55 communicates with the third inlet flow hole 453 and can communicate with at least one of the fifth outlet flow hole 465 and the sixth outlet flow hole 466. This allows the upper flow channel communication hole 55 to connect the third inlet flow hole 453 to either the fifth outlet flow hole 465 or the sixth outlet flow hole 466. The upper flow channel communication hole 55 cannot communicate with the fourth outlet flow hole 464.

[0121] In this embodiment, the upper fixed disk 40 functions as a second fixed disk, and the upper movable disk 50 functions as a second movable disk.

[0122] Returning to Figure 1, the drive unit 60 is located on the upper DRa2 side of the upper housing 12. The drive unit 60 is a device that outputs rotational force to rotate the shaft 61. The drive unit 60 includes the shaft 61, a motor (not shown) as a drive source for rotating the shaft 61, and a gear section (not shown) that transmits the motor's output to the shaft 61. The motor can be, for example, a servo motor, a stepping motor, or a brushless motor. The gear section can be, for example, a gear mechanism including a helical gear or a spur gear. Although not shown, the motor rotates according to a control signal from a control unit electrically connected to the motor.

[0123] The control unit is a computer that includes a memory, which is a non-transitional physical storage medium, and a processor. The control unit executes computer programs stored in memory and performs various control processes according to the computer programs. The control unit executes the computer programs stored in memory and transmits control signals to the valve device 1 to change the rotational position of the shaft 61. The valve device 1 switches its operating mode based on the control signals transmitted from the control unit. Details of the operating modes will be described later.

[0124] The shaft 61 is a rotating shaft that rotates around the axis CL by the rotational force output by the drive unit 60. The shaft 61 extends along the axial direction DRa. The shaft 61 is rotatably supported on both sides of the axial direction DRa by the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the shaft 61 is rotatably supported on the lower DRa1 side by the lower bearing hole 1122 of the lower housing 11, and on the upper DRa2 side by the upper bearing hole 1212 of the upper housing 12. In other words, the shaft 61 has a double-ended support structure.

[0125] The shaft 61 is rotatably supported on the downward DRa1 side by a bearing (not shown) provided in the lower bearing hole 1122, and on the upward DRa2 side by a bearing (not shown) provided in the upper bearing hole 1212. These bearings can be sliding bearings, ball bearings, or the like.

[0126] The shaft 61 passes through the lower fixed disc 20, the lower movable disc 30, the upper fixed disc 40, and the upper movable disc 50, and is rotatably supported relative to the lower housing 11 and the upper housing 12. The end of the shaft 61 on the upward DRa2 side is connected to the gear section of the drive unit 60. As a result, the motor output is transmitted to the shaft 61 via the gear section.

[0127] The shaft 61 has a lower axial portion 611, an upper axial portion 612, and a flange portion 613. These lower axial portion 611, upper axial portion 612, and flange portion 613 are integrally constructed from, for example, a metal member, and are formed to rotate as a whole by the rotational force output by the motor of the drive unit 60. The lower axial portion 611 and the upper axial portion 612 are connected in this order from the downward DRa1 side to the upward DRa2 side. The lower axial portion 611 is formed with a smaller outer diameter than the upper axial portion 612. The flange portion 613 is formed at the end of the upper axial portion 612 on the downward DRa1 side.

[0128] The lower shaft portion 611 is a rod-shaped member extending along the axial direction DRa, and is inserted through the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the lower shaft portion 611 is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower fixing hole 22 of the lower fixed disk 20 and the inner diameter of the lower movable hole 32 of the lower movable disk 30, and is not directly connected to the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30. In other words, the lower shaft portion 611 is not directly fixed to the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30. Therefore, when the lower shaft portion 611 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is not directly transmitted to the lower movable disk 30 by the lower shaft portion 611.

[0129] In this embodiment, a lower lever 70 and a lower torsion spring 80 for transmitting the rotational force of the shaft 61 to the lower movable disc 30 are provided within the lower housing 11. The lower movable disc 30 is connected to the lower shaft portion 611 via the lower lever 70 and the lower torsion spring 80. The lower torsion spring 80 is positioned around the lower shaft portion 611 between the lower lever 70 and the flange portion 613.

[0130] The upper shaft portion 612 is a rod-shaped member extending along the axial direction DRa, and is inserted through the upper fixed disk 40 and the upper movable disk 50. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the upper shaft portion 612 is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper fixing hole 42 of the upper fixed disk 40 and the upper movable hole 52 of the upper movable disk 50, and is not directly connected to the upper fixed disk 40 and the upper movable disk 50. In other words, the upper shaft portion 612 is not directly fixed to the upper fixed disk 40 and the upper movable disk 50. Therefore, when the upper shaft portion 612 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is not directly transmitted to the upper movable disk 50 by the upper shaft portion 612.

[0131] In this embodiment, an upper lever 75 and an upper torsion spring 85 for transmitting the rotational force of the shaft 61 to the upper movable disc 50 are provided in the lower housing 11. The upper movable disc 50 is connected to the upper shaft 612 via the upper lever 75 and the upper torsion spring 85. The upper torsion spring 85 is positioned around the upper shaft 612 between the upper lever 75 and the flange 613. A compression spring 90 is also positioned around the upper shaft 612 between the upper lever 75 and the flange 613.

[0132] The flange portion 613 is the part that supports the lower torsion spring 80, the upper torsion spring 85, and the compression spring 90. The flange portion 613 is formed in an annular thin plate shape that protrudes outward in the radial direction DRr from the end on the downward direction DRa1 side of the outer circumferential surface of the upper axial portion 612 and has a plate surface in the axial direction DRa. The flange portion 613 has a lower flange surface 6131 on the downward direction DRa1 side and an upper flange surface 6232 on the upward direction DRa2 side.

[0133] The flange portion 613 has a hook portion (not shown) on its lower flange surface 6131 that is opposite to the circumferential DRc of the lower torsion spring 80, and supports one end of the lower torsion spring 80 in the circumferential DRc. The flange portion 613 also has a hook portion (not shown) on its upper flange surface 6232 that is opposite to the circumferential DRc of the upper torsion spring 85, and supports one end of the upper torsion spring 85 in the circumferential DRc. Furthermore, the upper flange surface 6232 of the flange portion 613 supports the end of the compression spring 90 on the downward DRa1 side.

[0134] The lower lever 70 is a connecting member that connects the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 via the lower torsion spring 80. The lower lever 70 is formed of, for example, a metal material and is constructed separately from the lower movable disc 30. The lower lever 70 is fixed to the lower movable disc 30 and connects the lower movable disc 30 and the shaft 61 so that they can rotate together, while allowing the lower movable disc 30 to be displaced in the axial direction DRa.

[0135] The lower lever 70 has a substantially disc shape with a thickness direction in the axial direction DRa, and has a convex portion (not shown) that is press-fitted into the lower press-fit groove 33 of the lower movable disc 30, and a receiving portion (not shown) that is opposite to the circumferential direction DRc of the lower torsion spring 80. The lower lever 70 is connected to the lower movable disc 30 by the convex portion being press-fitted into the lower press-fit groove 33. The lower lever 70 also supports the end of the lower torsion spring 80 opposite to the side supported by the flange portion 613 in the circumferential direction DRc.

[0136] The upper lever 75 is a connecting member that connects the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 via the upper torsion spring 85. The upper lever 75 is formed of, for example, a metal material and is constructed separately from the upper movable disc 50. The upper lever 75 is fixed to the upper movable disc 50 and connects the upper movable disc 50 and the shaft 61 so that they can rotate together, while allowing the upper movable disc 50 to be displaced in the axial direction DRa.

[0137] The upper lever 75 has a substantially disc shape with a plate thickness direction in the axial direction DRa, and has a convex portion (not shown) that is press-fitted into the upper press-fit groove 53 of the upper movable disc 50, and a receiving portion (not shown) that is opposite to the circumferential direction DRc of the upper torsion spring 85. The upper lever 75 is connected to the upper movable disc 50 by the convex portion being press-fitted into the upper press-fit groove 53. The upper lever 75 also supports the end of the upper torsion spring 85 opposite to the side supported by the flange portion 613 in the circumferential direction DRc. Furthermore, the plate surface of the upper lever 75 on the downward direction DRa1 side supports the end of the compression spring 90 on the upward direction DRa2 side.

[0138] The lower torsion spring 80 is a torsion coil spring that biases the lower movable disc 30 in one direction in the circumferential direction DRc relative to the housing 10. The lower torsion spring 80 is formed by being wound in a coil shape around the lower shaft portion 611. The inner diameter of the coil of the lower torsion spring 80 is larger than the outer diameter of the lower shaft portion 611. The lower torsion spring 80 is connected to the engagement portion of the lower lever 70 so as not to rotate relative to the lower end of the axial direction DRa on the DRa1 side, and to the upper end of the axial direction DRa on the DRa2 side of the DRa on the DRa2 side so as not to rotate relative to the lower end of the flange portion 613. The lower torsion spring 80 is positioned in a state of elastic deformation caused by being twisted in the circumferential direction DRc.

[0139] As a result, the lower torsion spring 80 generates a biasing force that biases the lower movable disc 30 toward one side in the circumferential direction DRc through its own elastic deformation. When the rotational force generated by the drive unit 60 is transmitted to the shaft 61, this rotational force is transmitted to the lower movable disc 30 via the flange portion 613, the lower torsion spring 80, and the lower lever 70. Consequently, the lower movable disc 30 rotates together with the shaft 61 around the axis CL as the shaft 61 rotates.

[0140] The upper torsion spring 85 is a torsion coil spring that biases the upper movable disc 50 relative to the housing 10 in one direction in the circumferential direction DRc. The upper torsion spring 85 is formed by being wound in a coil shape around the upper shaft portion 612. The inner diameter of the coil of the upper torsion spring 85 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper shaft portion 612. The upper end of the upper torsion spring 85 on the upper DRa2 side of the axial direction DRa is connected to the engagement portion of the upper lever 75 in a manner that prevents relative rotation, and the lower end of the axial direction DRa1 side of the axial direction DRa is connected to the hook portion of the flange portion 613 in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The upper torsion spring 85 is positioned in a state of elastic deformation caused by being twisted in the circumferential direction DRc.

[0141] As a result, the upper torsion spring 85 generates a biasing force that biases the upper movable disc 50 toward one side in the circumferential direction DRc through its own elastic deformation. When the rotational force generated by the drive unit 60 is transmitted to the shaft 61, this rotational force is transmitted to the upper movable disc 50 via the flange portion 613, the upper torsion spring 85, and the upper lever 75. Consequently, the upper movable disc 50 rotates together with the shaft 61 around the axis CL as the shaft 61 rotates.

[0142] The lower torsion spring 80 functions as a pressing unit that generates a pressing force that presses the lower movable disc 30 in the circumferential direction DRc. The lower lever 70 functions as a first transmission unit that transmits the pressing force generated by the lower torsion spring 80 to the lower movable disc 30. The upper torsion spring 85 also functions as a pressing unit that generates a pressing force that presses the upper movable disc 50 in the circumferential direction DRc. The upper lever 75 functions as a second transmission unit that transmits the pressing force generated by the upper torsion spring 85 to the upper movable disc 50.

[0143] The compression spring 90 is an elastic member that biases the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50 in the axial direction DRa. Specifically, the compression spring 90 is a compression coil spring that can be elastically deformed in the axial direction DRa by being compressed in the axial direction DRa. The compression spring 90 is formed by being wound in a coil shape around the upper axial portion 612. The inner diameter of the coil of the compression spring 90 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper axial portion 612, and its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper torsion spring 85. The compression spring 90 is positioned inside the upper torsion spring 85. The end of the compression spring 90 on the upper direction DRa2 side is supported by the upper lever 75, and the end on the lower direction DRa1 side is supported by the flange portion 613. The compression spring 90 is positioned between the upper lever 75 and the flange portion 613 in a compressed and elastically deformed state.

[0144] As a result, the compression spring 90, through its own elastic deformation, biases the upper lever 75 upward in the DRa2 direction, thereby generating a biasing force that biases the upper movable disc 50 upward in the DRa2 direction. In addition, the compression spring 90, through its own elastic deformation, biases the flange 613, the lower torsion spring 80, and the lower lever 70 downward in the DRa1 direction, thereby generating a biasing force that biases the lower movable disc 30 downward in the DRa1 direction.

[0145] Therefore, when the upper movable disc 50 rotates integrally with the shaft 61 due to the biasing force of the compression spring 90, the upper sliding surface 51 slides against the upper sealing surface 41 while being pressed against it. Also, when the lower movable disc 30 rotates integrally with the shaft 61 due to the biasing force of the compression spring 90, the lower sliding surface 31 slides against the lower sealing surface 21 while being pressed against it. In this embodiment, the compression spring 90 functions as a biasing force that presses the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40 and presses the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20.

[0146] Next, the operation of the valve device 1 in this embodiment will be described. As shown by the arrow Flin in Figure 1, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153 flows into the flow path F that communicates with each inlet. Specifically, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows into the central flow path Fc. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows into the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 flows into the upper flow path Fa.

[0147] The fluids flowing in from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153 respectively flow out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161 to the sixth fluid outlet 166, as shown by the arrow FLout in Figure 1. Specifically, the fluid flowing into the central flow path Fc flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from any or more of the first fluid outlet 161 to the sixth fluid outlet 166, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50. The fluid flowing into the lower flow path Fb flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from either the first fluid outlet 161 or the second fluid outlet 162, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disk 30. The fluid flowing into the upper flow path Fa flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from either the fifth fluid outlet 165 or the sixth fluid outlet 166, depending on the rotational position of the upper movable disk 50.

[0148] The valve device 1 of this embodiment switches the fluid passage of cooling water flowing within the fluid circulation system by switching the operating mode of the valve device 1 and switching the fluid outlet that discharges fluid from the valve device 1. The operating mode of the valve device 1 can be switched by a control signal from the control unit. The valve device 1 of this embodiment can switch the operating mode to one of the first operating mode, second operating mode, or third operating mode by rotating the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 integrally with the shaft 61.

[0149] The rotational positions of the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50, and the fluid flow within the flow path F in each specific operating mode will be explained with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 shows the relative positions of the lower flow path through-hole 34 and the lower flow path communication hole 35 formed in the lower movable disk 30 with respect to the lower fixed disk 20 in each operating mode. Also, Figure 13 shows the relative positions of the upper flow path through-hole 54 and the upper flow path communication hole 55 formed in the upper movable disk 50 with respect to the upper fixed disk 40 in each operating mode. In Figure 13, for clarity, dot hatching is applied to the areas of the lower fixed disk 20 covered by the lower flow path through-hole 34 and the lower flow path communication hole 35. Similarly, dot hatching is applied to the areas of the upper fixed disk 40 covered by the upper flow path through-hole 54 and the upper flow path communication hole 55.

[0150] First, let's explain the first operating mode. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 are positioned in the rotational positions shown in Figure 13 for the first operating mode.

