JP6504897B2 - Apparatus and refrigerator equipped with fluid switching valve and fluid switching valve - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluid switching valve, an apparatus including the fluid switching valve, and a refrigerator.

Patent documents 1 and 2 are known as background art of the present invention.
Patent Document 1 discloses a five-way valve capable of switching the communication state of one inlet A and four communication ports (ports) B-E in five ways (0059, 0061, FIG. 17, 20, 22). etc). In Patent Document 1, when the valve body 80 swings, the communication port B-E opens and closes (0099). Among the four communication ports B-E, the communication ports exposed from the valve member sliding contact surface 81 may communicate with the inflow port A, and the other two or more communication ports B-E may be in communication by the communication recess 82. For example, in the second state of FIG. 17, the communication port B exposed from the valve member sliding contact surface 81 communicates with the inflow port A, and the communication port D and the communication port E communicate by the communication recess 82. Similarly, in the third state of FIG. 17, the communication port B exposed from the valve member sliding contact surface 81 communicates with the inflow port A, and the communication port D and the communication port C communicate by the communication recess 82.

  Patent document 2 arranges each inlet port 15 on the 1st circumference 17 and the 2nd circumference 18 centering on a rotation axis, and makes the invention which miniaturizes the pilot pressure pattern switching valve of a hydraulic shovel. Disclosed (summary). The connection relationship between the inlet port 15 and the inlet side opening 20 and the communication relationship between the outlet port 28 and the outlet side opening 24 can be switched (0037, 0043, 0045, FIGS. 6-12, etc.).

JP 2014-211181 A JP 2008-82161 A

  The fluid switching valve can be applied to various devices. In order to improve the degree of freedom in design for the applied device, for example, it is desirable that the number of states that can be realized by the fluid switching valve is large in ratio to the number of ports that can be opened and closed by the fluid switching valve. Moreover, according to the apparatus to apply, arrangement | positioning of the member connected to each port and an inflow port, and the fluid switching valve which can select the preferable thing as a switching state to implement | achieve are desired.

  In Patent Document 1, in a state where a certain port is in communication with the inflow port A, the patterns of the communication ports B-E communicated by the communication recess 82 are two or less. In addition, although five states can be realized with four ports, there is room for improvement in the ratio of the number of states to the number of ports.

  In Patent Document 2, switching is performed using a configuration in which an inlet port disposed on a first circumference and an inlet port disposed on a second circumference different from the first circumference are connected, or using a recess 25 or the like. It does not disclose the technical idea of increasing the pattern.

The present invention made in view of the above circumstances is :
A fluid supply unit,
A valve seat having N openings,
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and in contact with the valve seat sliding contact surface with the valve seat,
N is 4 or a natural number larger than 4,
The valve body is
A valve body groove capable of opening two or more of the openings;
A valve body recess that forms a flow area in which one of the openings can be opened to the fluid supply portion;
Have
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
For each one or more openings of the N apertures, while the opening and release open to said fluid supply through said flow region, through (N-1) pieces of the valve body groove opening wherein the possible changeover an open state in triplicate was.
The second invention of the present invention made in view of the above circumstances is:
A fluid supply unit,
A valve seat having N openings,
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and in contact with the valve seat sliding contact surface with the valve seat,
N is 4 or a natural number larger than 4,
The valve body is
A valve body groove capable of opening two of the openings;
A valve body recess that forms a flow area in which one of the openings can be opened to the fluid supply portion;
Have
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
All of the following (A) to (C) are possible for one or more of the N openings.
(A) The opening is opened to the fluid supply unit through the flow area, and two of the (N-1) other openings are opened by the valve groove.
(B) The opening is opened to the fluid supply unit via the flow area, and among the (N-1) other openings, two openings having a combination different from the (A) are Open the valve body groove.
(C) The opening is opened to the fluid supply unit through the flow area, and none of the other (N-1) openings is opened by the valve groove.
The third invention of the present invention made in view of the above circumstances is
A fluid supply unit,
A valve seat having N openings,
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and in contact with the valve seat sliding contact surface with the valve seat,
Let N be a natural number of 4 or more,
Let A be a natural number greater than or equal to one,
Let (N−A) be a natural number of 3 or more,
The valve body is
A valve body groove capable of opening two or more of the openings;
A valve body recess that forms a flow area in which the A openings can be opened to the fluid supply portion;
Have
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
While opening A of the N openings to the fluid supply unit via the flow area, switching of the open / close state of (NA) openings via the valve body groove is performed in three ways It is characterized by what is possible.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the fluid switching valve of 1st Embodiment FF sectional drawing of FIG. 1 A perspective view of the fluid switching valve according to the first embodiment in which the stator case and the valve case are virtually removed and seen through (A) M direction arrow top view of FIG. 1, (b) KK cross section The perspective view which shows the structure of the rotor pinion gear of 1st Embodiment, idler gear, and a valve body Front view of the opening and the sliding contact surface of the first embodiment The figure which shows the switching state of 4 fluid switching valves of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the switching state of five to six fluid switching valves of numerical aperture of 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning of the opening of the fluid switching valve of 2nd Embodiment, and the shape of a valve body sliding contact surface Explanatory drawing which shows rotation of the valve body of the fluid switching valve of 2nd Embodiment, and the opening / closing state of opening Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning of the opening of the fluid switching valve of 3rd Embodiment, and the shape of a valve element sliding contact surface Explanatory drawing which shows rotation of the valve body of the fluid switching valve of 3rd Embodiment, and the opening / closing state of opening Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning of the opening of the fluid switching valve of 4th Embodiment, and the shape of a valve body sliding contact surface Explanatory drawing which shows rotation of the valve body of the fluid switching valve of 4th Embodiment, and the opening / closing state of opening The figure which attached the outline of the fluid circuit to the front appearance of the refrigerator of a 5th embodiment The circuit diagram of the fluid circuit of the fifth embodiment The figure which shows the 1st mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the 2nd mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the 3rd mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the 4th mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the 5th mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the 6th mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the 7th mode of the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows each state of the fluid switching valve of 5th Embodiment, and each mode of a fluid circuit corresponding. The figure which shows the mode implement | achieved about the case where the fluid switching valve demonstrated in 1st Embodiment is applied with respect to the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment, and the fluid switching valve demonstrated in 4th Embodiment, respectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same description will not be repeated.

First Embodiment
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve in which the ratio of the number of switching states to the numerical aperture is improved. In particular, it is possible to switch to three states via the valve body groove while opening a certain opening to the fluid supply part.
<Configuration and Operation of Fluid Switching Valve 60>
The configuration and operation of the fluid switching valve 60 will be described. First, as an example of the fluid switching valve 60 having N openings, a five-way valve corresponding to N = 4 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the fluid switching valve 60 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fluid switching valve 60 when the stator case 61 and the valve case 66 are removed from the fluid switching valve 60 and seen through. FIG. 4 (a) is a view as viewed from the arrow M in FIG. 1 (front view) when the valve case 66, the valve body 80 and the idler gear 79 are removed, and FIG. 4 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rotor pinion gear 75, the idler gear 79 and the valve body 80. As shown in FIG.

[Outline of fluid switching valve 60]
Inside the cylindrical stator case 61 which forms the exterior of the fluid switching valve 60, a cylindrical stator 62 in which a coil is wound is formed. The stator case 61 is formed with a connector case 63 protruding outward. A connector 65 is provided in the connector case 63. The connector 65 has a connector pin 64 for connecting the wire from the coil of the stator 62 to an external drive circuit.

  The rotor 70 is a rotor of a motor having a magnet. When the connector pin 64 is connected to the drive circuit to energize the coil of the stator 62, a magnetic field is generated in the stator 62, and the magnetic field is applied to the magnet of the rotor 70 through the valve case 66, and the rotor 70 is around the valve shaft 71 Rotate. This motor can be configured as a stepping motor.

  The bottomed cylindrical valve case 66 covers the valve body 80 and suppresses the diffusion of the fluid supplied from the inlet A, which is an example of the fluid supply unit, to the outside of the fluid switching valve 60. The upper side of the valve case 66 is fitted to the inner peripheral portion of the stator 62. In FIG. 2, a valve seat plate 67 is joined to the lower open end of the valve case 66.

