Flow path switching valve

Abstract

A flow path switching valve 10 includes valve units 20 that each comprise: a valve main body 14 having formed therein a first inlet / outlet 31 and a second inlet / outlet 32 disposed on a wall surface of a valve chamber 12, and a third inlet / outlet 33 on a disposed bottom surface of the valve chamber 12; a valve body 16 rotatably disposed in the valve chamber 12; a first flow path 21; a second flow path 22; and a third flow path 23. The flow path switching valve 10 also includes a rotary drive unit 18 that is connected to the valve unit 20 and rotates the valve body 16. The flow path switching valve 10 is configured such that: one valve unit 20 is overlapped with and connected to another valve unit 20; and two valve bodies 16 respectively provided in the two valve units 20 are rotated by one rotary drive unit 18; and setting is performed of a delay angle θ by which the start of rotation of the valve body 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18 is delayed until the start of rotation of the valve body 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18 is set.

Description

Flow path switching valve

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flow path switching valve.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-82136 discloses a valve device in which a plurality of integrally formed valve bodies are attached to a shaft, and the shaft is rotationally driven to rotate the plurality of valve bodies in synchronization.

[0003] However, since the total torque required to rotate multiple valve bodies synchronously is the sum of the torques required to move each valve body, if the number of valve bodies increases, more output will be required from the actuator to rotate the valve bodies, and the actuator will likely become larger.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to reduce the total torque when a plurality of valve bodies are rotationally driven by a single rotary drive unit, and to prevent the flow path switching valve from becoming larger.

[0005] The first aspect is a valve unit including a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein, a first inlet / outlet and a second inlet / outlet formed on the wall surfaces forming the valve chamber, through which a fluid flows in and out, and a third inlet / outlet formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber; a valve element rotatably disposed within the valve chamber and having a flow path formed therein; a first flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet; a second flow path arranged in parallel to the first flow path across the valve body and communicating with the second inlet / outlet; and a third flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet and having an opening on the side opposite to the third inlet / outlet; and a valve element connected to the valve unit. and a rotary drive unit that rotates the valve body so that the communication states of the first inlet / outlet, the second inlet / outlet, and the third inlet / outlet are selectively switched through the flow path of the valve body, wherein one of the valve units is connected to another valve unit in an overlapping manner, and the two valve bodies in the two valve units are rotated by the single rotary drive unit, and a delay angle is set such that the start of rotation of the valve body located farther from the rotary drive unit is delayed from the start of rotation of the valve body located closer to the rotary drive unit.

[0006] In this flow path switching valve, two valve discs in two valve units are rotated by one rotary drive unit. When the valve discs rotate, the friction at the contact points between the valve discs changes from static friction to kinetic friction. Of these, the maximum torque generated when the valve discs rotate is during static friction. In this flow path switching valve, the rotation start timing of the two valve discs is shifted by setting the delay angle, so the overlap of the maximum torque of the two valve discs is suppressed. As a result, the output required for the rotary drive unit can be suppressed.

[0007] In a second aspect, in the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, the delay angle is equal to or greater than 1°.

[0008] Here, if the delay angle is less than 1°, it becomes difficult to suppress the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve elements. In this flow path switching valve, by appropriately setting the delay angle, it is possible to suppress the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve elements and reduce the total torque that acts as a load on the rotary drive unit.

[0009] In a third aspect, in the flow path switching valve according to the first aspect, a valve shaft for transmitting a driving force to the two valve bodies is attached to each of the two valve bodies, and the two valve shafts are connected by a connecting shaft, and a gap in the rotational direction for setting the delay angle is provided at least between the valve body located farthest from the rotation drive unit and the valve shaft.

[0010] In this flow path switching valve, the valve shaft of one valve element closer to the rotary drive unit is connected to the valve shaft of the other valve element farther from the rotary drive unit by a connecting shaft, and when one valve element is rotated by the rotary drive unit, the other valve element also rotates via the connecting shaft.By providing a rotational gap between at least the valve element located farther from the rotary drive unit and the valve shaft in order to set a delay angle, the rotation start timing of the two valve elements can be shifted.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the total torque when a plurality of valve bodies are rotationally driven by a single rotary drive unit, and to prevent the flow path switching valve from becoming larger.

