Switching valve

Abstract

Provided is a switching valve having high durability performance.　A switching valve V comprises: a housing 10; a valve body 20 that is rotatably provided in the housing 10; and a driving source 40 that has a rod 41 for rotating the valve body 20. The switching valve V further comprises a rotating body 25 for transmitting driving force of the driving source 40 to the valve body 20. The rotating body 25 has a recessed part 50 that extends in the axial direction on the outer circumference 25d, and thick parts 51, 52 that are wider in the circumferential direction as compared to the recessed part 50. The rod 41 has crest parts 42, 44 abutting on the thick parts 51, 52.

Description

Switching valve

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching valve, for example, a switching valve that opens and closes a flow path through which a refrigerant flows or switches the flow path.

[0002] In various industrial fields, refrigerant circuits are used in which a refrigerant supply source is connected to a refrigerant load such as a refrigerant-operated device or a heat exchanger by a flow path. Some of these refrigerant circuits are provided with a switching valve for opening and closing the flow path or for switching the flow path.

[0003] For example, the switching valve of Patent Document 1 is mainly composed of a main valve housing, a main valve element, and an actuator. The main valve housing has four ports formed therein. The main valve element has four communication passages formed therein.

[0004] The actuator includes a pressure-receiving moving body that is arranged axially movable. The pressure-receiving moving body has a plurality of drive teeth formed at its axial center. A plurality of driven teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main valve body, and the drive teeth and driven teeth are engageable. The main valve body rotates in one circumferential direction when the pressure-receiving moving body is moved in one axial direction, and rotates in the other circumferential direction when the pressure-receiving moving body is moved in the other axial direction. This allows the main valve body to be switched between a first rotation position and a second rotation position.

[0005] When the main valve element is in the first rotational position, the first port communicates with the third port through the first communication passage, and the second port communicates with the fourth port through the second communication passage. When the main valve element is in the second rotational position, the first port communicates with the second port through the third communication passage, and the third port communicates with the fourth port through the fourth communication passage. In this way, the switching valve of Patent Document 1 is capable of switching the flow paths.

[0006] JP 2016-98974 A (pages 21 and 22, Figure 21)

[0007] In the switching valve of Patent Document 1, the direction of movement of the pressure-receiving movable body is switched using the pilot pressure of a solenoid-type four-way pilot valve, which reduces manufacturing costs compared to when the main valve body is rotated by an electric motor. However, switching valves such as those in Patent Document 1 are prone to damage to the teeth because loads are applied intermittently to each tooth depending on the movement of the actuator.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and has as its object to provide a switching valve with high durability.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a switching valve comprising: a housing, a valve element rotatably provided within the housing, and a drive source having a rod for rotating the valve element, and further comprising a rotating body that transmits the drive force of the drive source to the valve element, the rotating body having a recess extending axially on its outer periphery and a thick portion that is wider in the circumferential direction than the recess, and the rod having a ridge that abuts against the thick portion. In this way, the force received from the ridge portion of the rod is received by the strong thick portion of the rotating body, thereby increasing the durability of the switching valve.

[0010] The recess may have a tapered shape with an inner diameter side narrower than an outer diameter side, thereby increasing the angle by which the valve body rotates from when the ridge portion contacts the thick portion until it separates from the thick portion.

[0011] The peaks of the ridges may be rounded, which allows the ridges to slide smoothly when they come into contact with the thick portion.

[0012] The recess may be a slit that penetrates in the radial direction, which increases the angle of rotation of the valve body from when the ridge portion contacts the thick portion until when the ridge portion separates from the thick portion.

[0013] The rotary body and the valve body may be made of resin and integrated together, thereby enabling the driving force of the driving source to be transmitted smoothly to the valve body.

[0014] The rod may be a cylindrical body, which allows the peaks to be kept in stable point contact with the thick wall portion.

[0015] The rotating body may have a plurality of thick portions, and the rod may have a plurality of ridges, thereby increasing the angle by which the valve body is rotated.

[0016] At least one valley portion may be formed between adjacent peak portions, the valley portion being wider in the axial direction than the thick portion, so that the at least one thick portion fits into the valley portion, allowing the rotating body to operate smoothly.

