Valve apparatus

Abstract

A valve apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a valve housing which has a plurality of valve ports formed in the side surface and bottom surface portions thereof, the plurality of valve ports allowing for inflow and outflow of fluid; and a valve body which is disposed in a valve accommodation space formed within the valve housing, in which a plurality of valve flow paths for connecting the valve ports in different flow patterns are provided, and which is configured to be able to, as being rotated at a predetermined angle by a valve actuator, guide the fluid introduced through one of the valve ports to the other valve ports in all directions.

Description

valve device

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device, and more particularly, to a valve device capable of controlling the flow of fluid in all directions between valve ports through which fluid flows in and out, and capable of easily securing installation space and reducing operating load by reducing the diameter size of the valve device.

[0002]

[0003] Typically, vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines or electric vehicles are equipped with various types of valves. In particular, multiway valves are used for a variety of purposes, such as engine or motor cooling, interior heating / cooling, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). They distribute, control, or regulate the flow of fluids used in these processes.

[0004] In conventional valve devices, there is a limit to reducing the diameter size of the valve device as the valve ports are arranged at regular intervals along the side circumference, so it is not easy to secure installation space for the valve device, and there is a problem that the cost increases as the valve device becomes larger.

[0005]

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a valve device capable of controlling the flow direction of fluid flowing in and out along valve ports in all directions of the valve ports, thereby further increasing the number of operating modes of the valve device relative to the number of valve ports.

[0007] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention provides a valve device that can reduce the diameter size of the valve device by reducing the number of valve ports arranged on the side surface of the valve device by arranging one of the valve ports on the lower surface of the valve device, and can realize miniaturization of the valve device, thereby easily securing installation space, and can reduce the size and miniaturization of the valve actuator according to a decrease in operating load.

[0008]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a valve device is provided, including a valve housing having a plurality of valve ports formed on a side surface and a lower surface for fluid inflow and outflow, a valve receiving space formed inside the valve housing, a plurality of valve paths provided for connecting the valve ports with different flow patterns, and a valve body formed so that a fluid introduced into one of the valve ports can be guided omnidirectionally to all of the remaining valve ports by being rotated at a set angle by the valve actuator.

[0010] Preferably, the valve ports may be provided as a single lower valve port arranged on a lower surface of the valve housing, and a plurality of side valve ports arranged spaced apart at a set angle along a periphery of a side surface of the valve housing. In this case, the valve paths may be provided as a single lower valve path connecting the lower valve port to one of the side valve ports by rotating the valve body at a set angle, and at least one side valve path connecting all of the remaining side valve ports to each other by rotating the valve body at a set angle.

[0011] Preferably, the valve housing may include a housing body having the valve receiving space formed inside, the lower valve port formed on the lower surface, and the side valve ports formed along the periphery of the side surface, and a housing cover coupled to the upper surface of the housing body to cover the valve receiving space, the valve actuator being fixedly fixed to the upper surface, and a connecting hole formed on the upper surface for connecting the valve actuator and the valve body.

[0012] As mentioned above, the valve port and the side valve ports can be connected to communicate with the valve receiving space.

[0013] Preferably, a communication hole may be formed at the bottom of the valve receiving space to communicate between the lower entrance of the lower valve passage and the lower valve port, and the communication hole may be formed at a position where the lower entrance of the lower valve passage moves when the valve body is rotated at a set angle.

[0014] Preferably, the valve housing may further include a side sealing member detachably mounted on a side of the valve receiving space to which the side valve ports are connected in communication so as to seal between a side of the valve body and a side of the valve receiving space, and a bottom sealing member disposed on a bottom of the valve receiving space to seal between a bottom of the valve body and a bottom of the valve receiving space and having a through hole formed therein so as to communicate with the communication hole.

[0015] Here, a sealing mounting groove for mounting the side sealing member may be formed on each side of the valve receiving space at a location where the side valve ports are connected.

