Switching valve

Abstract

Provided is a switching valve in which a driven-side valve body can be accurately disposed at a desired rotation position.　A driving valve body 10 is capable of rotating to either one side or another side in a circumferential direction, and the driving valve body 10 has driving shaft 61 protruding to a driven valve body 20 side. The driven valve body 20 has a driven shaft 62 protruding to the driving valve body 10 side. The driven valve body 20 has a restriction means 40 by which motive power is transmitted from the driving shaft 61 of the driving valve body 10 to the driven shaft 62 of the driving shaft 61 when the driving valve body 10 rotates to one side, and rotation of the driven valve body 20 to the other side is restricted.

Description

Switching valve

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching valve, for example, a switching valve that switches a flow path through which a fluid flows.

[0002] In various industrial fields, fluid circuits are used in which a fluid supply source and a fluid load such as a fluid working device or a heat exchanger are connected by a flow path. Some of these fluid circuits are provided with a switching valve that switches the flow path of the working fluid, thereby realizing multiple modes for operating the fluid load using a single fluid circuit.

[0003] For example, the switching valve disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a valve case having a first valve seat, a second valve seat, and a third valve seat, a main valve element rotatably disposed within the valve case between the first and second valve seats, an auxiliary valve element rotatably disposed within the valve case between the second and third valve seats, and a drive shaft for driving the main valve element and the auxiliary valve element. The first valve seat is provided with first to third ports, and the second valve seat is provided with first and second communication holes.

[0004] The drive shaft includes a first drive unit that drives the main valve element and a second drive unit that drives the auxiliary valve element. The first drive unit is fixed so as to rotate integrally with the main valve element. The second drive unit is a drive pin with a semicircular cross section formed on the drive shaft, with the straight portion of the semicircle forming the drive surface. The auxiliary valve element has a fan-shaped drive hole with a central angle of 270 degrees. The second drive unit is inserted into the drive hole of the auxiliary valve element, and rotates independently without driving the auxiliary valve element as long as the drive surface rotates within the central angle of the drive hole. When the drive surface rotates beyond the central angle of the drive hole, the second drive unit rotates together with the auxiliary valve element. In other words, the drive shaft can rotate the main valve element independently or rotate the main valve element and auxiliary valve element together.

[0005] The main valve element is switchable between a first communication position, which connects the first port with the second port, and a second communication position, which connects the first port with the third port. The auxiliary valve element is switchable between a blocking position and an open position for the second communication hole. When the auxiliary valve element is in the open position, the first port to the third port are connected via the first communication hole and the second communication hole. This allows switching between a first mode in which the main valve element is in the first communication position and the auxiliary valve element is in the blocking position; a second mode in which the main valve element is in the second communication position and the auxiliary valve element is in the blocking position; and a third mode in which the main valve element is in the second communication position and the auxiliary valve element is in the open position.

[0006] JP 2015-218893 A (page 13, Figure 4)

[0007] In the switching valve of Patent Document 1, by switching between a contact state and a non-contact state between the second drive part and the inner surface of the drive hole of the auxiliary valve body, it is possible to use a single drive shaft to rotate the main valve body independently and to rotate the main valve body and auxiliary valve body together.However, if the second drive part comes into contact with the inner surface of the drive hole of the auxiliary valve body due to vibration or the like when the main valve body is rotating independently, there is a risk that the auxiliary valve body will rotate and deviate from the desired position.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a switching valve in which the driven-side valve element can be positioned at a desired rotational position with high accuracy.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the switching valve of the present invention comprises: a housing; a driving valve element and a driven valve element that are arranged in a valve chamber formed inside the housing and rotate relative to the housing; and a drive device connected to the driving valve element to rotate the driving valve element, wherein the housing is formed with a plurality of ports that communicate with the valve chamber and allow fluid to flow in and out, and the driving valve element and the driven valve element rotate to change the combination of the plurality of ports, thereby enabling switching of the flow path, and the driving valve element can rotate to either one side or the other side in the circumferential direction, the driving valve element has a drive shaft that protrudes towards the driven valve element, and the driven valve element has a driven shaft that protrudes towards the driving valve element, and when the driving valve element rotates on one side, power is transmitted from the drive shaft of the driving valve element to the driven shaft of the driven valve element, and the switching valve has a restriction means that restricts the rotation of the driven valve element to the other side. According to this, in a non-following state in which the drive valve element and the driven valve element rotate relative to each other, the restricting means can prevent the driven valve element from shifting in position, so that the driven valve element can be positioned accurately at a desired rotational position.