[0012] 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a flow path switching valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example in which a storage tank is attached to a flow path switching valve; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example in which a storage tank and a pump are attached to a flow path switching valve; FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a flow path switching valve in which two valve units are stacked and two valve bodies are rotated by one rotary drive unit; FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a valve unit; FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a valve unit; FIG. 7 is a front view showing the valve unit as viewed from the male joint side of the first flow path; FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the valve unit as viewed from the opening side of the third flow path, with the second flow path cut in the radial direction; FIG. 9 is a front view showing a valve body; FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the valve body; FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which an opening provided midway through the first flow path is closed with a lid member; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a flow path switching valve in which two valve units are stacked, in which a portion of one valve unit that is stacked with another valve unit serves as a lid that closes the valve chamber of the other valve unit; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a flow path switching valve according to a modified example; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a flow path switching valve according to a modified example. 1 is an enlarged plan view showing a gap between a valve body and a valve shaft, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a gap between a valve body and a valve shaft, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the rotation angle and torque of a rotary drive unit.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same components. Note that duplicated explanations and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of the elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily match those in reality. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of the elements between multiple drawings do not necessarily match.

[0014] Furthermore, in this specification, descriptions of positions and directions such as up / down, left / right, front / rear, etc. are based on the directional arrows in Figure 1 and do not refer to positions and directions in actual use. In Figure 1, "U" indicates the upward direction (upper side), "D" indicates the downward direction (lower side), "LH" indicates the leftward direction (left side), "RH" indicates the rightward direction (right side), "F" indicates the forward direction (front side), and "R" indicates the rearward direction (rear side). "Up / down direction" refers to the directions of arrow U and arrow D. "Right / left direction" refers to the directions of arrow LH and arrow RH. "Front / rear direction" refers to the directions of arrow F and arrow R.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a flow path switching valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this flow path switching valve 10, three valve units 20 are connected in the left-right direction, and each valve unit 20 is stacked on top of another valve unit 20. In other words, six valve units 20 are combined. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a flow path switching valve in which two valve units 20 are stacked on top of each other and two valve bodies are rotated by a single rotary drive unit. FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 1 with two upper and lower valve units 20 extracted. FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially cutaway perspective views showing one valve unit 20.

[0016] The flow path switching valve 10 is used as a rotary three-way valve (FIG. 5) or four-way valve (FIGS. 13 and 14) for switching the flow path of a fluid flowing in, for example, the engine compartment of an automobile. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the flow path switching valve 10 has a valve unit 20 and a rotary drive unit 18.

[0017] [Valve Unit] The valve unit 20 includes a valve body 14, a valve element 16, a first flow path 21, a second flow path 22, and a third flow path 23. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the valve unit 20 is a three-way valve that switches between, for example, a state in which the first flow path 21 and the third flow path 23 are connected to each other, a state in which the second flow path 22 and the third flow path 23 are connected to each other, and a state in which the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are not connected to each other.

[0018] (Valve Body) In Figure 6, the valve body 14 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a valve chamber 12 formed therein. The valve chamber 12 is open at the top, and a valve element 16 and a sealing portion 38 (described later) are inserted from above. A first inlet / outlet 31 and a second inlet / outlet 32, which face each other and allow fluid to enter and exit, are formed in the wall surface that defines the valve chamber 12. As an example, the first inlet / outlet 31 is formed in the wall surface facing rearward of the valve chamber 12, and the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​is formed in the wall surface facing forward of the valve chamber 12. In other words, the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​face each other in the front-to-rear direction of the valve chamber 12. In addition, a third inlet / outlet 33 is formed in the bottom surface of the valve chamber 12.

[0019] 4, 5, 9, and 10, the valve element 16 is a ball-shaped member made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is rotatably disposed within the valve chamber 12. An insertion hole 16A is formed in the upper part of the valve element 16, into which the valve shaft 28 of the rotation drive unit 18 is inserted. The valve shaft 28 and the insertion hole 16A engage with each other around the axial direction of the valve shaft 28, so that the rotation of the valve shaft 28 is transmitted to the valve element 16. The insertion hole 16A penetrates, for example, to the flow path 36 of the valve element 16.