[0016] In addition, a sealing fixing projection may be protruded from one of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space and the lower sealing member, and a sealing fixing groove may be formed in the other of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space and the lower sealing member for inserting the sealing fixing projection when the lower sealing member is placed on the bottom portion of the valve receiving space.

[0017] In addition, the side sealing members and the bottom sealing member may be formed of a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) material having a coefficient of friction to smoothly support rotation of the valve body, wear resistance against rotation of the valve body, and heat resistance against the temperature of the fluid.

[0018] Preferably, the valve body may include a valve member that is inserted into the valve receiving space and rotates along the side sealing members and the lower sealing member, an actuator connecting portion that protrudes upward from the center of rotation of the upper surface of the valve member and is positioned to penetrate the connecting hole and is connected to the valve actuator and rotates by the operating force of the valve actuator, and a support hole connecting portion that protrudes downward from the center of rotation of the lower surface of the valve member and is rotatably inserted into a support hole formed in the bottom of the valve receiving space and the lower sealing member to stably support rotation of the valve member.

[0019] Preferably, the valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an elastic member disposed between the valve body and the housing cover to elastically support the valve body.

[0020] Preferably, the above-described lower valve port may be arranged in a single unit on the lower surface of the valve housing, and the side valve port may be arranged in three units spaced apart at an angle of 120 degrees along the circumference on the side surface of the valve housing.

[0021] In addition, the lower entrance / exit of the lower valve passage may be formed on the lower portion of the valve body, and the upper entrance / exit of the lower valve passage may be formed on the side portion of the valve body. One end entrance / exit and the other end entrance / exit of the side valve passage may be formed at positions spaced apart from the upper entrance / exit at an angle of 120 degrees along the circumference of the side portion of the valve body.

[0022]

[0023] The valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention is structured to connect the valve paths of the valve body to the valve ports of the valve housing in different flow patterns by rotating the valve body at a set angle, so that the fluid introduced into one of the valve ports can be selectively guided to all of the remaining valve ports, so that the flow direction of the fluid can be controlled in all directions of the valve ports, and the performance and usability of the valve device can be significantly improved as the valve device controls the flow of the fluid in a more diverse manner.

[0024] Since the valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a structure that controls the flow of fluid in all directions of the valve ports, the operating modes of the valve device can be increased more than those of a conventional valve device having the same number of valve ports, and as the operating modes of the valve device increase, the flow of fluid can be additionally controlled, thereby creating various directions of fluid flow for temperature management means such as batteries or electrical components and fluid temperature control means such as radiators or heat exchangers.

[0025] In addition, since the valve device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which one of the valve ports is arranged on the lower surface of the valve device, the number of valve ports arranged on the side surface of the valve device can be reduced, and thus the diameter size of the valve device can be reduced, thereby realizing miniaturization of the valve device.

[0026] In addition, the valve device according to the embodiment of the present invention can easily secure an installation space due to miniaturization of the valve device, and the operating load can be reduced due to the reduction of the contact surface and operating radius due to miniaturization, and the cost of the valve actuator can also be reduced because the valve actuator can be miniaturized.

[0027] In addition, since the valve device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which valve ports are formed on the side and lower parts of the valve housing, respectively, and the inlet and outlet of the valve flow path are formed on the side and lower parts of the valve body, respectively, the flow direction of the fluid is not limited to the side part of the valve device, but can be formed in both the side and lower parts of the valve device, and accordingly, the valve flow path can be effectively formed in the valve body, thereby expanding the diameter of the valve flow path.

[0028] In addition, the valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which a side sealing member and a bottom sealing member are formed of a PTFE material having a small coefficient of friction, high wear resistance, and high heat resistance and are respectively disposed at a side portion and a bottom portion of a valve receiving space of a valve housing, so that the valve body can rotate smoothly along the side sealing member and the bottom sealing member disposed in the valve receiving space, and the side sealing member and the bottom sealing member seal between the valve body and the valve receiving space, thereby preventing leakage of fluid at the connection portion between the valve ports and the valve paths.

[0029]

[0030] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating the operating mode of a multi-freeway valve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figures 2 to 4 are operating state diagrams showing the first to third operating modes of the valve device illustrated in Figure 1, respectively.