[0010] The restricting means may have restricting positions at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, whereby the driven valve element can be positioned at a plurality of rotational positions with high accuracy.

[0011] The restricting means may be a ratchet mechanism that allows the driven valve element to rotate in one direction and restricts its rotation in the other direction by means of a protruding member provided on the housing and a step portion provided on the driven valve element that is engageable with the protruding member. In this way, the ratchet mechanism can mechanically allow the driven valve element to rotate in one direction and restrict its rotation in the other direction.

[0012] The protruding member may include a contact member pivotably provided on an inner circumferential portion of the housing that accommodates the driven valve element, and an elastic member that urges the contact member toward the driven valve element. In this configuration, the elastic member urges the contact member toward a position where it engages with a stepped portion, so that rotation of the driven valve element to the other side can be reliably restricted in the non-following state, and the contact member retreats to a position where it does not engage with the stepped portion in the following state, allowing rotation of the driven valve element to one side.

[0013] The step portion may be formed by cutting out the driven valve body, thereby making it possible to make the structure of the switching valve compact.

[0014] The driven valve element may be disk-shaped and have a plurality of passages, and the step portion may be formed between the passages. This allows the driven valve element to be made compact while ensuring its strength.

[0015] The protruding member may engage with the step portion from a direction different from the opening direction of the passage. This makes it possible to make the contact member less susceptible to the influence of fluid flowing from the valve chamber into the passage.

[0016] The passage may be formed to penetrate the driven valve body in the up-down direction, and the step may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven valve body, so that gravity is less likely to affect the engagement between the contact member and the valve body.

[0017] 1 is a perspective view showing a switching valve of Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the switching valve of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a top view of the upper cover. FIG. 4 is a top view of the lower cover. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the case and the drive valve body. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the case and the driven valve body. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. (a) is a schematic view showing the engaged state of the ratchet mechanism, and (b) is a schematic view showing the disengaged state of the ratchet mechanism. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ratchet mechanism. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a first flow path pattern. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a second flow path pattern. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a third flow path pattern. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a fourth flow path pattern. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the state of the ratchet mechanism when transitioning from the third flow path pattern to the fourth flow path pattern. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a switching valve of Example 2 of the present invention.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] The switching valve according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 14. In the following description, the top and bottom of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the top and bottom of the switching valve. In particular, the top side of the paper on which the motor is located will be referred to as the top side of the switching valve, and the opposite side, the bottom side of the paper, will be referred to as the bottom side of the switching valve.

[0020] The switching valve V of the present invention is used to select one of a plurality of modes of the fluid circuit and to switch the flow path through which the working fluid flows.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the switching valve V is mainly composed of a driving valve body 10, a driven valve body 20, a housing 50, a driving unit 60, and a ratchet mechanism 40 (see Figure 6) as a regulating means.

[0022] The housing 50 is composed of a disk-shaped upper cover 51 and lower cover 52, and a cylindrical case 53. The upper cover 51, lower cover 52, and case 53 are made of a metal material or a resin material.

[0023] 2 and 3, the top cover 51 is fastened to the case 53 with bolts (not shown) so as to close the top opening of the case 53. The top cover 51 is provided with a first port P1, a second port P2, a third port P3, and a fourth port P4 that penetrate in the vertical direction.

[0024] A through-hole 51b is provided in the center of the upper cover 51, and a drive shaft 61 is rotatably inserted therethrough, as will be described later (see FIG. 2).

[0025] The first port P1 and the third port P3 function as inlet ports through which the working fluid discharged from an external fluid load (not shown) flows into the switching valve V.

