JP7629384B2 - Slide type switching valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slide-type switching valve.

As a valve device used in refrigeration cycles and the like, a slide-type switching valve is known that has a valve seat with a valve port and switches the communication state of the valve port by a valve body that can slide axially on the valve seat. Among them, a slide-type switching valve that has a cylindrical valve body, a bowl-shaped valve body that is slidable inside the valve body, and a valve seat that is fixed to the valve body and has multiple valve ports is known as a switching valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A biasing member is fixed to the valve body of the slide-type switching valve described in Patent Document 1, and the biasing member biases the valve body toward the valve seat, applying contact pressure between the seat surface of the valve body and the valve seat.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-200155

However, in the above-mentioned slide-type switching valve, if the valve disc is significantly displaced away from the valve seat due to a load that exceeds expectations, such as impact pressure blowing up from inside the valve disc, the biasing member may deform beyond its elastic range, and the desired biasing force may not be obtained.

The present invention aims to provide a slide-type switching valve that can prevent excessive load from acting on the biasing member by restricting the deformation of the biasing member to a predetermined amount or less using a deformation restriction section, even if the valve body is about to be significantly displaced by a load that exceeds the expected limit.

The slide type switching valve of the present invention is a slide type switching valve comprising: a hollow cylindrical valve body; a valve seat portion having one or more valve ports provided in the valve body; a valve body provided inside the valve body so as to be slidable in the axial direction on the valve seat portion and switching the communication state of the valve port; and a biasing member biasing the valve body toward the valve seat portion, wherein a deformation regulating portion is provided between the valve body and the valve body, the deformation regulating portion extending from at least one of a part of the valve body and an inner circumferential surface of the valve body to the other, and restricting deformation of the biasing member from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount, and a portion of the deformation regulating portion on the other side does not slide in the displacement direction of the biasing member relative to the other side in a state before abutting against the other side while approaching the other side as the biasing member deforms , and the biasing member is interposed between the valve body and the inner circumferential surface of the valve body, and a portion of the biasing member on the side of the inner circumferential surface of the valve body is capable of contacting the inner circumferential surface of the valve body and is capable of sliding in the sliding direction of the valve body .

According to the present invention, the valve body provided inside the valve body is biased toward the valve seat by the biasing member. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member presses the valve body against the seal surface of the valve seat, making it difficult for a gap to occur between the seal surface and the valve body, and airtightness inside the valve body can be ensured. In addition, a deformation restriction portion is provided between the valve body and the valve body, which extends from at least one of a part of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body to the other, and restricts the deformation of the biasing member from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount. Therefore, even if a load exceeding the expected value, such as an impact pressure blowing up from inside the valve body, acts on the valve body, the deformation of the biasing member can be limited to a predetermined deformation amount, thereby suppressing the valve body from being significantly displaced in a direction away from the valve seat. Therefore, even if the valve body is about to be significantly displaced by a load exceeding the expected value, the deformation restriction portion can suppress the deformation of the biasing member to a predetermined amount or less, and a slide-type switching valve can be obtained that can prevent an excessive load from acting on the biasing member.

In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member is determined by the clearance between the deformation regulating portion and either the inner peripheral surface of the valve body or the outer peripheral surface of the valve disc. According to this configuration, the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member is determined by the clearance between the deformation regulating portion and either the inner peripheral surface of the valve body or the outer peripheral surface of the valve disc. Therefore, in the state before the biasing member is deformed to the predetermined deformation amount, i.e., in the normal state, the displacement of the valve disc is not regulated by the deformation regulating portion, so that the valve disc can be smoothly slid in the axial direction without impairing the slidability against the valve seat portion.

The valve body preferably has a seal portion that slides against the seal surface of the valve seat and a top portion opposite the seal portion, and the deformation restricting portion is provided extending from the top portion of the valve body toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body. With this configuration, the deformation restricting portion that extends from the top portion of the valve body toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body can restrict the deformation of the biasing member from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount.

In addition, the biasing member has an attachment portion attached to the top of the valve body, an extension portion rising from the attachment portion, and a contact portion provided at the tip of the extension portion , the contact portion being a portion on the inner peripheral surface side of the valve body, and the deformation regulating portion is preferably provided upstream of the biasing member in the direction of fluid flow inside the valve body and overlaps with the attachment portion and the extension portion of the biasing member in the direction of fluid flow. According to this configuration, the deformation regulating portion is provided upstream of the biasing member in the direction of fluid flow inside the valve body and overlaps with the attachment portion and the extension portion of the biasing member in the direction of fluid flow. Therefore, the flow velocity of the high-pressure fluid flowing inside the valve body is first reduced by the deformation regulating portion provided upstream, and the momentum of the fluid against the attachment portion and the extension portion of the biasing member downstream can be suppressed, thereby protecting the biasing member.

It is also preferable that the clearance between the deformation restricting portion and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body is set to less than half the combined height of the extension portion and the contact portion of the biasing member. With this configuration, the clearance between the deformation restricting portion and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body is set to less than half the combined height of the extension portion and the contact portion of the biasing member, so that deformation of the biasing member can be appropriately suppressed.

The extension portion of the biasing member has a base end connected to the attachment portion and a folded portion folded back from the base end to extend to the opposite side, the contact portion is provided at the tip of the folded portion, the deformation restricting portion is formed in a plate shape extending from the top of the valve body toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body and extending in a direction intersecting the fluid flow direction, and the tip edge of the deformation restricting portion is preferably provided with a chamfered portion that follows the outer shape of the biasing member as seen from the fluid flow direction. With this configuration, the tip edge of the deformation restricting portion formed in a plate shape is provided with a chamfered portion that follows the outer shape of the biasing member as seen from the fluid flow direction, so that the biasing member can be protected while preventing the deformation restricting portion from becoming larger than necessary.

The biasing member is preferably composed of a leaf spring in which the mounting portion, the extension portion, and the contact portion are integrated. With this configuration, the biasing member can be composed of a leaf spring in which the mounting portion, the extension portion, and the contact portion are integrated, so that the biasing member can be made smaller than a biasing member in which the mounting portion, the extension portion, and the contact portion are not integrated.