[0032] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a side view showing the main parts of the valve device illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0034] Figure 8 is a drawing showing a cross-section along line AA shown in Figure 7.

[0035] Figure 9 is a drawing showing a cross-section along the BB line shown in Figure 7.

[0036] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the housing body, side sealing member, and bottom sealing member illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0037] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the valve body illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0038] Fig. 12 is a drawing schematically showing the operating state according to the operating mode of the valve device illustrated in Fig. 9.

[0039]

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. The same reference numerals in each drawing represent the same components.

[0041]

[0042] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating the operation mode of a valve device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are operation state diagrams each showing the first to third operation modes of the valve device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a valve device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can manage the temperature of a temperature management means by distributing a fluid (W) to a temperature management means such as a battery (10) or an electrical component (20), and can control the temperature of the fluid (W) by distributing the fluid (W) to a fluid temperature control means such as a radiator (30) or a heat exchanger (40, 50).

[0044] Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, for the convenience of explanation of the valve device (100), the valve device (100) is described as being used for the purpose of lowering the temperature of a temperature management means such as a battery (10) or an electrical component (20), but is not limited thereto, and may be used for the purpose of heating the temperature management means. Accordingly, the fluid (W) is described below as being limited to coolant (W), but is not limited thereto, and a fluid such as oil or gas may be used. To this end, the valve device (100) of the present embodiment may be arranged to control the flow direction of the coolant (W) in various ways by being placed on a coolant passage (60) that guides the flow of the coolant (W).

[0045] For reference, the heat exchanger (40, 50) of the present embodiment may be composed of a chiller (40) and a condenser (50). The chiller (40) can cool the cooling water (W) by exchanging heat between a low-temperature refrigerant and the cooling water (W), and the condenser (50) can heat the cooling water (W) by exchanging heat between a high-temperature refrigerant and the cooling water (W).

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates the operating state of the valve device (100) according to the operating mode of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 2 to 4 schematically illustrate the operating state of the valve device (100) disposed in the coolant path (60) of the temperature management system of the battery (10). Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the valve device (100) is described as a 4-way valve having 4 valve ports (352, 354, 356, 358).

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve device (100) of the present embodiment can control the flow of coolant (W) in all directions of the first to fourth valve ports (352, 354, 356, 358) compared to conventional valve devices, and as a result, the number of operating modes can be further increased. Therefore, in the present embodiment, since it can operate in more operating modes than conventional valve devices, the flow direction of the fluid (W) can be further controlled by the valve device (100), which can reduce the number of valve devices used or increase the performance and usability of the valve device.

[0048] Here, the first valve port (352) is connected to the condenser (50) through the first coolant passage (61), the second valve port (354) is connected to the radiator (30) through the second coolant passage (62), the third valve port (356) is connected to the battery (10) through the third coolant passage (63), and the fourth valve port (358) is connected to the chiller (40) through the fourth coolant passage (64).

[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the valve device (100) of the present embodiment is operated in the first operation mode, the third valve port (356) receives the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) and delivers it to the chiller (40) through the fourth valve port (358), and the first valve port (352) receives the coolant (W) that has passed through the condenser (50) and delivers it to the radiator (30) through the second valve port (354). At this time, the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) can be cooled in the chiller (40), and the coolant (W) that has passed through the condenser (50) can be cooled in the radiator (30).

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the valve device (100) of the present embodiment is operated in the second operation mode, the third valve port (356) receives the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) and delivers it to the radiator (30) through the second valve port (354). At this time, the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) can be cooled in the radiator (30).

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, when the valve device (100) of the present embodiment is operated in the third operation mode, the third valve port (356) receives the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) and delivers it to the condenser (50) through the first valve port (352). At this time, the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) can be heated in the condenser (50).