[0020] A flow path (internal flow path) 36 is provided inside the valve element 16 to selectively connect the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 of the valve main body 14, in other words, to selectively switch the communication states of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the valve element 16 has a lateral hole 36A formed in its outer periphery (side) that connects to the flow path 36. The valve element 16 also has a pilot hole 36C formed in its outer periphery (lower portion) that connects to the flow path 36. The flow path 36 communicates from the lateral hole 36A to the pilot hole 36C. Depending on the state of the valve element 16, the lateral hole 36A can face either the first inlet / outlet 31 or the second inlet / outlet 32. When the lateral hole 36A is not facing any of the inlet / outlets, the valve element 16 is in a state of being in close contact with a seat member 40 (described later) and closed.

[0021] 9 and 10 , a rib 16B extending in a direction (vertical direction) toward the third inlet / outlet 33 is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16. This rib 16B is, for example, a thin plate-like protrusion, and is formed on the inner wall of the flow path 36 of the valve body 16 on the far side of the horizontal hole 36A.

[0022] 4 and 5 , sealing portions 38 are provided between the valve element 16 and the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32, respectively, to provide a seal between the valve element 16 and the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32. The sealing portions 38 include, for example, a seat member 40 and an O-ring 42. The seat member 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and is formed in an annular shape with openings corresponding to the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32. The seat members 40 are disposed around the first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​on the inner wall surfaces of the valve body 14 (the front and rear wall surfaces of the valve chamber 12). The valve element 16 is sandwiched between the two seat members 40 and is disposed so as to be rotatable and slidable while in contact with each seat member 40.

[0023] The gap between the seat member 40 and the valve body 14 is sealed, for example, airtight or watertight, by O-rings 42. The O-rings 42 are attached to O-ring grooves (not shown) formed in the seat member 40, for example.

[0024] As an example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) can be used for the valve body 14 and the valve element 16, PTFE (fluororesin) can be used for the seat member 40, and synthetic rubber can be used for the O-ring 42.

[0025] (Rotational Drive Unit) In FIG. 4 , the rotational drive unit 18 is connected to the valve unit 20 and rotates the valve element 16 to selectively switch the communication state of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 through the flow path of the valve element 16. The rotational drive unit 18 is disposed above the valve body 14 in the upper valve unit 20. Specifically, for example, a bracket 24 is fixed to the upper valve body 14, and the rotational drive unit 18 is fixed to the bracket 24 using, for example, screws 26 ( FIG. 1 ). The upward opening ( FIG. 5 ) of the valve chamber 12 of the upper valve body 14 is closed by, for example, the bracket 24 ( FIG. 12 ). In other words, the bracket 24 is shaped to close the opening of the valve chamber 12. The bracket 24 is welded to the inside of the opening of the valve chamber 12 in a spigot-fitted state. The bracket 24 has a protrusion 30. The protrusion 30 faces or abuts against the peripheral edge of the valve chamber 12 in the valve body 14. The protrusion 30 may be a fusion margin. The protrusion 30 may also be provided on the valve body 14 instead of the bracket 24.

[0026] The rotary drive unit 18 is, for example, a geared motor. The rotary drive unit 18 is provided with a connector 50 to which wiring, for example, for communication with a control unit and for power supply, is connected. A valve shaft 28 serving as an output shaft is coupled to the rotary drive unit 18. The valve shaft 28 is inserted into a through-hole 24A formed in the bracket 24. An O-ring 29 is attached to the valve shaft 28. The O-ring 29 ensures watertightness between the valve shaft 28 and the through-hole 24A. The lower end of the valve shaft 28 is inserted into an insertion hole 16A ( FIG. 5 ) of the valve body 16.