In addition, a guide section is provided inside the valve body, which rises from the seal surface of the valve seat and extends in the axial direction to guide the valve element in the axial direction, and the clearance is preferably set smaller than the height dimension of the guide section. With this configuration, the above-mentioned clearance is set smaller than the height dimension of the guide section, so that even if a load exceeding the expected value, such as an impact pressure blowing up from inside the valve element, acts on the valve element and the valve element is significantly displaced in a direction away from the valve seat, the valve element can be prevented from displacing in the same direction beyond the height dimension of the guide section. Therefore, the valve element is prevented from riding up onto the guide section, and the guide section, which properly maintains the position of the valve element and the valve port, can function normally, ensuring the sliding movement of the valve element.

The valve body may have a seal portion that slides against the seal surface of the valve seat, an apex opposite the seal portion, and a side portion between the apex and the seal portion, and the deformation restricting portion may extend from both widthwise sides of the valve body toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body. With this configuration, the deformation restricting portion extending from both widthwise sides of the valve body toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body can restrict the deformation of the biasing member from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount.

The valve body may have a seal portion that is in sliding contact with the seal surface of the valve seat portion and a top portion opposite the seal portion, and the deformation restricting portion may extend from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body toward the top portion of the valve body. With this configuration, the deformation restricting portion that extends from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body toward the top portion of the valve body can restrict the deformation of the biasing member from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount.

The valve body has a seal portion that slides against the seal surface of the valve seat, a top portion opposite the seal portion, and a side portion between the top portion and the seal portion, and a step portion that protrudes outward in the width direction is provided on both sides of the width direction of the valve body, and the deformation regulating portion is provided extending from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body toward the top side of the valve body beyond the step portion, and the predetermined deformation amount of the urging member may be determined by the clearance between the deformation regulating portion and the step portion. According to this configuration, a step portion that protrudes outward in the width direction is provided on both sides of the width direction of the valve body, and the deformation regulating portion is provided extending from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body toward the top side of the valve body beyond the step portion. The predetermined deformation amount of the urging member is determined by the clearance between the deformation regulating portion and the step portion. Therefore, the deformation regulating portion that extends from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body toward the top side of the valve body beyond the step portion can regulate the deformation of the urging member from exceeding the predetermined deformation amount.

According to the present invention, even if the valve body is about to be displaced significantly due to a load exceeding the expected limit, the deformation of the biasing member can be suppressed to a predetermined amount or less by the deformation restriction portion, and a slide-type switching valve can be obtained that can prevent an excessive load from acting on the biasing member.

FIG. FIG. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the height of a biasing member, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the dimensions of a clearance. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the urging member. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve body and a valve element in a first modified example. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a slide type switching valve according to a first modified example. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve body and a valve element in a second modified example. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a slide type switching valve in a second modified example. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve body and a valve element in a third modified example. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a slide type switching valve in a third modified example.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. The slide type switching valve 1 according to this embodiment is a switching valve that is connected to a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser in a refrigeration cycle or the like, and switches the flow path of the refrigerant flowing through these devices. The slide type switching valve 1 includes a hollow cylindrical valve body 2, a valve seat portion 3 having a plurality of valve ports provided on the valve body 2, a valve body 4 provided inside the valve body 2 so as to be slidable in the axial L direction on the valve seat portion 3, a drive portion 5 that drives the valve body 4 to slide, a biasing member 6 that biases the valve body 4 toward the valve seat portion 3, and a deformation restricting portion 7 that restricts the biasing member 6 from deforming beyond a predetermined deformation amount. Note that the slide type switching valve 1 of this embodiment has a drive portion 5 on one side in the axial L direction and an inlet port P (described later) on the other side in the axial L direction, so that one side in the axial L direction may be referred to as the drive portion 5 side, and the other side in the axial L direction may be referred to as the inlet port P side.

The valve body 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom by resin molding, and has a circular bottom wall 2A and a side wall 2B extending from the peripheral portion of the bottom wall 2A toward the drive unit 5. The inside of the valve body 2a constitutes the valve chamber 2a. The bottom wall 2A is formed with an inlet port P that communicates with the inside and outside of the valve chamber 2a. The inlet port P is a port that communicates with the discharge port of a compressor (not shown) through an inlet connection flow path 20 extending in the axial direction L. This inlet port P constitutes an inlet when high-pressure refrigerant sent from the compressor flows into the valve chamber 2a. The side wall of the valve body 2 is formed with a first connection flow path 21, an outlet connection flow path 22, and a second connection flow path 23 in this order from the drive unit 5 side along the axial direction L as a plurality of cylindrical flow paths that communicate with the inside and outside of the valve chamber 2a. The first connection flow path 21 is a flow path that communicates with a first port 30 described later. This first connection flow path 21 is connected to the condenser (or evaporator) and forms a flow path for the fluid to flow between the condenser (or evaporator) and the valve chamber 2a.

The outlet connection flow path 22 is a flow path that communicates with the outlet port 31, which will be described later. This outlet connection flow path 22 is connected to the suction port of the compressor, and constitutes a flow path when the low-pressure refrigerant that has returned to the valve chamber 2a through the first connection flow path 21 (or the second connection flow path 23) is sent to the compressor. The second connection flow path 23 is a flow path that communicates with the second port 32, which will be described later. This second connection flow path 23 is connected to the evaporator (or condenser) and constitutes a flow path for the fluid that flows between the evaporator (or condenser) and the valve chamber 2a.

4(A) and 4(B), guide portions 24 are formed at both ends in the width direction X at the periphery of the first connecting flow passage 21, the outlet connecting flow passage 22, and the second connecting flow passage 23 inside the valve body 2. The width direction X in this embodiment is a direction perpendicular to the axis L direction, and is also perpendicular to the height direction Z perpendicular to the axis L direction from the valve seat portion 3 to the top portion 44 of the valve body 4 described later in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B). This width direction X also indicates the width direction X of the valve body 4. The guide portions 24 are formed in a stepped shape so as to rise in the height direction Z from both ends in the width direction X of the seal surface 33 of the valve seat portion 3 described later and extend in the axis L direction, and guide the valve body 4 in the axis L direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a metallic cylindrical lower cover 25 is fixed to the end of the valve body 2 on the drive unit 5 side by insert molding with the valve body 2, and a metallic bottomed cylindrical upper cover 26 with a bottom wall on the drive unit 5 side is fixed to the end of the lower cover 25 on the drive unit 5 side.