[0026] The second port P2 and the fourth port P4 function as outlet ports through which the working fluid in the switching valve V flows out toward an external fluid load (not shown).

[0027] The lower cover 52 is fastened to the case 53 with bolts (not shown) so as to close the lower opening of the case 53. As shown in Fig. 4, the lower cover 52 is provided with a fifth port P5, a sixth port P6, a seventh port P7, and an eighth port P8 that penetrate in the vertical direction. The fifth port P5 corresponds vertically to the first port P1, the sixth port P6 corresponds vertically to the second port P2, the seventh port P7 corresponds vertically to the third port P3, and the eighth port P8 corresponds vertically to the fourth port P4.

[0028] The lower cover 52 has a recess 52b at its center that opens upward, into which the lower end of the driven shaft 62 is rotatably inserted (see FIG. 2).

[0029] The fifth port P5 and the seventh port P7 function as outflow ports through which the working fluid in the switching valve V flows out toward an external fluid load (not shown).

[0030] The sixth port P6 and the eighth port P8 function as inlet ports through which the working fluid discharged from an external fluid load (not shown) flows into the switching valve V.

[0031] Next, the valve drive element 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] The drive valve element 10 is disk-shaped and has through holes 11, 12, 13, and 14 as passages, a communication groove 17, and an insertion hole 18.

[0033] The insertion hole 18 passes through the center of the driven valve element 10, and the drive shaft 61 is press-fitted and fixed therein. Thus, the phrase "the driven valve element has a drive shaft that protrudes toward the driven valve element" in the present invention may refer to a case in which a separate drive shaft is fixed to the driven valve element, as in this embodiment, or, although not shown directly in the drawings, the driven valve element and the drive shaft may be formed integrally. The same applies to the driven valve element and the driven shaft.

[0034] Through hole 11 is provided at the 9 o'clock position of drive valve body 10 when viewed from above. Through hole 12 is provided at the 11 o'clock position of drive valve body 10. Through hole 13 is provided at the 1 o'clock position of drive valve body 10. Through hole 14 is provided at the 3 o'clock position of drive valve body 10.

[0035] The communication groove 17 is a groove that is open upward and has a concave cross section. The communication groove 17 has a generally rectangular shape that is curved so as to connect the 5 o'clock position and the 7 o'clock position of the drive valve body 10.

[0036] Packings (not shown) are fixedly provided on the upper edges of the through holes 11, 12, 13, and 14 and the communication groove 17. In addition, packings (not shown) are fixedly provided on the lower edges of the through holes 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0037] Next, the driven valve element 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] Driven valve element 20 is provided with through holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 as passages, a communication groove 27, and an insertion hole 28. Insertion hole 28 passes through the center of driven valve element 20, and driven shaft 62 is press-fitted and fixed into it. Packings (not shown) are fixedly provided at the lower edges of through holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 and communication groove 27.

[0039] Through hole 21 is provided at the 3 o'clock position of driven valve body 20 when viewed from below. Through hole 22 is provided at the 1 o'clock position of driven valve body 20. Through hole 23 is provided at the 11 o'clock position of driven valve body 20. Through hole 24 is provided at the 9 o'clock position of driven valve body 20.

[0040] The communication groove 27 is a groove that is open downward and has a concave cross section. The communication groove 27 has a generally rectangular shape that is curved so as to connect the 5 o'clock position and the 7 o'clock position of the driven valve element 20.

[0041] Furthermore, a step 41 that constitutes a part of the ratchet mechanism 40 (described later) is formed in one location on the outer circumferential portion 20A of the driven valve element 20 by cutting out a part of the outer circumferential portion 20A. This step 41 is composed of the outer circumferential surface 20a of the driven valve element 20, an end face 41a that extends radially inward from the clockwise end of the outer circumferential surface 20a as viewed from below, and an inclined surface 41b that extends radially outward from the inner end of the end face 41a in the clockwise direction as viewed from below and is continuous with the outer circumferential surface 20a. The step 41 is provided between the through holes 22 and 23 in the circumferential direction.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 2, the drive unit 60 is mainly composed of a drive shaft 61 , a driven shaft 62 , and a drive device 63 .