[0027] (First flow path, second flow path, third flow path)

[0028] 4 to 6 , the first flow path 21, the second flow path 22, and the third flow path 23 are, for example, pipe portions formed integrally with the valve body 14. In other words, the first flow path 21 can be referred to as a first port, the second flow path 22 as a second port, and the third flow path 23 as a third port.

[0029] The first flow path 21 is open at both ends, for example, and communicates with a first inlet / outlet 31 of the valve chamber 12. This first flow path 21 extends linearly, for example, in the left-right direction. The first inlet / outlet 31 is connected midway through the first flow path 21. As a result, the first flow path 21 and the first inlet / outlet 31 are formed in a substantially T-shape in plan view (see FIGS. 13 and 14 ).

[0030] The second flow path 22 is arranged in parallel to the first flow path 21 with the valve body 14 sandwiched therebetween, and is open at both ends, for example, and communicates with the second inlet / outlet 32. The second flow path 22 extends linearly, for example, in the left-right direction. The second inlet / outlet 32 ​​is connected midway through the second flow path 22. As a result, the second flow path 22 and the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​are formed in a substantially T-shape in plan view (see FIGS. 13 and 14 ).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , female fittings 51 and 52 are provided at one end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , male fittings 61 and 62 are provided at the other end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. The male fittings 61 and 62 are configured to be connectable to the female fittings 51 and 52. Annular grooves 61A and 62A are formed on the outer peripheries of the male fittings 61 and 62. Furthermore, for example, a pair of arc-shaped slits 51A and 52A are formed in the female fittings 51 and 52. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the male fittings 61 and 62 are fitted into the female fittings 51 and 52, respectively, and are prevented from coming loose by fitting a clip 34 into the grooves 61A and 62A through the slits 51A and 52A. The connection portions of each fitting are waterproofed by, for example, an O-ring 66. By having such a joint structure, the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 can be connected to the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20, respectively (see FIGS. 1, 13, and 14). Note that this joint structure is just one example, and any other joint structure can be used.

[0032] 6 to 8 , 13 , and 14 , a first protrusion 71 protruding from the first inlet / outlet 31 side toward the inside of the first flow path 21 is provided at a connection portion of the first flow path 21 with the first inlet / outlet 31. This first protrusion 71 is, for example, an arc-shaped ridge formed along the opening of the first inlet / outlet 31 to the first flow path 21. The range of the first protrusion 71 is, for example, less than half the circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the first flow path 21 on the first inlet / outlet 31 side. One side of the first protrusion 71 in the left-right direction is a concave surface that extends from a portion of the inner wall of the first flow path 21. In the illustrated example, the first protrusion 71 is provided on the left side of the first inlet / outlet 31. Note that the first protrusion 71 may be provided on the right side of the first inlet / outlet 31 or on both the left and right sides of the first protrusion 71.

[0033] Furthermore, a second protrusion 72 protruding from the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​side toward the inside of the second flow path 22 is provided at a connection portion of the second flow path 22 with the second inlet / outlet 32. This second protrusion 72 is, for example, an arc-shaped ridge formed along the opening of the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​to the second flow path 22. The range of the second protrusion 72 is, for example, less than half the circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the second flow path 22 on the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​side. One side of the second protrusion 72 in the left-right direction is a concave surface that extends from a portion of the inner wall of the second flow path 22. In the illustrated example, the second protrusion 72 is provided on the left side of the second inlet / outlet 32. Note that the second protrusion 72 may be provided on the right side of the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​or on both the left and right sides of the second protrusion 72.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 9, a sub-channel 46 closed by a lid 44 may be provided in the first channel 21, for example, at a position opposite the first inlet / outlet 31. The gap between the lid 44 and the end of the sub-channel 46 is sealed by welding or by a sealing member such as an O-ring 48 to prevent water leakage. The sub-channel 46 can also be used by removing the lid 44. For example, a storage tank 54 can be connected to the sub-channel 46. When the valve units 20 are stacked one above the other, two sub-channels 46 are provided, one above the other. These two sub-channels 46 can also be connected to a storage tank 54 with two connection ports (Figure 2). In this case, the storage tank 54 may have two separated storage chambers corresponding to the respective connection ports. This allows the same fluid to be stored separately at different temperatures.