The upper cover 26 has a small diameter portion 26a extending toward the drive unit 5 in the direction of the axis L at the center of the bottom wall. A through hole 26b penetrating in the direction of the axis L is formed in the center of the small diameter portion 26a, and a guide member 53 (described later) is arranged in this through hole 26b. The valve body 2, the lower cover 25, and the upper cover 26 thus configured are housed in the housing 8 (shown only in Fig. 4(A) and Fig. 4(B)). Note that the reference symbol G shown in Fig. 1 indicates grooves formed at a plurality of positions in the direction of the axis L at predetermined intervals on either the outer peripheral wall of the valve body 2 or the inner peripheral wall of the housing 8, and the reference symbol 27 indicates an O-ring arranged in the groove G. The O-ring 27 seals the gap between the valve body 2 and the housing 8. Note that in this embodiment, the valve body 2 is made of a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), but may be made of other appropriate materials such as metals such as brass, iron, aluminum, and stainless steel.

The valve seat portion 3 is a portion of the side wall of the valve body 2 on which the first connection flow path 21, the outlet connection flow path 22, and the second connection flow path 23 are formed, and is configured to have a plurality of valve ports. The valve seat portion 3 is formed of a thin metal plate and is fixed to the side wall of the valve body 2 by insert molding, bonding, welding, or the like. The plate surface of the valve seat portion 3 is formed with a first port 30 communicating with the first connection flow path 21, an outlet port 31 communicating with the outlet connection flow path 22, and a second port 32 communicating with the second connection flow path 23, each of which is formed through the plate surface. Each of the ports 30, 31, and 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter smaller than the first connection flow path 21, the outlet connection flow path 22, and the second connection flow path 23, and is arranged at a predetermined interval in the axial direction L. The plate surface of the valve seat portion 3, the surface opposite to the surface on which the connecting flow paths 21, 22, and 23 are located, constitutes a seal surface 33 that comes into sliding contact with the seal portion S of the valve body 4, which will be described later. Therefore, the multiple valve ports 30, 31, and 32 open onto the seal surface 33.

The valve body 4 is mainly made of resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and is provided inside the valve body 2 so as to be slidable in the axial direction L on the valve seat 3. The valve body 4 is configured to switch the communication state of the valve ports P, 30, 31, and 32. In this embodiment, the valve body 4 is configured with a bowl-shaped valve body main body 40 that seats on the valve seat 3 and communicates or blocks each of the inlet port P, the first port 30, the outlet port 31, and the second port 32. The valve body main body 40 is configured with an elliptical opening edge 40a that is long in the axial direction L and is provided to face the seal surface 33 of the valve seat 3, and a bowl-shaped side portion 40b that protrudes from the opening edge 40a to the side opposite the valve seat 3, and the inside forms a bowl-shaped recess 40c that serves as a fluid flow path. In other words, the valve body 4 is formed in a bowl shape that opens toward the valve seat 3. The dimension of the opening edge 40a of the bowl-shaped recess 40c in the axial direction L is set to a length that can cover two adjacent ports among the first port 30, the outlet port 31, and the second port 32. The dimension of the opening edge 40a in the width direction X is set to a length that can cover one port among the first port 30, the outlet port 31, and the second port 32.

The bowl-shaped recess 40c constitutes a seal portion S whose opening edge 40a slides against the above-mentioned seal surface 33. That is, the valve body 4 has a seal portion S that slides against the seal surface 33 of the valve seat portion 3. When this seal portion S abuts against the seal surface 33, for example, the first port 30 and the outlet port 31 are surrounded by the bowl-shaped recess 40c and are blocked from the other ports P and 32. As a result, the first port 30 and the outlet port 31 are communicated, and the inlet port P and the second port 32 are communicated. Then, when the seal portion S slides toward the inlet port P while sliding on the seal surface 33, the outlet port 31 and the second port 32 are surrounded by the bowl-shaped recess 40c and are blocked from the other ports P and 30. As a result, the outlet port 31 and the second port 32 are communicated, and the inlet port P and the first port 30 are communicated. That is, the valve body 40 slides and the seal portion S comes into sliding contact with the seal surface 33, switching between communication and blocking between the ports P, 30, 31, and 32.

At the end of the valve body 40 on the inlet port P side, a stopper 41 is formed that protrudes in the axial direction L toward the inlet port P side. This stopper 41 is a protrusion for restricting the sliding movement of the valve body 4, and the protruding end abuts against the surface 2A1 on the valve chamber 2a side of the bottom wall 2A of the valve body 2 to restrict the movement of the valve body 4 toward the inlet port P side. In other words, the stopper 41 and the surface 2A1 on the valve chamber 2a side of the bottom wall 2A of the valve body 2 define the limit position of the movement of the valve body 4 moving toward the inlet port P side. At the end of the valve body 40 on the drive unit 5 side, a connection part 42 that protrudes toward the drive unit 5 side is formed. The connection part 42 forms a thin plate-shaped thin plate part 42a whose end on the drive unit 5 side extends in the height direction Z from the side where the valve seat part 3 is located to the opposite side where the valve seat part 3 is located. A notch 42b is formed in the thin plate portion 42a, which opens on the side opposite the side where the valve seat portion 3 is located, making the thin plate portion 42a hook-shaped.

Both end faces of the thin plate portion 42a in the width direction X are sandwiched in the width direction X by two connecting arms 55b of the female screw member 55 described later, and are connected to the female screw member 55 by a fixing pin 57 arranged in the notch 42b in this state, and a metal hose band 43 that surrounds the connecting arms 55b and the thin plate portion 42a in the circumferential direction and tightens them in the same direction. The end of the valve body main body 40 in the height direction Z (the end opposite to the side where the seal portion S is located) forms the apex 44 of the valve body 4. With this configuration, the valve body 4 has the seal portion S, the apex 44 opposite the seal portion S, and the side portion 40b between the apex 44 and the seal portion S. As shown in FIG. 5, the top 44 is formed in a stepped shape that bulges in the height direction Z toward the side opposite to the side where the valve seat 3 is located and extends in the axis L direction, and a tip surface 44a of the top 44 that faces the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 is formed flat so that a biasing member 6 described later can be installed. A mounting protrusion 44b that is fitted into a mounting hole 60a of a mounting portion 60 of the biasing member 6 described later is formed to rise up from the center of the tip surface 44a in the axis L direction. As shown in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B), guided portions 45 that can slide against the above-mentioned guide portion 24 in the axis L direction and the height direction Z are provided on both side portions 40b1 of the side portion 40b of the valve body 4. The guided portions 45 are provided to protrude outward in the width direction X. The guided portions 45 are provided to form a step portion 45a on the top 44 side of the valve body 4. That is, a step 45a that protrudes outward in the width direction X is provided on both sides 40b1 of the valve body 4 in the width direction X.