[0043] The drive device 63 is a device that transmits an external driving force to the outer peripheral surface at the upper end of the drive shaft 61. For example, the drive device 63 in this embodiment includes a stepping motor, a gear box, and a rotary encoder, and is capable of rotating the valve element 10 to any rotation position around the drive shaft 61. The drive device 63 is not limited to a stepping motor, and may be any device that can rotate in both directions in the circumferential direction.

[0044] An extension 61a extending downward from a cylindrical base is provided at the lower end of the drive shaft 61. This extension 61a has two side surfaces 61b extending radially from the center of the drive shaft 61 and has a generally triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction (see FIG. 7).

[0045] An extension 62a extending upward from a cylindrical base is provided at the upper end of the driven shaft 62. This extension 62a has two side surfaces 62b extending radially from the center of the driven shaft 62 and has a generally triangular shape when viewed in the axial direction (see FIG. 7).

[0046] 2 and 7, the drive shaft 61 and the driven shaft 62 are arranged coaxially, with the extensions 61a, 62a arranged side by side at offset positions in the circumferential direction, and their bases spaced apart vertically. Furthermore, a lower end surface 61c of the extension 61a of the drive shaft 61 is arranged above and spaced apart from an upper surface 62d of the base of the driven shaft 62. Furthermore, the upper end surface 62c of the extension 62a of the driven shaft 62 is arranged below and spaced apart from a lower surface 61d of the base of the drive shaft 61.

[0047] This allows the drive shaft 61 to rotate independently, in other words, the driven valve element 20 can be brought into a non-following state relative to the drive valve element 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, when the extension portion 61a is rotated toward the extension portion 62a in a state where the side surface 61b on the rotational direction side of the extension portion 61a is in contact with the side surface 62b on the counter-rotational direction side of the extension portion 62a, both the drive shaft 61 and the driven shaft 62 can rotate, in other words, the driven valve element 20 can be brought into a following state relative to the drive valve element 10.

[0048] Next, the ratchet mechanism 40 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 8. For ease of explanation, Figure 6 shows the ratchet mechanism 40 as seen from below, and Figure 8 shows the ratchet mechanism 40 as seen from above.

[0049] The ratchet mechanism 40 is mainly composed of a step portion 41, a hinge piece 42 as a contact member, and a torsion spring 43 as an elastic member. The hinge piece 42 and the torsion spring 43 function as protruding members provided on the housing 50 side.

[0050] As described above, the step portion 41 is formed by cutting out a part of the outer circumferential portion 20A of the driven valve body 20.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 8, the hinge piece 42 is made of resin, metal, or the like, and is attached to a fixed shaft 53b extending vertically in a groove 53a in the inner periphery 53A of the case 53 so as to be able to swing.

[0052] The torsion spring 43 has its torsion portion 43a fitted onto the fixed shaft 53b, one arm 43b contacting the peripheral side wall 53c that forms the groove portion 53a, and the other arm 43c fixed to the hinge piece 42. As a result, the end of the hinge piece 42 opposite to the fixed shaft 53b side is biased radially inward.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 9, the hinge piece 42 is disposed above the torsion spring 43, and the load of the hinge piece 42 presses down on the torsion spring 43, thereby preventing the torsion spring 43 from deforming in the vertical direction.

[0054] Washers 4D and 4E are disposed on fixed shaft 53b below torsion spring 43 and above hinge leaf 42, restricting the vertical movement of hinge leaf 42 and torsion spring 43. The material of washers 4D and 4E is not particularly limited, but by using a low-friction material such as fluororesin, they are less likely to impede the rotation of hinge leaf 42 and torsion spring 43.

[0055] 6, in this embodiment, the set of hinge leaf 42 and torsion spring 43 is provided at a first position which is the 12 o'clock position when viewed from below on the inner circumferential portion 53A of the case 53, a second position which is the 8 o'clock position when viewed from below, and a third position which is the 4 o'clock position when viewed from below. Hereinafter, these may also be referred to as the hinge leaf 42 in the first position, the hinge leaf 42' in the second position, and the hinge leaf 42'' in the third position.