[0017] The locus along which the peak portion reciprocates may be along a tangent to the locus along which the rotating body rotates, and the peak portion may be located on the retraction side of the rod relative to a normal to the locus along which the rotating body rotates, which is perpendicular to the tangent, when the rod is in its most retracted state. This not only increases the efficiency of transmission of driving force, but also increases the angle by which the valve body rotates from when the peak portion contacts the thick portion until it separates from it.

[0018] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant circuit to which a switching valve of an embodiment according to the present invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switching valve of the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve in a state in which the gap between the valve body and the housing is sealed; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve in a state in which the valve body is floating; FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the switching valve; FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the rotation of the valve body; FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the rotation of the valve body; and FIG. 8 is a top view showing the valve body rotated from a first rotation position to a second rotation position.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A switching valve according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the following examples. While a refrigerant switching valve will be described as an example of the switching valve, the switching valve may be a valve for switching a fluid other than a refrigerant.

[0020] A refrigerant switching valve according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the following description, the top and bottom of Figure 3 will be taken as the top and bottom of the refrigerant switching valve.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerant switching valve V of the present invention is a four-way valve provided in a refrigerant circuit 1. In addition to the refrigerant switching valve V, the refrigerant circuit 1 is provided with a compressor C, a first load L1, and a second load L2. The compressor C discharges a discharge fluid Pd, which is a compressed, high-pressure refrigerant, and draws a suction fluid Ps, which is a reduced-pressure, low-pressure refrigerant.

[0022] The refrigerant switching valve V is provided with an inlet port Pi as an inlet path connected to the discharge side of the compressor C through a discharge path 2, a first port P1 connected to a first load L1 through a first path 3, a second port P2 connected to a second load L2 through a second path 4, and an outlet port Pe as an outlet path connected to the suction side of the compressor C through an outlet path 5. The first load L1 and the second load L2 are connected through a third path 6.

[0023] The refrigerant switching valve V switches whether the discharge fluid Pd sent out from the compressor C passes through the first load L1 and then the second load L2, as shown by the solid line, or the discharge fluid Pd passes through the second load L2 and then the first load L1, as shown by the dashed line. The refrigerant switching valve V will be described in detail below.

[0024] 2 and 3, the refrigerant switching valve V is mainly composed of a housing 10, a valve element 20, a spring means 30 (see FIG. 3), and a drive source 40 (see FIG. 2). In FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve element 20 is in a first rotation position, communicating the inlet port Pi with the first port P1 (see FIG. 2) and communicating the second port P2 (see FIG. 3) with the outlet port Pe (see FIG. 3).

[0025] The housing 10 is mainly composed of a case 11 and a stator 12 .

[0026] 2, the case 11 is made of resin and includes a main body 11a and a socket 11b. The case 11 may be made of metal, and the material may be changed as appropriate.

[0027] The main body 11a is a cylindrical body with a ceiling that opens downward, and includes a stepped plate-like ceiling that is D-shaped when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall that extends downward from the periphery of the ceiling.

[0028] An inlet port Pi is formed in the ceiling of the main body 11a, penetrating in the vertical direction.

[0029] 3, a support hole 11c is formed in the ceiling of the main body 11a, recessed upward from the lower end surface thereof, and a support shaft 14 is inserted and fixed into this support hole 11c.

[0030] 2, the socket 11b is cylindrical and has a bottom, and protrudes outward from the peripheral wall of the main body 11a. The drive source 40 is inserted and fixed in the socket 11b. The gap between the socket 11b and the drive source 40 is sealed with packing.

[0031] A through-hole 11d is formed in the peripheral wall of the main body 11a and in the bottom of the socket 11b, penetrating the socket 11b in the axial direction. A rod 41 (described later) is inserted through this through-hole 11d, and the tip of the rod 41 is disposed in the valve chamber 13 (see FIG. 3).

[0032] 2 and 3, a first port P1 (see FIG. 2), a second port P2 (see FIG. 3), and an outlet port Pe (see FIG. 3) are formed in the stator 12. The first port P1, the second port P2, and the outlet port Pe all pass through the stator 12 in the vertical direction.

