Valve device

Abstract

A housing (10) comprises: a support part (170) that supports an end part of a shaft (70); an inner passage (110) that is formed so as to surround the radially outer side of the support part (170); an outer passage (120) that is formed on the radially outer side of the inner passage (110); and an inner / outer passage partition wall (130) that partitions the inner passage (110) and the outer passage (120). A seal member (60) comprises: a central seal part (61) that surrounds the radially outer side of the shaft (70); an inner / outer passage seal part (62) that surrounds the radially outer side of the inner passage (110); and a connection part (64) that connects the central seal part (61) and the inner / outer passage seal part (62) in the radial direction. The connection part (64) is provided on the opposite side to the outer passage (120) across an axial center (CL), the outer passage (120) communicating with the inner passage (110) via a groove part (42) when a drive valve (40) is at a prescribed rotational position.

Description

Valve equipment CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-049900, filed on March 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to valve devices for controlling fluid flow.

[0003] The valve device described in Patent Document 1 is a disk valve including a drive valve rotatable around the axis of a shaft mounted inside a housing, and a fixed valve that slides against the sliding surface of the drive valve. The housing has an inner passage formed around the axis in an area opposite the drive valve from the fixed valve, and an outer passage formed radially outward of the inner passage. The fixed valve has an inner hole provided at a position corresponding to the inner passage and an outer hole provided at a position corresponding to the outer passage. The drive valve has a groove that connects the inner passage and the outer passage when in a predetermined rotational position. This allows the valve device to direct fluid in a U-turn from the inner passage → inner hole → groove → outer hole → outer passage.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-135137

[0005] However, in the configuration of the valve device described in Patent Document 1, if a seal member is provided between the surface of the housing facing the axially fixed valve and the fixed valve, there is a concern that the seal member may shift position or fall off if the dynamic pressure of the fluid acting on the seal member becomes large.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve device that can prevent displacement and detachment of a seal member.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a valve device for controlling a flow of a fluid comprises: a housing; a shaft provided inside the housing; a drive valve provided inside the housing rotatably about the axis of the shaft and having a groove recessed from a sliding surface facing the axis; a fixed valve fixed to the housing so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the drive valve; and a seal member provided between the fixed valve and a surface of the housing facing the fixed valve in the axial direction, wherein the housing has, in an area opposite the drive valve from the fixed valve, a support portion for supporting an end of the shaft through which the fixed valve has been inserted, an inner passage formed to surround the radial outside of the support portion, an outer passage formed radially outward from the inner passage, and an inner / outer passage partition wall separating the inner passage and the outer passage, and the fixed valve has, as holes passing through in the axial direction, a central hole through which the shaft passes, an inner hole provided to surround the radial outside of the shaft at a position corresponding to the inner passage, and an outer hole provided at a position corresponding to the outer passage, The seal member has a central seal portion that surrounds the radial outside of the shaft and is provided between the support portion and the fixed valve, an inner / outer passage seal portion that surrounds the radial outside of the inner passage and is provided between the inner / outer passage partition wall and the fixed valve, and a connecting portion that is provided on the opposite side of the axis from the outer passage that communicates with the inner passage via the groove portion when the drive valve is in a predetermined rotational position and that radially connects the central seal portion and the inner / outer passage seal portion.

[0008] According to this, when fluid flows from the inner passage to the inner hole to the groove to the outer hole to the outer passage, the dynamic pressure of the fluid acting on the portion of the central seal opposite the outer passage across the axis is greater than the dynamic pressure of the fluid acting on the portion of the central seal facing the outer passage. Hereinafter, the portion of the central seal opposite the outer passage across the axis is referred to as the "pressure-receiving portion of the central seal." To address this phenomenon, the connecting portion is positioned to pull the pressure-receiving portion of the central seal in the direction opposite to the direction of the dynamic pressure. Therefore, the connecting portion can prevent the pressure-receiving portion of the central seal from shifting or falling out of position between the support portion and the fixed valve. Therefore, the valve device can maintain the posture of the seal member and the fixed valve and prevent fluid leakage from the inner passage to the shaft side.