  The valve seat plate 67 has three concentric plates having different thicknesses, and the first valve seat plate portion 67a and the second valve smaller and thicker than the first valve seat plate portion 67a A seat plate portion 67b and a third valve seat plate portion 67c which is thinner and thinner than the first valve seat plate portion 67a are integrally formed.

  Connected to the valve seat plate 67 is an inflow pipe 68 through which fluid can flow and four communication pipes 69. The first valve seat plate 67a has an inlet A, and the second valve seat plate 67b has four openings B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4. The inlet A supplies the fluid flowing through the inlet pipe 68 into the valve case 66. Each of the four openings B_1-B_4 allows fluid to flow through each of the four communicating tubes 69b-69e. Each of the inlet A and the openings B_1 to B_4 is in communication with the inside of the valve case 66. The portion of the valve seat plate 67 in contact with the valve body 80 is a polished surface 90.

The valve body shaft 71 is a rotation center of the rotor 70 and the valve body 80. When the rotor 70 rotates, rotational force is transmitted to the valve body 80 via the rotor pinion gear 75 connected to the rotor 70, the valve body shaft 71, the idler gear 79 and the idler shaft 78. Thus, the valve body 80 pivots relative to the valve seat plate 67. At the central position of the valve seat plate 67, a bottomed rotor shaft hole 72 in which the valve body shaft 71 is fitted is formed.
A rotor drive portion tip 76 which is a convex portion provided around the rotation shaft of the lower end portion of the rotor and pinion gear 75 is mounted on the upper surface of the valve body 80. The rotor pinion gear 75 and the valve body 80 are rotatably disposed around a valve body shaft 71 which is a common central axis, via a rotor drive shaft hole 77 and a valve body shaft hole 85, respectively.

  The valve body 80 is formed with a stopper 84 projecting from the outer periphery of the valve body gear 83. When the valve body 80 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the stopper 84 abuts on the idler stopper 79 c on the lower side of the idler pinion gear 79 a to restrict the rotation of the valve body 80.

  In addition, the stopper 84 is provided so that the valve body 80 can rotate larger than the angle required for the switching operation of each state of the fluid switching valve 60 described later.

[Inlet A, opening B_1-B_4]
The openings B_1 to B_4 are provided at positions approximately equidistant from the valve body shaft 71, respectively. The openings B_1 to B_4 are arranged in the circumferential direction clockwise in the order of B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4, and the openings _1 and B_4 are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Further, the respective openings B_1 to B_4 are arranged at substantially equal angles with the valve body axis 71 as a center. For example, the fluid switching valves 60 having N openings are arranged such that a part of each opening overlaps each vertex of a regular N-gon inscribed in an imaginary circle centered on the valve body axis 71.

  Of the openings B_1 to B_4, the opening B_1 is closest to the inflow port A. The inlet A is located on the opposite side of the valve body shaft 71 across the opening B_1. The idler shaft 78 is provided on the opposite side of the valve body shaft 71 from the inlet A. Further, the diameter of each of the openings B_1 to B_4 is not particularly limited as long as a part of each of the openings B_1 to B_4 is located at the above-described apex position, but can be substantially equal to each other.

[Valve contact surface 81]
FIG. 6 is a front view of the openings B_1-B_4 and the sliding contact surface 81 of the valve body. A valve disc sliding contact surface 81 which is one surface of the valve disc 80 rotates around the valve disc shaft 71 while in contact with the polished finish surface 90 provided with the openings B_1 to B_4. By rotating the valve body 80 relative to the valve seat plate 67, the openings B_1 to B_4 provided in the valve seat plate 67 can be opened and closed. The inflow port A can supply the fluid to the inside of the valve case 66 regardless of the rotation of the valve body 80.

[Fluid circulation unit 82]
A fluid communication portion 82 is provided on the valve body sliding contact surface 81. The fluid communication portion 82 includes a valve body groove 82a (first valve body groove), a valve body groove 82b (second valve body groove), and a valve body recess 82c. Hereinafter, when the valve body recess 82c is observed from the valve body shaft 71 (valve body shaft hole 85), the valve body groove 82 on the counterclockwise side is called a valve body groove 82a, and the valve body groove on the clockwise side The reference numeral 82 is called a valve body groove 82b.

  The valve body grooves 82a and 82b are grooves provided on the valve body sliding contact surface 81, and when they overlap with two or three or more openings in a front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 as illustrated in FIG. , Allow the fluid to move between these openings.

Each of the two circumferentially adjacent openings forms an angle of approximately θa = (360 / N) ° with the valve body axis 71 at the center. Since an example of N = 4 is described here, θa = 90 °.
The valve body grooves 82a and 82b can be provided so as to connect two points separated by approximately θa with respect to the above-mentioned imaginary circle in which the openings B_1 to B_4 are positioned. For example, about the virtual circle in which each opening is located, as illustrated in FIG. 6, it can be provided in an arc shape substantially along θa. Hereinafter, connecting the two points of the virtual circle in which the valve body grooves 82a and 82b are apart by a predetermined angle in this way is also expressed as "cutting out" the circle. The valve body grooves 82a and 82b may be provided so as to cut out a range larger than about θa.

  The valve body concave portion 82c is a portion where the outer periphery of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 is closer to the inside in the radial direction than the above-described imaginary circle. The valve body recess 82 c exposes the openings B_1 to B_4 into the inside of the valve case 66 according to the rotation of the valve body 80. The fluid supplied from the inlet A to the inside of the valve case 66 flows into the openings B_1 to B_4 exposed inside the valve case 66. That is, the valve body recess 82c allows the fluid supplied from the inlet A to flow through the exposed opening.

  Of the valve body 80 illustrated and described here, the valve body shaft 71 is sandwiched between two straight end portions of each of two circumferential end portions of the valve body recess 82 c and the valve body shaft 71, and A part of the above-described imaginary circle included in the area C (see FIG. 6) positioned on the opposite side to the valve body recess 82c sandwiching includes a part of the valve body sliding contact surface 81. That is, the valve body grooves 82a and 82b are not provided in at least a part of the virtual circle included in the region C.

[Open and close the opening]
Hereinafter, the opening is opened in a state in which the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlap two or more openings or a state in which the valve body recess 82c and the opening overlap and the opening is exposed inside the valve case 66 I call it Further, a state in which the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlap with one or less openings, or a state in which the openings overlap with the valve body sliding contact surface 81, is referred to as an opening being closed.

  That is, the state in which the opening is open refers to a state in which fluid can flow between a certain opening and another opening or inlet A via the fluid communication portion 82. The state in which the opening is closed means that the flow of fluid between a certain opening and another opening or inflow port A is inhibited by the sliding contact surface 81 of the valve body and the valve body grooves 82a and 82b. Say.

Although it changes with apparatuses applied, in the refrigerator which is an example of an apparatus mentioned later, the number of objects which valve body groove | channel 82a, 82b opens an opening simultaneously is a total of two preferable. That is, since one is an inlet to the valve groove 82a, 82b and the other is an outlet, the refrigerant passes through the valve grooves 82a, 82b uniformly. In the case of three or more, for example, when one is an inlet and two are outlets, the refrigerant is split and discharged from the two outlets, so the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing out from each outlet decreases and the outlet Since the distribution of the refrigerant flow rate changes in accordance with the magnitude of the flow path resistance corresponding to the above, the refrigerant flow rate is not constant.
Moreover, similarly, in the case of a refrigerator, the number of the openings at which the valve body recess 82c simultaneously opens is preferably one. If the number is two or more, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing to each opening is reduced to reduce the cooling capacity, and the distribution of the flow rate of the refrigerant changes according to the magnitude of the flow path resistance corresponding to each of the plurality of openings. It becomes difficult to get the ability stably.

  However, depending on the design of the device, including the refrigerator, the valve body grooves 82a and 82b may simultaneously open three or more openings, and even if the valve body recess 82c simultaneously opens two or more openings. good.