[0033] The first port P1, the second port P2, and the outlet port Pe are formed to be located at either of the vertices of an isosceles triangle when the stator 12 is viewed from above (see FIG. 8). The distance between the first port P1 and the outlet port Pe is approximately the same as the distance between the second port P2 and the outlet port Pe.

[0034] Referring to Figure 3, the main body 11a and the stator 12 are fastened together with bolts (not shown). The stator 12 has a groove recessed downward from the upper end face along its edge. The main body 11a is pressed against a packing placed in the groove. The space between the main body 11a and the stator 12 is sealed. The main body 11a and the stator 12 form a valve chamber 13.

[0035] The stator 12 also has a groove formed along a leg 27 (described later) of the valve element 20 stopped at the first rotation position and a leg 27 of the valve element 20 stopped at the second rotation position. This groove is recessed downward from the upper end surface of the stator 12. A packing 15 is also disposed in the groove.

[0036] The valve body 20 is made of resin and is configured to have an elliptical shape in top view, consisting of a cylindrical portion 21 that is circular in top view, and a dome portion 22 that extends radially outward in a U-shape in top view from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 21. The valve body 20 may be made of metal, and the material may be changed as appropriate.

[0037] The cylindrical portion 21 is cylindrical with a stepped outer diameter, and includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 , a small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 , and a rotating body 25 .

[0038] The large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 has a peripheral wall that extends axially and has a generally semicircular arc shape in a top view and a cylindrical shape in a top view, and an annular ceiling that extends from the upper end of the peripheral wall toward the inner diameter side. The peripheral wall and the dome portion 22 are connected by a diagonal boundary line 20a. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 and the dome portion 22 form a communication passage 26 that connects their respective internal spaces.

[0039] Furthermore, at the lower ends of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23 and the dome portion 22, a leg portion 27 is formed that is continuous along the edges of these portions and has a circular shape and a rectangular cross section.

[0040] A cap 28 having an upside-down hat shape in cross section and a C-shaped stopper 29 are disposed at the upper end of the peripheral wall of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23. The stopper 29 is fitted to the peripheral wall and holds the cap 28 in place, with the cap 28 disposed on the ceiling side of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23.

[0041] An annular groove is formed in the ceiling of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23, recessed upward from the lower end face. The cap 28 is pressed against an O-ring placed in the groove. A seal is formed between the ceiling and the cap 28. In other words, the cap 28 is one of the components that define the communication passage 26.

[0042] A recess 28a recessed downward from the upper end surface is formed in the radial center of the cap 28. A bush 16 serving as a bearing for the support shaft 14 is disposed in the recess 28a.

[0043] The small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 has a peripheral wall extending upward from the upper end surface of the radial center of the ceiling of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 23, and an annular ceiling 24a extending radially inward from the upper end of the peripheral wall. The lower part of the ceiling 24a abuts against an upper spring bearing of the elastic means 30, and the lower part of the upper spring bearing abuts against a spring of the elastic means 30. In other words, the valve body 20 is placed on the elastic means 30.

[0044] A rotating body 25 having a smaller diameter than the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 is formed above the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24. The rotating body 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending upward from the upper end surface at the radial center of the ceiling 24a of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24. A recessed portion 25a recessed downward from the upper end surface is formed in the radial center of the rotating body 25. A bushing 16 is disposed in the recessed portion 25a. The rotating body 25 transmits power, and its detailed configuration will be described later.

[0045] A through-hole 21a is formed in the cylindrical portion 21, penetrating it in the axial direction. The axis of this through-hole 21a substantially coincides with the axis of the cylindrical portion 21. The axis of the through-hole 21a also substantially coincides with the axis of the recess 25a in the rotating body 25 and the axis of the recess 28a in the cap 28. Furthermore, the axis of the through-hole 21a substantially coincides with the axis of the outlet port Pe.

[0046] The support shaft 14 is inserted through the two bushings 16 and the through hole 21 a. In other words, the support shaft 14 is disposed on the axis of the outlet port Pe. The valve element 20 is movable in the axial direction along the support shaft 14 and rotatable around the support shaft 14.