[0009] 10 is a perspective view of a valve device according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a valve device according to an embodiment; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the rotational position of the actuated valve is changed in part III of FIG. 2; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 3; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3; FIG. 15 is a view in which the shape of the sliding surface side of the actuated valve is superimposed on the cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 3; FIG. 16 is a plan view showing only the actuated valve taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 3; FIG. 17 is an explanatory view for explaining the velocity distribution of a fluid and the dynamic pressure acting on a seal member; FIG. 18 is an explanatory view for explaining the function and effect of the connection portion between the fluid flow and the seal member taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8; FIG. 19 is a view in which the rotational position of the actuated valve is changed from that of FIG. 6; FIG. 19 is an explanatory view for explaining the function and effect of the connection portion between the fluid flow and the seal member in the state of FIG. 10; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a valve device of a comparative example.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (One embodiment) A valve device 1 according to one embodiment is used in a fluid circulation system mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The fluid circulation system circulates coolant fluid through a power source for driving the vehicle, a radiator, a heater core for air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and the like. For example, a long life coolant (LLC) containing ethylene glycol is used as the coolant. The valve device 1 switches the flow path of the coolant flowing through the system, adjusts the flow rate, and so on.

[0012] First, we will explain the configuration of the valve device 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the valve device 1 is a disk valve that includes housings 10, 20, a shaft 70, a drive valve 40, a fixed valve 30, a seal member 60, an actuator 50, and the like.

[0013] In the following description, the direction extending from the axis CL of the shaft 70 to the outside in the radial direction of an imaginary circle perpendicular to the axis CL and centered on the axis CL is referred to as the "radially outer side," and the direction extending toward the axis CL is referred to as the "radially inner side." Furthermore, the direction in which the axis CL extends is referred to as the "axial direction," and the side of the housings 10, 20 on which the actuator 50 is provided is referred to as the "one axial side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "other axial side."

[0014] The housings 10, 20 are composed of a first housing 10 and a second housing 20, and have a flow path inside them through which a fluid flows. The first housing 10 has a cylindrical housing body 11, two fluid inlet ports 12, 13, and three fluid outlet ports 14, 15, 16 that extend from the housing body 11 in a pipe-like shape.

[0015] The two fluid inlet portions 12, 13 include a first fluid inlet portion 12 and a second fluid inlet portion 13. A first fluid inlet passage 102 is formed inside the first fluid inlet portion 12, and a second fluid inlet passage 103 is formed inside the second fluid inlet portion 13.

[0016] 1 to 6, the three fluid outlets 14, 15, 16 include a first fluid outlet 14, a second fluid outlet 15, and a third fluid outlet 16. A first fluid outlet passage 104 is formed inside the first fluid outlet 14, a second fluid outlet passage 105 is formed inside the second fluid outlet 15, and a third fluid outlet passage 106 is formed inside the third fluid outlet 16.

[0017] 1 and 2, the second housing 20 closes an opening on one axial side of the housing main body 11. An actuator 50 is fixed to the second housing 20 on the opposite side to the first housing 10.

[0018] 2 to 5, the housing body 11 has, as fluid flow paths, a valve chamber 100, a plurality of inner passages 110, and a plurality of outer passages 120. The housing body 11 also has, as structural components, a support portion 170, an inner passage partition wall 160, an inner / outer passage partition wall 130, an outer passage partition wall 140, and an outer peripheral wall 150.

[0019] The valve chamber 100 is provided inside the housing body 11 in an area on one axial side of the fixed valve 30. The actuated valve 40 and other components are disposed in the valve chamber 100. The support portion 170, the multiple inner passages 110, the inner passage partition wall 160, the inner / outer passage partition wall 130, the multiple outer passages 120, the outer passage partition wall 140, and the outer peripheral wall 150 are provided inside the housing body 11 in an area on the other axial side of the fixed valve 30.

[0020] The support portion 170 is a portion that rotatably supports the end portion of the shaft 70 that has passed through the fixed valve 30. The other end portion of the shaft 70 in the axial direction is rotatably supported in a bearing hole 171 that the support portion 170 has.

[0021] 5 , the multiple inner passages 110 include a first inner passage 111, a second inner passage 112, and a third inner passage 113. The multiple inner passages 110 are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the actuated valve 40. Therefore, the multiple inner passages 110 are formed so as to surround the radial outside of the support portion 170.

[0022] Furthermore, the plurality of outer passages 120 are formed radially outward from the plurality of inner passages 110. The plurality of outer passages 120 include a first outer passage 121, a second outer passage 122, and a third outer passage 123. The plurality of outer passages 120 are also arranged so as to be aligned in the rotation direction of the actuated valve 40. Therefore, the plurality of outer passages 120 are formed so as to surround the radially outward sides of the plurality of inner passages 110.

[0023] The inner / outer passage partition wall 130 is a cylindrical wall provided between the inner passage 110 and the outer passage 120, and separates the inner passage 110 from the outer passage 120.