<Number of states of fluid switching valve 60>
FIG. 7 is a view showing a switching state of the five-way valve corresponding to the fluid switching valve 60 in which the number N of the openings B is four. The fluid switching valve 60 described with reference to FIG. 6 corresponds to the five-way valve 5-1 in FIG. In FIG. 7, there are three combinations of openings in which the valve member grooves 82a and 82b are opened for each opening exposed by the valve member recess 82c, so the numerical value "1" shown in the top row by dividing every three -It gives up as "4".

FIG. 8 is a view showing a switching state of the fluid switching valve 60 in which the number N of the openings B is 5 to 6. In FIG. 8, only the switching state in which the valve body recess 82 c is open in the opening B 3 among the openings B is shown, and the other (N−1) openings are open in the valve body recess 82 c. In the case, only the position of the opening is different, and this is repeated because it is repeated. Those skilled in the art can understand the same as the above-described five-way valve.
First, among the illustrated valves, the five-way valve 5-1, the six-way valve 6-1, 6-2, and the seven-way valve 7-1, 7-2 will be described. The valve body recess 82c can switch the combination of the opening which the valve body grooves 82a and 82b open in three ways in a state where the opening is opened to the inflow port A for each of the openings.

  Here, when a certain opening B_i overlaps with the center of the angular range of the valve recess 82c (in the present embodiment, when a certain opening B_i is located at the center of the arc cut out by the valve recess 82c) Is referred to as the origin state for convenience of explanation. As the origin state, for example, for the state illustrated in FIG. 6 and the numerical values “1” to “4” at the top of FIG. 7, the angle −θa, 0 shown in the “valve body angle” row in order , + Θa, + 2θa, and a state corresponding to an angle 0 shown at the top of FIG. This is the first switching state regarding this opening B_i. At this time, the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlap with less than two openings.

  Hereinafter, with respect to the relative rotation of the valve body 80 to the valve seat plate 67, the clockwise rotation is positive, and the counterclockwise rotation is negative. Further, the angle of the arc cut out by the valve recess 82c is 2 × θp. At this time, θp can be set to be an angular range of the opening, for example, at least one times an angle formed by two straight lines passing through the valve shaft hole 85 and in contact with the opening B_1. Note that θp may have a value such that 2 × θp = θa or 2 × θp> θa.

When the valve body 80 is rotated by + θp from the origin state, one of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlaps the two openings. This is the second switching state regarding this opening B_i. When the valve body 80 is rotated by −θ p from the origin state, the other of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlaps the two openings. This is the third switching state regarding this opening B_i.
Since similar switching states can be realized by the respective openings, among the illustrated fluid switching valves 60, the five-way valve 5-1, 5-2, the six-way valve 6-1, 6-2, the seven-way valve 7-1, 7-2 can realize a switching state three times the number N of openings.

  On the other hand, in the illustrated fluid switching valve 60, the six-way valve 6-3 and the seven-way valve 7-3 are designed such that each of the two valve body grooves 82a and 82b simultaneously overlaps with the two openings. In this case, in the first switching state, the respective valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlap the two openings. In the second switching state and the third switching state, the opening combination of the openings by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b is the same, and any opening is closed. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the six-way valve 6-3 and the seven-way valve 7-3 can realize two switching states for each opening. That is, a switching state twice as many as the number N of openings can be realized.

  Further, among the illustrated fluid switching valves 60, the five-way valve 5-2 has one valve body groove 82, and the valve body groove 82 covers the above virtual circle over an angle range of approximately 2 × θa. It was cut off. Also in this case, a switching state three times as many as the number of openings can be realized as in the five-way valve 5-1 and the like. When the length of the valve body groove 82 is long, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve body groove 82 exerts a force to move the valve body 80 away from the valve seat plate 67. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of the valve body grooves 82 is two because the length of the valve body groove 82 can be easily shortened. In addition, it is easier to have the structure described in the second embodiment and the like described later if the number of the valve body grooves 82 is two.

Summary of First Embodiment
According to the present embodiment, in the same manner as the five-way valve described as an example, the valve body recess 82 c opens a certain opening B_i (i = 1, 2,..., N) to the inflow port A In the state, the open state by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b can be switched in three ways. That is, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve capable of realizing a switching state of up to three times the numerical aperture (number of ports). The numerical aperture is not particularly limited as long as it is four (five-way valve) or five (six-way valve) or more. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a numerical aperture N ≧ 4 (N + 1) -way valves which can be switched by (3 × N) possible switching states. As described above, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve in which the number of switching states is (2 × N) and each of the two valve body grooves can simultaneously open two (four in total) openings.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the present embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment except for the following points.

  According to an apparatus to which a fluid switching valve is applied, a fluid switching valve capable of omitting a part of switching states rather than providing a fluid switching valve capable of realizing all of the switching states described in the first embodiment It may be preferable. According to the present embodiment, when the fluid switching valve is applied to a device or the like, a method of designing the fluid switching valve according to the application or function thereof, the structure of the fluid switching valve to which the fluid switching valve is applied, etc. For example, for one or two or three or more of N openings B_i (i = 1, 2,..., N), openings B_i are opened to inlet A by valve body recess 82c. In the closed state, the open state by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b can be switched in three ways, and the open state by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b can be switched in two ways or one way for the rest of the opening. Can provide

  In the present embodiment, a five-way valve with N = 4 will be described as an example of the (N + 1) -way valve. In the fluid switching valve 60 of this embodiment, the switching state changes each time the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 67 relatively rotate by the step rotation angle θp. In this embodiment, an example of θp = 45 ° will be described.

[Multiple virtual circle to place the opening]
FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve plug sliding contact surface 81 showing the arrangement of the openings B_1 to B_4 and the structure of the valve plug sliding contact surface 81 according to the present embodiment. In order to make the description easy to understand, hatching is given to the valve element sliding contact surface 81 in FIG. 9A and to the fluid circulating portion 82 in FIG. 9B. Further, FIG. 9B illustrates the positions of the openings B_1 to B_4 when the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 67 relatively rotate at each step rotation angle θp. Further, in FIG. 9 (b), three imaginary straight lines intersecting with each other at the valve body axis 71 are drawn, but two adjacent straight lines form an angle of θp = 45 °.

  The openings B_1 and B_3 are provided at substantially equal distances d2 (peripheral radius) from the valve body shaft 71. The openings B_2 and B_4 are provided at substantially equal distances d1 (inner circumferential radius) from the valve body shaft 71. Note that d2> d1. Hereinafter, a circle of radius d2 centering on the valve disc axis 71 will be called an outer circumference circle, and a circle of radius d1 will be called an inner circumference circle. In addition, θa can be approximately an integral multiple of θp, but preferably approximately twice or approximately three times.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of description, as shown in FIG. 9A, the state in which the opening B_3 is positioned at the center of the arc of the outer circumference cut by the valve recess 82c is referred to as the origin state (rotational angle θ = 0 °) Call. As shown in FIG. 9B, the valve body recess 82c cuts the arc of the outer peripheral circle over θ1 = 2 × θp = 90 °.

  The openings B_1 to B_N (N = 4) are sequentially arranged clockwise in the circumferential direction as B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4, and the circumferences where the openings adjacent in the circumferential direction are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the openings B_1 and B_3 adjacent to the openings B_2 and B_4 located on the inner circumferential circle are located on the outer circumferential circle which is a circle different from the inner circumferential circle. Similarly, the openings B_2 and B_4 adjacent to the openings B_1 and B_3 located on the outer circumference circle are located on the inner circumference circle which is a circle different from the outer circumference circle.

[Valve groove 82a, 82b]
The valve body grooves 82a and 82b open two circumferentially adjacent openings to allow fluid flow. The angle of the arc cut out by the valve body groove 82a and the angle of the arc cut out by the valve body groove 82b are each equal to or greater than θa. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, two ends of the valve body groove 82a are separated by θ4 = 2 × θp = θa or more, and similarly, two ends of the valve body groove 82b are θ5. It is separated by 2 × θp = θa or more.