[0047] A lower stopper 17 and an upper stopper 18 are fixed to a portion of the support shaft 14 that is located inside the valve body 20. The lower stopper 17 is disposed below and spaced apart from the upper stopper 18.

[0048] A spring means 30 is provided between the lower stopper 17 and the upper stopper 18. The spring means 30 is composed of a lower spring retainer, a spring, and an upper spring retainer. A spring is disposed between the lower spring retainer and the upper spring retainer. The lower spring retainer and the upper spring retainer are prevented from coming off by the lower stopper 17 and the upper stopper 18.

[0049] The valve element 20 moves in the axial direction along the support shaft 14 in response to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the valve element 20 .

[0050] More specifically, the greater the refrigerant pressure in the space outside the valve element 20 in the valve chamber 13 becomes compared to the refrigerant pressure inside the valve element 20, i.e., inside the communication passage 26, the greater the force moving the valve element 20 toward the stator 12. When this force exceeds the biasing force of the spring in the elastic means 30, the valve element 20 moves toward the stator 12 while compressing the spring, and is pressed against the packing 15.

[0051] 3, when the valve element 20 is stopped in the first rotation position, the legs 27 are pressed against the packing 15 while the discharge fluid Pd is flowing into the valve chamber 13 from the inlet port Pi. As a result, the refrigerant switching valve V separates the communication passage 26 from the space outside the valve element 20 in the valve chamber 13, and communicates the inlet port Pi with the first port P1 and the second port P2 with the outlet port Pe.

[0052] On the other hand, when the inflow of the discharge fluid Pd into the valve chamber 13 is stopped, the smaller the difference between the pressure of the refrigerant outside the valve element 20 in the valve chamber 13 and the pressure of the refrigerant in the communication passage 26, the smaller the force moving the valve element 20 toward the stator 12. When this force falls below the biasing force of the spring in the elastic means 30, the valve element 20 moves in response to the expansion of the spring, and is released from the pressed state with the packing 15, i.e., the valve element 20 floats up, as shown in FIG.

[0053] In this way, by rotating the valve element 20 to the second rotation position in a floating state, it is possible to reduce the generation of a large frictional force between the valve element 20 and the packing 15. The rotation of the valve element 20 will be described below.

[0054] First, the driving source 40 and the rotating body 25 will be described.

[0055] The drive source 40 is a solenoid that, when energized, advances the rod 41 toward the valve chamber 13. The drive source 40 also has a spring (not shown), and when energization is stopped, the urging force of the spring causes the rod 41 to retract toward the drive source 40. Note that the drive source may be configured to retract the rod when energized and advance the rod by the force of the spring when de-energized.

[0056] 5 and 6, the rod 41 is a cylindrical body having a first convex portion 42, a small-diameter shaft portion 43, and a second convex portion 44. Here, the first convex portion 42 and the second convex portion 44 are convex portions of the present invention, and abut against a long thick portion 51 and a short thick portion 52 as thick portions described below. In this embodiment, the first convex portion 42 and the second convex portion 44 have the same outer diameter, but they may be different.

[0057] The first peak 42 is formed at the tip of the rod 41. The first peak 42 has inclined surfaces 42a and 42b. The inclined surface 42a is inclined so that the diameter increases toward the outer diameter from the tip side to the rear end of the rod 41, i.e., toward the drive source 40. The inclined surface 42b is inclined so that the diameter decreases toward the inner diameter from the outer diameter end of the inclined surface 42a toward the rear end. Furthermore, the apex 42c of the first peak 42, which is continuous with the inclined surfaces 42a and 42b, is rounded.

[0058] The small diameter shaft portion 43 has an outer circumferential surface that extends linearly from the inner diameter end of the inclined surface 42a toward the rear end side.

[0059] The second peak 44 is continuous with the rear end of the small diameter shaft portion 43. The first peak 42 has an inclined surface 44a and an outer peripheral surface 44b. The inclined surface 44a is inclined so as to increase in diameter from the rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter shaft portion 43 toward the rear end. The outer peripheral surface 44b extends linearly from the outer diameter end of the inclined surface 44a toward the rear end.