[0035] Pumps 81, 82 can be attached to the female joint 51 or male joint 61 of the first flow path 21 at the end of the flow path switching valve 10, and to the female joint 52 or female joint 62 of the second flow path 22 at the end, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the pump 81 is attached to the female joint 51 (see FIG. 2 ) of the first flow path 21 in the upper valve unit 20. The pump 82 is attached to the female joint 52 of the second flow path 22 in the upper valve unit 20. The pump 81 has a joint 91 that serves as an inlet and outlet for the fluid. The pump 82 has a joint 92 that serves as an inlet and outlet for the fluid. The pump 81 can supply fluid from another device to the first flow path 21 via the joint 91, or supply fluid in the first flow path 21 to another device. The pump 82 can supply fluid from another device to the second flow path 22 via the joint 92, or supply fluid in the second flow path 22 to another device.

[0036] 4, 5, and 7, the third flow path 23 communicates with the third inlet / outlet 33 and is open on the side opposite the third inlet / outlet 33. Specifically, the third flow path 23 has a bent portion 23A. The third inlet / outlet 33 is located above the bent portion 23A. The open end of the third flow path 23 is located, for example, in front of the bent portion 23A and protrudes, for example, forward of the second flow path 22. The open end of the third flow path 23 is provided with, for example, a male joint 64 that can be connected to a pipe to another device.

[0037] 4 and 5 , a spherical recess 23B, for example, is provided in a portion of the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23 facing the third inlet / outlet 33, i.e., below the third inlet / outlet 33. The recess 23B is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The recess 23B is recessed below a bottom 23C of the lateral flow path forward of the bent portion 23A. This allows a portion of the fluid that enters the third flow path 23 from the third inlet / outlet 33 to first fall down to the recess 23B before entering the lateral flow path of the third flow path 23.

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 5 , a through-hole 23D is formed at the bottom of the recess 23B. The valve stem 58 can be passed through the through-hole 23D ( FIG. 4 ). An O-ring 60 seals the gap between the valve stem 58 and the through-hole 23D. When another valve unit is not stacked below, the bottom of the recess 23B may be configured without the through-hole 23D, as in the lower valve unit 20 in FIG. 4 . Even if the through-hole 23D is provided, it may be blocked by a separate member (e.g., a blocking portion 86). For example, the blocking portion 86 may include a temperature sensor 84. The temperature sensor 84 is supported by the blocking portion 86, for example, and positioned so that its tip is located within the third flow path 23. An O-ring 88, for example, is attached to the blocking portion 86. The O-ring 88 ensures watertightness between the blocking portion 86 and the through-hole 23D. Using the temperature sensor 84 allows accurate measurement of the temperature within the third flow path 23.

[0039] 1 and 4 , in this embodiment, one valve unit 20 can be connected by stacking another valve unit 20 on the side opposite the rotation drive unit 18 of the other valve unit 20. The portion of the upper valve unit 20 that is stacked on the lower valve unit 20 serves as a lid 68 that closes the valve chamber 12 of the lower valve unit 20. This closing structure is generally similar to the closing structure of the valve chamber 12 using the bracket 24 in Figure 12, and the bottom of the upper valve body 14 is welded to the inside of the opening of the valve chamber 12 of the lower valve body 14 in a spigot-fitted state.

[0040] 4, one valve unit 20 may be connected to another valve unit 20 by being stacked on top of it, and the two valve discs 16 in the two valve units 20 may be rotated by a single rotary drive unit 18. In this example, a valve shaft 28 for transmitting a driving force to the valve disc 16 in the upper valve unit 20 and a valve shaft 58 for transmitting a driving force to the valve disc 16 in the lower valve unit 20 are connected by a connecting shaft 56. The connecting shaft 56 passes through the interior of the upper valve disc 16 and the vertical flow path of the third flow path 23 to connect the upper and lower valve shafts 28, 58. When the upper valve shaft 28 is driven to rotate by the rotary drive unit 18, the rotation is transmitted to the lower valve shaft 58 via the connecting shaft 56, causing the upper and lower valve discs 16 to rotate synchronously.