  The valve body grooves 82a and 82b can be formed to have substantially symmetrical shapes with respect to a straight line passing through the valve body shaft 71, which bisects the cut-off angle of the valve body concave portion 82c in a front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81. This straight line is indicated by an imaginary straight line passing through the opening B_1 and the opening B_3 in FIG. Here, that the valve body grooves 82a and 82b are "symmetrical" to each other may be symmetrical in a region overlapping with two imaginary circumferences of the openings. The same applies to the valve body recess 82c.

The valve body groove 82a has a flow area S3 for cutting the inner circumference circle over the angle θ4, and a flow area S4 connected to the flow area S3 and extending over the circumference of the outer circumference circle.
The flow area S3 cuts an arc having θ4 = θa = 90 ° or larger. Further, the circulation area S3 can be formed into a substantially arc shape.
The flow area S4 is provided on the side of the end of the flow area S3 away from the valve recess 82c. The flow area S4 can be substantially parallel to the radial direction of the inner circumferential circle or the outer circumferential circle. Further, the flow area S4 has a length of (d2-d1) or longer in the radial direction.

The valve body groove 82b has a flow area S5 for cutting the inner circumference circle over the angle θ5, and a flow area S6 connected to the flow area S5 and extending over the circumference of the outer circumference circle.
The flow area S5 cuts out an arc of θ5 = θa = 90 ° or larger. Further, the flow area S5 can be formed into a substantially arc shape.
The flow area S6 is provided on the side of the end of the flow area S5 away from the valve recess 82c. The flow area S6 can be substantially parallel to the radial direction of the inner circumferential circle or the outer circumferential circle. Further, the flow area S6 has a length of (d2-d1) or longer in the radial direction.
The angle of the outer circumference circle cut out by the flow areas S4 and S6 can be the same as θ0 described later, and can be an angle that can be overlapped with substantially all of the openings B_1 and B_3.

[Vessel recess 82c]
The relative rotation between the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 69 causes the flow passage regions S1 and S2 in which the fluid can flow, together with the valve body recess 82c, to rotate around the valve body shaft 79. Hereinafter, it will be expressed that the valve body recess 82c has the flow areas S1 and S2. The valve body recess 82c can be substantially symmetrical with respect to the above-mentioned straight line passing through the center of the valve body recess 82c and the valve body shaft 71 in a front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81.

  The valve body recess 82c is connected to the flow area S1 which cuts the outer circumference circle over the angle θ1 = 2 × θp and at the center side of the flow area S1 and is connected to the flow area S1, and cuts the inner circumference circle over the angle θ0. And a distribution area S2. The circulation area S1 includes an area radially outside the arc of the cut outer circumference circle. It is preferable that the flow area S2 partially includes a straight line passing through the center of the outer circumference circle cut out of the communication area S1 and the valve body shaft hole 85.

  The fluid supplied from the inlet A can flow through the flow area S1 and the flow area S2. Therefore, when the opening B_i is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by overlapping the flow areas S1 and S2, the opening B_i is opened to the inflow port A. That is, the fluid supplied from the inlet A flows into this opening. In this specification, this state is also expressed as the opening overlaps with the valve body recess 82c.

  In the present embodiment, although θ1 = (2 × θp), it may be larger than this. Also, θ0 is greater than 0 ° and less than θ1. More specifically, the lower limit of θ0 can be an angle that can overlap substantially the entire openings B_2 and B_4. Further, by setting the upper limit of θ0 to less than θ1, the angle range in which the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential circle overlap the valve recess 82c and the angle range in which the openings B_1 and B_3 on the outer circle overlap the valve recess 82c And can be different. Therefore, with respect to the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential circle, it is possible to reduce the number of switching states by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b that can be realized when the valve body 80 is rotated. This point will be described later separately. Thereby, depending on the application of the device to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied, a part of the mode realized by the fluid circuit can be omitted.

[Distribution area distribution]
Of the flow areas S1 and S2 of the valve recess 82c, the end of the flow areas S4 and S6 connected to the flow areas S3 and S5 is located on the circumference on which the flow area S1 having a large angle of the cut arc is located. And a different part is located.
Further, of the flow areas S1 and S2 of the valve recess 82c, the flow areas S3 and S5 are located on the circumference of the side on which the flow area S2 having a smaller angle of the cut arc is located. That is, of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b, for example, a portion that cuts out two points of a circle separated by θa is located.

[Partitioner 94]
A portion of the valve element sliding contact surface 81 exists between the valve element grooves 82a and 82b and the valve element recess 82c. This is called a dividing section 94.
More specifically, a part of the flow area S1 exists at the end in the valve body recess 82c side of each of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b or in the radial direction outer side near the end, and the valve body groove 82a , 82b exist on the side in the circumferential direction of the end on the valve body recess 82c side, and a flow area S2 is present. The valve sliding contact surface 81 located between the end of the valve groove 82a, 82b and the radial direction of the flow area S1 or the circumferential direction of the flow area S2 is a partition portion 94.

  The partition portion 94 can prevent the fluid flowing through the valve body groove 82a and the valve body groove 82b from leaking over the partition portion 94 to the valve body concave portion 82c by its own pressure. It is preferable to increase the range of the partition portion 94 because the fluid leakage can be more effectively suppressed.

[Radial separation of openings]
The difference [2 × (d2-d1)] of the diameters of the two circumferences in which the openings are arranged is larger than the diameter of the openings B_1-B_4. The openings B_1 to B_4 are arranged such that the diameter of an imaginary circle in contact with the inner circumference of the openings B_1 and B_3 is larger than the diameter of an imaginary circle in contact with the outer circumference of the openings B_2 and B_4. By arranging the openings B_1 to B_4 in this manner, the flow areas S2, S3 and S5 on the inner circumference circle overlap the openings B_1 and B_3 on the outer circumference side, and the distribution areas S1, S4 and S6 on the outer circumference side Can be prevented from overlapping the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential side.

[Number of states of fluid switching valve]
FIG. 10 is a view showing eight states realized by the fluid switching valve 60 of the present embodiment. In the fluid switching valve 60, as described above, the angle range in which the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential circle overlap the valve body recess 82c is small. The combination of states decreases from 3 to 1 in the first embodiment and partially disappears. That is, the number of states realized by the five-way valve which is an example of the fluid switching valve 60 is four smaller than twelve.
Hereinafter, the open state of the inflow port A and the openings B_1 to B_4 in each state will be described for each opening at which the valve body recess 82c is opened.

((4) Origin state)
In the origin state (the fourth state) in which the rotation angle θ = 0 °, the opening B_3 is exposed from the valve body 80 by the valve body recess 82c and is exposed inside the valve case 66. Therefore, the inflow pipe 68 and the communication pipe 69d communicate with each other through the inflow port A, the valve case 66, and the opening B_3, and the fluid can flow. The openings B_1, B_2 and B_4 are closed, and the other openings and the inlet A inhibit the flow of fluid to each other.

  Therefore, if the fluid switching valve 60 is applied to an apparatus having a fluid circuit that forms a cycle including the inflow pipe 68 and the communication pipe 69d, for example, one mode can be realized for this apparatus.

((5) fifth state)
The fifth state is a state in which the valve body 80 is rotated relative to the valve seat plate 69 by approximately + θp from the origin state. That is, the rotation angle θ is approximately + θp = 45 °.
In the fifth state, the opening B_3 is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. Further, the openings B_1 and B_4 are opened by the valve body groove 82b. Therefore, fluid can flow between the communication pipes 69b and 69e.

  Therefore, for example, if the fluid switching valve 60 is applied to an apparatus having a fluid circuit in which the communication pipe 69d is connected to one of the communication pipe 69b or the communication pipe 69e and the other is connected to the inflow pipe 68, One mode can be realized. The opening B_2 is closed, and the other openings and the inlet A suppress the flow of fluid to each other.

((3) third state)
The third state is a state in which the valve body 80 is rotated relative to the valve seat plate 69 by approximately -θp from the origin state.
In the third state, the opening B_3 is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. Further, the openings B_1 and B_2 are opened by the valve body groove 82a. Therefore, fluid can flow between the communication pipes 69b and 69c.