[0060] The portion sandwiched in the axial direction between the first crest portion 42 and the second crest portion 44 forms an annular valley portion 45. The valley portion 45 is defined by an inclined surface 42b of the first crest portion 42, the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter shaft portion 43, and an inclined surface 44a of the second crest portion 44.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating body 25 is a cylindrical member with an inner diameter step, which is made up of a base portion 25b and a bushing mounting portion 25c above the base portion 25b.

[0062] The base portion 25 b is a portion that extends axially in continuity with the ceiling 24 a of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 24 , and forms the through-hole 21 a in the valve body 20 .

[0063] The bushing attachment portion 25c is a portion that extends axially continuously from the upper end of the base portion 25b. The inner diameter of the bushing attachment portion 25c is larger than the inner diameter of the base portion 25b. The inner peripheral surface of the bushing attachment portion 25c and the upper end surface of the base portion 25b form a recessed portion 25a in the rotating body 25.

[0064] The outer peripheral surfaces of the base portion 25b and the bushing attachment portion 25c are flush and continuous.

[0065] 5 and 6, a recess 50, a long thick portion 51, and a short thick portion 52 are formed on the outer periphery 25d of the rotating body 25. In other words, the long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52 remain on both circumferential sides of the recess 50. The long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52 also have the base portion 25b and bushing attachment portion 25c described above. The long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52 are each thick portions of the present invention and are wider in the circumferential direction than the recess 50.

[0066] The recess 50 is formed in the shape of a slit that penetrates the rotating body 25 in both the radial and axial directions. The recess 50 communicates with the through-hole 21a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the valve body 20 and the recess 25a.

[0067] The long, thick portion 51 is an arc-shaped portion that occupies approximately half of the rotating body 25. End faces 51a, 51b (see FIG. 6) on both circumferential sides of the long, thick portion 51 are flat surfaces that extend radially. The end face 51a is located on the counterclockwise side, and the end face 51b is located on the clockwise side.

[0068] The short thick portion 52 is an arc-shaped portion that is approximately one-eighth of the rotating body 25. End faces 52a, 52b on both circumferential sides of the short thick portion 52 are flat surfaces that extend in the radial direction. The end face 52a is located on the counterclockwise side, and the end face 52b is located on the clockwise side.

[0069] The recess 50 is sandwiched between an end face 51 a of the long thick portion 51 and an end face 52 b of the short thick portion 52, and has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter side is narrower than the outer diameter side. Note that the tapered shape in the present invention refers to a shape in which the cross section sandwiched between the inclined surfaces is tapered.

[0070] The short thick portion 52 has a circumferential width W3 that is wider than the circumferential width W1 of the recess 50 and narrower than the circumferential width W2 of the long thick portion 51. Note that the circumferential width in the present invention refers to the circumferential dimension on the same circle.

[0071] Between the end face 51b of the long thick portion 51 and the end face 52b of the short thick portion 52, there is formed a notch 53 that penetrates the rotating body 25 in both the radial and axial directions.

[0072] When the valve body 20 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the valve body 20 is first floated as described above.

[0073] At this time, the first peak 42 of the rod 41, specifically a portion thereof including its apex 42c, is disposed within the recess 50 of the rotating body 25. As indicated by the two-dot chain line in Figure 6, the inclined surface 42b of the first peak 42 abuts against the end surface 52b of the short thick portion 52. The short thick portion 52 is disposed at a position where its base 25b (see Figures 3 and 4) overlaps with the first peak 42 in the circumferential direction within the range in which the valve body 20 moves up and down along the support shaft 14.

[0074] As a result, the rotating body 25 is prevented from rotating unintentionally from the first rotation position, and is less likely to come off the first mountain portion 42.

[0075] When the rod 41 advances, the inclined surface 42 a of the first peak 42 abuts against the end surface 51 a of the long thick portion 51 (see FIG. 6 ). More specifically, the inclined surface 42 a of the first peak 42, specifically the radial center thereof, abuts against the end surface 51 a of the long thick portion 51, specifically the outer diameter end thereof.