[0052] The third operating mode of the valve device (100) described above is a mode that cannot be implemented in existing valve devices, and can be utilized to manage the temperature of the battery (10) by controlling the temperature of the coolant (W) in a more diverse manner. In particular, in the present embodiment, compared to existing valve devices, the number of first to fourth valve ports (352, 354, 356, 358) is not increased, and only the operating mode is increased, thereby allowing the valve device (100) to be miniaturized.

[0053] Hereinafter, the structure and operation method of the valve device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0054]

[0055] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view illustrating a valve device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a main part of the valve device (100) illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition, FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a cross-section taken along line AA illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a cross-section taken along line BB illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a housing body (310), a side sealing member (330), and a lower sealing member (340) illustrated in FIG. 7, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a valve body (400) illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a valve device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a valve actuator (200), a valve housing (300), and a valve body (400).

[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve actuator (200) of the present embodiment can provide power required for the operation of the valve device (100). The valve actuator (200) can be mounted on the upper surface of the valve housing (300) and then fastened and secured with a plurality of fastening members.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10, the valve housing (300) of the present embodiment can rotatably accommodate a valve body (400) therein. That is, a valve actuator (200) can be fastened and fixed to the upper surface of the valve housing (300) using a fastening member, a plurality of valve ports (350) for inflow and outflow of coolant (W) can be formed on the side and lower surfaces of the valve housing (300), and a valve accommodation space (311) in which a valve body (400) is rotatably arranged can be formed inside the valve housing (300).

[0059] For example, the valve housing (300) of the present embodiment may include a housing body (310), a housing cover (320), a side sealing member (330), and a bottom sealing member (340).

[0060] The housing body (310) may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a valve receiving space (311) formed therein. A lower valve port (352) to be described later among the valve ports (350) may be formed on the lower surface of the housing body (310), and first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) to be described later among the valve ports (350) may be formed along the periphery of the side surface of the housing body (310). Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the number of valve ports is described as four, but this is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to increase the number of side valve ports to four or more.

[0061] Here, the valve ports (350) of the present embodiment may be provided as a single lower valve port (352) arranged on the lower surface of the valve housing (300) so as to extend vertically downward from the lower surface of the valve housing (300), and first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) arranged at a set angle along the periphery of the side surface of the valve housing (300) so as to extend horizontally from the side surface of the valve housing (300).

[0062] At this time, the lower valve port (352) and the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) may be connected to communicate with the valve receiving space (311). In addition, a single lower valve port (352) may be arranged in the center of the lower surface of the valve housing (300), and the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) may be arranged at an angle of 120 degrees along the circumference of the side surface of the valve housing (300).

[0063] Meanwhile, when comparing the valve port (350) illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 with the first to fourth valve ports (352, 354, 356, 358) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lower valve port (352) of the present embodiment has a configuration corresponding to the first valve port (352), the first side valve port (354) of the present embodiment has a configuration corresponding to the second valve port (354), the second side valve port (356) of the present embodiment has a configuration corresponding to the third valve port (356), and the third side valve port (358) of the present embodiment has a configuration corresponding to the fourth valve port (358).

[0064] As described above, the valve port (350) of the present embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 is a component corresponding to the first to fourth valve ports (352, 354, 356, 358) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the name is merely changed according to the arrangement structure of the valve port, and the function and operation method for each valve port are identical.

[0065] In addition, a communication hole (312) may be formed at the bottom of the valve receiving space (311) to enable communication between the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) of the valve body (400) and the lower valve port (352). The communication hole (312) may be formed at a position where the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) moves as the valve body (400) is rotated at a set angle. Accordingly, the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) may be connected to the lower valve port (352) through the communication hole (312) so as to always be in communication with the lower valve port (352) during the rotation operation of the valve body (400).

[0066] In addition, a housing support hole (315) may be formed in the center of the bottom of the valve receiving space (311) for inserting a support hole connection part (430) of the valve body (400) described later. The housing support hole (315) as described above can stably support the support hole connection part (430) of the valve body (400) so as to be rotatable.