  Therefore, for example, if the fluid switching valve 60 is applied to an apparatus having a fluid circuit in which the communication pipe 69d is connected to one of the communication pipe 69b or the communication pipe 69c and the other is connected to the inflow pipe 68, One mode can be realized. The opening B_4 is closed, and the other openings and the inlet A suppress the flow of fluid to each other.

((8) eighth state)
In the eighth state in which the rotation angle θ is approximately + 4 × θp = −4 × θp = 180 °, the opening B_1 is exposed inside the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. The openings B_2, B_3 and B_4 are closed, and the other openings and the inlet A are mutually restricted in fluid flow.

((1) first state)
The first state is a state in which the rotation angle θ is approximately −3 × θp = −135 °.
In the first state, the opening B_1 is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. Further, the openings B_2 and B_3 are opened by the valve body groove 82b. The opening B_4 is closed, and the other openings and the inlet A suppress the flow of fluid to each other.

((7) seventh state)
The seventh state is a state in which the rotation angle θ is approximately + 3 × θp = + 135 °.
In the seventh state, the opening B_1 is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. Further, the openings B_3 and B_4 are opened by the valve body groove 82a. The opening B_2 is closed, and the other openings and the inlet A suppress the flow of fluid to each other.

((6) sixth state)
The sixth state is a state in which the rotation angle θ is approximately + 2 × θp = + 90 °.
In the sixth state, the opening B_4 is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. The openings _1, B_2 and B_3 are closed, and the other openings and the inlet A suppress the flow of fluid to each other.

((2) second state)
The second state is a state in which the rotation angle θ is approximately −2 × θp = −90 °.
In the second state, the opening B_2 is exposed to the inside of the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. The openings B_1, B_3 and B_4 are closed, and the other openings and the inlet A inhibit the flow of fluid to each other.

[Number of states corresponding to each opening]
As described above, the openings B_1 and B_3 of the fluid switching valve 60 of the present embodiment can be switched in three ways while satisfying the condition exposed from the valve body 80 by the valve body recess 82c. On the other hand, in the openings B_2 and B_4, only one state can be realized. Hereinafter, as in the openings B_1 and B_3, an opening capable of three states is referred to as a non-degenerate port, and an opening capable of one or two states is referred to as a degenerate port.

  In the present embodiment, since two openings are respectively arranged on the outer circumference circle and the inner circumference circle, there are two non-degeneration ports and two degeneration ports, but the positions of the openings and the shape of the valve groove 82 By changing the number, it is possible to arbitrarily set the number of non-degeneration ports and degeneracy ports.

  Although the number of states realized by the degeneration port of this embodiment is one, the number of states can also be two by adjusting the angle of the valve body recess 82c.

[Change of state]
The first to eighth states can be sequentially switched by rotating the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 69 relatively by θp. In addition, since rotation is movement in the circumferential direction, the eighth state and the first state can also be transitioned to each other. However, if the rotation angle range of the valve 80 is limited using the stopper 84 described above, the transition between any two states can be limited. It is preferable to adopt this when there is no need to realize any of the first to eighth states.

Summary of Second Embodiment
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the fluid switching valve capable of omitting part of the switching state while applying the technical idea of the fluid switching valve of the first embodiment. For example, while the two openings B_1 and B_3 are opened to the inflow port A via the flow areas S1 and S2, respectively, the open / close states of the openings can be switched in three ways via the valve body grooves 82a and 82b is there.

  The omission of the partial switching state can also be realized by setting the angle formed by a part of the openings adjacent in the circumferential direction to a value different from approximately θa = (360 / N) °. For example, it is obvious that when the valve body grooves 82a and 82b extend to θa, a partial state can not be realized if the value is larger than θa.

  The number N of openings of the fluid switching valve 60 is not particularly limited as long as it is four or more, but as in the present embodiment, when it is an even number, particularly preferably 4, the openings are alternately arranged in the inner circumference circle and the outer circumference circle be able to. Further, at this time, the symmetry of the structure is improved, which facilitates design.

Depending on the application of the device to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied, flow is performed through the flow areas S1 and S2 for each of one, two, three, four or more, N / 2 or more, or N openings. The opening and closing states of the openings may be switched in three ways via the valve body grooves 82a and 82b while being open to the inlet A. Similarly, for one, two, three, four or more, or N / 2 or more or N openings, respectively, while opening the valve to the inlet A via the flow areas S1 and S2, The opening and closing states of the openings may be switched in two ways via the body grooves 82a and 82b.
In addition, three or more virtual circumferences in which the openings are disposed may be provided.

Third Embodiment
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the present embodiment can be the same as that of the second embodiment except for the following points. According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the valve plug sliding contact surface 81 showing the arrangement of the openings B_1 to B_4 and the structure of the valve plug sliding contact surface 81 according to the present embodiment. In order to make the description easy to understand, hatching is given to the valve contact surface 81 in FIG. 11A and to the fluid circulation portion 82 in FIG. 11B. 11B shows the positions of the openings B_1 to B_4 when the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 71 relatively rotate at each step rotation angle θp.
The present embodiment relates to an example in the case where the configuration on the inner circumferential side and the configuration on the outer circumferential side are exchanged with respect to the second embodiment. That is, the openings B_1 and B_3 are located on the inner circumference circle, and the openings B_2 and B_4 are located on the outer circumference circle.

  The distribution areas S2, S3 and S5 are areas including the outer circumference circle, and the distribution areas S1, S4 and S6 are areas including the inner circumference circle. The angular range of the flow area S2 is greater than 0 ° and less than the angular range θ1 of the flow area S1.

  FIG. 12 shows eight states realized by the fluid switching valve 60 of the present embodiment. The open state of the inlet A and the openings B_1 to B_4 in each state is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

[Comparison between the Second Embodiment and the Third Embodiment]
Also in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, it is possible to provide the fluid switching valve 60 capable of omitting some switching states. However, in the fluid switching valve 60 in the third embodiment, the circulation area S2 having a small arc cutting angle is located on the outer circumference circle side, and the circulation area S1 connected to the circulation area S2 is located on the inner circumference circle side. . For this reason, compared with 2nd Embodiment, the distribution resistance with respect to the fluid to distribution area S1 which exists in the inner circle side becomes large. For this reason, it is preferable that the angle of the circular arc which cuts out the valve body recessed part 82c (it overlaps with the valve body recessed part 82c) is larger on the outer peripheral circle side than on the inner peripheral circle side.

Fourth Embodiment
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the present embodiment can be the same as that of the second embodiment except for the following points. The state of the fluid switching valve 60 of this embodiment is switched every relative rotation of θp = θ2 or θ3 = (θa−θp).
FIG. 13 is a front view of the valve plug sliding contact surface 81 showing the arrangement of the openings B_1 to B_4 and the structure of the valve plug sliding contact surface 81 according to the present embodiment. In order to make the description easy to understand, hatching is given to the valve contact surface 81 in FIG. 13A and to the fluid circulation portion 82 in FIG. 13B. Further, FIG. 13B shows the positions of the openings B_1 to B_4 when the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 71 relatively rotate at every step rotation angle θp = θ2 or θ3. There is. In FIG. 13B, imaginary straight lines intersecting each other at the valve body axis 71 are drawn at every θp. In the present embodiment, θp is set to approximately 30 °, which is 1/3 of θa = 90 °, which is smaller than half.

  The flow areas S4 and S6 of the present embodiment extend in the direction of increasing the angular range in which the valve body grooves 82a and 82b are provided. More specifically, separation of the end portions different from the end portions connected to the circulation regions S3 and S5 from the separation angle θ8 of the end portions connected to the circulation regions S3 and S5 among the end portions of the circulation regions S4 and S6 The angle θ6 is smaller.

  As a result, the flow areas S4 and S6 can also play a part of the angular range of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b. For example, in the second embodiment, all of the angular ranges θa of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b are secured by cutting the inner circumference circle θa by each of the flow areas S3 and S5. However, if it comprises like this embodiment, the angle of the circular arc which distribution area | region S3, S5 cuts out can be made small. In the present embodiment, the circulation areas S3 and S5 cut the inner circumference circle over 2 × θp = 60 ° <θa, and the circulation areas S4 and S6 cut the inner circumference circle over θp = 30 ° smaller than that. It is provided to extend the area between the peripheral circles.