[0076] The thick portion 51, which is pressed by the advancing rod 41, rotates clockwise as the advancing distance of the rod 41 increases. Accordingly, the position where the first peak 42 abuts against the outer diameter end of the end face 51 a of the thick portion 51 gradually moves from the radial center of the inclined surface 42 a to the apex 42 c. In other words, the first peak 42 and the thick portion 51 come into sliding contact with each other.

[0077] When the rod 41 advances further, the first convex portion 42 and the long thick portion 51 move away from each other as shown in FIG.

[0078] Next, the inclined surface 44a of the second mountain portion 44, more specifically its outer diameter end, abuts against the end face 52a of the short thick portion 52, more specifically its outer diameter end. The short thick portion 52 is pressed by the advancing rod 41 and rotates clockwise as the advancing distance of the rod 41 increases. Accordingly, the position where the inclined surface 44a of the second mountain portion 44 a abuts against the outer diameter end of the end face 52a of the short thick portion 52 gradually moves from the outer diameter end of the inclined surface 44a to the center in the radial direction. In other words, the second mountain portion 44 and the short thick portion 52 are in sliding contact with each other.

[0079] 7, the valley portion 45 of the rod 41 is longer in the axial direction than the short thick portion 52. More specifically, when the short thick portion 52 is disposed in the valley portion 45, the minimum axial dimension A1 of the valley portion 45 in the region that overlaps with the short thick portion 52 in the axial direction is longer than the maximum axial dimension A2 of the short thick portion 52. As a result, when the second peak portion 44 abuts against the short thick portion 52, the short thick portion 52 fits into the valley portion 45, allowing the rotating body 25 to operate smoothly.

[0080] In addition, the notch 53 in the rotating body 25 prevents the outer surface 44b of the second peak portion 44 from contacting the rotating body 25 while the inclined surface 44a of the second peak portion 44 and the end face 52a of the short, thick portion 52 are in contact.

[0081] Furthermore, the valve element 20, which is integral with the rotating body 25, also rotates clockwise integrally with the rotating body 25. During this time, the ceiling 24a of the valve element 20 is in sliding contact with the upper spring bearing of the resilient means 30, but the valve element 20 is placed on the resilient means 30. This reduces the frictional force generated between the leg portion 27 at the lower end of the valve element 20 and the upper surface of the stator 12 or the packing 15. Furthermore, the valve element 20 is lightweight because it is made of resin, which also contributes to reducing the frictional force.

[0082] Thereafter, the rod 41 advances a predetermined distance, and the valve body 20 stops at the second rotation position as shown in Fig. 8. Note that for convenience of illustration, some parts such as the packing 15 are omitted from Fig. 8.

[0083] The valve element 20 stopped at the second rotation position is pressed against the packing 15 in the same manner as when the valve element 20 is stopped at the first rotation position.

[0084] At this time, the short thick portion 52 of the rotating body 25 is disposed within the valley portion 45 of the rod 41. Also, referring to Figure 7, the inclined surface 44a of the second peak portion 44 abuts against the end surface 52a of the short thick portion 52. The short thick portion 52 is disposed at a position where the base 25b (see Figures 3 and 4) overlaps with each of the first peak portion 42 and the second peak portion 44 in the circumferential direction within the range in which the valve body 20 moves up and down along the support shaft 14.

[0085] As a result, the rotating body 25 is prevented from unintentionally rotating from the second rotation position, and is prevented from slipping out of the first mountain portion 42 and the second mountain portion 44 .

[0086] Furthermore, when the valve element 20 moves toward the packing 15, the short thick portion 52 is guided by the inclined surface 44a of the second convex portion 44. This allows the refrigerant switching valve V to accurately press the valve element 20 against the packing 15 that is positioned along the second rotation position.

[0087] When the valve body 20 is pressed against the packing 15 in the second rotation position, the refrigerant switching valve V separates the communication passage 26 from the space outside the valve body 20 in the valve chamber 13, connecting the inlet port Pi to the second port P2 and connecting the first port P1 to the outlet port Pe.