[0041] 15 and 16 , in this embodiment, a delay angle θ is set to delay the start of rotation of the valve disc 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18 relative to the start of rotation of the valve disc 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18. The delay angle θ is 1° or greater. If the delay angle θ is less than 1°, it becomes difficult to suppress the overlap of the maximum torques of the two valve discs 16. A gap T in the rotational direction is provided between the valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 of at least the valve disc 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18 to set the delay angle θ. The valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 are fitted together, for example, by serrations, and the gap T corresponds to the backlash of the serrations.

[0042] The gap T may be provided between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56 of the valve element 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18. In this case, the delay angle θ is set by the gap T between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56. In other words, the same effect can be obtained whether the gap T is provided between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56 of the valve element 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18 or between the valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 of the valve element 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18.

[0043] Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained whether the gap T is provided between the valve shaft 28 and the valve body 16 of the valve body 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18, or whether it is provided between the valve shaft 58 and the valve body 16 of the valve body 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18.

[0044] In the case of a structure in which the valve body 16 located on the side farther from the rotary drive unit 18 and the side closer to the rotary drive unit 18 are directly combined with the connecting shaft 56, a delay angle θ is provided by the respective gaps T between the valve body 16 and the connecting shaft 56.

[0045] The gap T may be provided between the valve shaft 28 and the connecting shaft 56 of the valve element 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18, and between the valve shaft 28 and the valve element 16. Furthermore, the gap T may be provided between the valve shaft 58 and the connecting shaft 56 of the valve element 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18, and between the valve shaft 58 and the valve element 16. In this case, the delay angle θ is set by the difference between the total gap T of the valve elements 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18 and the total gap T of the valve elements 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18.

[0046] The means for setting the delay angle θ is not limited to the gap T, and may utilize, for example, the elasticity of the connecting shaft 56 in the torsional direction. By twisting the connecting shaft 56, the start of rotation of the valve element 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18 may be delayed relative to the start of rotation of the valve element 16 located closer to the rotary drive unit 18.

[0047] 13 and 14 , a gap S may be provided between adjacent first flow paths 21 and second flow paths 22. Furthermore, a gap S may be provided between two first flow paths 21 of stacked valve units 20 and between two second flow paths 22 of stacked valve units 20.

[0048] 1 , the center-to-center distance W between the end of the first flow path 21 and the end of the second flow path 22 in one valve unit 20 may be equal to the center-to-center distance H between the ends of the first flow paths 21 in the overlapping direction when another valve unit 20 is overlapped and connected to the one valve unit 20. In other words, W = H.

[0049] (Operation) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. As shown in Fig. 4, in the flow path switching valve 10 according to this embodiment, by rotating the valve element 16 with the rotary drive unit 18, the communication state of the first inlet / outlet 31, the second inlet / outlet 32, and the third inlet / outlet 33 of the valve chamber 12 can be selectively switched through the flow path 36 of the valve element 16. The first inlet / outlet 31 and the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​face each other across the valve chamber 12, and one lateral hole 36A is formed in the valve element 16. Therefore, the flow path can be switched by rotating the valve element 16 by 180°.

[0050] The first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of one valve unit 20 can be connected to the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 of another valve unit 20, respectively, so that flow path switching valves with various specifications can be easily realized by combining valve units 20. Specifically, female fittings 51, 52 are provided at one end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively, and male fittings 61, 62 are provided at the other end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively. The male fittings 61, 62 are connectable to the female fittings 51, 52, respectively. Therefore, for example, the first flow paths 21 of one valve unit 20 and the second valve unit 20 can be easily connected to each other, and the second flow paths 22 of the other valve unit 20 can be easily connected to each other.

[0051] 1 , for example, if W=H, when connecting and linking two other stacked valve units 20 in the direction of the first flow paths 21 and second flow paths 22 of two stacked valve units 20, it is possible not only to connect the first flow paths 21 with each other and the second flow paths 22 with each other, but also to connect the first flow paths 21 with the second flow paths 22. In other words, two valve units 20 can be connected by rotating them by 90 degrees. This further increases the degree of freedom in combining valve units 20.