[0024] The inner passage partition wall 160 is a wall that separates the multiple inner passages 110. The inner passage partition wall 160 radially connects the support portion 170 and the inner / outer passage partition wall 130. The inner passage partition wall 160 has a first inner passage partition wall 161, a second inner passage partition wall 162, and a third inner passage partition wall 163.

[0025] The outer peripheral wall 150 is a cylindrical wall provided radially outward of the outer passages 120 and forms the outer contour of the housing body 11 .

[0026] The outer passage partition wall 140 is a wall that separates the multiple outer passages 120. The outer passage partition wall 140 radially connects the inner / outer passage partition wall 130 and the outer peripheral wall 150. The outer passage partition wall 140 has a first outer passage partition wall 141, a second outer passage partition wall 142, and a third outer passage partition wall 143.

[0027] Each of the multiple inner passages 110 communicates with the first fluid inlet passage 102 located inside the first fluid inlet portion 12. The first fluid inlet passage 102 extends from the multiple inner passages 110 of the housing body 11 to the other side in the axial direction.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second fluid inlet passage 103 inside the second fluid inlet portion 13 extends radially outward from the valve chamber 100 of the housing body 11 .

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the first outer passage 121 of the housing body 11 communicates with the first fluid outlet passage 104 inside the first fluid outlet portion 14. The first fluid outlet passage 104 extends radially outward from the first outer passage 121. The second outer passage 122 of the housing body 11 communicates with the second fluid outlet passage 105 inside the second fluid outlet portion 15. The second fluid outlet passage 105 extends radially outward from the second outer passage 122 of the housing body 11. The third outer passage 123 of the housing body 11 communicates with the third fluid outlet passage 106 inside the third fluid outlet portion 16. The third fluid outlet passage 106 extends radially outward from the third outer passage 123.

[0030] The fixed valve 30 is formed in a generally disk shape and is placed, with a seal member 60 sandwiched between it and the outer peripheral wall 150, outer passage partition wall 140, inner passage partition wall 160, and support portion 170 of the first housing 10 at one axial end of the wall 150, outer passage partition wall 140, inner passage partition wall 160, and support portion 170. The fixed valve 30 is therefore provided at the boundary between the valve chamber 100 and the inner passage 110 and outer passage 120.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the fixed valve 30 has a central hole 39, multiple inner holes 36, and multiple outer holes 34 that pass through in the axial direction. The fixed valve 30 has a structural component including a central portion 33, an intermediate partition portion 32, an outer peripheral portion 31, an inner hole partition portion 37, an outer hole partition portion 35, and a protrusion 38. The protrusion 38 on the outer peripheral portion 31 is engaged with a locking portion 17 on the first housing 10. This fixes the fixed valve 30 to the housing main body 11 so as not to rotate relative to the housing main body 11 about the axis.

[0032] The central hole 39 is a hole through which the shaft 70 is inserted. The multiple inner holes 36 are holes provided at positions corresponding to the multiple inner passages 110. The inner holes 36 include a first inner hole 36a, a second inner hole 36b, and a third inner hole 36c. The first inner hole 36a communicates with the first inner passage 111. The second inner hole 36b communicates with the second inner passage 112. The third inner hole 36c communicates with the third inner passage 113.

[0033] The outer holes 34 are holes provided at positions corresponding to the outer passages 120. The outer holes 34 have a first outer hole 34a, a second outer hole 34b, a third outer hole 34c, and a fourth outer hole 34d. The first outer hole 34a communicates with the first outer passage 121. The second outer hole 34b and the fourth outer hole 34d communicate with the second outer passage 122. The third outer hole 34c communicates with the third outer passage 123.

[0034] The central portion 33 is a portion that surrounds the periphery of the central hole 39. The central portion 33 is placed on the support portion 170 with the seal member 60 sandwiched therebetween. The intermediate partition portion 32 is formed in an annular shape between the inner hole 36 and the outer hole 34 and is a portion that separates the inner hole 36 and the outer hole 34. The intermediate partition portion 32 is placed on the inner / outer passage partition wall 130 with the seal member 60 sandwiched therebetween. The outer peripheral portion 31 is a portion that is formed in an annular shape radially outward from the multiple outer holes 34. The outer peripheral portion 31 is placed on the outer peripheral wall 150 with the seal member 60 sandwiched therebetween.

[0035] The inner hole partitioning portion 37 is a portion that radially separates the plurality of inner holes 36 from one another. The inner hole partitioning portion 37 is placed on the inner passage partitioning wall 160 with the seal member 60 sandwiched therebetween. The outer hole partitioning portion 35 is a portion that radially separates the plurality of outer holes 34 from one another. The outer hole partitioning portion 35 is placed on the outer passage partitioning wall 140 with the seal member 60 sandwiched therebetween.