[0088] When the valve body 20 is rotated from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, the valve body 20 is floated in the same manner as when the valve body 20 is stopped at the first rotation position.

[0089] When the power supply to the drive source 40 is stopped and the rod 41 is retracted by a spring (not shown), as shown in Figure 7, the inclined surface 42b of the first peak portion 42, more specifically its radial center, abuts against the end surface 52b of the short thick portion 52, more specifically its outer diameter end.

[0090] The short thick portion 52 is pressed by the retracting rod 41 and rotates counterclockwise as the retraction distance of the rod 41 increases. Accordingly, the position where the first peak 42 abuts against the outer diameter end of the end face 52b of the short thick portion 52 gradually moves from the radial center of the inclined surface 42b to the apex 42c. In other words, the first peak 42 and the short thick portion 52 are in sliding contact with each other.

[0091] Furthermore, the valve element 20, which is integral with the rotating body 25, also rotates counterclockwise together with the rotating body 25.

[0092] Thereafter, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the rod 41 moves back a predetermined distance, that is, stops at the position where it has moved back the most, and the valve body 20 stops at the first rotation position.

[0093] When the valve element 20, which is stopped at the first rotation position, is moved toward the packing 15, the short thick portion 52 is guided by the inclined surface 42b of the first convex portion 42. This allows the refrigerant switching valve V to accurately press the valve element 20 against the packing 15, which is positioned along the first rotation position.

[0094] As described above, the refrigerant switching valve V of this embodiment allows the first ridge portion 42 and the second ridge portion 44 of the rod 41 to abut against the long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52 by using the recesses 50 and the notches 53 formed on the outer periphery 25d of the cylindrically formed, highly strong rotating body 25.

[0095] In other words, the force received from the first ridge portion 42 and the second ridge portion 44 is received by the long, thick portion 51 and the short, thick portion 52 of the rotating body 25, which have high strength, thereby improving the durability of the refrigerant switching valve V.

[0096] Furthermore, the first convex portion 42 and the second convex portion 44 abut against the base portion 25b, which has particularly high strength among the long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52. This further improves the durability of the refrigerant switching valve V.

[0097] Furthermore, since the base 25b is the root side of the rotating body 25 connected to the ceiling 24a in the small diameter cylindrical portion 24, the load applied is smaller compared to a configuration in which the first ridge portion 42 and the second ridge portion 44 abut against the tip side of the rotating body 25.

[0098] Furthermore, since the recess 50 has a tapered shape, the angle by which the valve body 20 rotates from when the first peak 42 contacts the long thick portion 51 or the short thick portion 52 until it separates can be increased.

[0099] Furthermore, since the top 42c of the first mountain portion 42 is rounded, it slides easily when it comes into contact with the long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52.

[0100] Furthermore, because the recess 50 is a slit that penetrates in the radial direction, a wide area can be secured in which the first peak 42 overlaps with the long thick portion 51 or the short thick portion 52 in the circumferential direction without changing the radial dimension of the rotating body 25. This allows the angle by which the valve body 20 rotates from when the first peak 42 contacts the long thick portion 51 or the short thick portion 52 until it separates from them to be large.

[0101] Furthermore, since the rotating body 25 and the valve body 20 are made of resin and are integral with each other, the driving force of the driving source 40 can be transmitted smoothly to the valve body 20 .

[0102] Furthermore, because the rod 41 is a cylindrical body, even when the rod 41 rotates around its axis, the first peak 42 can continue to be in stable point contact with the long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52. Furthermore, the point contact between the first peak 42 and the long thick portion 51 and the short thick portion 52 facilitates reducing the frictional force generated when they slide against each other.

[0103] Furthermore, as when the valve element 20 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, after the first convex portion 42 moves away from the long thick portion 51, the second convex portion 44 can be brought into contact with the short thick portion 52, thereby further rotating the valve element 20. In this way, the refrigerant switching valve V can increase the angle by which the valve element 20 is rotated.