By the above, θ6 can be made approximately 2 × θp = 60 °. That is, the valve body grooves 82a and 82b can be overlapped with the opening B_1 by relatively rotating the valve seat plate 69 and the valve body 80 by θp in the + direction or the − direction from the origin state. Moreover, the end by the side of the valve body recessed part 82c of distribution area | region S3, S5 can be located in the distance from the valve body recessed part 82c. For this reason, the range of the partition part 94 can be expanded and it can suppress effectively that a fluid gets over between each of valve body groove | channel 82a, 82b and the valve body recessed part 82c.
In addition, angle range (theta) 1 of distribution area | region S1 of this embodiment can be made into (theta) 6 = 2x (theta) p = 60 degrees or more.

[Change of state]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing eight states realized by the fluid switching valve 60 of the present embodiment. With respect to the openings B_1 and B_3 on the outer peripheral circle side, three states can be switched by relatively rotating the valve seat plate 69 and the valve body 80 by θp. That is, the transition between the third, fourth, and fifth states and the seventh, eighth, and first states in which the same opening is superimposed on the valve body recess 82c can be made by rotation of θp.
On the other hand, the separation angle between the openings is θa = 90 ° ≒ 3 × θp, and for the flow area S2, the flow area S1 is provided in the range of θp in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The transition between the first, second and third states and the transition between the fifth, sixth and seventh states that change the opening superimposed on the body recess 82c are: θ3 = (θa−θp) ≒ 2 × θp ≒ 60 ° It is possible.

Fifth Embodiment
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment relates to the refrigerator 1 which is an example of a device to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a fluid circuit having a mode number suitable for the device, and a device including the fluid circuit. In this embodiment, a refrigerator 1 having a fluid circuit to which the fluid switching valve described in the fourth embodiment is applied will be described as an example.

[Overview of Refrigerator 1]
FIG. 15 is a diagram in which the outline of the fluid circuit is added to the front appearance of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 includes, from the top, a refrigerator 2, an icemaker 3 and an upper freezer 4, a lower freezer 5, and a vegetables 6 arranged side by side. Each door 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a of the refrigerator 1 opens and closes the opening of the front of the refrigerator. When each door is opened, the warm outside air comes in contact with the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, so that condensation may occur on the opening peripheral edge. For this reason, the condensation suppression piping 17 through which the high temperature refrigerant passes is embedded in a part or all of the opening peripheral portion.

[Fluid circuit configuration]
FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a fluid circuit (refrigeration cycle) included in the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 drives a refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant as a fluid. The refrigeration cycle includes, in addition to the fluid switching valve 60, a compressor 51, a condenser 52, a condensation suppression pipe 17, a pressure reducing unit 54, a cooler 7, and pipes 55, 56, and 57. For example, isobutane can be employed as the refrigerant.

The pipe 55, the condenser 52, the compressor 51, and the cooler 7 are connected to the inflow port A sequentially from the inflow port A side. The refrigerant reaches a high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 51, flows through the condenser 52 and the pipe 55, and reaches the inlet A.
One end and the other end of the condensation prevention piping 17 are connected to the openings B_1 and B_3, respectively.
One end of a first decompression unit 54a is connected to the opening B_2, and one end of a second decompression unit 54b is connected to the opening B_4. The other ends of the first pressure reducing unit 54 a and the second pressure reducing unit 54 b are connected by a merging unit 89. The refrigerant that has passed through the first pressure reducing unit 54 a or the second pressure reducing unit 54 b flows into the cooler 7 after passing through the merging unit 89, and returns to the compressor 51. The amount of pressure reduction of the passing refrigerant differs between the first pressure reducing portion 54 a and the second pressure reducing portion 54 b. For example, capillary tubes may be employed as the two pressure reducing portions 54, and the diameters thereof may be different.

  In the fluid circuit configured as described above, the openings B_2 and B_4 flow the refrigerant downstream of the fluid switching valve 60 and send it to the inlet A, and the openings B_1 and B_3 flow the refrigerant to the other opening of the fluid switching valve 60. Hereinafter, an opening through which the refrigerant flows downstream of the fluid switching valve 60 is referred to as a feed port, and an opening through which the other flow is referred to as a reflux port. Switching the state of fluid switching valve 60 to form a cycle including one inlet and inlet A, and switching the state of fluid switching valve 60 to form a cycle including an even number of reflux ports Can make the device realize various modes.

  Also, as the condensation prevention piping 17 and the decompression unit 54, a unit that changes the temperature, pressure, etc. of the fluid by supplying the fluid, or causes the device to exhibit some function is called a functional unit. The condensation suppression piping 17 and the decompression unit 54 are examples of a functional unit.

  As exemplified in FIG. 16, the fluid circuit is designed such that one of the two return ports connected to each other overlaps the valve groove 82a or the valve groove 82b, and the other overlaps the recess 82c. There is. Here, it is preferable to arrange the feed ports and the reflux ports alternately in the circumferential direction as in the present embodiment, because the above-described state is likely to appear.

  Further, the openings B_1 and B_3 which are non-degenerate ports are set as the reflux ports, and the openings B_2 and B_4 which are degenerate ports are set as the flow ports. By setting the non-degenerate port having a large number of states as the reflux port, it becomes easy to realize the mode of supplying the fluid by selecting the functional unit provided between the two reflux ports. This makes it easy to correspond each state of the fluid switching valve 60 so as not to overlap each mode of the device, and can increase the number of modes.

[Mode of fluid circuit]
The mode of the fluid circuit according to the switching state of the fluid switching valve 60 will be described. FIGS. 17 to 23 are diagrams showing the refrigerant flow paths in the first to seventh modes, which are modes of the fluid circuit of the refrigerator 1, respectively. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the state of the fluid switching valve 60 and the mode of the fluid circuit. In the present embodiment, an apparatus that executes seven modes will be described. In addition, the positional relationship of the opening B differs from the actual positional relationship for convenience of illustration. Specifically, in FIGS. 16 to 23, the opening B is described clockwise in the order of B_1, B_2, B_4, and B_3, but in actuality, as illustrated in FIG. 24, clockwise B_1, B_2. , B_3, B_4 in this order.

[Items common to each mode]
The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 51 flows into the condenser 52 and is cooled by heat exchange with air (outside air) in the condenser 52. The refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 52 flows into the inlet A of the fluid switching valve 60 through the first refrigerant pipe 55. After the refrigerant flows according to each mode, it flows downstream of the fluid switching valve 60 by the opening B_2 or B_4, which is the inlet. Furthermore, the refrigerant is decompressed by the decompressing unit 54 to be a low temperature and a low pressure, and reaches the merging unit 89. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows into the cooler 7, exchanges heat with the ambient air, and returns to the compressor 51. Each mode will be described below.

[Overview of each mode]
In the first mode, the refrigerant is caused to flow through the condensation suppression piping 17 and the first pressure reducing portion 54a. The refrigerant flows in the paths of L1 and L2 as shown in the figure, and passes through the condensation prevention piping 17 from the opening B_1 side. This is called the first condensation suppression mode.
In the second mode, the refrigerant is caused to flow through the first pressure reducing portion 54a. The refrigerant flows along the path L3 as shown in the figure and is not delivered to the condensation prevention piping 17. This is called the first bypass mode.
In the third mode, the refrigerant is caused to flow through the condensation suppression piping 17 and the first pressure reducing portion 54a. The refrigerant flows in the paths of L4 and L5 as shown in the figure, and passes through the dew condensation prevention piping 17 from the opening B_3 side. This is called a second condensation suppression mode.
In the fourth mode, both of the openings B_2 and B_4, which are the flow inlets, are closed to block the flow of the refrigerant. At this time, the compressor 51 is stopped in this embodiment. This is called stop mode. Since the openings B_2 and B_4, which are the feed ports, are closed, relatively high temperature refrigerants of the condenser 52, the condensation suppressing piping 17 and the pipings 55 and 56 flow into the cooler 7 to raise the temperature of the cooler 7 Can be suppressed.
In the fifth mode, the refrigerant is caused to flow through the condensation suppression piping 17 and the second pressure reducing portion 54b. The refrigerant flows in the paths of L4 and L6 as shown in the drawing, and passes the dew condensation prevention piping 17 from the opening B_3 side. This is called the third condensation suppression mode.
In the sixth mode, the refrigerant is caused to flow through the second pressure reducing portion 54b. The refrigerant flows along a path L7 as shown in the figure and is not sent out to the condensation prevention piping 17. This is called the second bypass mode.
In the seventh mode, the refrigerant is caused to flow through the condensation suppression piping 17 and the second pressure reducing portion 54b. The refrigerant flows in the paths of L1 and L8 as shown in the figure, and passes through the condensation prevention piping 17 from the opening B_1 side. This is called the fourth condensation suppression mode.
The mode corresponding to the eighth state is the same stop mode as the fourth mode. Although the mode corresponding to the eighth state may be made executable, in the present embodiment, the stopper 84 is used to suppress transition to the mode corresponding to the eighth state.