[0151] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263. Then, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage communication hole 35 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261.

[0152] As a result, the lower flow channel through hole 34 communicates with the second outlet flow channel Fo2 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3. Then, the second outlet flow channel Fo2 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3 communicate with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. In addition, the lower flow channel connecting hole 35 connects the second inlet flow channel Fi2 and the first outlet flow channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow channel Fo1 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow channel Fi2.

[0153] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 to the second outlet flow path Fo2 and the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162. The fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0154] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the lower passage communication hole 35 and flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161.

[0155] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the upper movable disk 50 is positioned in a rotational position where the upper flow passage through hole 54 communicates with the fourth outlet flow hole 464 and the sixth outlet flow hole 466. Then, the upper movable disk 50 is positioned in a rotational position where the upper flow passage communication hole 55 communicates with the third inlet flow hole 453 and the fifth outlet flow hole 465.

[0156] As a result, the upper flow channel through hole 54 communicates with the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4 and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6. Then, the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4 and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6 communicate with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. In addition, the upper flow channel connecting hole 55 communicates with the third inlet flow channel Fi3 and the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5. Then, the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5 communicates with the third fluid inlet section 153 via the third inlet flow channel Fi3.

[0157] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows through the central flow path Fc and the upper flow path through hole 54 to the fourth outlet flow path Fo4 and the sixth outlet flow path Fo6 in the upper flow path Fa. The fluid that flows into the fourth outlet flow path Fo4 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid outlet 164. The fluid that flows into the sixth outlet flow path Fo6 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the sixth fluid outlet 166.

[0158] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 passes through the third inlet passage Fi3 and the upper passage communication hole 55 and flows into the fifth outlet passage Fo5 in the upper passage Fa. The fluid that flows into the fifth outlet passage Fo5 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the fifth fluid outlet 165.

[0159] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162, the third fluid outlet 163, the fourth fluid outlet 164, and the sixth fluid outlet 166, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the fifth fluid outlet 165.

[0160] Next, the second operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 are positioned in the rotational positions shown in Figure 13 for the second operating mode.

[0161] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates only with the third outlet flow hole 263. Then, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage communication hole 35 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, and the second outlet flow hole 262.

[0162] As a result, the lower flow channel through hole 34 communicates only with the third outlet flow channel Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow channel Fo3 communicates with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. In addition, the lower flow channel connecting hole 35 connects the second inlet flow channel Fi2 to the first outlet flow channel Fo1 and the second outlet flow channel Fo2. Then, the first outlet flow channel Fo1 and the second outlet flow channel Fo2 communicate with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second outlet flow channel Fo2.

[0163] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 passes through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 and flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0164] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the lower passage communication hole 35 and flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 and the second outlet passage Fo2 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. The fluid that flows into the second outlet passage Fo2 also flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162.

[0165] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the upper movable disk 50 is positioned in a rotational position where the upper flow passage through hole 54 communicates only with the fourth outlet flow hole 464. Then, the upper movable disk 50 is positioned in a rotational position where the upper flow passage communication hole 55 communicates with the third inlet flow hole 453, the fifth outlet flow hole 465, and the sixth outlet flow hole 466.

[0166] As a result, the upper flow channel through hole 54 communicates only with the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4. Then, the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4 communicates with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. In addition, the upper flow channel connecting hole 55 connects the third inlet flow channel Fi3, the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5, and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6. Then, the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5 and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6 communicate with the third fluid inlet section 153 via the third inlet flow channel Fi3.

[0167] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 passes through the central flow path Fc and the upper flow path through hole 54 and flows into the fourth outlet flow path Fo4 in the upper flow path Fa. Then, the fluid that flows into the fourth outlet flow path Fo4 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid outlet 164.

[0168] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 passes through the third inlet passage Fi3 and the upper passage communication hole 55 and flows into the fifth outlet passage Fo5 and the sixth outlet passage Fo6 in the upper passage Fa. The fluid that flows into the fifth outlet passage Fo5 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the fifth fluid outlet 165. The fluid that flows into the sixth outlet passage Fo6 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the sixth fluid outlet 166.

[0169] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163 and the fourth fluid outlet 164, respectively. Then, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161 and the second fluid outlet 162, respectively. Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the fifth fluid outlet 165 and the sixth fluid outlet 166, respectively.

[0170] Next, the third operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 are positioned in the rotational position shown in Figure 13 for the third operating mode.

[0171] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the first outlet flow hole 261 and the third outlet flow hole 263. Then, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage communication hole 35 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the second outlet flow hole 262.

[0172] As a result, the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the first outlet flow passage Fo1 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3. Then, the first outlet flow passage Fo1 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3 communicate with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow passage Fc. In addition, the lower flow passage connecting hole 35 connects the second inlet flow passage Fi2 and the second outlet flow passage Fo2. Then, the second outlet flow passage Fo2 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow passage Fi2.

[0173] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 to the first outlet flow path Fo1 and the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. The fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0174] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the lower passage communication hole 35 and flows into the second outlet passage Fo2 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet passage Fo2 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162.

[0175] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the upper movable disk 50 is positioned in a rotational position where the upper flow passage through hole 54 communicates with the fourth outlet flow hole 464 and the fifth outlet flow hole 465. Then, the upper movable disk 50 is positioned in a rotational position where the upper flow passage communication hole 55 communicates with the third inlet flow hole 453 and the sixth outlet flow hole 466.

[0176] As a result, the upper flow channel through hole 54 communicates with the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4 and the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5. Then, the fourth outlet flow channel Fo4 and the fifth outlet flow channel Fo5 communicate with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. In addition, the upper flow channel connecting hole 55 connects the third inlet flow channel Fi3 and the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6. Then, the sixth outlet flow channel Fo6 communicates with the third fluid inlet section 153 via the third inlet flow channel Fi3.

[0177] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows through the central flow path Fc and the upper flow path through hole 54 to the fourth outlet flow path Fo4 and the fifth outlet flow path Fo5 in the upper flow path Fa. The fluid that flows into the fourth outlet flow path Fo4 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid outlet 164. The fluid that flows into the fifth outlet flow path Fo5 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the fifth fluid outlet 165.

[0178] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 passes through the third inlet passage Fi3 and the upper passage communication hole 55 and flows into the sixth outlet passage Fo6 in the upper passage Fa. The fluid that flows into the sixth outlet passage Fo6 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the sixth fluid outlet 166.

[0179] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161, the third fluid outlet 163, the fourth fluid outlet 164, and the fifth fluid outlet 165, respectively. Then, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162. Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the third fluid inlet 153 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the sixth fluid outlet 166.

[0180] As described above, the valve device 1 of this embodiment switches the outlets communicating with the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153, respectively, among the first fluid outlet 161 to the sixth fluid outlet 166, by switching the operating mode. This allows the valve device 1 to switch the fluid passage of the cooling water flowing within the fluid circulation system according to each operating mode.

[0181] As described above, the valve device 1 of this embodiment comprises a shaft 61 and a housing 10 that forms a flow path F and has first fluid inlet sections 151 to 3rd fluid inlet sections 153 and first fluid outlet sections 161 to 6th fluid outlet sections 166 through which fluid flows. The valve device 1 also comprises a lower movable disc 30 and an upper movable disc 50 that are spaced apart from each other and arranged in the axial direction DRa within the flow path F to partition the flow path F in the axial direction DRa, and that rotate with the rotation of the shaft 61.

[0182] The second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 are located on the DRa1 side downward from the lower movable disk 30. The third fluid inlet 153, the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166 are located on the DRa2 side upward from the upper movable disk 50.

[0183] The housing 10 has a lower partition wall 1124 that divides the lower flow path Fb into a second inlet flow path Fi2, a first outlet flow path Fo1, a second outlet flow path Fo2, and a third outlet flow path Fo3. The housing 10 also has an upper partition wall 1214 that divides the upper flow path Fa into a third inlet flow path Fi3, a fourth outlet flow path Fo4, a fifth outlet flow path Fo5, and a sixth outlet flow path Fo6.

[0184] The lower movable disc 30 has a lower flow path through hole 34 that penetrates the lower movable disc 30. The lower movable disc 30 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61, thereby switching the flow path that communicates with the lower flow path through hole 34 among the second fluid inlet 152, first fluid outlet 161, second fluid outlet 162, and third fluid outlet 163.

[0185] The upper movable disk 50 has an upper flow path through hole 54 formed through the upper movable disk 50. The upper movable disk 50 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61, thereby switching the flow path among the third fluid inlet 153, fourth fluid outlet 164, fifth fluid outlet 165, and sixth fluid outlet 166 that communicates with the upper flow path through hole 54.

[0186] According to this, by rotating the lower movable disk 30, the fluid outlet from which the fluid flows out can be switched to one of the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163. Also, by rotating the upper movable disk 50, the fluid outlet from which the fluid flows out can be switched to one of the fourth fluid outlet 164, the fifth fluid outlet 165, and the sixth fluid outlet 166.

[0187] Furthermore, with this configuration, even with a configuration that includes two discs, a lower movable disc 30 and an upper movable disc 50, the number of fluid outlets for fluid discharge can be increased without increasing the size of the housing 10. In addition, the number of operating modes of the valve device 1 can be increased.

[0188] In this embodiment, the flow path F within the housing 10 is divided into a lower flow path Fb, a central flow path Fc, and an upper flow path Fa by the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50. The valve device 1 has a first fluid inlet 151 communicating with the central flow path Fc, and a second fluid inlet 152, a first fluid outlet 161, a second fluid outlet 162, and a third fluid outlet 163 communicating with the lower flow path Fb. Furthermore, the valve device 1 has a third fluid inlet 153, a fourth fluid outlet 164, a fifth fluid outlet 165, and a sixth fluid outlet 166 communicating with the upper flow path Fa. The valve device 1 switches between the fluid outlets communicating with each of the three fluid inlets from among these six fluid outlets by rotating the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50.

[0189] In contrast, the valve device 1 can also be configured such that one of the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 is eliminated, reducing the number of movable disks to one, and one of the lower flow path Fb and the upper flow path Fa is eliminated. For example, the valve device 1 may be configured such that the upper movable disk 50 and the upper flow path Fa are eliminated. The valve device 1 may then have a second fluid inlet 152 and a third fluid inlet 153 communicating with the lower flow path Fb, and first to sixth fluid outlets 161 to 166.

[0190] In this case, the lower flow path Fb is divided into eight spaces by the lower partition wall 1124. The valve device 1 is configured to switch between the fluid outlets that communicate with the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the third fluid inlet 153, respectively, from among the first to sixth fluid outlets 161 to 166, by rotating the lower movable disk 30.

[0191] However, if the lower flow path Fb is divided into eight spaces by the lower partition wall 1124, the flow path cross-sectional area in each space becomes smaller compared to the flow path cross-sectional area in this embodiment. As a result, the resistance the fluid experiences when flowing through the eight spaces partitioned by the lower partition wall 1124 increases, making it difficult for the fluid to flow. In addition, in order to provide the second fluid inlet 152, the third fluid inlet 153, and the first to sixth fluid outlets 161 to 166 on the outer circumference of the housing 10, there is a risk that the circumferential DRc size of the housing 10 will be insufficient.

[0192] Furthermore, increasing the radial DRr of the housing 10 reduces the resistance the fluid experiences when flowing fluid through the eight spaces, and also secures space for fluid inlets and outlets on the outer circumference of the housing 10. However, increasing the radial DRr of the housing 10 is undesirable because it increases the size of the housing of the valve device 1.

[0193] Furthermore, there is a limit to the number of fluid flow paths within the housing 10 that can be switched by a single lower movable disc 30, making it difficult to freely switch between the three operating modes as in this embodiment.

[0194] In contrast, the valve device 1 of this embodiment rotates the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50 to switch between the fluid outlets that communicate with the first fluid inlet 151 to the third fluid inlet 153, among the first fluid outlet 161 to the sixth fluid outlet 166. Therefore, it is possible to avoid increasing the resistance that the fluid experiences when flowing through the flow path F inside the housing 10 without increasing the size of the radial DRr of the housing 10, and to secure space for the fluid inlet and fluid outlet on the outer circumference of the housing 10. In addition, the operating modes of the valve device 1 can be easily increased.

[0195] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0196] (1) In the above embodiment, the valve device 1 includes a lower fixed disc 20 and an upper fixed disc 40 that are provided so as not to rotate with the rotation of the shaft 61. The valve device 1 also includes a compression spring 90 that presses the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20 and presses the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40. The lower fixed disc 20 is provided between the lower mounting surface 1121 of the lower housing 11 and the lower movable disc 30. The lower fixed disc 20 also has a second inlet flow hole 252, a first outlet flow hole 261, a second outlet flow hole 262, and a third outlet flow hole 263 that communicate with the second inlet flow path Fi2, the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3, respectively. The upper fixed disc 40 is provided between the upper mounting surface 1211 of the upper housing 12 and the upper movable disc 50. Furthermore, the upper fixed disk 40 has a third inlet passage hole 453, a fourth outlet passage hole 464, a fifth outlet passage hole 465, and a sixth outlet passage hole 466, which communicate with the third inlet passage Fi3, the fourth outlet passage Fo4, the fifth outlet passage Fo5, and the sixth outlet passage Fo6, respectively. The lower fixed disk 20 and the upper fixed disk 40 are made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction compared to the housing 10.

[0197] According to this, by pressing the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20 provided between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower movable disc 30, the gap between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower movable disc 30 can be sealed by the lower fixed disc 20. Therefore, even if it is difficult to ensure the surface accuracy of the lower mounting surface 1121, it is possible to ensure a seal between the lower movable disc 30 and the housing 10.

[0198] Furthermore, by pressing the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40 provided between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper movable disc 50, the gap between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper movable disc 50 can be sealed by the upper fixed disc 40. Therefore, even if it is difficult to ensure the surface accuracy of the upper mounting surface 1211, it is possible to ensure a seal between the upper movable disc 50 and the housing 10.

[0199] Incidentally, when the lower movable disc 30 rotates integrally with the shaft 61, the lower movable disc 30 is pressed against the lower fixed disc 20, causing the lower sealing surface 21 of the lower fixed disc 20 and the lower sliding surface 31 of the lower movable disc 30 to slide against each other. For this reason, in order to ensure smooth sliding when the lower sealing surface 21 and the lower sliding surface 31 slide against each other, it is desirable that the coefficient of friction of the lower sealing surface 21 be small.

[0200] Furthermore, when the upper movable disc 50 rotates integrally with the shaft 61, the upper movable disc 50 is pressed against the upper fixed disc 40, causing the upper sealing surface 41 of the upper fixed disc 40 and the upper sliding surface 51 of the upper movable disc 50 to slide against each other. For this reason, it is desirable that the coefficient of friction of the upper sealing surface 41 be small in order to ensure smooth sliding when the upper sealing surface 41 and the upper sliding surface 51 slide against each other.