[0104] Furthermore, when the rod 41 moves back and forth as indicated by the double-headed arrow t in Figure 8, the trajectory along which the rod 41 moves back and forth, indicated by the dashed line, is along the tangent T to the trajectory along which the rotating body 25 rotates, indicated by the dashed line.

[0105] Furthermore, the first peak 42 shown by the dotted line in Figure 8 is positioned on the retracted side of the rod 41 relative to the normal N of the trajectory of rotation of the rotating body 25, which is perpendicular to the tangent T shown by the dotted line in Figure 8, when the rod 41 has moved farthest backward.

[0106] As a result, not only is the transmission efficiency of the driving force increased, but also the angle through which the valve body 20 is rotated from when the first convex portion 42 comes into contact with the short thick portion 52 until it separates from the first convex portion 42 can be increased.

[0107] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0108] For example, in the above embodiment, the driving source is a solenoid, but this is not limiting and may be manual or a motor, or may be changed as appropriate.

[0109] In addition, in the above embodiment, the refrigerant switching valve was described as a four-way valve, but this is not limited to this, and the number of ports may be changed as appropriate, or it may be an opening / closing valve that opens and closes between the inlet and outlet paths.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the valve body and the rotating body are described as being integral, but this is not limited thereto, and the valve body and the rotating body, which were separate bodies, may be assembled by bonding, recess and projection fitting, or the like.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the valve element is configured to rotate around the support shaft, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the support shaft and the valve element may be configured to rotate together. In this case, a rotating body separate from the valve element may be provided on the support shaft.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the inclined surfaces formed on each peak portion are described as extending in a straight line, but this is not limited to this and they may be curved or stepped, and their shape may be changed as appropriate.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the recess is described as being connected to the through hole or the recess in the valve body, but this is not limiting and the recess may not be connected to at least one of these. With such a configuration, the strength of the rotating body can be further ensured.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the spring means is described as being composed of a lower spring retainer, a spring, and an upper spring retainer, but this is not limited to this and may be a spring only, or a thrust bearing may be arranged between the valve body and the upper spring retainer, or may be modified as appropriate.

[0115] In addition, in the above embodiment, the gasket that seals the gap between the case and the stator in the housing is described as being located on the stator side, but this is not limited to this, and the gasket may also be located on the case side.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the packing that seals the gap between the valve disc and the stator is disposed on the stator side, but this is not limited thereto, and the packing may be disposed on the valve disc side. Even in this configuration, the packing floats together with the valve disc, and is separated from the stator or the contact area is reduced, thereby reducing the frictional force generated between the valve disc and the stator.

[0117] REFRIGERATION VALVE 1 Refrigerant circuit 10 Housing 20 Valve body 25 Rotating body 25d Outer periphery 40 Drive source 41 Rod 42 First peak (peak) 42c Crest 44 Second peak (peak) 45 Valley 50 Recess 51 Long thick portion (thick portion) 52 Short thick portion (thick portion) V Refrigerant switching valve (switching valve)

Claims

1. A changeover valve comprising a housing, a valve body rotatably arranged within the housing, and a drive source having a rod for rotating the valve body, further comprising a rotating body that transmits the driving force of the drive source to the valve body, the rotating body having a recess extending axially on its outer periphery and a thick portion that is circumferentially wider than the recess, and the rod having a ridge that abuts against the thick portion.

2. A switching valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the recess has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter side is narrower than the outer diameter side.

3. A switching valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the peak portion has an R-shaped top.

4. A switching valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein said recess is a slit penetrating in the radial direction.

5. A switching valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rotary body and the valve body are made of resin and are integrated into one body.

6. A switching valve as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rod is a cylindrical body.

7. A switching valve as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said rotating body has a plurality of said thick portions, and said rod has a plurality of said ridges.

8. A switching valve as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least one valley portion which is wider in the axial direction than said thick portion is formed between adjacent said peak portions.

9. A switching valve as described in claim 1, wherein the trajectory along which the ridge portion reciprocates is along a tangent to the trajectory along which the rotating body rotates, and the ridge portion is positioned on the retraction side of the rod relative to a normal to the trajectory along which the rotating body rotates, which is perpendicular to the tangent, when the rod has moved rearward the most.

Images