[0056] Referring to Figure 8 (a), the hinge piece 42 and the torsion spring 43 are capable of engaging with the end face 41a of the step portion 41 of the driven valve body 20, which rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above, and are configured to restrict further counterclockwise rotation of the driven valve body 20.

[0057] 8(b), the hinge piece 42 and the torsion spring 43 are configured to allow the rotation of the driven valve element 20, which rotates clockwise when viewed from above. The step portion 41 has an inclined surface 41b, which allows the hinge piece 42 to smoothly come off the step portion 41 (see FIG. 8(a)).

[0058] Next, an example of each flow path pattern of the switching valve V and each rotational position of the drive valve element 10 and the driven valve element 20 that make up each flow path pattern will be described using Figures 10 to 13. For ease of explanation, the drive valve element 10 and the driven valve element 20 are shown as viewed from above. The drive valve element 10 is shown with a dashed line, the driven valve element 20 with a solid line, and the first port P1 to the eighth port P8 with a two-dot chain line. Furthermore, each of the formed flow paths is shown with diagonal lines.

[0059] 10, in the first flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first port P1 communicates with the fifth port P5 through the through hole 11 of the driving valve element 10 and the through hole 21 of the driven valve element 20. The sixth port P6 communicates with the second port P2 through the through holes 12 and 22. The third port P3 communicates with the seventh port P7 through the through holes 13 and 23. The eighth port P8 communicates with the fourth port P4 through the through holes 14 and 24. The first flow path pattern of the switching valve V is set as the initial position of the switching valve V.

[0060] At this time, the extension 61a of the drive shaft 61 and the extension 62a of the driven shaft 62 are disposed at approximately the 12 o'clock position in a state of contact with each other.

[0061] At this time, the hinge piece 42 in the first position of the ratchet mechanism 40 is disposed at the engagement position with the step portion 41 of the driven valve body 20 .

[0062] [Second flow path pattern] As shown in Figure 11, the second flow path pattern of the switching valve V is a state in which both the driving valve body 10 and the driven valve body 20 are rotated clockwise by approximately 120 degrees when viewed from above from the first flow path pattern.

[0063] In the second flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first port P1 communicates with the second port P2 through the communication groove 17 of the driving valve element 10. The sixth port P6 communicates with the fifth port P5 through the communication groove 27 of the driven valve element 20. The third port P3 communicates with the seventh port P7 through the through holes 11 and 21. The eighth port P8 communicates with the fourth port P4 through the through holes 12 and 22.

[0064] At this time, the hinge piece 42 ′ in the second position of the ratchet mechanism 40 is disposed at the position where it engages with the step portion 41 of the driven valve body 20 .

[0065] [Third flow path pattern] As shown in Figure 12, the third flow path pattern of the switching valve V is a state in which both the driving valve body 10 and the driven valve body 20 are rotated clockwise by approximately 120 degrees when viewed from above from the second flow path pattern.

[0066] In the third flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first port P1 communicates with the fifth port P5 through the through holes 13 and 23. The sixth port P6 communicates with the second port P2 through the through holes 14 and 24. The third port P3 communicates with the fourth port P4 through the communication groove 17. The eighth port P8 communicates with the seventh port P7 through the communication groove 27.

[0067] At this time, the hinge piece 42 ″ in the third position of the ratchet mechanism 40 is disposed at the position where it engages with the step portion 41 of the driven valve body 20 .

[0068] [Fourth flow path pattern] As shown in Figure 13, the fourth flow path pattern of the switching valve V is a state in which the driving valve body 10 is rotated alone counterclockwise by approximately 120 degrees when viewed from above from the third flow path pattern.

[0069] In the fourth flow path pattern of the switching valve V, the first port P1 communicates with the second port P2 through the communication groove 17. The eighth port P8 communicates with the seventh port P7 through the communication groove 27. The third port P3 and the fourth port P4 are closed by the upper surface of the driven valve body 20. The fifth port P5 and the sixth port P6 are closed by the lower surface of the drive valve body 10. In other words, the working fluid is supplied intensively to the flow path connecting the first port P1 and the second port P2 and the flow path connecting the seventh port P7 and the eighth port P8.