[Direction of refrigerant flowing through condensation prevention piping 17]
The high temperature refrigerant after passing through the condenser 52 flows through the condensation suppression piping 17, but the temperature decreases while heating the opening peripheral portion of the front surface 16 of the refrigerator main body. That is, the refrigerant flowing through the condensation suppression piping 17 has a temperature distribution in which the upstream side is high temperature and the downstream side is low temperature. In order to effectively suppress condensation on the peripheral edge of the opening, it is necessary to keep the temperature of the downstream side, which is the lowest temperature, higher than the dew point temperature of the open air. At this time, if it is not possible to change the direction of the refrigerant to be supplied to the condensation prevention piping 17, the temperature on the upstream side becomes relatively higher than the dew point temperature if dew condensation on the downstream side is to be suppressed. It will increase and it will be difficult to improve energy saving.

  According to the present embodiment, since the direction of the refrigerant to be supplied to the condensation prevention piping 17 can be changed, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the condensation prevention piping 17 can be reduced, and the energy saving performance can be improved.

[Two decompression units]
When the user opens and closes the door in order to add new food into the refrigerator 1, the warm outside air also enters the refrigerator 1 together with the food. From the viewpoint of the storage stability of food, it is desirable to execute strong operation to cool the inside of a refrigerator in a short time. At this time, it is desirable that the pressure drop by the pressure reducing section 54 be small, and a weak restriction be good.

  On the other hand, when the opening and closing of the door is small, the amount of heat entering the inside of the refrigerator 1 is small. During steady operation (weak operation) where it is sufficient to balance this heat amount, it is desirable to flow the refrigerant through a strong throttle while operating the compressor 51 at a low speed. For example, if the first pressure reducing portion 54a is a weak (thick inner diameter) throttle suitable for strong operation and the second pressure reducing portion 54b is a strong (thin inner diameter) throttle suitable for steady operation, strong operation and steady operation Since a pressure drop suitable for each of the above can be obtained, energy saving performance can be enhanced.

Array of modes
In the first to third modes, the air inlet is the opening B_2. That is, the refrigerant passes through the first pressure reducing section 54a. On the other hand, in the fifth to seventh modes, the air inlet is the opening B_4. That is, the refrigerant passes through the second pressure reducing portion 54b.

  The refrigerator 1 varies in pressure drop amount suitable for use depending on strong operation and normal operation. In the present embodiment, since three modes respectively corresponding to the same pressure reducing unit 54 are adjacent to each other, mode switching control can be simplified during execution of each of the strong operation and the normal operation.

  In addition, a second mode which is a bypass mode is located between the first mode and the third mode in which the refrigerant flow directions are opposite to each other via the condensation suppression piping 17 and, similarly, the fifth mode and the seventh mode A sixth mode, which is a bypass mode, is located between the modes. For this reason, when switching the refrigerant | coolant flow which passes condensation suppression piping 17, it is easy to perform a 2nd mode and a 6th mode in the meantime. If the flow direction is rapidly reversed without performing the bypass mode, there is a concern that the refrigerant flow may be adversely affected by the inertial load. According to the present embodiment, such a load can be suppressed.

[Mode omitted due to design of fluid switching valve]
FIG. 25 shows the case where the fluid switching valve described in the first embodiment is applied to the refrigerant circuit of the refrigerator 1 and the fluid switching valve described in the fourth embodiment is applied to the refrigerant circuit of the first embodiment. Is a diagram showing a mode to be realized.

In FIG. 25, only the state (0) is denoted by the opening B_1-B_4, each functional portion, and the valve body grooves 82a and 82b.
In this embodiment, in the N = 4 five-way valve, not the fluid switching valve 60 capable of 3 × N = 12 but the fluid switching valve 60 capable of only 8 of them is used. As a result, the mode arrangement as described above is achieved, and mode control preferable as the refrigerator 1 becomes possible.

  On the other hand, a case is considered where the fluid switching valve 60 capable of 12 ways is applied to the fluid circuit of the present embodiment. At this time, in addition to the above-described eight states, as shown in FIG. 25A, for example, a new leak 1 mode appears between modes 1 and 2. In the leak 1 mode, the refrigerant from the inlet A is supplied to the pressure reducing portion 54a and, at the same time, is circulated from the condensation suppression piping 17 to the pressure reducing portion 54b. Then, the high temperature refrigerant in the condensation suppressing piping 17 flows out to the cooler 7 through the path of the broken line arrow in the figure, and the temperature of the cooler 7 rises, so it is not preferable that this mode appears in the refrigerator 1. The same applies to the other newly emerging leak 2 to leak 4 modes.

  In the present embodiment, these undesirable modes can be omitted by applying the above-described configuration. As a result, in the process of switching between the modes, it is possible to maintain the closure of each of the two reflux ports to which the condensation prevention piping 17 is connected. Thus, a design more suitable for the device to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied is enabled.

[Clogged decompression section]
Water contained in the refrigerant, and foreign matter such as wear powder generated by the operation of the compressor 51 and the fluid switching valve 60 may circulate in the refrigeration cycle. The second pressure reducing portion 54b, which is a strong throttle, is thin and relatively easily clogged with foreign matter. For example, if the temperature of the cooler 7 is monitored by a temperature sensor and the temperature of the cooler 7 does not decrease despite the operation in any of the fifth to seventh modes, the second pressure reducing unit 54b May be clogged. When the refrigerator 1 detects this, if the operation using only the first mode to the fourth mode using the first decompression unit 54a is performed, it is possible to suppress the cooling operation of the refrigerator 1 from being stopped. .

[Choke operation]
In the fourth mode, the opening B_2 and the opening B_4 are not open to the inlet A, and the refrigerant circuit is closed. Therefore, when the compressor 51 is operated in this state, the pressure on the downstream side (inflow port A side) of the compressor 51 increases, and the pressure on the upstream side (cooler 7 side) of the compressor 51 decreases. Does not flow. Therefore, the compressor 51 is slipped, which is a so-called choke state, which is not preferable.

  According to the present embodiment, in the fourth mode, the decompression unit 54 to be used is positioned between the third mode and the fifth mode. While it is desirable to reverse the refrigerant flow to the condensation prevention piping 17 every predetermined time, it is desirable that the pressure reducing unit 54 used follow changes in the internal state of the refrigerator. If a mode using the same pressure reducing section is located across the fourth mode, it may be necessary to frequently stop the compressor. According to the mode arrangement of the present embodiment, the occurrence of the choke operation can be suppressed.

[Summary of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the fluid circuit is relatively rotated by relatively rotating the valve seat plate 69 and the valve body 80 for two of the openings that are exposed (open) overlapping the valve body recess 82c. An apparatus using the fluid switching valve 60 which can be switched in three ways can be provided. That is, two of the openings are non-degenerate ports. As a result, if, for example, a five-way valve is adopted as the fluid switching valve 60, eight states can be realized. Moreover, seven modes can be realized for the refrigerator 1 to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied.

«Summary»
While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention. That is, the specific mode of the present invention can be arbitrarily changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

  The apparatus to which the fluid switching valve of the present invention is applied is not limited to a refrigerator, and can be applied to various known apparatuses having a fluid circuit. For example, it is applicable also to an air conditioner or a hydraulic machine.