[0201] In contrast, the lower fixing disc 20 and upper fixing disc 40 of this embodiment are made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction compared to the housing 10. Therefore, it is possible to ensure sliding performance when the lower sealing surface 21 and the lower sliding surface 31 slide against each other, as well as when the upper sealing surface 41 and the upper sliding surface 51 slide against each other.

[0202] (2) In the above embodiment, the valve device 1 is provided with a lower gasket 114 between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower fixing disk 20 to seal the gap between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower fixing disk 20. The valve device 1 is also provided with an upper gasket 123 between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper fixing disk 40 to seal the gap between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper fixing disk 40.

[0203] According to this, it is possible to suppress fluid leakage from the gap between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower fixing disk 20, and also to suppress fluid leakage from the gap between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper fixing disk 40.

[0204] (3) In the above embodiment, the lower fixing disc 20 and the upper fixing disc 40 are made of ceramic, which has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent wear resistance, and a low coefficient of friction. This makes it easier to maintain wear resistance while keeping the coefficient of thermal expansion low, compared to when the lower fixing disc 20 and the upper fixing disc 40 are made of other materials.

[0205] (4) In the above embodiment, the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50 are made of ceramic, which has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent wear resistance, and a low coefficient of friction. This makes it easier to ensure wear resistance while keeping the coefficient of thermal expansion low, compared to when the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50 are made of other materials.

[0206] (5) In the above embodiment, the lower movable disk 30 has a lower channel communication hole 35 that connects the second inlet channel Fi2 to the first outlet channel Fo1 and the second outlet channel Fo2. The upper movable disk 50 has an upper channel communication hole 55 that connects the third inlet channel Fi3 to the fifth outlet channel Fo5 and the sixth outlet channel Fo6.

[0207] According to this, the lower movable disk 30 can guide the fluid flowing in from the second inlet passage Fi2, which is the lower passage Fb, to the first outlet passage Fo1 and the third outlet passage Fo3, which are also lower passages Fb, instead of to the central passage Fc. Therefore, the number of operating modes of the valve device 1 can be increased compared to a configuration in which the lower movable disk 30 does not have a lower passage communication hole 35.

[0208] Furthermore, the upper movable disk 50 can guide the fluid flowing in from the third inlet passage Fi3, which is the upper passage Fa, to the fifth outlet passage Fo5 and the sixth outlet passage Fo6, which are the same upper passage Fa as the third inlet passage Fi3, instead of to the central passage Fc. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the upper movable disk 50 does not have an upper passage communication hole 55, the number of operating modes of the valve device 1 can be increased.

[0209] (6) In the above embodiment, the compression spring 90 is formed of an elastically deformable elastic member.

[0210] According to this, compared to the case where the compression spring 90 is made of a material other than an elastic material, it is possible to easily press the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20 and the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40.

[0211] In this embodiment, a single compression spring 90 presses the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20 and the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40. Therefore, the number of components in the valve device 1 can be reduced compared to a case where the members that press the lower movable disc 30 and the upper fixed disc 40 are separate components.

[0212] (7) In the above embodiment, the valve device 1 includes a lower torsion spring 80 that presses the lower movable disc 30 in the circumferential direction DRc around the axis CL and an upper torsion spring 85 that presses the upper movable disc 50 in the circumferential direction DRc around the axis CL.

[0213] According to this, the pressing force of the lower torsion spring 80 on the circumferential DRc can suppress rattling of the circumferential DRc of the lower movable disc 30. Therefore, the positional misalignment of the rotational position of the lower movable disc 30 relative to the lower fixed disc 20 can be suppressed.

[0214] Therefore, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the overlapping of the lower flow passage through hole 34 of the lower movable disk 30 and the first outlet flow hole 261, second outlet flow hole 262, and third outlet flow hole 263 of the lower fixed disk 20. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the overlapping of the lower flow passage communication hole 35 of the lower movable disk 30 and the second inlet flow hole 252, first outlet flow hole 261, and second outlet flow hole 262 of the lower fixed disk 20.

[0215] Furthermore, the pressing force of the upper torsion spring 85 on the circumferential DRc can suppress rattling of the circumferential DRc of the upper movable disc 50. This can suppress positional misalignment of the rotational position of the upper movable disc 50 relative to the upper fixed disc 40.

[0216] Therefore, misalignment of the overlap between the upper flow passage through hole 54 of the upper movable disk 50 and the fourth outlet flow hole 464, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 of the upper fixed disk 40 can be suppressed. In addition, misalignment of the overlap between the upper flow passage communication hole 55 of the upper movable disk 50 and the third inlet flow hole 453, fifth outlet flow hole 465, and sixth outlet flow hole 466 of the upper fixed disk 40 can be suppressed.

[0217] Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid discharged from each of the first fluid outlets 161, second fluid outlet 162, third fluid outlet 163, fourth fluid outlet 164, fifth fluid outlet 165, and sixth fluid outlet 166 can be controlled with high precision.

[0218] In this embodiment, neither the lower movable disc 30 nor the upper movable disc 50 is directly connected to the shaft 61. Instead, the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50 are supported in the axial direction DRa by a compression spring 90 and in the circumferential direction DRc by a lower torsion spring 80 and an upper torsion spring 85.

[0219] Therefore, even if the lower mounting surface 1121, upper mounting surface 1211, lower sealing surface 21, lower sliding surface 31, upper sealing surface 41, and upper sliding surface 51 are difficult to ensure surface accuracy for and are misaligned from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, the surfaces that come into contact with each other can be easily brought into contact. Therefore, it is easier to ensure the sealing performance between these contacting surfaces.

[0220] (8) In the above embodiment, the valve device 1 has a lower lever 70 fixed to the lower movable disc 30 that transmits the pressing force of the lower torsion spring 80 to the lower movable disc 30. The valve device 1 also has an upper lever 75 fixed to the upper movable disc 50 that transmits the pressing force of the upper torsion spring 85 to the upper movable disc 50.

[0221] In contrast, if the valve device 1 is configured without a lower lever 70, and the lower movable disc 30 has a portion with the same shape as the lower lever 70 and directly receives the pressing force from the lower torsion spring 80, the shape of the lower movable disc 30 becomes complex. Therefore, by providing a lower lever 70 that is separate from the lower movable disc 30, and receiving the pressing force from the lower torsion spring 80 via the lower lever 70, the shape of the lower movable disc 30 can be simplified. Furthermore, with a simpler shape for the lower movable disc 30, it becomes easier to form the lower flow passage through hole 34 and the lower flow passage communication hole 35 in the lower movable disc 30, and the manufacturing cost of the lower movable disc 30 can be reduced.

[0222] Furthermore, if the valve device 1 is configured without an upper lever 75, and the upper movable disc 50 has a portion with the same shape as the upper lever 75 and directly receives the pressing force from the upper torsion spring 85, the shape of the upper movable disc 50 becomes complex. For this reason, by providing an upper lever 75 that is separate from the upper movable disc 50, and receiving the pressing force from the upper torsion spring 85 via the upper lever 75, the shape of the upper movable disc 50 can be simplified. With a simpler shape for the upper movable disc 50, it becomes easier to form the upper flow passage through hole 54 and the upper flow passage communication hole 55 in the upper movable disc 50, and the manufacturing cost of the upper movable disc 50 can be reduced.

[0223] (First modification of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the lower lever 70, which connects the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 via a lower torsion spring 80, is configured separately from the lower movable disc 30. An example was also described in which the upper lever 75, which connects the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 via an upper torsion spring 85, is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50. However, the configurations of the lower lever 70 and the upper lever 75 are not limited to these.

[0224] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the lower lever 70 may be integrally formed with the lower movable disc 30. Similarly, the upper lever 75 may be integrally formed with the upper movable disc 50.

[0225] According to this, the number of parts in the valve device 1 can be reduced compared to the case where the lower lever 70 is configured separately from the lower movable disc 30 and the upper lever 75 is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50.

[0226] (Second modification of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 are connected via a lower torsion spring 80, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0227] For example, as shown in Figure 15, the valve device 1 may be configured without a lower torsion spring 80. In this case, the lower lever 70 that connects the lower torsion spring 80 and the lower movable disc 30 becomes unnecessary, so the device may also be configured without a lower lever 70.

[0228] Furthermore, in the case where the lower torsion spring 80 is not provided, the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 are directly connected. For example, the inner diameter of the lower movable hole 32 of the lower movable disc 30 may be formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lower shaft portion 611. The shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 may be directly connected by press-fitting the lower shaft portion 611 into the lower movable hole 32.

[0229] As a result, when the lower shaft 611 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is directly transmitted to the lower movable disc 30 by the lower shaft 611. In addition, the compression spring 90 biases the flange 613 downward DRa1, thereby biasing the lower movable disc 30 downward DRa1 and pressing the lower fixed disc 20 against the lower mounting surface 1121.

[0230] Although not shown in the figures, the valve device 1 may be configured to include a lower torsion spring 80 and a lower lever 70, and instead may not include an upper torsion spring 85 and an upper lever 75. In this case, the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 may be directly connected by press-fitting the upper shaft portion 612 into the upper movable hole 52 of the upper movable disc 50.

[0231] As a result, when the upper shaft 612 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is directly transmitted to the upper movable disc 50 by the upper shaft 612. In addition, the compression spring 90 biases the upper movable disc 50 upward DRa2, thereby pressing the upper fixed disc 40 against the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0232] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 20. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a fourth fluid inlet 154 is provided in the lower housing 11. Also, in this embodiment, the shapes of the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30 differ from those of the first embodiment. Other than these differences, it is the same as the first embodiment. For this reason, in this embodiment, we will mainly describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and we may omit the description of parts that are the same as the first embodiment.

[0233] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the lower side wall portion 111 of this embodiment is provided with a first fluid inlet portion 151, a second fluid inlet portion 152, a first fluid outlet portion 161, a second fluid outlet portion 162, and a third fluid outlet portion 163, in addition to a fourth fluid inlet portion 154. The fourth fluid inlet portion 154 is an inlet port that functions as an inlet for fluid to flow into the flow path F within the housing 10.

[0234] In this embodiment, the second fluid outlet 162, the second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the fourth fluid inlet 154, and the third fluid outlet 163 are arranged in this order at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction DRc on the outer circumference of the lower housing 11. Specifically, the second fluid outlet 162, the second fluid inlet 152, the first fluid outlet 161, the fourth fluid inlet 154, and the third fluid outlet 163 are arranged at intervals of approximately 60°. The fourth fluid inlet 154 is formed on the outer circumference of the lower housing 11, on the DRa1 side downward from the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30.

[0235] The fourth fluid inlet 154 is in communication with the lower flow path Fb. The fourth fluid inlet 154 is an opening and functions as a one-sided opening.

[0236] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the lower side wall portion 111 is provided with a first fluid inlet portion 151 on the upper DRa2 side relative to the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30.

[0237] A fourth inlet channel Fi4, which communicates with the fourth fluid inlet 154, is formed in the lower bottom wall portion 112. The fourth inlet channel Fi4 is formed on the downward DRa1 side relative to the lower fixed disk 20. The second outlet channel Fo2, the second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the fourth inlet channel Fi4, and the third outlet channel Fo3 are each partitioned by five lower partition walls 1124 provided in the lower bottom wall portion 112. In other words, of the flow paths F within the housing 10, the lower flow path Fb is partitioned by the five lower partition walls 1124 into the second outlet channel Fo2, the second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the fourth inlet channel Fi4, and the third outlet channel Fo3. In this embodiment, the second outlet channel Fo2, the second inlet channel Fi2, the first outlet channel Fo1, the fourth inlet channel Fi4, and the third outlet channel Fo3 are formed in this order along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0238] The fourth inlet channel Fi4 has a substantially fan-shaped cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, and its channel cross-sectional area is formed to be approximately the same size as the channel cross-sectional areas of the second inlet channel Fi2, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the first outlet channel Fo1. Furthermore, the channel cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth inlet channel Fi4 is formed to be approximately half the size of the channel cross-sectional area of ​​the third outlet channel Fo3.

[0239] Each of the five lower partition walls 1124 is positioned to correspond to the five lower partition sections 24 of the lower fixed disk 20, which will be described later. The end of each of the five lower partition walls 1124 on the lower fixed disk 20 side is fixed in a state that matches the orientation of the five lower partition sections 24 of the lower fixed disk 20. The fourth inlet channel Fi4 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 of the lower fixed disk 20, which will be described later. The fourth inlet channel Fi4 functions as a one-way channel.

[0240] As shown in Figure 18, the lower fixed disk 20 of this embodiment has a second inlet flow hole 252, a first outlet flow hole 261, a second outlet flow hole 262, and a third outlet flow hole 263, in addition to a fourth inlet flow hole 254. The fourth inlet flow hole 254 is formed to penetrate the lower fixed disk 20 in the axial direction DRa, allowing fluid to pass through. The cross-section of the fourth inlet flow hole 254 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa is formed in a substantially fan shape.

[0241] The second exit passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, the first exit passage hole 261, the fourth inlet passage hole 254, and the third exit passage hole 263 are formed in this order. The lower fixed disk 20 also has five lower partitions 24 between each of the second exit passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, the first exit passage hole 261, the fourth inlet passage hole 254, and the third exit passage hole 263.

[0242] The second exit passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, the first exit passage hole 261, the fourth inlet passage hole 254, and the third exit passage hole 263, along with the five lower partition sections 24, are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction DRc around the entire circumference of the lower fixed disk 20.

[0243] The fourth inlet flow hole 254 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth inlet flow path Fi4, and communicates with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the fourth inlet flow path Fi4. In this embodiment, the fourth inlet flow hole 254 functions as the first flow path hole. Note that the lower fixing disk 20 shown in Figure 18 omits the lower projection 23.

[0244] As shown in Figure 19, the lower movable disk 30 of this embodiment has one lower flow path through hole 34 that penetrates the lower movable disk 30 in the axial direction DRa, and two lower flow path communication holes 35 that do not penetrate the lower movable disk 30. Both of the two lower flow path communication holes 35 have a substantially fan shape in cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa.

[0245] In this embodiment, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed with a flow passage cross-sectional area smaller than that of any of the flow passages: the second outlet flow passage 262, the second inlet flow passage 252, the first outlet flow passage 261, the fourth inlet flow passage 254, and the third outlet flow passage 263. Furthermore, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is unable to completely cover each of these flow passages: the second outlet flow passage 262, the second inlet flow passage 252, the first outlet flow passage 261, the fourth inlet flow passage 254, and the third outlet flow passage 263.

[0246] Furthermore, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 is formed to communicate with one or two of the second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, first outlet flow hole 261, fourth inlet flow hole 254, and third outlet flow hole 263, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disk 30. Specifically, if the lower flow passage through-hole 34 overlaps with only one of the second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, first outlet flow hole 261, fourth inlet flow hole 254, and third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates only with the overlapping flow hole. Also, if the lower flow passage through-hole 34 overlaps with two of the second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, first outlet flow hole 261, fourth inlet flow hole 254, and third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates with the two overlapping flow holes.