[0052] Furthermore, the fluid that flows from the valve chamber 12 into the third flow path 23 through the third inlet / outlet 33 passes through the bent portion 23A. When a spherical recess 23B is provided in the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23 at a portion facing the third inlet / outlet 33, the resistance to the fluid is reduced compared to a configuration in which the recess 23B is not provided at that portion and the portion is simply bent. This makes it possible to suppress pressure loss in the third flow path 23.

[0053] 9 and 10 , if a rib 16B extending in the direction toward the third inlet / outlet 33 is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve disc 16, it is possible to rectify the fluid flowing through the valve disc 16. When assembling the valve disc 16 into the valve chamber 12, the orientation of the valve disc 16 can be easily adjusted by applying force to the rib 16B.

[0054] 6 to 8 , 13 , and 14 , if a first protrusion 71 is provided at the connection portion of the first flow path 21 with the first inlet / outlet 31 of the valve chamber 12, the first protrusion 71 disturbs the flow of fluid in the first flow path 21. This makes it possible to guide the fluid flowing through the first flow path 21 to the first inlet / outlet 31. If a second protrusion 72 is provided at the connection portion of the second flow path 22 with the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​of the valve chamber 12, the second protrusion 72 disturbs the flow of fluid in the second flow path 22, making it possible to guide the fluid flowing through the second flow path 22 to the second inlet / outlet 32. In this way, the inflow of fluid from the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 into the valve chamber 12 can be promoted.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, by making it possible to stack and connect another valve unit 20 on the opposite side of the rotary drive unit 18 of one valve unit 20, the degree of freedom in combining the valve units 20 can be increased.

[0056] If the portion of one valve unit 20 that can be stacked on another valve unit 20 is a lid 68 that closes the valve chamber 12 of the other valve unit 20, when stacking the one valve unit 20 on the other valve unit 20, no additional part is required to close the valve chamber 12 of the other valve unit 20. This prevents an increase in the number of parts and improves the workability when stacking and connecting the valve units 20.

[0057] When the two valve bodies 16 in two stacked valve units 20 are rotated by one rotary drive unit 18, the number of parts and costs can be reduced compared to when a rotary drive unit 18 is provided for each of the two valve units 20.

[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment, flow path switching valves with various specifications can be easily realized.

[0059] When two valve discs 16 in two valve units 20 are rotated by one rotary drive unit 18, the friction at the contact portion (sealing portion 38) of the valve discs 16 changes from static friction to kinetic friction as the valve discs 16 rotate. The maximum torque generated during rotation of the valve discs 16 occurs during static friction. In this embodiment, the rotation start timing of the two valve discs 16 is staggered by setting an appropriate delay angle θ, thereby preventing the maximum torques of the two valve discs 16 from overlapping. This reduces the total torque load on the rotary drive unit 18.

[0060] In this embodiment, the valve shaft 28 of one valve disc 16 closer to the rotary drive unit 18 and the valve shaft 58 of another valve disc 16 farther from the rotary drive unit 18 are connected by a connecting shaft, and when one valve disc 16 is rotated by the rotary drive unit 18, the other valve disc 16 also rotates via the connecting shaft 56. By providing a rotational gap T (FIGS. 15 and 16) for setting the delay angle θ between at least the valve disc 16 located farther from the rotary drive unit 18 and the valve shaft 58, the rotation start timing of the two valve discs 16 can be staggered.

[0061] The total torque required when a plurality of valve bodies 16 are rotationally driven by a single rotary drive unit 18 can be reduced, thereby suppressing the output required for the rotary drive unit 18. This makes it possible to prevent the flow path switching valve 10 from becoming larger.