[0036] 2 to 5, the seal member 60 is provided between the fixed valve 30 and one axial end of the outer peripheral wall 150, the outer passage partition wall 140, the inner passage partition wall 160, the inner passage partition wall 160, and the support portion 170 of the first housing 10. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the seal member 60 is fitted into fitting grooves 18 provided at one axial end of the outer peripheral wall 150, the outer passage partition wall 140, the inner passage partition wall 160, the inner passage partition wall 160, and the support portion 170 of the first housing 10. In this state, the fixed valve 30 is placed on one axial side of the seal member 60.

[0037] The seal member 60 has a central seal portion 61, an inner / outer passage seal portion 62, an outer periphery seal portion 63, a connecting portion 64, and an outer connecting portion 65. The seal member 60 is formed of, for example, resin, rubber, silicone, or elastomer. The central seal portion 61 is a portion that surrounds the radially outer side of the shaft 70 and is provided between the support portion 170 and the fixed valve 30. The inner / outer passage seal portion 62 is a portion that surrounds the radially outer side of the inner passage 110 and is provided between the inner / outer passage partition wall 130 and the fixed valve 30. The outer periphery seal portion 63 is a portion that surrounds the radially outer side of the outer passage 120 and is provided between the outer periphery wall 150 and the fixed valve 30.

[0038] The connecting portion 64 is a portion that radially connects the central seal portion 61 and the inner / outer passage seal portion 62. The connecting portion 64 has a first connecting portion 641, a second connecting portion 642, and a third connecting portion 643. The first connecting portion 641 is provided between the first inner passage partition wall 161 and the fixed valve 30. The second connecting portion 642 is provided between the second inner passage partition wall 162 and the fixed valve 30. The third connecting portion 643 is provided between the third inner passage partition wall 163 and the fixed valve 30.

[0039] The outer connection portion 65 is a portion that connects the outer peripheral seal portion 63 and the inner / outer passage seal portion 62. The outer connection portion 65 has a first outer connection portion 651, a second outer connection portion 652, and a third outer connection portion 653. The first outer connection portion 651 is provided between the first outer passage partition wall 141 and the fixed valve 30. The second outer connection portion 652 is provided between the second outer passage partition wall 142 and the fixed valve 30. The third outer connection portion 653 is provided between the third outer passage partition wall 143 and the fixed valve 30.

[0040] The central seal portion 61, the connecting portion 64, the inner and outer passage seal portion 62, the outer connecting portion 65, and the outer peripheral seal portion 63 of the seal member 60 are integrally formed on the same plane. That is, the seal member 60 is composed of a single part.

[0041] Here, the second connecting portion 642 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL to the first outer passage 121, which communicates with the inner passage 110 via the groove 42 when the actuated valve 40 is at a predetermined rotational position. The first connecting portion 641 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL to the third outer passage 123, which communicates with the inner passage 110 via the groove 42 when the actuated valve 40 is at another rotational position. The significance of providing the connecting portion 64 in this manner will be described later.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7, the actuated valve 40 is formed in a generally disk shape and is provided in the valve chamber 100 of the housing body 11 so as to be rotatable about the axis CL of the shaft 70. The surface of the actuated valve 40 facing the other side in the axial direction (i.e., the surface facing the fixed valve 30) is called the sliding surface 41. The sliding surface 41 of the actuated valve 40 and the fixed valve 30 are in sliding contact with each other. Note that, for the sake of explanation, the sliding surface 41 is hatched in Figure 7.

[0043] The actuated valve 40 has a groove 42 recessed from the sliding surface 41 toward one side in the axial direction, and a through-hole 43 penetrating in the axial direction. The groove 42 is provided so as to span the multiple inner holes 36 and a predetermined outer hole 34 when the actuated valve 40 is in a predetermined rotational position. The groove 42 has a cylindrical space 44 formed at a position corresponding to the multiple inner holes 36, and a fan-shaped fan space 45 formed at a position corresponding to any of the outer holes 34. The cylindrical space 44 and the fan space 45 form a single continuous space. The cylindrical space 44 is formed radially outward of the cylindrical portion 46. The cylindrical portion 46 has an insertion hole 47 through which the shaft 70 is inserted. Therefore, the shaft 70 is inserted through the insertion hole 47 inside the cylindrical portion 46.

[0044] The through hole 43 is provided so as to communicate the valve chamber 100 with a predetermined outer hole 34 when the drive valve 40 is at a predetermined rotational position.