[0247] In other words, the lower movable disk 30 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61 and has a lower flow path through hole 34 that communicates with at least one of the second outlet flow path Fo2, the second inlet flow path Fi2, the first outlet flow path Fo1, the fourth inlet flow path Fi4, and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0248] In this embodiment, the rotation range of the lower movable disk 30 is predetermined, and the lower flow passage through-hole 34 can communicate with one or two of the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 cannot communicate with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the fourth inlet flow hole 254. That is, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 cannot communicate with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow passage Fi2, and cannot communicate with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4.

[0249] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 communicates with one or two of the first outlet flow holes 261, the second outlet flow holes 262, and the third outlet flow holes 263. The lower flow passage through-hole 34 then communicates with the flow path corresponding to the flow hole it communicates with among the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3. As a result, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 communicates with the central flow path Fc with the flow path it communicates with among the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0250] One of the two lower flow channel communication holes 35 has a cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa that is larger than the cross-section of the lower flow channel through hole 34 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. In contrast, the other of the two lower flow channel communication holes 35 has a cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa that is approximately the same size as the cross-section of the lower flow channel through hole 34 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa.

[0251] Hereinafter, the side with the larger flow channel cross-sectional area of ​​the two lower flow channel communication holes 35 will also be referred to as the first lower flow channel communication hole 351, and the other side with the smaller flow channel cross-sectional area will also be referred to as the second lower flow channel communication hole 352. The lower flow channel through hole 34, the first lower flow channel communication hole 351, and the second lower flow channel communication hole 352 are formed in this order, arranged in the circumferential direction DRc with a predetermined interval between them.

[0252] The first lower communication hole 351 and the second lower communication hole 352 are formed by a recess in a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 that slides against the lower fixed disk 20. In other words, the first lower communication hole 351 and the second lower communication hole 352 are formed without penetrating the lower movable disk 30.

[0253] The first lower communication hole 351 is formed such that its flow path cross-sectional area is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​any of the flow paths of the second outlet flow path 262, the second inlet flow path 252, the first outlet flow path 261, and the fourth inlet flow path 254, and smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third outlet flow path 263. Furthermore, the first lower communication hole 351 can cover all of the second outlet flow path 262, the second inlet flow path 252, the first outlet flow path 261, and the fourth inlet flow path 254, but cannot cover all of the third outlet flow path 263.

[0254] In this embodiment, the first lower communication hole 351 is formed to be large enough to cover at least a portion of one or two of the second outlet passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, the first outlet passage hole 261, the fourth inlet passage hole 254, and the third outlet passage hole 263.

[0255] Furthermore, the first lower communication hole 351 is formed to communicate with one or two of the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the fourth inlet flow hole 254, and the third outlet flow hole 263. Specifically, if the first lower communication hole 351 overlaps with only one of the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the fourth inlet flow hole 254, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates only with the overlapping flow hole. Also, if the first lower communication hole 351 overlaps with two of the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the fourth inlet flow hole 254, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates with the two overlapping flow holes. As a result, the flow holes that communicate with the second lower communication hole 352 among the second exit flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, first exit flow hole 261, fourth inlet flow hole 254, and third exit flow hole 263 are connected to each other.

[0256] The second lower communication hole 352 is formed with a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than that of any of the flow paths of the second outlet flow path 262, the second inlet flow path 252, the first outlet flow path 261, the fourth inlet flow path 254, and the third outlet flow path 263. Therefore, it is impossible for the second lower communication hole 352 to cover all of these flow paths.

[0257] In this embodiment, the second lower communication hole 352 is formed to be large enough to cover at least a portion of one or two of the second outlet passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, the first outlet passage hole 261, the fourth inlet passage hole 254, and the third outlet passage hole 263.

[0258] Furthermore, the second lower communication hole 352 is formed to communicate with one or two of the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the fourth inlet flow hole 254, and the third outlet flow hole 263. Specifically, if the second lower communication hole 352 overlaps with only one of the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the fourth inlet flow hole 254, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates only with the overlapping flow hole. Also, if the second lower communication hole 352 overlaps with two of the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the fourth inlet flow hole 254, and the third outlet flow hole 263 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates with the two overlapping flow holes. As a result, the flow holes that communicate with the second lower communication hole 352 among the second exit flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, the first exit flow hole 261, and the fourth inlet flow hole 254 are connected to each other.

[0259] In other words, the lower movable disk 30 has a first lower communication hole 351 and a second lower communication hole 352 that, as they rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61, connect multiple of the second outlet passage Fo2, the second inlet passage Fi2, the first outlet passage Fo1, the fourth inlet passage Fi4, and the third outlet passage Fo3.

[0260] In this embodiment, the rotation range of the lower movable disk 30 is predetermined, and the first lower communication hole 351 is capable of communicating with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261, and also with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Furthermore, the first lower communication hole 351 is capable of communicating with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263. As a result, the first lower communication hole 351 can connect the second inlet flow hole 252 to the first outlet flow hole 261, and also connect the fourth inlet flow hole 254 to the first outlet flow hole 261. Moreover, the first lower communication hole 351 can connect the fourth inlet flow hole 254 to the third outlet flow hole 263. The first lower communication hole 351 is not capable of communicating with the second outlet flow hole 262.

[0261] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Then, the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the first outlet flow path Fo1, connecting the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the first outlet flow path Fo1. Alternatively, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Then, the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the first outlet flow path Fo1, connecting the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the first outlet flow path Fo1. Furthermore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263. Then, the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the third outlet flow path Fo3, thereby connecting the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0262] Furthermore, the second lower communication hole 352 can communicate with one or two of the fourth inlet passage hole 254, the second outlet passage hole 262, and the third outlet passage hole 263. This allows the second lower communication hole 352 to connect the fourth inlet passage hole 254 to the third outlet passage hole 263. The second lower communication hole 352 can also communicate with the second outlet passage hole 262 and the third outlet passage hole 263. However, the second lower communication hole 352 cannot communicate with the second inlet passage hole 252 and the first outlet passage hole 261.

[0263] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with only one of the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263, preventing the flow hole it communicates with from communicating with the other flow holes. In other words, the second lower communication hole 352 closes the flow hole it communicates with among the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263. As a result, the second lower communication hole 352 prevents the flow path it communicates with among the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the third outlet flow path Fo3 from communicating with the other flow paths.

[0264] Also, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position and communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263. Then, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the third outlet flow path Fo3, and communicates the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the third outlet flow path Fo3. Then, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263, and communicates the second outlet flow path Fo2 and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0265] And the valve device 1 of the present embodiment can switch the operation mode to any one of the first operation mode, the second operation mode, the third operation mode, the fourth operation mode, the fifth operation mode, and the sixth operation mode by rotating the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50. The rotational position of the lower movable disk 30 and the flow of the fluid flowing in the flow path F in each specific operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. 20.

[0266] In FIG. 20, for easy viewing of the figure, dot hatching is applied to the portion covered by the lower flow path through hole 34, the first lower communication hole 351, and the second lower communication hole 352 with respect to the lower fixed disk 20. Also, in the present embodiment, since the shapes of the upper housing 12, the upper fixed disk 40, and the upper movable disk 50 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description of the flow of the fluid flowing in the upper flow path Fa is omitted.

[0267] First, the first operation mode will be described. When the operation mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operation mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in the first operation mode of FIG. 20.

[0268] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Then, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the second lower communication hole 352 communicates only with the fourth inlet flow hole 254.

[0269] As a result, the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the second outlet flow passage Fo2 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3. Then, the second outlet flow passage Fo2 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3 communicate with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow passage Fc. In addition, the first lower communication hole 351 connects the second inlet flow passage Fi2 and the first outlet flow passage Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow passage Fo1 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow passage Fi2. And, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates only with the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4. Then, the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4 is blocked by the second lower communication hole 352 and the lower sliding surface 31.

[0270] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the third outlet flow hole 263 faces the portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where the lower flow passage through hole 34, the first lower communication hole 351, and the second lower communication hole 352 are not formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the third outlet flow passage Fo3 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0271] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 to the second outlet flow path Fo2 and the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162. The fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0272] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the first lower communication hole 351 and flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161.

[0273] However, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 is blocked by the lower movable disc 30 and does not flow out from the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163.

[0274] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the second fluid inlet 152, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162 and the third fluid outlet 163, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. However, no fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154, which is blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0275] Next, the second operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in the rotational position shown in Figure 20 for the second operating mode.

[0276] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates only with the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the second lower communication hole 352 communicates only with the fourth inlet flow hole 254.

[0277] As a result, the lower flow channel through hole 34 communicates only with the third outlet flow channel Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow channel Fo3 communicates with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. Also, the first lower communication hole 351 connects the second inlet flow channel Fi2 and the first outlet flow channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow channel Fo1 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow channel Fi2. And, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates only with the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4. Then, the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4 is blocked by the second lower communication hole 352 and the lower sliding surface 31.

[0278] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the second outlet flow hole 262 faces a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the lower flow passage through hole 34, the first lower communication hole 351, or the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the second outlet flow passage Fo2 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0279] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 passes through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 and flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0280] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the first lower communication hole 351 and flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161.

[0281] However, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 is blocked by the lower movable disc 30 and does not flow out from the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163.

[0282] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the second fluid inlet 152, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. However, no fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154, which is blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0283] Next, the third operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in the rotational position shown in Figure 20 for the third operating mode.

[0284] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates only with the second outlet flow hole 262. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0285] As a result, the lower flow channel through hole 34 communicates only with the second outlet flow channel Fo2. Then, the second outlet flow channel Fo2 communicates with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. Also, the first lower communication hole 351 connects the second inlet flow channel Fi2 and the first outlet flow channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow channel Fo1 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow channel Fi2. And, the second lower communication hole 352 connects the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow channel Fo3 communicates with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4.

[0286] Therefore, when the operation mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operation mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet portion 151 passes through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 and flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid flowing into the second outlet flow path Fo2 flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet portion 162.

[0287] Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet portion 152 passes through the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the first lower communication hole 351 and flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid flowing into the first outlet flow path Fo1 flows out of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet portion 161.

[0288] And the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet portion 154 passes through the fourth inlet flow path Fi4 and the second lower communication hole 352 and flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid flowing into the third outlet flow path Fo3 flows out of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet portion 163.

[0289] From the above, when the operation mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operation mode, the fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet portion 151, the second fluid inlet portion 152, and the fourth fluid inlet portion 154 respectively. The fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet portion 151 flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet portion 162. And the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet portion 152 flows out of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet portion 161. Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet portion 154 flows out of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet portion 163.

[0290] Next, the fourth operation mode will be described. When the operation mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fourth operation mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in the fourth operation mode of FIG. 20.

[0291] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the fourth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates only with the second outlet flow hole 262. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the second lower communication hole 352 communicates only with the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0292] As a result, the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates only with the second outlet flow passage Fo2. Then, the second outlet flow passage Fo2 communicates with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow passage Fc. Also, the first lower communication hole 351 connects the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4 and the first outlet flow passage Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow passage Fo1 communicates with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4. And, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates only with the third outlet flow passage Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow passage Fo3 is blocked by the second lower communication hole 352 and the lower sliding surface 31.

[0293] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the fourth operating mode, the second inlet flow hole 252 faces a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the lower flow passage through hole 34, the first lower communication hole 351, or the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the fourth operating mode, the second inlet flow passage Fi2 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0294] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fourth operating mode, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 passes through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 and flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162.

[0295] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 passes through the fourth inlet passage Fi4 and the first lower communication hole 351 and flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161.

[0296] However, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 is blocked by the lower movable disc 30 and does not flow out from the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163.

[0297] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fourth operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fourth fluid inlet 154, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. However, no fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152, which is blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0298] Next, the fifth operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fifth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in Figure 20 for the fifth operating mode.

[0299] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the fifth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates only with the first outlet flow hole 261. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0300] As a result, the lower flow channel through hole 34 communicates only with the first outlet flow channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow channel Fo1 communicates with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow channel Fc. Also, the first lower communication hole 351 connects the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow channel Fo3 communicates with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4. Furthermore, the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with the second outlet flow channel Fo2 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3. Then, the second outlet flow channel Fo2 communicates with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the third outlet flow channel Fo3, the first lower communication hole 351, and the fourth inlet flow channel Fi4.

[0301] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the fifth operating mode, the second inlet flow hole 252 faces a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the lower flow passage through hole 34, the first lower communication hole 351, or the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the fifth operating mode, the second inlet flow passage Fi2 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0302] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fifth operating mode, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 passes through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 and flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 in the lower flow path Fb. Then, the fluid that flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161.

[0303] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 passes through the fourth inlet passage Fi4 and the first lower communication hole 351 and flows into the third outlet passage Fo3 in the lower passage Fb. Then, a portion of the fluid that flows into the third outlet passage Fo3 flows out of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163, and the remainder passes through the second lower through hole 342 and flows into the second outlet passage Fo2 in the lower passage Fb. Then, the fluid that flows into the second outlet passage Fo2 flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162.

[0304] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fifth operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fourth fluid inlet 154, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162 and the third fluid outlet 163. However, no fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152, which is blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0305] Next, the sixth operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the sixth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in Figure 20 for the sixth operating mode.

[0306] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the sixth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the first lower communication hole 351 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the first outlet flow hole 261. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the second lower communication hole 352 communicates with the fourth inlet flow hole 254 and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0307] As a result, the lower flow passage through hole 34 communicates with the second outlet flow passage Fo2 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3. Then, the second outlet flow passage Fo2 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3 communicate with the first fluid inlet section 151 via the central flow passage Fc. Also, the first lower communication hole 351 connects the second inlet flow passage Fi2 and the first outlet flow passage Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow passage Fo1 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow passage Fi2. And, the second lower communication hole 352 connects the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4 and the third outlet flow passage Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow passage Fo3 communicates with the fourth fluid inlet section 154 via the fourth inlet flow passage Fi4.

[0308] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the sixth operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 flows through the central flow path Fc and the lower flow path through hole 34 to the second outlet flow path Fo2 and the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162. The fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0309] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the first lower communication hole 351 and flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet passage Fo1 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161.

[0310] The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the fourth fluid inlet 154 passes through the fourth inlet passage Fi4 and the second lower communication hole 352 and flows into the third outlet passage Fo3 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that flows into the third outlet passage Fo3 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163.

[0311] In this way, the valve device 1 switches the operating mode to switch the fluid outlets communicating with the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fourth fluid inlet 154 to one of the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163. This allows the valve device 1 to switch the fluid passages of the cooling water flowing within the fluid circulation system. Furthermore, the valve device 1 can close the second fluid inlet 152, the fourth fluid inlet 154, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163 depending on the operating mode.