[0070] At this time, the hinge piece 42 ″ in the third position of the ratchet mechanism 40 is maintained in the position where it engages with the step portion 41 of the driven valve body 20 .

[0071] Next, an example of the state of the ratchet mechanism 40 when transitioning from the third flow path pattern to the fourth flow path pattern will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Note that Fig. 14 shows the hinge piece 42'' at the third position on the inner periphery 53A of the case 53.

[0072] As described above, the third flow path pattern is switched to the fourth flow path pattern by rotating the drive valve body 10 alone counterclockwise (i.e., to the other side) by approximately 120 degrees when viewed from above.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 14, in the third flow path pattern, a hinge piece 42 ″ is disposed within a step portion 41 of the driven valve element 20 .

[0074] Thereafter, the driven valve element 10 is rotated independently counterclockwise by approximately 120 degrees. At this time, even if the driving force of the driven valve element 10 acts on the driven valve element 20 due to an external factor such as vibration, the engagement between the hinge piece 42'' and the step portion 41 restricts the counterclockwise rotation of the driven valve element 20, thereby preventing displacement of the driven valve element 20. Therefore, the driven valve element 20 can be accurately positioned at the desired rotational position that constitutes the fourth flow path pattern.

[0075] Furthermore, when switching from the first flow path pattern to the second flow path pattern, the hinge piece 42′ in the second position is disposed at the engagement position with the step portion 41. Furthermore, when switching from the fourth flow path pattern to the first flow path pattern, the hinge piece 42 in the first position is disposed at the engagement position with the step portion 41.

[0076] In this way, the ratchet mechanism 40 of this embodiment has restriction positions at multiple locations around the circumference that restrict clockwise rotation of the driven valve body 20 when viewed from below, so that when the driving valve body 10 and the driven valve body 20 are in a non-following state, the driven valve body 20 can be accurately positioned at each rotational position that constitutes each of the first to fourth flow path patterns.

[0077] Furthermore, since the ratchet mechanism 40 mechanically restricts the rotation of the driven valve element 20 to the other side, the driven valve element 20 can be positioned at each rotation position with high precision.

[0078] Furthermore, because the hinge pieces 42 are biased toward the driven valve element 20 by the torsion spring 43, they are reliably positioned at positions where they reliably engage with the step portion 41 when they overlap the step portion 41 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, when the hinge pieces 42 do not overlap the step portion 41 in the circumferential direction, the hinge pieces 42 retract to positions where they do not engage with the step portion 41 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 43, and do not impede the operation of the driven valve element 20. Furthermore, because the biasing force from the torsion spring 43 always acts on the outer peripheral surface 20a of the driven valve element 20, the operation of the driven valve element 20 is stable.

[0079] Furthermore, since the step portion 41 is formed by cutting out the outer peripheral portion 20A of the driven valve body 20, the structure of the switching valve V can be made more compact than when the step portion is provided by protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the driven valve body 20.

[0080] Furthermore, the driven valve body 20 is provided with through holes 21, 22, 23, 24 and a communication groove 27, and the step portion 41 is formed between the through holes 22 and 23. This allows the driven valve body 20 to be formed compactly while ensuring its strength.

[0081] Furthermore, the hinge pieces 42 engage with the step portions 41 from the outer peripheral surface 20a side of the driven valve body 20, i.e., they engage with the step portions 41 from the radial direction which is a direction different from the axial direction which is the direction in which the through holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 are formed, so it is possible to reduce the effect that the fluid pressure of the working fluid flowing through the through holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 provided within the housing 50 and in the axial direction has on the engagement state between the hinge pieces 42 and the step portions 41. Furthermore, since the load of the driven valve body 20 does not act on the hinge pieces 42, and similarly, the load of the hinge pieces 42 does not act on the driven valve body 20, gravity is less likely to affect the engagement between the hinge pieces 42 and the step portions 41.