[0045] 2, the shaft 70 is provided inside the housings 10, 20. The shaft 70 is inserted through the insertion hole 47 of the drive valve 40 and the central hole 39 of the fixed valve 30. The other axial end of the shaft 70 is rotatably supported by a bearing hole 171 of a support portion 170 provided in the first housing 10.

[0046] A holder 71 is fixed to one axial end of the shaft 70. The shaft 70 and holder 71 are integrally formed by, for example, insert molding. The holder 71 is rotatably supported by a bearing 72 provided in the second housing 20. A gear 73 provided on one axial end of the holder 71 meshes with a gear of a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) of the actuator 50. A lever 74 is provided between the holder 71 and the actuated valve 40. The lever 74 connects the holder 71 and the actuated valve 40 in the rotational direction. Therefore, the torque output by the actuator 50 is transmitted from the holder 71 to the actuated valve 40 via the lever 74.

[0047] A compression spring 75 and a torsion spring 76 are provided between the holder 71 and the lever 74. One end of the compression spring 75 is engaged with the holder 71, and the other end is engaged with the lever 74. The compression spring 75 presses the lever 74, the actuated valve 40, the fixed valve 30, and the seal member 60 against the holder 71, pressing the lever 74, the actuated valve 40, the fixed valve 30, and the seal member 60 against the surface of the first housing 10 facing the fixed valve 30. The surface of the first housing 10 facing the fixed valve 30 refers to the ends of the support portion 170, the inner passage partition wall 160, the inner / outer passage partition wall 130, the outer passage partition wall 140, and the outer peripheral wall 150 on one axial side. The torsion spring 76 has one end engaged with the holder 71 and the other end engaged with the lever 74, pressing the lever 74 and the actuated valve 40 against the holder 71 in the rotational direction.

[0048] The actuator 50 includes an electric motor (not shown), a speed reduction mechanism (not shown), a control unit (not shown), etc. When the actuator 50 is driven, the torque output by the electric motor is transmitted via the speed reduction mechanism from the holder 71 to the shaft 70 and lever 74 to the actuated valve 40. Therefore, with the sliding surface 41 of the actuated valve 40 in sliding contact with the fixed valve 30, the holder 71, shaft 70, springs 75, 76, lever 74, and actuated valve 40 rotate integrally about the axis CL relative to the housings 10, 20 and fixed valve 30.

[0049] 4, when the actuated valve 40 is in a predetermined rotational position, as indicated by arrow LF1, fluid flowing in from the first fluid inlet passage 102 flows in the following order: the plurality of inner passages 110, the plurality of inner holes 36, the groove 42, the first outer hole 34a, the first outer passage 121, and the first fluid outlet passage 104. Also, as indicated by arrow LF2 in FIG. 4, when the actuated valve 40 is in a predetermined rotational position, fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet passage 103 flows in the following order: the valve chamber 100, the through-hole 43, the second outer hole 34b, the second outer passage 122, and the second fluid outlet passage 105.

[0050] Next, the significance of providing the second connecting portion 642 of the sealing member 60 on the opposite side of the axis CL from the first outer passage 121, and the significance of providing the first connecting portion 641 of the sealing member 60 on the opposite side of the axis CL from the third outer passage 123 will be explained.

[0051] First, the significance of providing the second connecting portion 642 of the seal member 60 on the opposite side of the axis CL from the first outer passage 121 will be described.

[0052] 8 and 9 show the flow velocity distribution when the fluid flows in the order of the first fluid inlet passage 102 → the plurality of inner passages 110 → the plurality of inner holes 36 → the groove 42 → the first outer hole 34a → the first outer passage 121 → the first fluid outlet passage 104. At this time, the fluid flows from the plurality of inner passages 110 to the first outer passage 121 via the groove 42, making a U-turn. ＯＵＴ The outer fluid flow shown in is indicated by arrow LF_ ＩＮ The flow velocity is faster than the inner fluid flow shown in the arrow LF_ ＯＵＴThe outer fluid flow shown in is a flow that passes mainly through the second inner passage 112, the second inner hole 36b, the third inner passage 113, and the third inner hole 36c. ＩＮ The inner fluid flow shown in is mainly a flow passing through the first inner passage 111 and the first inner hole 36a.