[Other technical ideas]
The present application includes the following technical ideas.
(Supplementary Note 1)
A fluid supply unit,
A valve seat having N openings,
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, wherein the sliding contact surface of the valve body is in contact with the valve seat,
N is 4 or a natural number larger than 4,
The above valve body is
A valve body groove capable of opening the two openings;
And a valve body recess that forms a flowable area capable of opening the opening to the fluid supply unit;
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
A state a where the valve body recess opens the first opening;
A state b where the valve body recess opens the second opening;
Is executable,
A state c in which any two of the second to Nth openings are opened by the valve body groove while maintaining the state a;
While maintaining the state a, in the third state, two openings different from one or both of the two openings opened by the valve groove and different from the first opening are opened by the valve groove State d),
A state e in which any two of the first and third to N openings are opened by the valve body groove while maintaining the state b;
Two openings different from the one or both of the two openings opened by the valve groove in the condition e and different from the second opening are opened by the valve groove while maintaining the condition b State f,
A fluid switching valve characterized in that it is feasible.

  According to Supplementary Note 1, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Supplementary Note 2)
A fluid supply unit,
A valve seat having N openings,
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, wherein the sliding contact surface of the valve body is in contact with the valve seat,
N is a natural number greater than 5 or 5,
The above valve body is
Two valve body grooves that can respectively open the two openings;
And a valve body recess that forms a flowable area capable of opening the opening to the fluid supply unit;
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
The two valve body grooves can simultaneously open two of the openings,
A state g where the valve body recess opens the first opening;
A state h where the valve body recess opens the second opening;
Is executable,
Any two of the second to N-th openings are opened via one of the valve body grooves while maintaining the state g, and these two openings of the second to N-th openings A state i in which the other two openings except for the above are opened via the other of the valve body groove,
Any two of the first and third to N-th openings are opened through one of the valve body grooves while maintaining the state h, and the first and third to N-th openings A state j in which two other openings other than the two openings are opened via the other of the valve body grooves,
A fluid switching valve characterized in that it is feasible.

  According to Supplementary Note 2, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve in which the number of switching states is (2 × N) and each of the two valve body grooves can simultaneously open two (four in total) openings.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 refrigerator 7 cooler 17 condensation prevention piping 51 compressor 52 condenser 54 pressure reduction part 60 fluid switching valve 66 valve case (case)
67 valve seat plate (valve seat)
67a 1st valve seat plate (valve seat)
67b Second valve seat plate (valve seat)
68 inflow pipe 69 communication pipe (first communication pipe, second communication pipe, third communication pipe, fourth communication pipe)
69b Communication pipe (first communication pipe)
69c Communication pipe (second communication pipe)
69d Communication pipe (third communication pipe)
69e Communication pipe (4th communication pipe)
71 valve body shaft 80 valve body 81 valve body sliding contact surface 82 fluid communication portion 82 a valve body groove (first valve body groove)
82b Valve body groove (second valve body groove)
82c Valve body recess 86 Flat spring (biasing means)
89 junction portion 90 polished finish surface 94 partition portion A inflow port (fluid supply portion)
B_1 opening (first opening)
B_2 opening (second opening)
B_3 opening (third opening)
B_4 opening (fourth opening)

Claims (9)

A fluid supply unit,
A valve seat having N openings,
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and in contact with the valve seat sliding contact surface with the valve seat,
N is 4 or a natural number larger than 4,
The valve body is
A valve body groove capable of opening two of the openings;
A valve body recess that forms a flow area in which one of the openings can be opened to the fluid supply portion;
Have
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
For each one or more openings of the N apertures, while the opening and release open to said fluid supply through said flow region, through (N-1) pieces of the valve body groove opening fluid changeover valve, wherein the possible changeover to triplicate closing state.   A fluid supply unit,
  A valve seat having N openings,
  A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and in contact with the valve seat sliding contact surface with the valve seat,
  N is 4 or a natural number larger than 4,
  The valve body is
  A valve body groove capable of opening two of the openings;
  A valve body recess that forms a flow area in which one of the openings can be opened to the fluid supply portion;
Have
  According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
  A fluid switching valve characterized in that all of the following (A) to (C) are possible for one or more of the N openings respectively.
  (A) The opening is opened to the fluid supply unit through the flow area, and two of the (N-1) other openings are opened by the valve groove.
  (B) The opening is opened to the fluid supply unit via the flow area, and among the (N-1) other openings, two openings having a combination different from the (A) are Open the valve body groove.
  (C) The opening is opened to the fluid supply unit through the flow area, and none of the other (N-1) openings is opened by the valve groove.   A fluid supply unit,
  A valve seat having N openings,
  A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and in contact with the valve seat sliding contact surface with the valve seat,
  Let N be a natural number of 4 or more,
  Let A be a natural number greater than or equal to one,
  Let (N−A) be a natural number of 3 or more,
  The valve body is
  A valve body groove capable of opening two or more of the openings;
  A valve body recess that forms a flow area in which the A openings can be opened to the fluid supply portion;
Have
  According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
  While opening A of the N openings to the fluid supply unit via the flow area, switching of the open / close state of (NA) openings via the valve body groove is performed in three ways Fluid switching valve characterized in that it is possible. Having two valve body grooves,
The two valve body grooves are located in the counterclockwise direction and the clockwise direction of the relative rotation, respectively, when the valve body recess is observed from the valve body shaft. Item 4. The fluid switching valve according to any one of items 1 to 3 . The N openings are respectively located on any of two concentric circles centered on the valve body axis,
Each of the valve body grooves is
A distribution area in which two points of one circumference of the concentric circle are cut out;
And a circulation region extending on the other circumference of the concentric circle;
The flow area formed by the valve body recess is:
It has the circulation area which cuts out the circular arc of each concentric circle, and the angle of the circulation area which cuts out the other circular arc of the concentric circle is larger than the angle of the circulation area which cuts one circular arc of the concentric circle The fluid switching valve according to claim 4 , wherein N is 4 and
The fluid switching valve according to claim 5 , wherein each of the openings is alternately located on two concentric circles centered on the valve body axis. Among the two valve body grooves, the extending direction of each of the circulation areas extending on the other circumference of the concentric circle is a direction in which the angular range of the valve body groove is increased. The fluid switching valve according to 5 . An apparatus comprising a fluid circuit including the fluid switching valve according to claim 5 , comprising:
The opening is
A return port to send fluid to another port;
And a fluid flow port for flowing fluid downstream of the fluid circuit and sending it to the fluid supply section;
The fluid circuit is
It has a plurality of functional units that perform functions by being supplied with the fluid,
A portion of the plurality of functional units are each located in a cycle including two of the reflux ports,
Another part or remainder of the plurality of functional parts is located in a cycle including one of the air inlet and the fluid supply part. A refrigerator as the device according to claim 8 , wherein
The fluid is a refrigerant,
A compressor that supplies the refrigerant to the fluid supply unit;
Two said reflux ports,
Having two of the feed ports;
Condensation suppression piping provided at the opening peripheral portion of the refrigerator is connected to each of the two reflux ports,
A first pressure reduction unit and a second pressure reduction unit are connected to the two air outlets, respectively.
A first mode in which the refrigerant is supplied to the condensation suppressing pipe from one side of the reflux port, and then the refrigerant is supplied to the first pressure reducing unit;
A second mode in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first decompression unit;
A third mode in which the refrigerant is supplied to the condensation suppression pipe from the other side of the reflux port, and then the refrigerant is supplied to the first pressure reducing unit;
A fourth mode for stopping the compressor;
After supplying the said refrigerant | coolant to the said condensation suppression piping from the other side of the said reflux port, the 5th mode which supplies the said refrigerant | coolant to a said 2nd pressure reduction part,
A sixth mode of supplying the refrigerant to the second pressure reducing unit;
A seventh mode capable of performing a seventh mode of supplying the refrigerant to the second decompression unit after supplying the refrigerant to the condensation suppressing pipe from one side of the reflux port.

Images