[0082] In this embodiment, the switching valve V is described as being switchable between four types of flow path patterns, but it goes without saying that the switching valve V can be switched between many more types of flow path patterns. In addition, when the hinge pieces 42 engage with the step portions 41 in the radial direction, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that all of the through holes extend in the axial direction.

[0083] Next, a switching valve according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0084] 15, the switching valve V2 has a plurality of inlet ports P10 and outlet ports P20 (only two of each port are shown) provided on the case 500C of the housing 500. No ports are provided on the upper cover 500A or the lower cover 500B.

[0085] The drive valve element 100 is provided with communication passages 100A and 100B (only one of each is shown). The communication passage 100A alone connects the desired inlet port P10 to the outlet port P20. The communication passage 100B, together with a communication passage 200B (described later), connects the desired inlet port P10 to the outlet port P20.

[0086] The driven valve element 200 is provided with communication passages 200A and 200B (only one of each is shown). The communication passage 200A alone connects the desired inlet port P10 to the outlet port P20. The communication passage 200B, together with the aforementioned communication passage 100B, connects the desired inlet port P10 to the outlet port P20.

[0087] The driving valve body 100 and the driven valve body 200 can be rotated together or the driving valve body 100 can be rotated independently to switch the communication state of each of the communication passages 100A, 100B, 200A, and 200B, thereby changing the combination of the communicating inlet port P10 and the communicating outlet port P20.

[0088] An upwardly projecting protrusion 200a is provided on the upper surface of the driven valve body 200. This protrusion 200a is made of a leaf spring that is inclined upward from one side to the other.

[0089] A plurality of protruding pieces 500Ca are provided in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the case 500C, protruding in the inner diameter direction.

[0090] When the driven valve body 200 rotates to one side and the protruding piece 200a comes into contact with the protruding piece 500Ca, the protruding piece 200a is compressed in the vertical direction, allowing it to pass between the driven valve body 200 and the protruding piece 500Ca.

[0091] On the other hand, when the driven valve body 200 rotates to the other side and the protruding piece 200a comes into contact with the protruding piece 500Ca, the protruding piece 200a is tensed and restricts further rotation. These protruding pieces 200a and 500Ca function as restricting means.

[0092] When the driven valve element 100 rotates independently to the other side, even if a force toward the other side is transmitted to the driven valve element 200, the movement of the driven valve element 200 to the other side is restricted, thereby preventing displacement of the driven valve element 200. Furthermore, the protruding piece 500Ca engages with the protruding piece 200a from the axial upper surface side of the driven valve element 200, i.e., from the circumferential direction which is different from the radial direction which is the direction in which the openings of the communicating passages 100A, 100B, 200A, 200B on the housing 500 side are formed, thereby reducing the effect on the engagement state between the protruding piece 200a and the protruding piece 500Ca of the fluid pressure of the working fluid flowing through the communicating passages 100A, 100B, 200A, 200B provided within the housing 500 and in the radial direction with respect to the protruding piece 200a.

[0093] In addition, when the protruding piece 200a engages with the protruding piece 500Ca in the circumferential direction as in the second embodiment, it is preferable that all the through holes extend in the radial direction.

[0094] 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.

[0095] For example, in the first embodiment, the hinge pieces are provided at three locations on the inner periphery of the case, but the number of locations where the hinge pieces are provided can be freely changed.

[0096] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the restricting means is a ratchet mechanism, but the restricting means may be, for example, a restricting means that disposes the driven valve element in a retracted position during rotation and locks the driven valve element when it is disposed in a desired rotation position. The locking restricting means may be one that exerts a greater rotation resistance force in a locked state than in an unlocked state, and may be, for example, comprised of a groove provided on the outer periphery of the driven valve element and a spring-loaded engaging member provided on the housing and biased toward the inner diameter side of the driven valve element.

[0097] In addition, in the above-mentioned Example 1, an example was given in which the hinge piece engages with a step portion provided on the outer periphery of the driven valve body, but it is also possible for a contact member to engage with a position on the driven shaft side of the driven valve body or with the driven shaft.