The drive unit 5 is a part that drives the valve body 4 to slide, and includes a stepping motor 5a as an electric motor having a rotatable rotor, and a linear motion mechanism 5b that converts the rotation of the stepping motor 5a into linear motion and transmits it to the valve body 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the stepping motor 5a is fixed to the small diameter portion 26a of the top cover 26 and includes a metal bottomed cylindrical can 50 that seals the inside of the drive unit 5, a magnet rotor 51 built into the can 50, and a stator coil (not shown) that is arranged to surround the outer periphery of the magnet rotor 51 around the axis L, sandwiching the can 50. The can 50 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape from a thin metal material, and is arranged so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis L of the valve body 2, and its tip is fixed to the edge of the small diameter portion 26a of the above-mentioned top cover 26 by welding or the like. The linear motion mechanism 5b includes a bearing member 52 disposed inside the bottom side (opposite the inlet port P side) of the can 50, a guide member 53 fixed to the top cover 26, a male screw 54 as a rotor shaft fixed to the center of the magnet rotor 51 via a fixing member 54a, and a female screw member 55 having a female screw portion 55a1 that screws into a male screw portion 54d formed on the outer circumferential surface of the male screw 54. In other words, the linear motion mechanism 5b is configured as a screw feed mechanism having a male screw portion 54d and a female screw portion 55a1 that screw into each other.

The bearing member 52 is a cylindrical member that supports the male screw 54 so that it can rotate around the axis L. The bearing member 52 is inserted into the can 50 so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis L of the valve body 2, and is positioned so that its end opposite the inlet port P in the direction of the axis L abuts against the inner surface of the bottom wall of the can 50. A first bearing hole 52a that opens toward the inlet port P is formed in the center of the bearing member 52, which is the axial center position of the male screw 54. The first bearing hole 52a is a bottomed recessed hole into which the first shaft portion 54b described later can be inserted.

The guide member 53 is a cylindrical member with a bottom, and is disposed in the through hole 26b of the upper lid 26 so that the bottom is located on the inlet port P side and the tip is located on the opposite side to the inlet port P. The guide member 53 has a fixing ring 56 that is integrally provided by insert molding at approximately the center in the axis L direction, and is fixed to the upper lid 26 by welding the fixing ring 56 to the edge of the small diameter portion 26a of the upper lid 26. The guide member 53 is disposed so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis L of the valve body 2, and with this arrangement, the above-mentioned can 50, bearing member 52, and guide member 53 are all disposed so that their central axes are coaxial with the axis L of the valve body 2. In the center of the guide member 53, which is the axial center position of the male screw 54, a second bearing hole 53a is formed that opens to face the first bearing hole 52a in the axis L direction. The second bearing hole 53a is a bottomed recessed hole that is provided so that the second shaft portion 54c described later can be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall of the guide member 53 is formed with a pair of guide holes 53b, through which the connecting arm 55b of the female screw member 55 described later is inserted so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction L, at the radially outer portion of the second bearing hole 53a. The edge of the guide hole 53b is formed in a shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the connecting arm 55b, so that even if the connecting arm 55b tries to rotate around the axis L when it advances and retreats in the axial direction L, it cannot rotate because its outer wall surface abuts on the edge of the guide hole 53b. In other words, the guide member 53 is configured to guide the female screw member 55 so as not to rotate around the axis L and to advance and retreat in the axial direction L.

The male screw 54 is fixed to the center of the magnet rotor 51 using a fixing member 54a, extends in the direction of the axis L, and is configured to rotate around the axis L together with the magnet rotor 51. One end of the male screw 54 forms a cylindrical first shaft portion 54b, and the other end of the male screw 54 forms a cylindrical second shaft portion 54c, and a male screw portion 54d is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the portion between the first shaft portion 54b and the second shaft portion 54c. The first shaft portion 54b is inserted into the first bearing hole 52a, and the second shaft portion 54c is inserted into the second bearing hole 53a, so that the male screw 54 is supported in the first bearing hole 52a and the second bearing hole 53a so that the central axis is coaxial with the axis L so that it can rotate around the axis L.

The female screw member 55 is configured to include a cylindrical base end 55a that is housed in the guide member 53 and whose outer peripheral wall is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral wall of the guide member 53, and two connecting arms 55b that extend from the base end 55a in the axial direction L toward the inlet port P side and extend through the above-mentioned guide hole 53b into the valve chamber 2a. The base end 55a is formed so that its central axis is coaxial with the central axis of the guide member 53. A female screw portion 55a1 is formed in the center of the female screw member 55 along the axial line L. This female screw portion 55a1 is configured to screw into the male screw portion 54d. With this configuration, the female screw member 55 can advance and retreat in the axial direction L coaxially with the central axis as the male screw 54 rotates. The connecting arms 55b are a part for connecting the drive unit 5 and the valve body 4. The connecting arms 55b extend in the direction of the axis L from a part of the periphery of the base end 55a through the guide hole 53b to the valve chamber 2a. As shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 55b1 is formed at the tip of each connecting arm 55b, penetrating the connecting arm 55b in the plate thickness direction, and a shaft-shaped fixing pin 57 is inserted and fixed into the through hole 55b1.

The biasing member 6 is a member for biasing the valve body 4 toward the valve seat portion 3, and in this embodiment, is composed of a leaf spring formed by pressing or the like using a metal material such as phosphorus bronze. As shown in FIG. 6, the biasing member 6 includes an attachment portion 60 attached to the tip surface 44a at the top 44 of the valve body main body 40, an extension portion 61 rising in the height direction Z from the attachment portion 60, and a contact portion 62 provided at the tip of the extension portion 61 and capable of contacting the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2, and is disposed between the tip surface 44a at the top 44 of the valve body main body 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 as shown in FIG. 3. The attachment portion 60, the extension portion 61, and the contact portion 62 are integrally formed. The attachment portion 60 is formed in a flat plate shape that is aligned with the tip surface 44a of the top 44 and has a smaller dimension in the axial L direction than the tip surface 44a. A mounting hole 60a for fitting the above-mentioned mounting protrusion 44b is formed in the center of the mounting portion 60 in the axial direction L so as to penetrate in the plate thickness direction. This mounting portion 60 is fixed to the valve body 40 by abutting the end face on the valve seat portion 3 side against the tip face 44a and fitting the mounting protrusion 44b into the mounting hole 60a.