[0312] The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The valve device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment, which are achieved from a configuration that is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0313] (Third embodiment) Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 25. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the lower housing 11 is provided with a fifth fluid inlet 155 and a seventh fluid outlet 167. Also, in this embodiment, the shapes of the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30 differ from those of the first embodiment. Other than these differences, it is the same as the first embodiment. For this reason, in this embodiment, we will mainly describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and we may omit the description of parts that are the same as the first embodiment.

[0314] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the lower side wall portion 111 of this embodiment is provided with a first fluid inlet portion 151, a second fluid inlet portion 152, a first fluid outlet portion 161, a second fluid outlet portion 162, and a third fluid outlet portion 163, as well as a fifth fluid inlet portion 155 and a seventh fluid outlet portion 167. The fifth fluid inlet portion 155 is an inlet port that functions as an inlet for allowing fluid to flow into the flow path F within the housing 10. The seventh fluid outlet portion 167 is an outlet port that functions as an outlet for allowing the fluid that has flowed into the flow path F within the housing 10 to flow out to the outside of the valve device 1.

[0315] The fifth fluid inlet 155 is formed on the upper DRa2 side of the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30. The fifth fluid inlet 155 is located on the outer circumference of the lower housing 11, aligned with the first fluid inlet 151 in the circumferential direction DRc, and is provided with a predetermined gap between them. Specifically, the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 are arranged in the circumferential direction DRc with a gap of approximately 180° between them. The fifth fluid inlet 155 communicates with the central flow path Fc. The first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 communicate with the central flow path Fc as inlet ports. The first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 communicate with each other via the central flow path Fc.

[0316] In this embodiment, the first fluid outlet 161, the third fluid outlet 163, the second fluid outlet 162, the second fluid inlet 152, and the seventh fluid outlet 167 are arranged in this order at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction DRc on the outer circumference of the lower housing 11. Specifically, the first fluid outlet 161, the third fluid outlet 163, the second fluid outlet 162, the second fluid inlet 152, and the seventh fluid outlet 167 are arranged at intervals of approximately 60°. The seventh fluid outlet 167 is formed on the DRa1 side below the lower fixed disk 20 and the lower movable disk 30. The seventh fluid outlet 167 communicates with the lower flow path Fb.

[0317] In this embodiment, the fifth fluid inlet 155 and the seventh fluid outlet 167 function as openings. Furthermore, the seventh fluid outlet 167 functions as a one-sided opening.

[0318] A seventh outlet channel Fo7, which communicates with the seventh fluid outlet section 167, is formed in the lower bottom wall 112. The seventh outlet channel Fo7 is formed on the downward DRa1 side relative to the lower fixed disk 20. The first outlet channel Fo1, the third outlet channel Fo3, the second outlet channel Fo2, the second inlet channel Fi2, and the seventh outlet channel Fo7 are each separated by five lower partition walls 1124 provided in the lower bottom wall 112. In other words, of the flow paths F within the housing 10, the lower flow paths Fb are separated by five lower partition walls 1124 into the first outlet channel Fo1, the third outlet channel Fo3, the second outlet channel Fo2, the second inlet channel Fi2, and the seventh outlet channel Fo7. In this embodiment, the first outlet channel Fo1, the third outlet channel Fo3, the second outlet channel Fo2, the second inlet channel Fi2, and the seventh outlet channel Fo7 are formed in this order along the circumferential direction DRc.

[0319] The seventh outlet channel Fo7 has a substantially fan-shaped cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa, and its channel cross-sectional area is larger than the channel cross-sectional areas of the first outlet channel Fo1, the third outlet channel Fo3, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the second inlet channel Fi2, respectively.

[0320] The first outlet channel Fo1 has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the third outlet channel Fo3, the second inlet channel Fi2, and the second outlet channel Fo2. The second outlet channel Fo2 has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the second inlet channel Fi2 and the third outlet channel Fo3. The second inlet channel Fi2 and the third outlet channel Fo3 have approximately the same cross-sectional area.

[0321] Each of the five lower partition walls 1124 is positioned to correspond to the five lower partition portions 24 of the lower fixed disk 20. The end of each of the five lower partition walls 1124 on the lower fixed disk 20 side is fixed in a state that matches the orientation of the five lower partition portions 24 of the lower fixed disk 20. The seventh outlet flow path Fo7 communicates with the seventh outlet flow hole 267 of the lower fixed disk 20, which will be described later. The seventh outlet flow path Fo7 functions as a one-way flow path.

[0322] As shown in Figure 23, the lower fixed disk 20 of this embodiment has a first outlet flow hole 261, a third outlet flow hole 263, a second outlet flow hole 262, and a second inlet flow hole 252, in addition to a seventh outlet flow hole 267. The seventh outlet flow hole 267 is formed to penetrate the lower fixed disk 20 in the axial direction DRa, allowing fluid to pass through. The cross-section of the seventh outlet flow hole 267 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa is formed in a substantially fan shape.

[0323] The first exit passage hole 261, the third exit passage hole 263, the second exit passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, and the seventh exit passage hole 267 are formed in this order. The lower fixed disk 20 also has five lower partitions 24 between each of the first exit passage hole 261, the third exit passage hole 263, the second exit passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, and the seventh exit passage hole 267.

[0324] The first exit passage hole 261, the third exit passage hole 263, the second exit passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, and the seventh exit passage hole 267, along with the five lower partition sections 24, are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction DRc around the entire circumference of the lower fixed disk 20.

[0325] The seventh outlet flow hole 267 has a flow path cross-sectional area corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the seventh outlet flow path Fo7, and communicates with the seventh fluid outlet section 167 via the seventh outlet flow path Fo7. In this embodiment, the seventh outlet flow hole 267 functions as the first flow path hole. Note that the lower fixed disk 20 shown in Figure 23 omits the lower projection 23.

[0326] As shown in Figure 24, the lower movable disk 30 of this embodiment has two lower flow passage through holes 34 that penetrate the lower movable disk 30 in the axial direction DRa, and one lower flow passage communication hole 35 that does not penetrate the lower movable disk 30. Both of the lower flow passage through holes 34 have a substantially fan-shaped cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa.

[0327] The two lower flow passage through-holes 34 are formed with a larger cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa than the cross-section of the lower flow passage communication hole 35 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Also, the two lower flow passage through-holes 34 are formed with approximately the same cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DRa. Hereinafter, one of the two lower flow passage through-holes 34 will be referred to as the first lower flow passage through-hole 341 and the other as the second lower flow passage through-hole 342. The first lower flow passage through-hole 341, the lower flow passage communication hole 35, and the second lower flow passage through-hole 342 are formed in this order, arranged in the circumferential direction DRc with a predetermined interval between them.

[0328] The first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 are formed to penetrate the lower movable disk 30, allowing fluid to pass through the lower fixed disk 20. The first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 communicate with one of the second inlet flow hole 252, the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, the third outlet flow hole 263, and the seventh outlet flow hole 267 on the downward DRa1 side. The first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 communicate with the central flow path Fc on the upward DRa2 side.

[0329] The first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 are formed with a flow path cross-sectional area larger than the flow path cross-sectional areas of the second inlet flow hole 252, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263, respectively. Furthermore, the first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 are capable of covering all of the second inlet flow hole 252, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0330] In contrast, the first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 are formed with a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first outlet flow hole 261 and the seventh outlet flow hole 267, respectively. As a result, it is impossible for the first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 to completely cover the first outlet flow hole 261 and the seventh outlet flow hole 267, respectively.

[0331] Furthermore, the first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 are formed to communicate with one or two of the first exit flow hole 261, third exit flow hole 263, second exit flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, and seventh exit flow hole 267, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disk 30. Specifically, if the first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 overlap with only one of the first exit flow hole 261, third exit flow hole 263, second exit flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, and seventh exit flow hole 267 in the axial direction DRa, they communicate only with the overlapping flow hole. Furthermore, if the first lower through-hole 341 and the second lower through-hole 342 overlap two of the first outlet flow hole 261, third outlet flow hole 263, second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, and seventh outlet flow hole 267 in the axial direction DRa, they communicate with the two overlapping flow holes.

[0332] In other words, the lower movable disk 30 has a first lower through hole 341 and a second lower through hole 342 that communicate with at least one of the first outlet passage hole 261, the third outlet passage hole 263, the second outlet passage hole 262, the second inlet passage hole 252, and the seventh outlet passage hole 267, as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61.

[0333] In this embodiment, the rotation range of the lower movable disk 30 is predetermined, and the first lower through hole 341 can communicate with one or two of the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. The first lower through hole 341 cannot communicate with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the seventh outlet flow path Fo7. That is, the first lower through hole 341 cannot communicate with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second inlet flow path Fi2, and cannot communicate with the seventh fluid outlet section 167 via the seventh outlet flow path Fo7.

[0334] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the first lower through hole 341 communicates with one or two of the first outlet flow holes 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. The first lower through hole 341 then communicates with the flow path corresponding to the flow hole it communicates with among the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3. As a result, the first lower through hole 341 communicates with the central flow path Fc and the flow path it communicates with among the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0335] Furthermore, the second lower through-hole 342 can communicate with one, two, or three of the second inlet flow hole 252, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the seventh outlet flow hole 267. However, the second lower through-hole 342 cannot communicate with the first outlet flow hole 261 and the third outlet flow path Fo3. In other words, the second lower through-hole 342 cannot communicate with the first fluid outlet section 161 via the first outlet flow path Fo1, and cannot communicate with the third fluid outlet section 163 via the third outlet flow path Fo3.

[0336] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the second lower through hole 342 communicates with one, two, or three of the second inlet flow hole 252, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the seventh outlet flow hole 267. The second lower through hole 342 then communicates with the flow path corresponding to the flow hole it communicates with among the second inlet flow path Fi2, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the seventh outlet flow path Fo7. As a result, the second lower through hole 342 communicates the flow path it communicates with among the second inlet flow path Fi2, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 with the central flow path Fc.

[0337] The lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed by a recess in a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 that slides against the lower fixed disk 20. In other words, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed without penetrating the lower movable disk 30.

[0338] The lower flow channel connecting hole 35 is formed with a flow channel cross-sectional area slightly larger than that of the second inlet flow channel 252 and the third outlet flow channel 263, making it possible to cover both the second inlet flow channel 252 and the third outlet flow channel 263 completely. In contrast, the lower flow channel connecting hole 35 is formed with a flow channel cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first outlet flow channel 261, the second outlet flow channel 262, and the seventh outlet flow channel 267. As a result, the lower flow channel connecting hole 35 is unable to cover all of these outlet flow channels.

[0339] Furthermore, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed to communicate with one or two of the first outlet flow hole 261, third outlet flow hole 263, second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, and seventh outlet flow hole 267, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disk 30. Specifically, if the lower flow channel communication hole 35 overlaps with only one of the first outlet flow hole 261, third outlet flow hole 263, second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, and seventh outlet flow hole 267 in the axial direction DRa, it communicates only with the overlapping flow hole. Furthermore, if the lower flow channel communication hole 35 overlaps with two of the first outlet flow hole 261, third outlet flow hole 263, second outlet flow hole 262, second inlet flow hole 252, and seventh outlet flow hole 267 in the axial direction DRa, it connects the two overlapping flow holes.

[0340] In other words, the lower movable disk 30 has a lower flow channel communication hole 35 that, as it rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 61, communicates with at least one of the first outlet flow hole 261, the third outlet flow hole 263, the second outlet flow hole 262, the second inlet flow hole 252, and the seventh outlet flow hole 267.

[0341] In this embodiment, the rotation range of the lower movable disk 30 is predetermined, and the lower flow channel communication hole 35 can communicate with one or two of the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower flow channel communication hole 35 can also communicate with the seventh outlet flow hole 267. However, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 cannot communicate with the seventh outlet flow channel Fo7.

[0342] Therefore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, and communicates with only one of the first outlet flow holes 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263, the lower flow passage communication hole 35 prevents the flow hole it communicates with from communicating with the other flow holes. In other words, the lower flow passage communication hole 35 blocks the flow hole it communicates with among the first outlet flow hole 261, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the third outlet flow hole 263. As a result, the lower flow passage communication hole 35 prevents the flow path it communicates with among the first outlet flow path Fo1, the second outlet flow path Fo2, and the third outlet flow path Fo3 from communicating with the other flow paths.

[0343] Furthermore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 connects the first outlet flow channel 261 and the third outlet flow channel 263. The lower flow channel communication hole 35 then connects the first outlet flow channel Fo1 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3, thereby connecting the first outlet flow channel Fo1 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3.

[0344] Then, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 connects the second outlet flow channel 262 and the third outlet flow channel 263. The lower flow channel communication hole 35 also connects the second outlet flow channel Fo2 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3, thereby connecting the second outlet flow channel Fo2 and the third outlet flow channel Fo3.

[0345] Furthermore, when the lower movable disk 30 rotates and stops at a predetermined position, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 connects the second inlet flow channel 252 and the seventh outlet flow channel 267. The lower flow channel communication hole 35 then connects the second inlet flow channel Fi2 and the seventh outlet flow channel Fo7, thereby connecting the second inlet flow channel Fi2 and the seventh outlet flow channel Fo7.

[0346] Furthermore, the valve device 1 of this embodiment can switch the operating mode to one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth operating modes by rotating the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50. The specific rotation position of the lower movable disk 30 and the fluid flow in the flow path F in each operating mode will be explained with reference to Figure 25.

[0347] In Figure 25, for clarity, dot hatching is applied to the areas covered by the first lower through-hole 341, the second lower through-hole 342, and the lower flow channel communication hole 35 on the lower fixed disk 20. Also, in this embodiment, since the shapes of the upper housing 12, upper fixed disk 40, and upper movable disk 50 are the same as in the first embodiment, the explanation of the fluid flow in the upper flow channel Fa is omitted.

[0348] First, let's explain the first operating mode. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in Figure 25 for the first operating mode.

[0349] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the first lower through hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet flow hole 261. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the second lower through hole 342 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the second outlet flow hole 262. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow path communication hole 35 communicates with the first outlet flow hole 261 and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0350] As a result, the first lower through-hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet flow path Fo1. Then, the first outlet flow path Fo1 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central flow path Fc. Also, the second lower through-hole 342 communicates with the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the second outlet flow path Fo2. Then, the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the second outlet flow path Fo2 communicate with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central flow path Fc. Furthermore, the lower flow path communication hole 35 connects the first outlet flow path Fo1 and the third outlet flow path Fo3. Then, the third outlet flow path Fo3 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the first outlet flow path Fo1, the first lower through-hole 341, and the central flow path Fc.

[0351] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the seventh outlet flow hole 267 faces a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the first lower through hole 341, the second lower through hole 342, or the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the first operating mode, the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0352] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows into the central flow path Fc. Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the second lower through hole 342 and flows into the central flow path Fc. As a result, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 each merge in the central flow path Fc.