[0098] In addition, in the first embodiment, a torsion spring is used as the elastic member, but it may be replaced with a leaf spring or the like. Also, if the elastic member has sufficient rigidity, the contact member may be omitted and only the elastic member may be engaged with the driven valve element. In other words, the elastic member may also serve as the contact member.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, a form in which a hinge piece is used as a contact member is exemplified, but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be an elastic member provided on the inner periphery of the housing so as to be crushed when one side of the driven valve body rotates, and to elastically return to its original shape and engage with the step portion of the driven valve body when the other side of the driven valve body rotates.

[0100] The shape of the step is not limited to that of the first embodiment, and may be any shape that allows the contact member to engage when the driven valve element rotates to the other side. A plurality of step portions may be provided in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the driven valve element.

[0101] In addition, in the above-mentioned Example 1, an example was given in which the hinge piece and the torsion spring are provided on the housing side and the step portion is provided on the driven valve body side, but it is also possible that the contact member and the elastic member are provided on the driven valve body and the step portion is provided on the housing side.

[0102] In addition, although the first embodiment exemplifies a configuration in which there are four inlet ports and four outlet ports, the number of inlet ports and outlet ports can be freely changed as long as there are two or more of each. Furthermore, the number of inlet ports and outlet ports does not have to be the same, and different numbers may be provided.

[0103] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the configuration in which there is one driving valve body and one driven valve body has been exemplified, but the number of these valve bodies can be freely changed.

[0104] Furthermore, the driving valve element and the driven valve element are not limited to being disk-shaped, but may be freely changed to, for example, a fan-shaped, arc-shaped, C-shaped, etc. Furthermore, the driving valve element and the driven valve element do not necessarily have to be provided with a passage.

[0105] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Drive valve body 10A Outer periphery 11-16 Through hole (passage) 17 Communication groove (passage) 20 Driven valve body 20A Outer periphery 21-26 Through hole (passage) 27 Communication groove (passage) 40 Ratchet mechanism (restriction means) 41 Step portion 42, 42', 42'' Hinge piece (contact member) 43 Torsion spring (elastic member) 50 Housing 60 Drive unit 61 Drive shaft 61a Extension portion 62 Driven shaft 62a Extension portion 63 Drive device V Switching valve

Claims

1. A switching valve comprising a housing, a driving valve body and a driven valve body which are arranged in a valve chamber formed inside the housing and rotate relative to the housing, and a driving device connected to the driving valve body to rotate the driving valve body, wherein a plurality of ports communicating with the valve chamber and for introducing and discharging fluid are formed in the housing, and the flow path can be switched by changing the combination of the plurality of ports when the driving valve body and the driven valve body rotate. The driving valve body can rotate in either one side or the other side in the circumferential direction, the driving valve body has a driving shaft protruding toward the driven valve body side, the driven valve body has a driven shaft protruding toward the driving valve body side, and when the driving valve body rotates on one side, power is transmitted from the driving shaft of the driving valve body to the driven shaft of the driven valve body, and the switching valve has a restricting means for restricting the rotation of the driven valve body to the other side.

2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means has restricting positions at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction.

3. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means is a ratchet mechanism provided on the housing side with a protruding member and provided on the driven valve body with a stepped portion engageable with the protruding member, which allows the driven valve body to rotate to one side and restricts the rotation to the other side.

4. The switching valve according to claim 3, wherein the protruding member comprises a contact member swingably provided on the inner peripheral portion of the housing in which the driven valve body is accommodated, and an elastic member for biasing the contact member toward the driven valve body side.

5. The switching valve according to claim 3, wherein the stepped portion is formed by notching the driven valve body.

6. The driven valve body has a disc shape and has a plurality of passages, and the stepped portion is formed between the passages. The switching valve according to claim 3.

7. The switching valve according to claim 6, wherein the protruding member engages with the stepped portion from a direction different from the opening direction of the opening in the passage.

8. The switching valve according to claim 7, wherein the passage is formed to penetrate in the vertical direction of the driven valve body, and the stepped portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven valve body.

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