[0067] The housing cover (320) may be fastened to the upper surface of the housing body (310) by a plurality of fastening members so as to cover the valve receiving space (311). The valve actuator (200) may be fixedly seated on the upper surface of the housing cover (320). To this end, a seating portion (322) may be formed on the upper surface of the housing cover (320) to stably seat the valve actuator (200). As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the seating portion (322) may be provided as a groove structure into which the valve actuator (200) is inserted by a rib structure protruding from the upper surface of the housing cover (320).

[0068] Here, a connecting hole (324) for connecting the valve actuator (200) and the actuator connecting portion (420) of the valve body (400) described later may be formed to penetrate the housing cover (320). That is, the actuator connecting portion (420) may be arranged to penetrate the connecting hole (324), and the valve actuator (200) may be fixedly seated on the mounting portion (322) so as to be power-transmittable to the actuator connecting portion (420) that penetrates the connecting hole (324).

[0069] The side sealing member (330) can rotatably support the side portion of the valve body (400) while sealing between the side portion of the valve body (400) and the side portion of the valve receiving space (311). This side sealing member (330) can be detachably mounted on the side portion of the valve receiving space (311), and can be placed at each portion that is connected to the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358).

[0070] To this end, a sealing mounting groove (344) may be formed in the side portion of the valve receiving space (311) at each location where the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) are connected, and the first to third side sealing members (330) may be detachably inserted and mounted in the sealing mounting groove (344). Meanwhile, an opening (332) communicating with the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) may be formed in the center portion of the side sealing member (330).

[0071] The lower sealing member (340) can rotatably support the lower part of the valve body (400) while sealing between the lower part of the valve body (400) and the lower part of the valve receiving space (311). The lower sealing member (340) can be detachably disposed on the lower part of the valve receiving space (311), and a through hole (128a) can be formed to communicate with the communication hole (312). The through hole (128a) as described above can be formed in the same shape as the communication hole (312).

[0072] Here, a sealing fixing projection (346) may be protruded from one of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space (311) and the lower sealing member (340), and a sealing fixing groove (344) may be formed in the other of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space (311) and the lower sealing member (340) for inserting the sealing fixing projection (346) when the lower sealing member (340) is placed on the bottom portion of the valve receiving space (311). Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, it will be described that a plurality of sealing fixing projections (346) are protruded from the edge of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space (311), and sealing fixing grooves (344) are formed at a plurality of positions corresponding to the sealing fixing projections (346) on the edge portion of the lower sealing member (340).

[0073] And, in the central portion of the lower sealing member (340), a sealing member support hole (345) into which a support hole connection portion (430) of the valve body (400) described below is rotatably inserted may be formed. The sealing member support hole (345) as described above may be formed to communicate with the housing support hole (315) formed in the central portion of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space (311). In the drawings of the present embodiment, the support hole connection portion (430) of the valve body (400) protrudes to a length such that it is inserted only into the sealing member support hole (345) and not into the housing support hole (315), but this is not limited thereto, and the support hole connection portion (430) of the valve body (400) may be inserted into both the sealing member support hole (345) and the housing support hole (315) as needed.

[0074] Meanwhile, the first to third side sealing members (330) and the lower sealing member (340) may be formed of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) material that has a coefficient of friction to smoothly support the rotation of the valve body (400), wear resistance against the rotation of the valve body (400), and heat resistance against the temperature of the cooling water (W).

[0075] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9 and 11, the valve body (400) of the present embodiment can be rotatably placed in a valve receiving space (311) formed inside the valve housing (300) and can be rotated at a set angle by the valve actuator (200). When the valve body (400) is rotated at the set angle as described above, a plurality of valve paths (450) formed in the valve body (400) can be connected in various forms to the lower valve port (352) and the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) of the valve housing (300), and thereby the coolant (W) can be distributed in various flow patterns and the flow direction can be controlled in various ways.

[0076] In particular, in the present embodiment, the structure is such that the cooling water (W) introduced into one of the lower valve port (352) and the first to third valve ports (350) can be selectively guided to all of the remaining lower valve ports (352) and the first to third valve ports (350) as the valve body (400) is rotated at a set angle by the valve actuator (200).