[0353] The fluids that merge in the central flow path Fc partially pass through the first lower through-hole 341 and flow into the first outlet flow path Fo1 in the lower flow path Fb, while the remainder passes through the second lower through-hole 342 and flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 is further branched, with a portion flowing out of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet section 161, and the remainder passing through the lower flow path communication hole 35 and flowing into the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet section 162. The fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet section 163.

[0354] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the first operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively. The fluid that has flowed into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, and the third fluid outlet 163, respectively. However, no fluid flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet 167, which is blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0355] Next, the second operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in the rotational position shown in Figure 25 for the second operating mode.

[0356] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the first lower through hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet flow hole 261. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the second lower through hole 342 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the second outlet flow hole 262. Finally, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow path communication hole 35 communicates only with the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0357] As a result, the first lower through-hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet channel Fo1 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. Also, the second lower through-hole 342 communicates with the second inlet channel Fi2 and the second outlet channel Fo2. Then, the second inlet channel Fi2 and the second outlet channel Fo2 communicate with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. And, the lower channel communication hole 35 communicates only with the third outlet channel Fo3. Then, the third outlet channel Fo3 is blocked by the lower channel communication hole 35.

[0358] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the seventh outlet flow hole 267 faces a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the first lower through hole 341, the second lower through hole 342, or the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the second operating mode, the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0359] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows into the central flow path Fc. Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows into the central flow path Fc after passing through the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the second lower through hole 342. As a result, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 all merge in the central flow path Fc.

[0360] The fluids that merge in the central flow path Fc partially pass through the first lower through-hole 341 and flow into the first outlet flow path Fo1 in the lower flow path Fb, while the remainder passes through the second lower through-hole 342 and flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet section 161. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet section 162.

[0361] Furthermore, the lower flow channel communication hole 35 communicates only with the third outlet flow channel Fo3, and does not connect the third outlet flow channel Fo3 to any other outlet flow channels. Therefore, fluid does not flow out of the third outlet flow channel Fo3 to the outside of the valve device 1.

[0362] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the second operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the second fluid inlet 152, respectively. However, fluid does not flow out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet 163 and the seventh fluid outlet 167, which are blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0363] Next, the third operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in the rotational position shown in Figure 25 for the third operating mode.

[0364] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the first lower through hole 341 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the second lower through hole 342 communicates only with the seventh outlet flow hole 267. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow channel communication hole 35 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the seventh outlet flow hole 267.

[0365] As a result, the first lower through-hole 341 communicates with the second outlet channel Fo2 and the third outlet channel Fo3. Then, the second outlet channel Fo2 and the third outlet channel Fo3 communicate with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. The second lower through-hole 342 communicates only with the seventh outlet channel Fo7. Then, the seventh outlet channel Fo7 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. The lower channel communication hole 35 connects the second inlet channel Fi2 and the seventh outlet channel Fo7. Then, the seventh outlet channel Fo7 communicates with the second fluid inlet 152 via the second inlet channel Fi2.

[0366] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the first outlet flow hole 261 faces a portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the first lower through hole 341, the second lower through hole 342, or the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the first outlet flow path Fo1 is blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0367] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flow into the central flow path Fc. As a result, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 merge in the central flow path Fc.

[0368] The fluids that merge in the central flow path Fc partially pass through the first lower through-hole 341 and flow into the second outlet flow path Fo2 and the third outlet flow path Fo3 in the lower flow path Fb, while the remainder passes through the second lower through-hole 342 and flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet section 162. The fluid that flows into the third outlet flow path Fo3 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet section 163. Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet section 167.

[0369] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the lower passage connecting hole 35. The fluid that has passed through the lower passage connecting hole 35 merges with the fluid that has flowed in from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 and passed through the second lower through hole 342, and flows into the seventh outlet passage Fo7 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that has flowed into the seventh outlet passage Fo7 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet 167.

[0370] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the third operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162, the third fluid outlet 163, and the seventh fluid outlet 167. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 also flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet 167. However, no fluid flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161, which is blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0371] Next, the fourth operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fourth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in Figure 25 for the fourth operating mode.

[0372] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the fourth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the first lower through hole 341 communicates only with the second outlet flow hole 262. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the second lower through hole 342 communicates only with the seventh outlet flow hole 267. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow channel communication hole 35 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the seventh outlet flow hole 267.

[0373] As a result, the first lower through-hole 341 communicates only with the second outlet flow path Fo2. Then, the second outlet flow path Fo2 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central flow path Fc. Also, the second lower through-hole 342 communicates only with the seventh outlet flow path Fo7. Then, the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central flow path Fc. Furthermore, the lower flow path communication hole 35 connects the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the seventh outlet flow path Fo7. Then, the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 communicates with the second fluid inlet 152 via the second inlet flow path Fi2.

[0374] Furthermore, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the first outlet flow hole 261 and the third outlet flow hole 263 face the portion of the lower sliding surface 31 where none of the first lower through hole 341, the second lower through hole 342, and the second lower communication hole 352 are formed. Therefore, when the operating mode is set to the third operating mode, the first outlet flow path Fo1 and the third outlet flow hole 263 are blocked by the lower sliding surface 31.

[0375] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fourth operating mode, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flow into the central flow path Fc. As a result, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 merge in the central flow path Fc.

[0376] The fluids that merge in the central flow path Fc partially pass through the first lower through-hole 341 and flow into the second outlet flow path Fo2 in the lower flow path Fb, while the remainder passes through the second lower through-hole 342 and flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet section 162. The fluid that flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet section 167.

[0377] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 passes through the second inlet passage Fi2 and the lower passage connecting hole 35. The fluid that has passed through the lower passage connecting hole 35 merges with the fluid that flows in from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 and passes through the second lower through hole 342, and flows into the seventh outlet passage Fo7 in the lower passage Fb. The fluid that has flowed into the seventh outlet passage Fo7 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet 167.

[0378] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fourth operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162 and the seventh fluid outlet 167. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 also flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet 167. However, fluid does not flow out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161 and the third fluid outlet 163, which are blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0379] Next, the fifth operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fifth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in the rotational position shown in Figure 25 for the fifth operating mode.

[0380] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the fifth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the first lower through hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet flow hole 261. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the second lower through hole 342 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252 and the seventh outlet flow hole 267. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow path communication hole 35 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0381] As a result, the first lower through-hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet channel Fo1 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. Also, the second lower through-hole 342 communicates with the second inlet channel Fi2 and the seventh outlet channel Fo7. Then, the second inlet channel Fi2 and the seventh outlet channel Fo7 communicate with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. Furthermore, the lower channel communication hole 35 connects the second outlet channel Fo2 and the third outlet channel Fo3. However, the second outlet channel Fo2 and the third outlet channel Fo3 do not communicate with any of the first inlet channel Fi1, the second inlet channel Fi2, the fifth inlet channel Fi5, the first outlet channel Fo1, or the seventh outlet channel Fo7. Therefore, the second outlet channel Fo2 and the third outlet channel Fo3 are blocked by the lower sliding surface 31 and the lower channel communication hole 35.

[0382] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fifth operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows into the central flow path Fc. Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows into the central flow path Fc after passing through the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the second lower through hole 342. As a result, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 all merge in the central flow path Fc.

[0383] The fluids that merge in the central flow path Fc partially pass through the first lower through-hole 341 and flow into the first outlet flow path Fo1 in the lower flow path Fb, while the remainder passes through the second lower through-hole 342 and flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet section 161. The fluid that flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet section 167.

[0384] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the fifth operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively. The fluid that flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161 and the seventh fluid outlet 167. However, fluid does not flow out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162 and the third fluid outlet 163, which are blocked by the lower movable disc 30.

[0385] Next, the sixth operating mode will be described. When the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the sixth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned at the rotational position shown in Figure 25 for the sixth operating mode.

[0386] Specifically, when the operating mode is set to the sixth operating mode, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the first lower through hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet flow hole 261. The lower movable disk 30 is also positioned in a rotational position where the second lower through hole 342 communicates with the second inlet flow hole 252, the second outlet flow hole 262, and the seventh outlet flow hole 267. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 is positioned in a rotational position where the lower flow path communication hole 35 communicates with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the third outlet flow hole 263.

[0387] As a result, the first lower through-hole 341 communicates only with the first outlet channel Fo1. Then, the first outlet channel Fo1 communicates with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. The second lower through-hole 342 communicates with the second inlet channel Fi2, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the seventh outlet channel Fo7. Then, the second inlet channel Fi2, the second outlet channel Fo2, and the seventh outlet channel Fo7 communicate with the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 via the central channel Fc. The lower channel communication hole 35 connects the second outlet channel Fo2 and the third outlet channel Fo3. Then, the second outlet channel Fo2 communicates with the second fluid inlet 152 via the second lower through-hole 342 and the second inlet channel Fi2. Furthermore, the third outlet channel Fo3 communicates with the second fluid inlet section 152 via the second outlet channel Fo2, the second lower through-hole 342, and the second inlet channel Fi2.

[0388] Therefore, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the sixth operating mode, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 flows into the central flow path Fc. Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 flows into the central flow path Fc after passing through the second inlet flow path Fi2 and the second lower through hole 342. As a result, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 all merge in the central flow path Fc.

[0389] The fluids that merge in the central flow path Fc partially pass through the first lower through-hole 341 and flow into the first outlet flow path Fo1 in the lower flow path Fb, while the remainder passes through the second lower through-hole 342 and flows into the second outlet flow path Fo2 and the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 in the lower flow path Fb. The fluid that flows into the first outlet flow path Fo1 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet section 161. The fluid that flows into the seventh outlet flow path Fo7 flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the seventh fluid outlet section 167.

[0390] Furthermore, the fluid that flows into the second outlet channel Fo2 is further branched, with a portion flowing out of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet section 162, and the remainder passing through the lower flow channel communication hole 35 and flowing into the third outlet channel Fo3 in the lower flow channel Fb. The fluid that flows into the third outlet channel Fo3 then flows out of the valve device 1 from the third fluid outlet section 163.

[0391] As described above, when the operating mode of the valve device 1 is set to the sixth operating mode, fluid flows into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively. The fluid that has flowed into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155, respectively, flows out to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, the third fluid outlet 163, and the seventh fluid outlet 167.

[0392] In this way, the valve device 1 switches the operating mode to switch the fluid outlets communicating with the first fluid inlet 151, the second fluid inlet 152, and the fifth fluid inlet 155 to one of the first fluid outlet 161, the second fluid outlet 162, the third fluid outlet 163, and the seventh fluid outlet 167. This allows the valve device 1 to switch the fluid passages of the cooling water flowing within the fluid circulation system. Furthermore, the valve device 1 can branch the fluid flowing into the first inlet passage Fi1 and the fifth inlet passage Fi5 through the lower passage communication hole 35, allowing a portion to flow out from the first fluid outlet 161 and the remainder to flow out from the third fluid outlet 163. Additionally, the valve device 1 can branch the fluid flowing into the first inlet passage Fi1, the second inlet passage Fi2, and the fifth inlet passage Fi5 through the lower passage communication hole 35, allowing a portion to flow out from the second fluid outlet 162 and the remainder to flow out from the third fluid outlet 163. Furthermore, the valve device 1 can combine the fluids that have flowed into the valve device 1 from the second fluid inlet 152 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 and discharge them out from the second fluid outlet 162 or the seventh fluid outlet 167.

[0393] The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The valve device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment, which are achieved from a configuration that is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0394] (Modified version of the third embodiment) In the third embodiment described above, an example was described in which the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 are in communication with each other via a central flow path Fc, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the central flow path Fc may be divided by a partition member (not shown) into a space communicating with the first fluid inlet 151 and a space communicating with the fifth fluid inlet 155. In this case, the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fluid flowing into the valve device 1 from the fifth fluid inlet 155 can be guided to different fluid outlets.

[0395] For example, suppose the space communicating with the first fluid inlet 151 is designated as the first space, and the space communicating with the fifth fluid inlet 155 is designated as the second space, and the first space and the second space are separated by a partition member provided in the lower housing 11. Furthermore, suppose the first space is communicating with the first outlet flow hole 261 and the third outlet flow hole 263. Also, suppose the second space is communicating with the second outlet flow hole 262 and the seventh outlet flow hole 267.

[0396] When the central flow path Fc is divided into a first space and a second space in this manner, the fluids flowing into the valve device 1 from the first fluid inlet 151 and the fifth fluid inlet 155 do not merge in the central flow path Fc. Then, the fluid flowing into the first space from the first fluid inlet 151 can be discharged to the outside of the valve device 1 from the first fluid outlet 161 and the third fluid outlet 163, depending on the operating mode. Similarly, the fluid flowing into the second space from the fifth fluid inlet 155 can be discharged to the outside of the valve device 1 from the second fluid outlet 162 and the seventh fluid outlet 167, depending on the operating mode.

[0397] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 26. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the valve device 1 does not include a lower fixing disk 20 and an upper fixing disk 40. Other than this, it is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the parts that are the same as the first embodiment may be omitted from the description.

[0398] As shown in Figure 26, the valve device 1 of this embodiment does not have a lower fixed disc 20 and an upper fixed disc 40 inside the housing 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower gasket 114 is provided between the lower movable disc 30 and the lower mounting surface 1121. The upper gasket 123 is provided between the upper movable disc 50 and the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0399] The compression spring 90 biases the flange portion 613 downward DRa1, thereby biasing the lower movable disc 30 downward DRa1 via the lower lever 70, which is configured separately from the lower torsion spring 80 and the lower movable disc 30. As a result, the lower movable disc 30 is pressed against the lower gasket 114. The compression spring 90 also biases the upper movable disc 50 upward DRa2 via the upper lever 75, which is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50. As a result, the upper movable disc 50 is pressed against the upper gasket 123.

[0400] The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The valve device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment, which are achieved from a configuration that is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0401] Furthermore, by pressing the lower movable disc 30 against the lower gasket 114 provided between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower movable disc 30, it is possible to suppress fluid leakage from the gap between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower movable disc 30.

[0402] Furthermore, by pressing the upper movable disc 50 against the upper gasket 123 provided between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper movable disc 50, it is possible to suppress fluid leakage from the gap between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper movable disc 50.

[0403] (First modification of the fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the lower lever 70, which connects the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 via a lower torsion spring 80, is configured separately from the lower movable disc 30. An example was also described in which the upper lever 75, which connects the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 via an upper torsion spring 85, is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50. However, the configurations of the lower lever 70 and the upper lever 75 are not limited to these.

[0404] For example, as shown in Figure 27, the lower lever 70 may be formed integrally with the lower movable disc 30. That is, the lower lever 70 may be made of ceramic and integrally with the lower movable disc 30.