The extension portion 61 has a base end 61a connected to one end of the mounting portion 60 in the width direction X, and a folded portion 61b folded back from the base end 61a and extending to the other end side in the width direction X, i.e., the opposite side. The extension portion 61 is configured so that the base end 61a and the folded portion 61b are deformed so that they approach each other when the biasing member 6 is subjected to a force such as a pressing force in the height direction Z, and the biasing force is generated by the force that tries to restore the shape after deformation. The contact portion 62 is a protrusion provided at the tip of the folded portion 61b in the extension portion 61, and is formed to protrude in a hemispherical shape toward the inner surface of the valve body 2. With this configuration, the protruding end of the contact portion 62 formed in a hemispherical shape abuts against the inner surface of the valve body 2, and the mounting portion 60 formed in a flat plate shape is fixed to the tip surface 44a of the top 44, so that the biasing member 6 is provided between the inner surface of the valve body 2 and the top 44 of the valve body 4. The biasing member 6 biases the valve body 4 toward the valve seat portion 3, preventing the valve body 4 from floating up in the height direction Z.

The deformation restriction portion 7 is a portion that restricts the deformation of the biasing member 6, which deforms as described above, from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount that the biasing member 6 can deform as described above, and is molded integrally with the valve body 4, mainly made of a resin material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). As shown in FIG. 5, the deformation restriction portion 7 extends from both ends of the axial line L direction at the top 44 of the valve body 4 toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 (i.e., in the height direction Z), and also extends in the width direction X, and is formed in a plate shape that overlaps with the mounting portion 60 and the extension portion 61 of the biasing member 6 in the axial line L direction. That is, the deformation restriction portion 7 is provided between the valve body 4 and the valve body 2. In this configuration, when the valve body 4 displaces in the height direction Z toward the opposite side to the valve seat portion 3, when the tip of the deformation restriction portion 7 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2, the valve body 4 cannot be displaced further in the height direction Z, and the biasing member 6 cannot be deformed. As shown in FIG. 4B, a clearance A is provided between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. As described above, when the deformation restricting portion 7 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2, the biasing member 6 cannot deform any further, and this clearance A functions as a gap that determines the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6. In other words, the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6 is determined by the clearance A between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the dimension of the clearance A is set smaller than the height dimension H1, which is the dimension in the height direction Z of the guide portion 24 described above. This prevents the valve body 4 from displacing in the height direction Z of the guide portion 24 beyond the height dimension H1 of the guide portion 24 even if the valve body 4 is displaced in a direction away from the valve seat portion 3, and prevents the valve body 4 from riding up the guide portion 24.

As shown in FIG. 7, the dimension of the clearance A is set to a clearance dimension H4, which is about 50% or less of the combined height dimension (first dimension H2 + second dimension H3) of the extension portion 61 and the contact portion 62 of the urging member 6, when the dimension in the height direction Z of the extension portion 61 of the urging member 6 is the first dimension H2 and the dimension in the height direction Z of the contact portion 62 is the second dimension H3. That is, the dimension of the clearance A between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 is set to about half or less of the combined height dimension of the extension portion 61 and the contact portion 62 of the urging member 6. Note that, since the clearance A is provided, the fluid flowing in the valve chamber 2a may flow through the clearance A. In this embodiment, since the inlet port P is open in the axial direction L, the high-pressure fluid flowing into the valve chamber 2a often flows in the axial direction L from the inlet port P side toward the drive portion 5 side (the inlet port P side is upstream of the valve body 4).

However, as described above, the dimension of the axial L direction of the attachment portion 60 of the biasing member 6 is smaller than the dimension of the axial L direction of the tip surface 44a at the top 44 of the valve body 4, so that as shown in FIG. 1, each deformation regulating portion 7 is arranged to sandwich the biasing member 6 from the drive portion 5 side and the inlet port P side in the axial L direction. As a result, for example, when the axial L direction is the fluid flow direction, each deformation regulating portion 7 extends in a direction intersecting the fluid flow direction (height direction Z and width direction X), and at least one of the deformation regulating portions 7 is provided upstream of the biasing member 6 in the fluid flow direction inside the valve body 2. In detail, of the deformation regulating portions 7, the deformation regulating portion 7 located on the inlet port P side is located on the inlet port P side of the biasing member 6, and since the inlet port P side is upstream of the valve body 4 as described above, the deformation regulating portion 7 on the inlet port P side is provided upstream of the biasing member 6 in the fluid flow direction inside the valve body 2.

As described above, the deformation restricting portion 7 is provided so as to overlap the mounting portion 60 and the extending portion 61 of the biasing member 6 in the axial direction L, and therefore each deformation restricting portion 7 is provided so as to overlap the mounting portion 60 and the extending portion 61 of the biasing member 6 in the fluid flow direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B), a chamfered portion 7a is formed on the tip edge of each deformation restricting portion 7. The chamfered portion 7a is provided so as to be chamfered to follow the outer shape of the biasing member 6 as viewed from the above-mentioned fluid flow direction. In this embodiment, the chamfered portion 7a is formed by chamfering one end side of the deformation restricting portion 7 in the width direction X along the folded portion 61b of the extending portion 61 of the biasing member 6 as viewed from the fluid flow direction.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the deformation restricting portion 7 is configured so as not to unnecessarily impede the fluid flowing through the valve chamber 2a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the valve body 4 is viewed from the top 44 side, the deformation restricting portion 7 is disposed so as not to extend beyond the outer shape of the top 44 in the axis L direction and width direction X, and is contained between the top 44 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2.