[0053] In this case, as indicated by arrow DP, the dynamic pressure of the outer fluid flow acts on a portion of the central seal portion 61 on the opposite side of the axis CL from the first outer passage 121 (hereinafter referred to as the "first pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61"). If this dynamic pressure becomes large, there is a concern that the first pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 may become displaced or fall off. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 9 , in this embodiment, the second connecting portion 642 of the seal member 60 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL from the first outer passage 121. The second connecting portion 642 radially connects the first pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 to the internal / external passage seal portion 62. Therefore, as indicated by arrow P1, the second connecting portion 642 can pull the first pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 in the direction opposite to the direction of the dynamic pressure. This prevents the first pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 from becoming displaced or falling off between the support portion 170 and the fixed valve 30. Therefore, the valve device 1 of this embodiment can maintain the positions of the seal member 60 and the fixed valve 30 and prevent fluid leakage from the inner passage 110 to the shaft 70 side.

[0054] Next, the significance of providing the first connecting portion 641 of the seal member 60 on the opposite side of the axis CL to the third outer passage 123 will be described.

[0055] 10 shows a state in which the actuated valve 40 has changed its rotational position from the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 so that the groove 42 straddles the multiple inner holes 36 and the third outer hole 34c. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the fluid flows in the following order: first fluid inlet passage 102 → multiple inner passages 110 → multiple inner holes 36 → groove 42 → third outer hole 34c → third outer passage 123 → third fluid outlet passage 106. In this case, arrows LF_ ＯＵＴ The outer fluid flow shown in is indicated by arrow LF_ ＩＮThe flow velocity is faster than the inner fluid flow shown in the arrow LF_ ＯＵＴ The outer fluid flow shown in is a flow that passes mainly through the first inner passage 111, the first inner hole 36a, the second inner passage 112, and the second inner hole 36b. ＩＮ The inner fluid flow shown in is mainly a flow that passes through the third inner passage 113 and the third inner hole 36c.

[0056] In this case, as indicated by arrow DP in FIG. 11 , dynamic pressure from the outward fluid flow acts on a portion of the central seal portion 61 on the opposite side of the axis CL from the third outer passage 123 (hereinafter referred to as the "second pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61"). If this dynamic pressure becomes large, there is a concern that the second pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 may become displaced or fall off. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 641 of the seal member 60 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL from the third outer passage 123. The first connecting portion 641 radially connects the second pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 to the inner / outer passage seal portion 62. Therefore, as indicated by arrow P2, the second connecting portion 642 can pull the second pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 in the direction opposite to the direction of the dynamic pressure. This prevents the second pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 from shifting position or falling off from between the support portion 170 and the fixed valve 30. Therefore, the valve device 1 of this embodiment can maintain the posture of the seal member 60 and the fixed valve 30 and prevent fluid leakage from the inner passage 110 to the shaft 70 side.

[0057] Here, a comparative valve device will be described for comparison with the valve device 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12 , the seal member 60 of the comparative valve device does not have a connecting portion 64. Therefore, the seal member 60 is composed of two parts. One of the two parts is a central seal portion 61. The other of the two parts is an integrally formed inner / outer passage seal portion 62, an outer connecting portion 65, and an outer peripheral seal portion 63. The seal member 60 of the comparative example also fulfills the sealing function between each flow path. However, with the seal member 60 of the comparative example, when fluid flows in the order of the multiple inner passages 110 → the multiple inner holes 36 → the groove portion 42 → the first outer hole 34a → the first outer passage 121, the first pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 may become misaligned or fall off. Furthermore, when the fluid flows in the order of the multiple inner passages 110, the multiple inner holes 36, the groove 42, the third outer hole 34c, and the third outer passage 123, there is a risk that the second pressure-receiving portion of the central seal 61 will become misaligned or fall off. Therefore, in the valve device of the comparative example, there is a concern that the attitude of the seal member 60 and the fixed valve 30 will change, causing fluid leakage from the inner passage 110 to the shaft 70 side.

[0058] Furthermore, in the valve device of the comparative example, the seal member 60 is composed of two parts, and therefore, as the number of parts increases, the manufacturing and assembly processes become more complicated, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0059] Compared to the comparative example described above, the valve device 1 of this embodiment has the following advantages.

[0060] (1) The seal member 60 included in the valve device 1 of this embodiment has a connecting portion 64 that radially connects the central seal portion 61 and the inner / outer passage seal portion 62. The connecting portion 64 is located on the opposite side of the axis CL from the outer passage 120, which communicates with the inner passage 110 via the groove 42 when the actuated valve 40 is in a predetermined rotational position. As a result, when fluid flows from the inner passage 110 to the inner hole 36 to the groove 42 to the outer hole 34 to the outer passage 120 in this order, the dynamic pressure of the fluid acting on the pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61, which is located on the opposite side of the axis CL from the outer passage 120, increases. In response to this, the connecting portion 64 is positioned so as to pull the pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the dynamic pressure acts. Therefore, the connecting portion 64 can prevent the pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 from shifting or falling off between the support portion 170 and the fixed valve 30. Therefore, this valve device 1 can maintain the position of the seal member 60 and the fixed valve 30 and prevent fluid leakage from the flow path outside the central seal portion 61 to the shaft 70 side.