[0405] Furthermore, the upper lever 75 may be formed integrally with the upper movable disc 50. That is, the upper lever 75 may be made of ceramic and integrally with the upper movable disc 50.

[0406] According to this, the number of parts in the valve device 1 can be reduced compared to the case where the lower lever 70 is configured separately from the lower movable disc 30 and the upper lever 75 is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50.

[0407] (Second modification of the fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment and the first modification of the fourth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 are connected via a lower torsion spring 80, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0408] For example, as shown in Figure 28, the valve device 1 may be configured without a lower torsion spring 80. In this case, the lower lever 70 that connects the lower torsion spring 80 and the lower movable disc 30 becomes unnecessary, so the device may also be configured without a lower lever 70.

[0409] Furthermore, in the case where the lower torsion spring 80 is not provided, the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 are directly connected. For example, the inner diameter of the lower movable hole 32 of the lower movable disc 30 may be formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lower shaft portion 611. The shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 may be directly connected by press-fitting the lower shaft portion 611 into the lower movable hole 32.

[0410] As a result, when the lower shaft 611 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is directly transmitted to the lower movable disc 30 by the lower shaft 611. In addition, the compression spring 90 biases the flange 613 downward DRa1, thereby biasing the lower movable disc 30 downward DRa1 and pressing it against the lower mounting surface 1121.

[0411] Although not shown in the figures, the valve device 1 may be configured to include a lower torsion spring 80 and a lower lever 70, and instead may not include an upper torsion spring 85 and an upper lever 75. In this case, the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 may be directly connected by press-fitting the upper shaft portion 612 into the upper movable hole 52 of the upper movable disc 50.

[0412] As a result, when the upper shaft 612 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is directly transmitted to the upper movable disc 50 by the upper shaft 612. In addition, the compression spring 90 biases the upper movable disc 50 upward in the DRa2 direction, thereby pressing the upper movable disc 50 against the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0413] (Fifth embodiment) Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 29. This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that it does not have a lower gasket 114 and an upper gasket 123. Otherwise, it is the same as the fourth embodiment. For this reason, in this embodiment, we will mainly describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and we may omit the description of parts that are the same as the first embodiment.

[0414] As shown in Figure 29, in this embodiment, the valve device 1 does not have a lower gasket groove 1123 formed on the lower mounting surface 1121. Furthermore, there is no lower gasket 114 between the lower movable disc 30 and the lower mounting surface 1121. Also, there is no upper gasket groove 1213 formed on the upper mounting surface 1211. Furthermore, there is no upper gasket 123 between the upper movable disc 50 and the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0415] However, the lower movable disc 30 is biased downward DRa1 and pressed against the lower mounting surface 1121 by receiving the biasing force generated by the compression spring 90 via the flange portion 613 and the lower torsion spring 80.

[0416] Furthermore, the upper movable disc 50 is biased upward DRa2 and pressed against the upper mounting surface 1211 by receiving the biasing force generated by the compression spring 90 via the upper lever 75.

[0417] The other configurations are the same as in the fourth embodiment. The valve device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects and advantages as in the fourth embodiment, which are achieved from a configuration that is the same as or equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0418] Furthermore, the valve device 1 of this embodiment includes a compression spring 90 that presses the lower movable disc 30 against the lower mounting surface 1121 and the upper movable disc 50 against the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0419] Therefore, even in a configuration where the lower gasket 114 is not provided, fluid leakage is less likely to occur from the gap between the lower mounting surface 1121 and the lower movable disc 30. Similarly, even in a configuration where the upper gasket 123 is not provided, fluid leakage is less likely to occur from the gap between the upper mounting surface 1211 and the upper movable disc 50.

[0420] (First modified example of the fifth embodiment) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the lower lever 70, which connects the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 via a lower torsion spring 80, is configured separately from the lower movable disc 30. An example was also described in which the upper lever 75, which connects the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 via an upper torsion spring 85, is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50. However, the configurations of the lower lever 70 and the upper lever 75 are not limited to these.

[0421] For example, as shown in Figure 30, the lower lever 70 may be formed integrally with the lower movable disc 30. That is, the lower lever 70 may be made of ceramic and integrally with the lower movable disc 30.

[0422] Furthermore, the upper lever 75 may be formed integrally with the upper movable disc 50. That is, the upper lever 75 may be made of ceramic and integrally with the upper movable disc 50.

[0423] According to this, the number of parts in the valve device 1 can be reduced compared to the case where the lower lever 70 is configured separately from the lower movable disc 30 and the upper lever 75 is configured separately from the upper movable disc 50.

[0424] (Second modified example of the fifth embodiment) In the first modification of the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 are connected via a lower torsion spring 80, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0425] For example, as shown in Figure 31, the valve device 1 may be configured without a lower torsion spring 80. In this case, the lower lever 70 that connects the lower torsion spring 80 and the lower movable disc 30 becomes unnecessary, so the device may also be configured without a lower lever 70.

[0426] Furthermore, in the case where the lower torsion spring 80 is not provided, the shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 are directly connected. For example, the inner diameter of the lower movable hole 32 of the lower movable disc 30 may be formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lower shaft portion 611. The shaft 61 and the lower movable disc 30 may be directly connected by press-fitting the lower shaft portion 611 into the lower movable hole 32.

[0427] As a result, when the lower shaft 611 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is directly transmitted to the lower movable disc 30 by the lower shaft 611. In addition, the compression spring 90 biases the flange 613 downward DRa1, which presses the lower movable disc 30 against the lower mounting surface 1121.

[0428] Although not shown in the figures, the valve device 1 may be configured to include a lower torsion spring 80 and a lower lever 70, and instead may not include an upper torsion spring 85 and an upper lever 75. In this case, the shaft 61 and the upper movable disc 50 may be directly connected by press-fitting the upper shaft portion 612 into the upper movable hole 52 of the upper movable disc 50.

[0429] As a result, when the upper shaft 612 rotates, the rotational force of the shaft 61 is directly transmitted to the upper movable disc 50 by the upper shaft 612. In addition, the compression spring 90 biases the upper movable disc 50 upward in the DRa2 direction, thereby pressing the upper movable disc 50 against the upper mounting surface 1211.

[0430] (Sixth Embodiment) Next, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 32. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the lower fixing disk 20 and the upper fixing disk 40 are not made of ceramic. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment. For this reason, in this embodiment, the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the parts that are the same as the first embodiment may be omitted from the description.

[0431] As shown in Figure 32, the lower fixed disc 20 of this embodiment is made of metal (for example, an aluminum alloy). The lower sealing surface 21 on the upper DRa2 side, which is the surface against which the lower movable disc 30 is pressed and contacts the lower movable disc 30, is coated with a thin film to improve sliding properties. Specifically, the thin film coating can be DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating, diamond coating, etc., to improve sliding properties as well as wear resistance and impact resistance. DLC coating and diamond coating can be formed by plasma CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), sputtering, ion beam deposition, etc. The lower sealing surface 21 may also be coated with Teflon® as a surface treatment to improve sliding properties.

[0432] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 33, the lower movable disc 30 in this embodiment is made of metal (for example, an aluminum alloy). The lower sliding surface 31 on the downward DRa1 side, which is the side of the lower movable disc 30 that is pressed against the lower fixed disc 20 and comes into contact with the lower fixed disc 20, is coated with a thin film to improve sliding properties. Specific coating treatments such as DLC coating and diamond coating can be employed. The lower sliding surface 31 may also be coated with Teflon as a surface treatment to improve sliding properties.

[0433] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 34 and 35, the upper fixed disc 40 and the upper movable disc 50 in this embodiment are made of metal (for example, an aluminum alloy), similar to the lower fixed disc 20. The upper fixed disc 40 has a thin film coating applied to the upper sealing surface 41 on the downward DRa1 side, which is the surface that the upper movable disc 50 presses against and contacts the upper movable disc 50, in order to improve sliding performance. The upper movable disc 50 also has a thin film coating applied to the upper sliding surface 51 on the upward DRa2 side, which is the surface that the upper movable disc 50 presses against and contacts the upper fixed disc 40, in order to improve sliding performance. Specific coating treatments for these upper sealing surfaces 41 and upper sliding surfaces 51 can include DLC coating, diamond coating, etc. Additionally, the upper sealing surface 41 and upper sliding surface 51 may be coated with Teflon as a surface treatment to improve sliding performance.

[0434] The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The valve device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment, which are achieved from a configuration that is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0435] Furthermore, since the lower sealing surface 21 is coated to improve sliding properties, sliding properties can be ensured when the lower movable disc 30 slides against the lower fixed disc 20. In addition, since the upper sealing surface 41 is coated to improve sliding properties, sliding properties can be ensured when the upper movable disc 50 slides against the upper fixed disc 40.

[0436] (Modified version of the sixth embodiment) In the sixth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the lower sealing surface 21, the lower sliding surface 31, the upper sealing surface 41, and the upper sliding surface 51 are coated to improve sliding performance, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, if one of the lower fixed disc 20 and the upper fixed disc 40 is made of ceramic, the configuration may be such that only the sealing surface of the other disc is coated to improve sliding performance. Also, if one of the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50 is made of ceramic, the configuration may be such that only the sliding surface of the other disc is coated to improve sliding performance.

[0437] (Seventh Embodiment) Next, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 36. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the valve device 1 has a first flow path section 1A and a second flow path section 1B. Other than this, it is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the parts that are the same as the first embodiment may be omitted from the description.

[0438] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 36, the device comprises a first flow path section 1A, a second flow path section 1B, and a drive unit 60. The first flow path section 1A and the second flow path section 1B each contain the components of the valve device 1 described in the first embodiment, excluding the drive unit 60.

[0439] Specifically, the first flow path section 1A includes a first housing 10A, a first lower fixed disc 20A, a first lower movable disc 30A, a first upper fixed disc 40A, a first upper movable disc 50A, a first lower lever 70A, a first upper lever 75A, a first lower torsion spring 80A, a first upper torsion spring 85A, a first compression spring 90A, and the like.

[0440] Furthermore, the second flow path section 1B includes a second housing 10B, a second lower fixed disc 20B, a second lower movable disc 30B, a second upper fixed disc 40B, a second upper movable disc 50B, a second lower lever 70B, a second upper lever 75B, a second lower torsion spring 80B, a second upper torsion spring 85B, a second compression spring 90B, and the like.

[0441] The first flow channel section 1A, the second flow channel section 1B, and the drive unit 60 are arranged along the direction in which the axis CL of the shaft 61 extends. Furthermore, the first flow channel section 1A and the second flow channel section 1B are arranged such that the orientation of their respective components is opposite to the axial direction DRa. The shaft 61 of the drive unit 60 is positioned to penetrate the first flow channel section 1A and the second flow channel section 1B.

[0442] The first housing 10A and the second housing 10B correspond to the housing 10 in the first embodiment. The first lower fixed disk 20A and the second lower fixed disk 20B correspond to the lower fixed disk 20 in the first embodiment. The first lower movable disk 30A and the second lower movable disk 30B correspond to the lower movable disk 30 in the first embodiment. The first upper fixed disk 40A and the second upper fixed disk 40B correspond to the upper fixed disk 40 in the first embodiment. The first upper movable disk 50A and the second upper movable disk 50B correspond to the upper movable disk 50 in the first embodiment.

[0443] The first lower lever 70A and the second lower lever 70B correspond to the lower lever 70 in the first embodiment. The first upper lever 75A and the second upper lever 75B correspond to the upper lever 75 in the first embodiment. The first lower torsion spring 80A and the second lower torsion spring 80B correspond to the lower torsion spring 80 in the first embodiment. The first upper torsion spring 85A and the second upper torsion spring 85B correspond to the upper torsion spring 85 in the first embodiment. The first compression spring 90A and the second compression spring 90B correspond to the compression spring 90 in the first embodiment.

[0444] The configuration of each component of the first flow path section 1A and the second flow path section 1B is the same as that of the components of the valve device 1 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, a detailed description of each component of the first flow path section 1A and the second flow path section 1B is omitted.

[0445] In this embodiment, the first lower movable disk 30A, the second lower movable disk 30B, the first upper movable disk 50A, and the second upper movable disk 50B are configured to rotate integrally with the shaft 61. Therefore, in this embodiment, the valve device 1 can switch the operating modes of the first flow path section 1A and the second flow path section 1B by having the drive unit 60 rotate the shaft 61.

[0446] Specifically, the drive unit 60 rotates the first lower movable disk 30A and the first upper movable disk 50A together with the shaft 61, thereby switching the operating mode of the first flow path section 1A to one of the first to third operating modes described in the first embodiment. As a result, even if the number of movable disks provided in the first flow path section 1A is two, the flow of fluid circulating through the fluid inlet and fluid outlet provided in the first housing 10A can be switched without increasing the size of the first housing 10A.

[0447] Furthermore, the drive unit 60 rotates the second lower movable disk 30B and the second upper movable disk 50B together with the shaft 61, thereby switching the operating mode of the second flow path section 1B to one of the first to third operating modes described in the first embodiment. As a result, even if there are two movable disks in the second flow path section 1B, the flow of fluid circulating through the fluid inlet and fluid outlet sections provided in the second housing 10B can be switched without increasing the size of the second housing 10B.

[0448] Furthermore, a single drive unit 60 can switch the operating modes of the first flow path section 1A and the second flow path section 1B. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a power source for switching the operating modes of the first flow path section 1A and the second flow path section 1B is provided in the fluid section for each, the number of components of the valve device 1 can be reduced.

[0449] (Other embodiments) While representative embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various ways, for example, as follows.

[0450] In the embodiments described above, the valve device 1 was explained as being used in a fluid circulation system installed in, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, but it is not limited to this. For example, the valve device 1 may be used in a fluid circulation system installed in a vehicle other than an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Furthermore, the valve device 1 may be used in applications other than vehicles.

[0451] In the embodiments described above, the fluid flowing through the flow path F within the housing 10 of the valve device 1 was described as cooling water, but it is not limited to this. For example, the fluid may be a liquid or gas other than cooling water.

[0452] In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the valve device 1 is configured to be switchable between three or four operating modes, but it is not limited to this. For example, the valve device 1 may be configured to be switchable between two operating modes, or it may be configured to be switchable between five or more operating modes.

[0453] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the housing 10 has one or two fluid inlets communicating with the central flow path Fc, one or two fluid inlets communicating with the lower flow path Fb, and three or four fluid outlets. An example was also described in which the housing 10 has one fluid inlet communicating with the upper flow path Fa and three fluid outlets. However, the configuration and number of fluid inlets and fluid outlets formed in the housing 10 are not limited thereto.

[0454] For example, the housing 10 may have three or more fluid inlets communicating with the central flow path Fc, or it may have a fluid outlet communicating with the central flow path Fc. Alternatively, the housing 10 may not have any fluid inlets or fluid outlets communicating with the central flow path Fc.