In the slide-type switching valve 1 configured as described above, the valve body 4 slides in the direction of the axis L to switch the refrigerant flow path. First, when the drive unit 5 is driven to move the valve body 4 toward the inlet port P, the valve body 4 slides toward the inlet port P while being guided by the guide unit 24 while maintaining the proper position relative to the valve ports 30, 31, and 32, and the second port 32 and the outlet port 31 are covered by the valve body main body 40. This allows the second port 32 to communicate with the outlet port 31. Also, the inlet port P and the first port 30 are communicated with each other. At this time, high-pressure refrigerant flows into the valve chamber 2a through the inlet connection flow path 20 and the inlet port P, and the high-pressure refrigerant is sent to the condenser through the first port 30 and the first connection flow path 21. Meanwhile, the low-pressure refrigerant sent from the evaporator flows into the bowl-shaped recess 40c through the second port 32 and the second connection passage 23, and the low-pressure refrigerant is sent to the suction port of the compressor through the outlet port 31 and the outlet connection passage 22.

Next, when the valve body 4 is moved toward the drive unit 5, the valve body 4 slides toward the drive unit 5 while being guided by the guide portion 24 while maintaining the proper position with respect to the valve ports 30, 31, and 32, and the valve body main body 40 covers the outlet port 31 and the first port 30. This allows the outlet port 31 to communicate with the first port 30. Also, the inlet port P and the second port 32 are connected. At this time, high-pressure refrigerant flows into the valve chamber 2a through the inlet connection flow path 20 and the inlet port P, and the high-pressure refrigerant is sent to the evaporator through the second port 32 and the second connection flow path 23. Meanwhile, low-pressure refrigerant sent from the condenser flows into the bowl-shaped recess 40c through the first port 30 and the first connection flow path 21, and the low-pressure refrigerant is sent to the suction port of the compressor through the outlet port 31 and the outlet connection flow path 22. Regardless of whether any of the ports P, 30, 31, and 32 are connected or blocked, the fluid in the valve chamber 2a may flow through the space between the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 2 and the apex 44 of the valve element 4, because a clearance A is provided between the deformation restriction portion 7 and the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 2. However, because the biasing member 6 and the deformation restriction portion 7 are provided in the above-mentioned positional relationship, the flow rate of the fluid is first reduced by the deformation restriction portion 7 provided on the upstream side, and the momentum of the fluid against the attachment portion 60 and the extension portion 61 on the downstream side is suppressed.

When the valve body 40 is in communication with or blocking each port P, 30, 31, 32, the force of the biasing member 6 presses the seal portion S of the valve body 4 against the seal surface 33 of the valve seat 3, making it difficult for a gap to form between the seal portion S and the seal surface 33, ensuring airtightness within the valve body 4. In this state, if the valve body 4 is significantly displaced in a direction away from the valve seat 3 due to a load that exceeds expectations, such as an impact pressure blowing up from inside the valve body 4, the biasing member 6 will deform in the same direction, but the tip of the deformation restriction portion 7 will abut against the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2, eliminating the above-mentioned clearance A, and the valve body 4 will not be displaced any further, so that deformation of the biasing member 6 beyond the predetermined deformation amount is suppressed.

According to the above embodiment, the slide-type switching valve 1 is a slide-type switching valve 1 including a hollow cylindrical valve body 2, a valve seat portion 3 having a plurality of valve ports 30, 31, 32 provided in the valve body 2, a valve element 4 provided inside the valve body 2 so as to be slidable in the axial direction L on the valve seat portion 3 and switching the communication state of the valve ports 30, 31, 32, and a biasing member 6 that biases the valve element 4 toward the valve seat portion 3. Between the valve element 4 and the valve body 2, a deformation restriction portion 7 is provided that extends from a part of the valve element 4 to the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 and restricts the deformation of the biasing member 6 from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount.

According to the present invention, the valve body 4 provided inside the valve body 2 is biased toward the valve seat 3 by the biasing member 6. Therefore, the biasing force of the biasing member 6 presses the valve body 4 against the seal surface 33 of the valve seat 3, making it difficult for a gap to occur between the seal surface 33 and the valve body 4, and airtightness inside the valve body 4 can be ensured. In addition, a deformation restriction portion 7 is provided between the valve body 4 and the valve body 2, which extends from a part of the valve body 4 to the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 2 and restricts the deformation of the biasing member 6 from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount. Therefore, even if a load exceeding the expected value, such as an impact pressure blowing up from inside the valve body 4, acts on the valve body 4, the deformation of the biasing member 6 can be restricted to a predetermined deformation amount, thereby suppressing the valve body 4 from being significantly displaced in the direction away from the valve seat 3. Therefore, even if the valve body 4 is about to be significantly displaced by a load exceeding the expected value, the deformation restriction portion 7 can restrict the deformation of the biasing member 6 to a predetermined amount or less, and a slide-type switching valve 1 can be obtained in which an excessive load is prevented from acting on the biasing member 6.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6 is determined by the clearance A between the deformation restricting portion 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. According to this configuration, before the biasing member 6 is deformed to the predetermined deformation amount, that is, in the normal state, the displacement of the valve body 4 is not restricted by the deformation restricting portion 7, so that the valve body 4 can be smoothly slid in the axial direction L without impairing the slidability against the valve seat portion 3. In addition, the valve body 4 has a seal portion S that slides against the seal surface 33 of the valve seat portion 3 and a top portion 44 on the opposite side to the seal portion S, and the deformation restricting portion 7 is provided so as to extend from the top portion 44 of the valve body 4 toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. According to this configuration, the deformation restricting portion 7 provided so as to extend from the top portion 44 of the valve body 4 toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 can restrict the deformation of the biasing member 6 from exceeding the predetermined deformation amount.

The deformation restriction portion 7 is provided upstream of the biasing member 6 in the direction of fluid flow inside the valve body 2, and is provided so as to overlap the mounting portion 60 and extension portion 61 of the biasing member 6 in the direction of fluid flow. Therefore, the flow rate of the high-pressure fluid flowing inside the valve body 2 is first reduced by the deformation restriction portion 7 provided on the upstream side, and the momentum of the fluid against the mounting portion 60 and extension portion 61 of the biasing member 6 on the downstream side can be suppressed, thereby protecting the biasing member 6.

The clearance A between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 7 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 is set to less than half the height dimension (first dimension H2 + second dimension H3) of the extension portion 61 and the contact portion 62 of the biasing member 6 combined, so that the deformation of the biasing member 6 can be appropriately suppressed. The deformation restricting portion 7 is formed in a plate shape that extends from the top 44 of the valve body 4 toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 and extends in a direction intersecting the fluid flow direction (in this embodiment, the axis L direction), and the tip edge of the deformation restricting portion 7 is provided with a chamfered portion 7a that follows the outer shape of the biasing member 6 as seen from the fluid flow direction. In this way, the tip edge of the deformation restricting portion 7 formed in a plate shape is provided with a chamfered portion 7a that follows the outer shape of the biasing member 6 as seen from the fluid flow direction, so that the biasing member 6 can be protected while suppressing the deformation restricting portion 7 from becoming larger than necessary.