[0061] (2) In this embodiment, the central seal portion 61, connecting portion 64, internal / external passage seal portion 62, outer connecting portion 65, and outer peripheral seal portion 63 of the seal member 60 are integrally formed on the same plane. As a result, the internal / external passage seal portion 62, outer connecting portion 65, and outer peripheral seal portion 63 function to prevent fluid leakage between the outer passage 120 and the internal passage 110. Meanwhile, the central seal portion 61 functions to prevent fluid leakage toward the shaft 70. By connecting the portions having these two functions on the same plane via the connecting portion 64, the portions having these two functions can be molded simultaneously. This simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0062] (3) In this embodiment, the housings 10, 20 have an inner passage partition wall 160 that separates the multiple inner passages 110 from one another at a position where the connecting portion 64 of the seal member 60 is provided. The connecting portion 64 of the seal member 60 is provided between the inner passage partition wall 160 and the fixed valve 30. Accordingly, the inner passage partition wall 160 is provided at the position where the connecting portion 64 of the seal member 60 is provided. That is, the inner passage partition wall 160 is provided at a position opposite the axis CL to the outer passage 120 that communicates with the inner passage 110 via the groove 42. Therefore, when the fluid flows in the order of the inner passage 110 → inner hole 36 → groove 42 → outer hole 34 → outer passage 120, the inner passage partition wall 160 acts as an obstacle, reducing the flow velocity of the fluid in the outer direction. This reduces the dynamic pressure of the fluid acting on the pressure-receiving portion of the central seal portion 61 and prevents the central seal portion 61 from shifting or falling off.

[0063] (4) In the present embodiment, the seal member 60 has at least a first connection portion 641 and a second connection portion 642 as the connection portion 64. The second connection portion 642 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL from the first outer passage 121. The first connection portion 641 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL from the third outer passage 123. This prevents displacement and detachment of the central seal portion 61 in a mode in which the fluid flows from the inner passage 110 to the inner hole 36 to the groove 42 to the outer hole 34 to the first outer passage 121 and in a mode in which the fluid flows from the inner passage 110 to the inner hole 36 to the groove 42 to the outer hole 34 to the third outer passage 123.

[0064] (Other Embodiments) (1) The numbers of fluid inlets 12, 13 and fluid outlets 14, 15, 16 described in the above embodiments can be changed as desired. In addition, the numbers of outer passages 120 and inner passages 110 provided in the housings 10, 20 can also be changed as desired. The numbers of inner holes 36 and outer holes 34 of the fixed valve 30, and the numbers of through holes 43 and grooves 42 of the actuated valve 40 can also be changed as desired.

[0065] (2) The third connecting portion 643 of the seal member 60 is provided on the opposite side of the axis CL from the second outer passage 122. This prevents the central seal portion 61 from shifting in position or falling off in a mode in which the fluid flows from the inner passage 110 to the inner hole 36 to the groove 42 to the outer hole 34 to the second outer passage 122.