[0077] For example, the valve body (400) of the present embodiment may include a valve member (410), an actuator connection portion (420), and a support hole connection portion (430).

[0078] The valve member (410) may be formed in a cylindrical structure so as to be rotatably inserted into a valve receiving space (311) formed in a cylindrical shape. At this time, the side portion of the valve member (410) may be rotatably brought into contact with the side sealing members (330), and the lower portion of the valve member (410) may be rotatably seated on the lower sealing member (340).

[0079] A plurality of valve passages (450) may be formed inside the valve member (410) as described above. For example, the valve passages (450) may be provided as a bottom valve passage (452) and a side valve passage (454). If the number of side valve ports (350) increases to 5 or more, the number of side valve passages (454) may also increase to 2 or more.

[0080] Here, the lower valve passage (452) can connect the lower valve port (352) to any one of the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) by rotating the valve body (400) at a set angle. At this time, the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) can be formed on the lower surface of the valve body (400), and the upper inlet (452a) of the lower valve passage (452) can be formed on the side surface of the valve body (400). Therefore, the lower valve passage (452) can be formed in a structure that is bent in an 'ㄱ' shape when the valve member (410) is viewed from the side.

[0081] And, the side valve passage (454) can connect the remaining two side valve ports (350) among the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) by rotating the valve body (400) at a set angle. At this time, the one end entrance (454a) and the other end entrance (454b) of the side valve passage (454) can be formed at positions spaced apart from the upper entrance (452a) at an angle of 120 degrees along the circumference of the side portion of the valve body (400). Therefore, the side valve passage (454) can be formed in a structure in which the valve member (410) is bent into a 'U' shape when viewed from above.

[0082] The actuator connection part (420) may be arranged to protrude upward from the center of rotation of the upper surface of the valve member (410) and penetrate the connection hole (324). The actuator connection part (420) may be formed as a rotational axis structure of the valve member (410) connected to the valve actuator (200), and may be rotated together with the valve member (410) by the operating force of the valve actuator (200).

[0083] The support hole connecting portion (430) protrudes downward from the center of rotation of the lower surface of the valve member (410) and can be rotatably inserted into the housing support hole (315) and the sealing member support hole (345). In the present embodiment, the support hole connecting portion (430) can be formed as a rotation axis structure of the valve member (410) that is rotatably inserted only into the sealing member support hole (345), and can stably support the rotation of the valve member (410).

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the lower surface of the valve member (410) can be divided into three regions along the circumferential direction centered on the support hole connecting portion (430), and these three partition regions can be formed to correspond to the positions of the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) formed on the side surface of the valve body (400). The lower entrance (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) can be formed to penetrate any one of the three partition regions formed on the lower surface of the valve member (410), while the remaining partition regions (R) of the three partition regions formed on the lower surface of the valve member (410) can be provided in a shielded state. For reference, when the valve device (100) is a multi-valve of 5 or more ways and has a structure with two lower valve passages, two of the three compartment areas formed on the lower part of the valve member (410) are formed to be perforated and can be connected to the two lower valve passages.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6, a valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an elastic member (500) disposed between the valve body (400) and the housing cover (320) to elastically support the valve body (400).

[0086] The elastic member (500) is a spirally twisted plate spring that can elastically support the valve body (400) between the housing cover (320) and the valve body (400) in the direction of inserting the valve body (400) into the valve receiving space (311). The elastic member (500) as described above can be placed along the upper edge of the valve member (410) in a form inserted into the support hole connecting portion (430).

[0087] Here, a ring-shaped washer (510) inserted into the support hole connection portion (430) may be placed on the upper side of the elastic member (500) to stably press or tension the elastic member (500). A ring-shaped bushing (520) inserted into the support hole connection portion (430) may be placed on the upper side of the ring-shaped washer (510) to move the elastic member (500) and the ring-shaped washer (510) in the up-and-down direction along the support hole connection portion (430).