[0455] Furthermore, the housing 10 may have three or more fluid inlet sections communicating with the lower flow path Fb, or it may have two or fewer fluid outlet sections, or five or more fluid outlet sections. For example, the housing 10 may have no fluid inlet sections communicating with the lower flow path Fb, and only have fluid outlet sections, or it may have no fluid outlet sections communicating with the lower flow path Fb, and only have fluid inlet sections.

[0456] Furthermore, the housing 10 may have two or more fluid inlets communicating with the upper flow path Fa, or it may have two or fewer fluid outlets, or four or more fluid outlets. For example, the housing 10 may have no fluid inlets communicating with the upper flow path Fa and only have fluid outlets, or it may have no fluid outlets communicating with the upper flow path Fa and only have fluid inlets.

[0457] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the fluid inlet portion provided in the housing 10 functions as an inlet for introducing fluid into the flow path F, and the fluid outlet portion functions as an outlet for releasing the fluid introduced into the flow path F to the outside of the valve device 1. However, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0458] For example, the fluid inlet may be configured to function as either an inlet for introducing fluid into the flow path F or an outlet for releasing the fluid that has entered the flow path F to the outside of the valve device 1, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50. Similarly, the fluid outlet may also be configured to function as either an inlet for introducing fluid into the flow path F or an outlet for releasing the fluid that has entered the flow path F to the outside of the valve device 1, depending on the rotational position of the lower movable disc 30 and the upper movable disc 50.

[0459] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the lower flow passage through-hole 34 and the upper flow passage through-hole 54 are formed to be large enough to overlap the two flow holes formed in the lower fixed disk 20 in the axial direction DRa, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0460] For example, the lower flow passage through-hole 34 and the upper flow passage through-hole 54 may be formed to a size that allows them to overlap across three or more flow passages in the axial direction DRa.

[0461] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the lower flow channel communication hole 35 and the upper flow channel communication hole 55 are formed to be large enough to overlap two or three flow holes formed in the upper fixed disk 40 in the axial direction DRa, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0462] For example, the lower flow channel connecting hole 35 and the upper flow channel connecting hole 55 may be formed to a size that allows them to overlap across four or more flow holes in the axial direction DRa.

[0463] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which a lower flow channel communication hole 35 is formed in the lower movable disk 30 and an upper flow channel communication hole 55 is formed in the upper movable disk 50, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0464] For example, the lower movable disk 30 may be configured without a lower flow channel communication hole 35. Similarly, the upper movable disk 50 may be configured without an upper flow channel communication hole 55. Furthermore, the lower movable disk 30 may not have a lower flow channel communication hole 35, and the upper movable disk 50 may also not have an upper flow channel communication hole 55.

[0465] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which one or two lower flow path through holes 34 and lower flow path communication holes 35 are formed in the lower movable disk 30, resulting in a total of two or three holes, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0466] For example, the lower movable disk 30 may have three or more lower flow passage through holes 34, or three or more lower flow passage connecting holes 35. Alternatively, the lower movable disk 30 may have multiple lower flow passage through holes 34 and multiple lower flow passage connecting holes 35, resulting in a total of four or more holes.

[0467] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which one upper flow path through hole 54 and one upper flow path communication hole 55 are formed in the upper movable disk 50, for a total of two holes, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0468] For example, the upper movable disk 50 may have multiple upper flow channel through holes 54 and multiple upper flow channel connecting holes 55, resulting in a total of three or more holes. Alternatively, the upper movable disk 50 may have multiple upper flow channel through holes 54 and multiple upper flow channel connecting holes 55.

[0469] In the first to fifth embodiments and the seventh embodiment described above, examples were given in which the lower fixed disk 20, lower movable disk 30, upper fixed disk 40, and upper movable disk 50 are formed of ceramic, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0470] For example, the lower fixed disc 20, lower movable disc 30, upper fixed disc 40, and upper movable disc 50 may be made of a material other than ceramic (e.g., phenol, resin, metal, etc.). Alternatively, the lower fixed disc 20, lower movable disc 30, upper fixed disc 40, and upper movable disc 50 may be composed of multiple materials such as ceramic, phenol, resin, metal, etc.

[0471] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the valve device 1 includes at least one of the lower torsion spring 80 and the upper torsion spring 85, but it is not limited thereto. The valve device 1 may also be configured without either the lower torsion spring 80 or the upper torsion spring 85.

[0472] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the valve device 1 includes at least one of the lower lever 70 and the upper lever 75, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the valve device 1 may be configured not to include either the lower lever 70 or the upper lever 75.

[0473] In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which one compression spring 90 presses the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20 and the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the valve device 1 may be equipped with two compression springs 90, with one of the two compression springs 90 pressing the lower movable disc 30 against the lower fixed disc 20 and the other pressing the upper movable disc 50 against the upper fixed disc 40.

[0474] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the compression spring 90 is an elastic member for biasing the lower movable disk 30 and the upper movable disk 50, and is a compression coil spring that can be elastically deformed in the axial direction DRa, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the compression spring 90 may be made of a material different from the elastic member. Also, the compression spring 90 may be made of an elastic member different from the compression coil spring.

[0475] In the embodiments described above, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be essential or where they are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0476] In the embodiments described above, if numerical values ​​such as the number, numerical values, quantities, or ranges of the components of the embodiment are mentioned, the embodiment is not limited to those specific numbers unless explicitly stated as particularly essential or clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0477] In the embodiments described above, when referring to the shape, positional relationships, etc. of the components, the definition is not limited to those shapes, positional relationships, etc., unless otherwise specifically stated or when the definition is fundamentally limited to a particular shape, positional relationship, etc.

[0478] The control unit and method of the drive unit 60 of this disclosure may be implemented in a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied by a computer program. The control unit and method of this disclosure may be implemented in a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor by one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. The control unit and method of this disclosure may be implemented in one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by the computer in a computer-readable non-transitional tangible recording medium.

[0479] (Features of the present invention) [Claim 1] A valve device, A shaft (61) extending along the axial direction (DRa) and rotating about a predetermined axis (CL), A housing (10) that forms a fluid passage (F) through which fluid flows, and has a plurality of openings (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167) that communicate with the passage and function as either an inlet for introducing fluid into the passage or an outlet for introducing fluid out of the passage, The device comprises a first movable disk (30) and a second movable disk (50) which are arranged within the flow path at a distance from each other and aligned in the axial direction, thereby dividing the flow path in the axial direction, and which rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft, The plurality of openings include a plurality of one-side openings (152, 154, 161, 162, 163, 167) provided on one side of the first movable disk in the axial direction, and a plurality of other-side openings (153, 164, 165, 166) formed on the other side of the second movable disk in the axial direction. The housing has a one-side partition wall (1124) that divides the flow path on one side in the axial direction from the first movable disk into a plurality of one-side flow paths (Fi2, Fi4, Fo1, Fo2, Fo3, Fo7) that communicate with the plurality of one-side openings, and a other-side partition wall (1214) that divides the flow path on the other side in the axial direction from the second movable disk into a plurality of other-side flow paths (Fi3, Fo4, Fo5, Fo6) that communicate with the plurality of other-side openings, The first movable disk has first through holes (34, 341, 342) that communicate with at least one of the plurality of one-sided flow paths, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft, thereby switching the flow path that communicates with the first through hole among the plurality of one-sided flow paths. The valve device comprises a second movable disc having a second through-hole (54) that communicates with at least one of the plurality of other-side flow paths, and which rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft to switch the flow path among the plurality of other-side flow paths that communicates with the second through-hole.

[0480] [Claim 2] A first sealing member (114) is provided between the portion of the housing where the first movable disk is positioned and the first movable disk, and seals the gap between the housing and the first movable disk. A second sealing member (123) is provided between the portion of the housing where the second movable disc is positioned and the second movable disc, and seals the gap between the housing and the second movable disc. The valve device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing portion (90) that presses the first movable disc against the first sealing member and presses the second movable disc against the second sealing member.

[0481] [Claim 3] A first fixed disk (20) is provided between the housing and the first movable disk so as not to rotate with the rotation of the shaft, and has a plurality of first flow path holes (252, 254, 261, 262, 263, 267) formed therein that communicate with each of the plurality of one-sided flow paths, A second fixed disk (40) is provided between the housing and the second movable disk so as not to rotate with the rotation of the shaft, and has a plurality of second flow path holes (453, 464, 465, 466) formed therein that communicate with each of the plurality of other side flow paths, The device includes a biasing unit (90) that presses the first movable disk against the first fixed disk and presses the second movable disk against the second fixed disk. The first fixed disk has a surface on which the first movable disk is pressed against that has a lower coefficient of friction compared to the housing. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the second fixed disc against which the second movable disc is pressed has a smaller coefficient of friction compared to the housing.

[0482] [Claim 4] A first sealing member (114) is provided between the portion of the housing where the first fixing disc is positioned and the first fixing disc, and seals the gap between the housing and the first fixing disc. The valve device according to claim 3, further comprising a second sealing member (123) provided between the portion of the housing in which the second fixing disc is arranged and the second fixing disc, for sealing the gap between the housing and the second fixing disc.

[0483] [Claim 5] The valve device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the first fixed disc and the second fixed disc comprises at least one of resin, ceramic, and phenol.

[0484] [Claim 6] The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the first movable disc and the second movable disc comprises at least one of resin, ceramic, and phenol.

[0485] [Claim 7] The valve device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein at least one of the first fixed disk and the first movable disk has a coating applied to the surfaces that come into contact with each other to improve sliding properties.

[0486] [Claim 8] The valve device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein at least one of the second fixed disk and the second movable disk has a coating applied to the surfaces that come into contact with each other to improve sliding properties.

[0487] [Claim 9] The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the first movable disk and the second movable disk is formed across two or more passages in a plurality of passages that can communicate with itself, among the plurality of one-side passages and the plurality of other-side passages, and has a communication hole (35, 351, 352, 55) that connects the two or more passages.

[0488] [Claim 10] The valve device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the biasing portion includes an elastically deformable elastic member.

[0489] [Claim 11] The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a pressing portion (80, 85) that generates a pressing force to press at least one of the first movable disk and the second movable disk in the circumferential direction (DRc) about a predetermined axis.

[0490] [Claim 12] The valve device according to claim 11, comprising at least one of a first transmission unit (70) fixed to the first movable disk and transmitting the pressing force to the first movable disk, and a second transmission unit (75) fixed to the second movable disk and transmitting the pressing force to the second movable disk. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0491] 10 Housing 30 First movable disc 34 First through hole 50. Second movable disc 54 Second through hole 61 Shaft 151, 152, 163, 166 Openings F channel Fi2, Fo3 One side flow path Fo6 Other side flow path

Claims

1. A valve device, A shaft (61) extending along the axial direction (DRa) and rotating about a predetermined axis (CL), A housing (10) that forms a fluid passage (F) through which fluid flows, and has a plurality of openings (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167) that communicate with the passage and function as at least one of an inlet for introducing fluid into the passage and an outlet for introducing fluid out of the passage, The device comprises a first movable disk (30) provided within the flow path, spaced apart from each other and arranged in the axial direction to partition the flow path in the axial direction, and which rotates with the rotation of the shaft, and a second movable disk (50) provided on the other side of the first movable disk in the axial direction, The plurality of openings include a plurality of one-side openings (152, 154, 161, 162, 163, 167) provided on one side of the first movable disk in the axial direction, and a plurality of other-side openings (153, 164, 165, 166) formed on the other side of the second movable disk in the axial direction. The housing has a one-side partition wall (1124) that divides the flow path on one side in the axial direction from the first movable disk into a plurality of one-side flow paths (Fi2, Fi4, Fo1, Fo2, Fo3, Fo7) that communicate with the plurality of one-side openings, and a other-side partition wall (1214) that divides the flow path on the other side in the axial direction from the second movable disk into a plurality of other-side flow paths (Fi3, Fo4, Fo5, Fo6) that communicate with the plurality of other-side openings. The first movable disk has first through holes (34, 341, 342) formed through the first movable disk in the axial direction, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft, thereby switching the flow path that communicates with the other flow path among the plurality of one-side flow paths. The valve device has a second through hole (54) formed through the second movable disk in the axial direction, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft to switch the flow path among the plurality of other-side flow paths that communicate with the second through hole.

2. A first sealing member (114) is provided between the portion of the housing where the first movable disk is positioned and the first movable disk, and seals the gap between the housing and the first movable disk. A second sealing member (123) is provided between the portion of the housing where the second movable disc is positioned and the second movable disc, and seals the gap between the housing and the second movable disc. The valve device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing unit (90) that presses the first movable disc against the first sealing member and presses the second movable disc against the second sealing member.

3. A first fixed disk (20) is provided between the housing and the first movable disk so as not to rotate with the rotation of the shaft, and has a plurality of first flow path holes (252, 254, 261, 262, 263, 267) formed therein that communicate with each of the plurality of one-side flow paths, A second fixed disk (40) is provided between the housing and the second movable disk so as not to rotate with the rotation of the shaft, and has a plurality of second flow path holes (453, 464, 465, 466) formed therein that communicate with each of the plurality of other-side flow paths, The device includes a biasing unit (90) that presses the first movable disk against the first fixed disk and presses the second movable disk against the second fixed disk. The first fixed disk has a surface on which the first movable disk is pressed against that has a lower coefficient of friction compared to the housing. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the second fixed disc against which the second movable disc is pressed has a smaller coefficient of friction compared to the housing.

4. A first sealing member (114) is provided between the portion of the housing where the first fixing disk is positioned and the first fixing disk, and seals the gap between the housing and the first fixing disk. The valve device according to claim 3, further comprising a second sealing member (123) provided between the portion of the housing in which the second fixing disc is arranged and the second fixing disc, for sealing the gap between the housing and the second fixing disc.

5. The valve device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the first fixed disc and the second fixed disc comprises at least one of resin, ceramic, and phenol.

6. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first movable disc and the second movable disc comprises at least one of resin, ceramic, and phenol.

7. The valve device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the first fixed disk and the first movable disk has a coating treatment applied to the surfaces that come into contact with each other to improve sliding properties.

8. The valve device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the second fixed disk and the second movable disk has a coating treatment applied to the surfaces that come into contact with each other to improve sliding properties.

9. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first movable disk and the second movable disk is formed across two or more passages in a plurality of passages that can communicate with itself, among the plurality of one-side passages and the plurality of other-side passages, and has a communication hole (35, 351, 352, 55) that connects the two or more passages.

10. The valve device according to claim 2, wherein the biasing portion includes an elastically deformable elastic member.

11. The valve device according to claim 1, further comprising pressing parts (80, 85) that generate a pressing force to press at least one of the first movable disk and the second movable disk in the circumferential direction (DRc) about a predetermined axis.

12. The valve device according to claim 11, comprising at least one of a first transmission unit (70) fixed to the first movable disk and transmitting the pressing force to the first movable disk, and a second transmission unit (75) fixed to the second movable disk and transmitting the pressing force to the second movable disk.

Images