[0066] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and portions thereof are not unrelated to each other and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. It goes without saying that, in each of the above embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated as essential or clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, and ranges of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless specifically stated as essential or clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc. are mentioned, they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., unless specifically stated or limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0067] (Aspects of the present disclosure) The above-described present disclosure can be understood from the following aspects, for example. [First aspect] A valve device for controlling a flow of a fluid, comprising: a housing (10, 20), a shaft (70) provided inside the housing, a drive valve (40) provided inside the housing rotatably about an axis (CL) of the shaft and having a groove (42) recessed from a sliding contact surface (41) facing the axial direction, a fixed valve (30) fixed to the housing so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding contact surface of the drive valve, and a seal member (60) provided between the fixed valve and a surface of the housing facing the axial direction of the fixed valve, The housing has, in a region opposite the drive valve with respect to the fixed valve, a support portion (170) that supports the end of the shaft through which the fixed valve is inserted, an inner passage (110) formed so as to surround the radial outside of the support portion, an outer passage (120) formed radially outward of the inner passage, and an inner / outer passage partition wall (130) that separates the inner passage and the outer passage, and the fixed valve has, as holes penetrating in the axial direction, a central hole (39) through which the shaft passes, an inner hole (36) provided so as to surround the radial outside of the shaft at a position corresponding to the inner passage, and an outer hole (34) provided at a position corresponding to the outer passage, the seal member having a central seal portion (61) surrounding the radially outer side of the shaft and provided between the support portion and the fixed valve; an inner / outer passage seal portion (62) surrounding the radially outer side of the inner passage and provided between the inner / outer passage partition wall and the fixed valve; and a connecting portion (64) provided on the opposite side of the axis to the outer passage that communicates with the inner passage via the groove portion when the drive valve is at a predetermined rotational position, and radially connecting the central seal portion and the inner / outer passage seal portion.[Second Aspect] The valve device according to the first aspect, wherein the housing further has an outer peripheral wall (150) provided radially outward of the plurality of outer passages and an outer passage partition wall (140) that separates the plurality of outer passages, the seal member further has an outer peripheral seal portion (63) provided between the outer peripheral wall and the fixed valve, and an outer connecting portion (65) that connects the outer peripheral seal portion and the inner / outer passage seal portion and is provided between the outer passage partition wall and the fixed valve, and the central seal portion, the connecting portion, the inner / outer passage seal portion, the outer connecting portion, and the outer peripheral seal portion are integrally formed on the same plane. [Third Aspect] The valve device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the housing further has an inner passage partition wall (160) that separates the plurality of inner passages at a position where the connecting portion of the seal member is provided, and the connecting portion of the seal member is provided between the inner passage partition wall and the fixed valve. [Fourth Aspect] The valve device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the seal member has at least a first connection portion (641) and a second connection portion (642) as the connection portions, the second connection portion is provided on the opposite side of the axis to a predetermined outer passage (121) that communicates with the inner passage via the groove portion when the actuated valve is at a predetermined rotational position, and the first connection portion is provided on the opposite side of the axis to another outer passage (123) that communicates with the inner passage via the groove portion when the actuated valve is at a different rotational position.

Claims

1. A valve device for controlling the flow of a fluid, comprising: a housing (10, 20); a shaft (70) provided inside the housing; a drive valve (40) provided inside the housing rotatably about an axis (CL) of the shaft and having a groove (42) recessed from a sliding surface (41) facing the axial direction; a fixed valve (30) fixed to the housing so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the drive valve; and a seal member (60) provided between the surface of the housing facing the fixed valve in the axial direction and the fixed valve, wherein the housing has, in an area opposite the drive valve from the fixed valve, a support part (170) for supporting the end of the shaft that has passed through the fixed valve, an inner passage (110) formed so as to surround the radially outer side of the support part, an outer passage (120) formed radially outward of the inner passage, and an inner / outer passage partition wall (130) that separates the inner passage from the outer passage, the fixed valve has, as holes penetrating in the axial direction, a central hole (39) through which the shaft passes, an inner hole (36) provided to surround the radially outer side of the shaft at a position corresponding to the inner passage, and an outer hole (34) provided at a position corresponding to the outer passage; and the seal member has: a central seal portion (61) surrounding the radially outer side of the shaft and provided between the support portion and the fixed valve; an inner / outer passage seal portion (62) surrounding the radially outer side of the inner passage and provided between the inner / outer passage partition wall and the fixed valve; and a connecting portion (64) provided on the opposite side across the axis from the outer passage that communicates with the inner passage via the groove when the drive valve is at a predetermined rotational position, and radially connecting the central seal portion and the inner / outer passage seal portion.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the housing further has an outer peripheral wall (150) provided radially outward of the plurality of outer passages, and an outer passage partition wall (140) that separates the plurality of outer passages, the sealing member further has an outer peripheral seal portion (63) provided between the outer peripheral wall and the fixed valve, and an outer connecting portion (65) that connects the outer peripheral seal portion and the internal / external passage seal portion and is provided between the external passage partition wall and the fixed valve, and the central seal portion, the connecting portion, the internal / external passage seal portion, the outer connecting portion and the outer peripheral seal portion are integrally formed on the same plane.

3. A valve device as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing further has an inner passage partition wall (160) separating the plurality of inner passages from each other at a position where the connection portion of the seal member is provided, and the connection portion of the seal member is provided between the inner passage partition wall and the fixed valve.

4. A valve device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member has at least a first connecting portion (641) and a second connecting portion (642) as the connecting portions, the second connecting portion being provided on the opposite side of the axis to a predetermined outer passage (121) that communicates with the inner passage via the groove portion when the actuating valve is in a predetermined rotational position, and the first connecting portion being provided on the opposite side of the axis to another outer passage (123) that communicates with the inner passage via the groove portion when the actuating valve is in a different rotational position.

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