In addition, since the biasing member 6 can be formed of a leaf spring in which the mounting portion 60, the extension portion 61, and the contact portion 62 are integrated, the biasing member 6 can be made smaller than a biasing member 6 in which the mounting portion 60, the extension portion 61, and the contact portion 62 are not integrated. Inside the valve body 2, a guide portion 24 is provided that rises from the seal surface 33 of the valve seat portion 3 and extends in the axial direction L to guide the valve body 4 in the axial direction L. Since the above-mentioned clearance A is set smaller than the height dimension H1 of the guide portion 24, even if a load exceeding the expected value, such as an impact pressure blowing up from inside the valve body 4, acts on the valve body 4 and the valve body 4 is significantly displaced in the direction away from the valve seat portion 3, the valve body 4 can be prevented from displacing in the same direction beyond the height dimension H1 of the guide portion 24. This prevents the valve body 4 from riding up onto the guide portion 24, which allows the guide portion 24, which properly maintains the position of the valve body 4 and the valve ports 30, 31, and 32, to function normally and ensures the sliding movement of the valve body 4.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modified examples are also included in the present invention. Figure 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of the urging member 6. Reference symbol 6a in Figure 8 is the urging member in this modified example, and this urging member 6a is configured to include an attachment portion 60a1, an extension portion 61A having a base end portion 61a1 and a folded portion 61b1, and a contact portion 62a. The shape of the extension portion 61A is different from the shape of the extension portion 61 in the above embodiment. Specifically, the extension portion 61 in the above embodiment is formed in a shape that is folded back at an acute angle in a plan view, while the extension portion 61A in this modified example is formed in a shape that is folded back so as to be curved in a plan view.

Next, a first modified example of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body 2 and the valve element 4 in the first modified example, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the slide-type switching valve 1 in the first modified example. Reference numeral 71 in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 indicates a deformation regulating portion in the first modified example. In this first modified example, the shape and arrangement of the deformation regulating portion 71 are different from those of the deformation regulating portion 7 in the above embodiment, and the deformation regulating portion 71 is provided extending in the height direction Z from both width direction X side portions 40b1 of the valve element 4 toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the deformation regulating portion 71 is formed in a rod shape so that the tip portion on the side opposite to the valve seat portion 3 has a rounded tip shape, and is provided on both width direction X side portions 40b1 on the drive portion 5 side and both width direction X side portions 40b1 on the inlet port P side (i.e., a total of four). A clearance A1 is provided between the tip of the deformation regulating portion 71 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. This clearance A1 has the same function as the clearance A in the above embodiment, and its dimension is set smaller than the height dimension H1 of the above-mentioned guide portion 24, and the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6 is determined by the clearance A1 between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 71 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2. According to this first modified example, the same action and effect as the above embodiment is achieved, and the deformation restricting portion 71, which is provided extending from both side portions 40b1 in the width direction X of the valve body 4 toward the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2, can restrict the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6.

Next, a second modified example of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body 2 and the valve element 4 in the second modified example, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the slide-type switching valve 1 in the second modified example. The reference numeral 72 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 indicates a deformation restricting portion in the second modified example. In this second modified example, the shape and arrangement of the deformation restricting portion 72 are different from those of the deformation restricting portions 7 and 71 in the above embodiment and the first modified example, and the deformation restricting portion 72 is provided extending from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 toward the top 44 of the valve element 4. The deformation restricting portion 72 is formed so as to bulge in the height direction Z from a position facing one end side of the top 44 of the valve element 4 in the width direction X and the height direction Z toward the top 44, and extend in the axial direction L from the drive unit 5 side to the inlet port P side. A clearance A2 is provided between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 72 and the top 44 of the valve element 4 (i.e., the outer peripheral surface of the valve element 4). This clearance A2 has the same function as the clearances A and A1 in the above embodiment and the first modified example, and its dimension is set smaller than the height dimension H1 of the above-mentioned guide portion 24, and the predetermined deformation amount of the urging member 6 is determined by the clearance A2 between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 72 and the top portion 44 of the valve body 4. According to the second modified example, the same action and effect as the above embodiment is achieved, and the deformation restricting portion 72 extending from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 toward the top portion 44 of the valve body 4 can restrict the predetermined deformation amount of the urging member 6. In addition, in the second modified example, since the deformation restricting portion 72 is formed on the valve body 2 side, the structure of the valve body 4 can be simplified by the deformation restricting portion 72 not being provided on the valve body 4.

Next, a third modified example of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve body 2 and the valve element 4 in the third modified example, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the slide-type switching valve 1 in the third modified example. Reference numeral 73 in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 indicates a deformation restricting portion in the third modified example. In this third modified example, the shape and arrangement of the deformation restricting portion 73 are different from those of the deformation restricting portions 7, 71, and 72 in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example, and is provided so as to extend from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 toward the top 44 side of the valve element 4 beyond the step portion 45a of the guided portion 45 in the width direction X both sides 40b1 of the valve element 4. That is, the deformation restricting portion 73 is provided so as to extend from the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 toward the top 44 side of the valve element 4 beyond the step portion 45a. The deformation restricting portion 73 is formed in a rib shape that extends inward in the width direction X from the inner surface of both sides of the width direction X of the valve body 2 and extends in the axial direction L from the drive unit 5 side to the inlet port P side. A clearance A3 is provided between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 73 and the step 45a of the guided portion 45 (i.e., the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 4). The clearance A3 has the same function as the clearances A, A1, and A2 in the above embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example, and its dimension is set smaller than the height dimension H1 of the above-mentioned guide portion 24 (not shown in FIG. 14), and the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6 is determined by the clearance A3 between the tip of the deformation restricting portion 73 and the step 45a.