[0062] FIG. 17 shows an example of the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary drive unit 18 and torque. In the figure, "single-stage switching torque" indicates torque fluctuations when the rotary drive unit 18 rotates the valve disc 16 of one valve unit 20. Furthermore, "two-stage switching torque" indicates torque fluctuations when the rotary drive unit 18 rotates the valve discs 16 of two valve units 20. It can be seen that, by setting the delay angle θ, the "two-stage switching torque" is not twice the "single-stage switching torque" but is suppressed to less than twice the "single-stage switching torque." The same is true for the peak torque value. Furthermore, since the peak of the "two-stage switching torque" is the sum of the kinetic friction of the valve disc 16 closer to the rotary drive unit 18 and the static friction of the valve disc 16 farther from the rotary drive unit 18, it can be seen that the position of the peak shifts later than the peak of the "single-stage switching torque."

[0063] (Modification) The valve unit 20 is not limited to a three-way valve and may be, for example, a four-way valve as shown in Figures 13 and 14. In this case, the valve element 16 is formed with a lateral hole 36B that extends from its outer periphery (side) to join the center of the lateral hole 36A, in a direction that is perpendicular to the rotation axis O1 of the valve element 16 and perpendicular to the lateral hole 36A. By rotating the valve element 16 by 90 degrees, it is possible to switch between a state in which the first inlet / outlet 31 and the third inlet / outlet 33 are connected to each other and a state in which the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​and the third inlet / outlet 33 are connected to each other.

[0064] [Other Embodiments] Although one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0065] Female fittings 51, 52 are provided at one end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively, and male fittings 61, 62 having a structure that can be connected to the female fittings 51, 52 are provided at the other end of the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22, respectively, but the configuration may not have such a fitting structure.

[0066] Although the recess 23B is provided in the bent portion 23A of the third flow path 23, the configuration may not include such a recess 23B. Although the rib 16B is formed in the flow path 36 of the valve body 16, the configuration may not include such a rib 16B.

[0067] A first protrusion 71 is provided at the connection portion between the first flow path 21 and the first inlet / outlet 31, and a second protrusion 72 is provided at the connection portion between the second flow path 22 and the second inlet / outlet 32, but either the first protrusion 71 or the second protrusion 72 may be provided, or neither the first protrusion 71 nor the second protrusion 72 may be provided.

[0068] Although it is possible to connect one valve unit 20 to another valve unit 20 by stacking it on the side opposite the rotary drive unit 18 of the other valve unit 20, other members may be interposed between the two valve units 20. Also, such connection may not be possible.

[0069] The center-to-center distance W between the end of the first flow path 21 and the end of the second flow path 22 in one valve unit 20 is set to be equal to the center-to-center distance H between the ends of the first flow path 21 in the overlapping direction when one valve unit 20 is overlapped and connected to another valve unit 20 (W = H), but the center-to-center distance W may be different from the center-to-center distance H. Furthermore, in the above-described flow path switching valve, the valve units 20 are configured to be overlapped in two stages, but they may also be overlapped in three or more stages.

[0070] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-208015, filed on December 8, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

a valve body having a valve chamber formed therein, a first inlet / outlet and a second inlet / outlet formed on the wall surfaces forming the valve chamber through which a fluid flows in and out, and a third inlet / outlet formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber; a valve element arranged rotatably within the valve chamber and having a flow path formed therein; a first flow path communicating with the first inlet / outlet, a second flow path arranged in parallel to the first flow path across the valve body and communicating with the second inlet / outlet, and a third flow path communicating with the third inlet / outlet and having an opening on the side opposite the third inlet / outlet; and a rotary drive unit connected to the valve unit, for rotating the valve element such that the communication states of the first inlet / outlet, the second inlet / outlet, and the third inlet / outlet are selectively switched through the flow paths of the valve element; a flow passage switching valve configured to rotate two valve bodies in two valve units by one of the rotary drive units, and a delay angle is set to delay the start of rotation of the valve body located farther from the rotary drive unit relative to the start of rotation of the valve body located closer to the rotary drive unit.

2. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the delay angle is 1° or more.

3. A flow path switching valve as described in claim 1, wherein a valve shaft for transmitting a driving force to the two valve bodies is attached to each of the two valve shafts, the two valve shafts are connected by a connecting shaft, and a rotational gap for setting the delay angle is provided at least between the valve body located farthest from the rotation drive unit and the valve shaft.

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