[0088] Additionally, a ring-shaped sealing member (600) made of rubber may be placed between the support hole connecting member (430) and the connecting hole (324) of the housing cover (320) to seal the connecting hole (324) and simultaneously support the rotation of the support hole connecting member (430). The ring-shaped sealing member (600) may be fixedly sandwiched between the ring-shaped bushing (520) and the housing cover (320).

[0089]

[0090] Fig. 12 is a drawing schematically showing the operating state according to the operating mode of the valve device (100) illustrated in Fig. 9.

[0091] The operating mode of the valve device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be specifically examined as follows.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 12, the operating modes of the valve device (100) of the present embodiment can be provided as a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode. That is, the valve device (100) of the present embodiment can be operated in any one of the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode by rotating the valve body (400) at a set angle of 120 degrees.

[0093] Meanwhile, in Fig. 12, for the convenience of explanation of the present invention, a configuration (e.g., battery, radiator, chiller, condenser) in which the lower valve port (352) and the first to third side valve ports (354, 356, 358) are connected is shown, and the inflow and outflow directions of the coolant (W) are also indicated with letters (e.g., From or To). That is, the lower valve port (352) can be connected to the condenser (50) (Cond.), the first side valve port (354) can be connected to the radiator (30) (RAD), the second side valve port (356) can be connected to the battery (10) (BATT), and the third side valve port (358) can be connected to the chiller (40) (Chiller).

[0094] The first operating mode is an operating mode when the valve body (400) is not rotated to a set angle (an angle of 120 degrees) and has a rotation angle of 0 degrees. Here, the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) can be connected to the lower valve port (352), and the upper inlet (452a) of the lower valve passage (452) can be connected to the first side valve port (354). In addition, one end inlet (454a) of the side valve passage (454) can be connected to the second side valve port (356), and the other end inlet (454b) of the side valve passage (454) can be connected to the third side valve port (358).

[0095] Accordingly, the lower valve passage (452), the lower valve port (352) and the first side valve port (354) can guide the coolant (W) that has passed through the condenser (50) to the radiator (30), and the side valve passage (454), the second side valve port (356) and the third side valve port (358) can guide the coolant (W) that has passed through the battery (10) to the chiller (40).

[0096] The second operating mode is an operating mode in which the valve body (400) is rotated once at a set angle (an angle of 120 degrees) and the rotation angle is 120 degrees. Here, the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) can be connected to the lower valve port (352), and the upper inlet (452a) of the lower valve passage (452) can be connected to the third side valve port (358). In addition, one inlet (454a) of the side valve passage (454) can be connected to the first side valve port (354), and the other inlet (454b) of the side valve passage (454) can be connected to the second side valve port (356).

[0097] Accordingly, the lower valve passage (452), the lower valve port (352) and the third side valve port (358) can guide the coolant (W) passing through the chiller (40) to the condenser (50), and the side valve passage (454), the first side valve port (354) and the second side valve port (356) can guide the coolant (W) passing through the battery (10) to the radiator (30).

[0098] The third operating mode is an operating mode in which the valve body (400) is rotated twice at a set angle (an angle of 120 degrees) to a rotation angle of 240 degrees. Here, the lower inlet (452b) of the lower valve passage (452) can be connected to the lower valve port (352), and the upper inlet (452a) of the lower valve passage (452) can be connected to the second side valve port (356). In addition, one inlet (454a) of the side valve passage (454) can be connected to the third side valve port (358), and the other inlet (454b) of the side valve passage (454) can be connected to the first side valve port (354).

[0099] Accordingly, the lower valve passage (452), the lower valve port (352) and the second side valve port (356) can guide the coolant (W) passing through the battery (10) to the condenser (50), and the side valve passage (454), the third side valve port (358) and the first side valve port (354) can guide the coolant (W) passing through the chiller (40) to the radiator (30).

[0100]

[0101] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with specific details such as specific components and limited examples and drawings, but these are provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and variations based on this description. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and all things that are equivalent or equivalent to the claims below as well as the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0102]

[0103] Included in the text.