According to the third modified example, the same effect as that of the above embodiment is achieved, and the deformation of the biasing member 6 can be restricted from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount by the deformation restricting portion 73 provided extending from the inner circumferential surface of the valve body 2 toward the top 44 side of the valve body 4 beyond the step portion 45a. In addition, according to this modified example, when the valve body 4 is displaced in a direction away from the valve seat portion 3, the step portion 45a in the guided portion 45 of the valve body 4 abuts against the deformation restricting portion 73. At this time, as described above, since the guided portion 45 is provided so as to be able to slide in the height direction Z against each guide portion 24 provided on the valve body 2, the guided portion 45 moves in the height direction Z while sliding against the guide portion 24, whereby the step portion 45a abuts against the deformation restricting portion 73. Therefore, by making the guided portion 45 slide against the guide portion 24 (i.e., being guided by the guide portion 24), the step portion 45a can be brought into contact with the deformation restricting portion 73 without being misaligned, and the deformation restricting portion 73 can suppress the deformation of the biasing member 6 to a predetermined amount or less.

Although the embodiment and the modified example of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and modified examples, and the present invention includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the flow direction of the fluid flowing in the valve chamber 2a is the axial line L direction, but the flow direction of the fluid is not limited to the axial line L direction. For example, the inlet port P may be arranged to face the first port 30, the outlet port 31, and the second port 32 in a direction intersecting the axial line L direction. In this case, since the high-pressure fluid flowing in the valve chamber 2a tends to flow in a direction intersecting the axial line L direction, the direction intersecting the axial line L direction is set as the flow direction of the fluid, and the deformation restriction portion 7 is provided upstream of the direction intersecting the axial line L direction and overlaps with the mounting portion 60 and the extension portion 61. In addition, the above embodiment, the first modified example, the second modified example, and the third modified example may be configured independently of each other, or any or all of these configurations may be combined. That is, the deformation restriction portion 7 provided between the valve element 4 and the valve body 2 extends from at least one of a part of the valve element 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 to the other, and the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member 6 is determined by the clearance A between the deformation restriction portion 7 and either the inner peripheral surface of the valve body 2 or the outer peripheral surface of the valve element 4.

In addition, in this embodiment, the valve seat portion 3 is configured to have multiple (three) ports 30, 31, 32, but the valve seat portion 3 does not necessarily have to have multiple ports, and may have a single port. In other words, the valve seat portion 3 may have one or more valve ports provided in the valve body 2. Furthermore, the valve body 4 does not necessarily have to be formed in a bowl shape, and may have a configuration in which it can be freely slid on the valve seat portion 3 and can switch between the connected and blocked states of each port.

L Axis A Clearance S Seal portion 1 Slide type switching valve 2 Valve body 3 Valve seat portion 33 Seal surface 4 Valve body 40a Opening edge 44 Top portion 5 Drive portion 6 Pressing member 7 Deformation restriction portion

Claims (11)

A slide-type switching valve comprising: a hollow cylindrical valve body; a valve seat portion having one or more valve ports provided in the valve body; a valve element provided inside the valve body so as to be slidable in an axial direction on the valve seat portion and switching a communication state of the valve port; and a biasing member biasing the valve element toward the valve seat portion,
a deformation restriction portion is provided between the valve body and the valve main body, the deformation restriction portion extending from at least one of a part of the valve body and an inner circumferential surface of the valve main body to the other, and restricting deformation of the biasing member from exceeding a predetermined deformation amount;
a portion of the deformation restricting portion on the other side is non-slidable with respect to the other side in a displacement direction of the urging member before the portion comes into contact with the other side while approaching the other side as the urging member deforms ,
a valve body that is provided with a valve recess and a valve seat ... The slide-type switching valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member is determined by the clearance between the deformation restriction portion and either the inner circumferential surface of the valve body or the outer circumferential surface of the valve element. The valve body has a seal portion that is in sliding contact with a seal surface of the valve seat portion, and a top portion opposite the seal portion,
3. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2, wherein the deformation restricting portion is provided extending from the top portion of the valve body toward an inner circumferential surface of the valve main body. the biasing member has an attachment portion attached to the top portion of the valve body, an extension portion standing up from the attachment portion, and a contact portion provided at a tip of the extension portion,
The contact portion is a portion on the inner circumferential surface side of the valve body,
4. The slide type switching valve according to claim 3, wherein the deformation regulating portion is provided upstream of the biasing member in the fluid flow direction inside the valve body and overlaps with the mounting portion and the extension portion of the biasing member in the fluid flow direction. The slide-type switching valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the clearance between the deformation restriction portion and the inner peripheral surface of the valve body is set to less than half the combined height of the extension portion and the contact portion of the biasing member. The extension portion of the biasing member has a base end portion connected to the attachment portion and a folded portion folded back from the base end portion to extend to an opposite side, and the contact portion is provided at a tip of the folded portion,
6. The slide type switching valve according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the deformation regulating portion is formed in a plate shape extending from the top of the valve body toward an inner circumferential surface of the valve body and extending in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the fluid, and a chamfered portion is provided at a tip edge of the deformation regulating portion along an outer shape of the biasing member as viewed from the flow direction of the fluid. The sliding switching valve according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the biasing member is composed of a leaf spring in which the mounting portion, the extension portion, and the contact portion are integrated. a guide portion is provided inside the valve body, the guide portion rising from a seal surface of the valve seat portion and extending in the axial direction to guide the valve element in the axial direction;
8. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2, wherein the clearance is set smaller than a height dimension of the guide portion. The valve body has a seal portion that is in sliding contact with a seal surface of the valve seat portion, an apex portion opposite to the seal portion, and a side portion between the apex portion and the seal portion,
3. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2, wherein the deformation restricting portions are provided extending from both widthwise sides of the valve disc toward an inner peripheral surface of the valve body. The valve body has a seal portion that is in sliding contact with a seal surface of the valve seat portion, and a top portion opposite the seal portion,
3. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2, wherein the deformation restricting portion is provided so as to extend from an inner circumferential surface of the valve body toward the top portion of the valve element. The valve body has a seal portion that is in sliding contact with a seal surface of the valve seat portion, an apex portion opposite the seal portion, and a side portion between the apex portion and the seal portion,
A step portion protruding outward in the width direction is provided on each of both width direction sides of the valve body,
The deformation restricting portion is provided to extend from an inner circumferential surface of the valve body toward the top side of the valve element beyond the step portion,
3. The slide type switching valve according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined deformation amount of the biasing member is defined by a clearance between the deformation restricting portion and the step portion.

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