Claims

1. A valve housing having multiple valve ports formed on the side and bottom for the inflow and outflow of fluid; and A valve body formed in a valve receiving space formed inside the valve housing, wherein a plurality of valve paths are provided to connect the valve ports with different flow patterns, and wherein the valve body is formed so as to be able to guide fluid introduced into one of the valve ports in an omnidirectional manner to all of the remaining valve ports by being rotated at a set angle by the valve actuator; A valve device comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The above valve ports are provided as a single lower valve port arranged on the lower surface of the valve housing; and a plurality of side valve ports arranged spaced apart at a set angle along the periphery of the side surface of the valve housing; A valve device wherein the valve paths are provided with a single lower valve path connecting the lower valve port to one of the side valve ports by rotating the valve body at a set angle; and at least one side valve path connecting all of the remaining side valve ports to each other by rotating the valve body at a set angle.

3. In paragraph 2, The above valve housing, A housing body having the valve receiving space formed inside, the lower valve port formed on the lower surface, and the side valve ports formed along the periphery of the side surface; and A housing cover is coupled to the upper surface of the housing body to cover the valve receiving space, the valve actuator is fixedly mounted on the upper surface, and a connecting hole for connecting the valve actuator and the valve body is formed on the upper surface; A valve device characterized in that the above-mentioned valve port and the side valve ports are connected to be in communication with the valve receiving space.

4. In paragraph 3, A communication hole is formed at the bottom of the above valve accommodation space to enable communication between the lower inlet / outlet of the above lower valve path and the above lower valve port. A valve device characterized in that the above-mentioned communication hole is formed at a position where the lower entrance / exit of the lower valve path moves when the valve body is rotated at a set angle.

5. In paragraph 4, The above valve housing, A side sealing member detachably mounted on a side portion of the valve receiving space, the side valve ports being connected in a communicative manner to seal between the side portion of the valve body and the side portion of the valve receiving space; and A lower sealing member disposed on the bottom of the valve receiving space to seal between the lower portion of the valve body and the bottom portion of the valve receiving space, and having a through hole formed therein to communicate with the communication hole; A valve device further comprising:

6. In paragraph 5, In the side portion of the above valve receiving space, a sealing mounting groove is formed for mounting the side sealing member at the portion where the side valve ports are connected. A valve device characterized in that a sealing fixing projection protrudes from one of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space and the lower surface sealing member, and a sealing fixing groove is formed in the other of the bottom portion of the valve receiving space and the lower surface sealing member into which the sealing fixing projection is inserted when the lower surface sealing member is placed on the bottom portion of the valve receiving space.

7. In paragraph 6, The above side sealing members and the above bottom sealing members, A valve device characterized in that it is formed of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) material having a coefficient of friction to smoothly support the rotation of the valve body, wear resistance for the rotation of the valve body, and heat resistance for the temperature of the fluid.

8. In paragraph 7, The above valve body, A valve member inserted into the above valve receiving space and rotated along the side sealing members and the lower sealing member; An actuator connection part that protrudes upward from the center of rotation of the upper surface of the valve member and penetrates the connection hole, is connected to the valve actuator, and is rotated by the operating force of the valve actuator; and A support hole connecting portion that protrudes downward from the center of rotation of the lower portion of the above valve member and is rotatably inserted into a support hole formed in the bottom portion of the above valve receiving space and the lower portion sealing member to stably support rotation of the above valve member; A valve device comprising:

9. In paragraph 3, An elastic member disposed between the valve body and the housing cover to elastically support the valve body; A valve device further comprising:

10. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned lower valve ports are arranged in a single number on the lower surface of the valve housing, and the side valve ports are arranged in three numbers spaced apart at an angle of 120 degrees along the circumference on the side surface of the valve housing. The lower entrance / exit of the above-mentioned valve path is formed on the lower part of the above-mentioned valve body, and the upper entrance / exit of the above-mentioned valve path is formed on the side part of the above-mentioned valve body. A valve device characterized in that one end of the side valve path entrance and the other end of the side valve path are each formed at a position spaced apart from the upper end entrance at an angle of 120 degrees along the circumference of the side portion of the valve body.

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