JP2016205475A - Fluid switching valve, equipment provided with fluid switching valve, and refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a fluid switching valve having a large ratio of the number of switching states to a numerical aperture, a device including a fluid switching valve designed to be able to realize a mode suitable for an applied device, and a refrigerator. A fluid supply section, a valve seat having N openings, and a valve body slideable in contact with the valve seat are rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis. N is a natural number greater than 4 or 4, and the valve body is a valve body groove capable of opening two openings to each other and one opening to a fluid supply unit. And a valve body recess that forms a flowable region that can be opened, and can be switched between opening and closing of the fluid supply unit and opening and closing of the openings according to relative rotation, and N openings Among them, the opening and closing states of the openings via the valve body groove can be switched in three ways while opening one or more openings to the fluid supply part via the flow region. [Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid switching valve, a device 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 that can switch the communication state of one inflow port A and four communication ports (ports) BE to five ways (0059, 0061, FIGS. 17, 20, and 22). etc). In Patent Literature 1, the communication port BE opens and closes when the valve body 80 swings (0099). Of the four communication ports BE, the communication port exposed from the valve body sliding contact surface 81 communicates with the inflow port A, and the other two or more communication ports BE can communicate with the communication recess 82. For example, in the second state of FIG. 17, the communication port B exposed from the valve body sliding contact surface 81 communicates with the inflow port A, and the communication port D and the communication port E communicate with each other through the communication recess 82. Similarly, in the third state of FIG. 17, the communication port B exposed from the valve body sliding contact surface 81 communicates with the inflow port A, and the communication port D and the communication port C communicate with each other through the communication recess 82.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an invention in which each inlet port 15 is arranged on a first circumference 17 and a second circumference 18 with a rotation axis as a center to reduce the pilot pressure pattern switching valve of a hydraulic excavator. Disclosure (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 designing the applied equipment, for example, it is desirable that the number of states that can be realized by the fluid switching valve is larger than the number of ports that the fluid switching valve can open and close. In addition, a fluid switching valve that can be designed to select a preferable one as an arrangement of members connected to each port or inlet and a switching state to be realized is desired depending on the device to be applied.

  In Patent Document 1, there are two or less patterns of communication ports BE that communicate with each other through the communication recess 82 in a state where a certain port communicates with the inflow port A. 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.

  Patent Document 2 is switched using a configuration that connects an inlet port arranged on the first circumference and an inlet port arranged on a second circumference different from the first circumference, a recess 25, or the like. The technical idea of increasing the pattern is not disclosed.

  The present invention, which has been made in view of the above circumstances, includes a fluid supply unit, a valve seat having N openings, and a valve seat that is rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis. And a valve body that contacts the valve body sliding contact surface, wherein N is a natural number greater than 4 or 4, and the valve body is capable of opening two openings. A groove and a valve body recess that forms a flow region in which one opening can be opened with respect to the fluid supply unit, and according to the relative rotation, the opening of the opening with respect to the fluid supply unit The valve body groove can be switched between opening and closing and opening and closing of the openings, and one or more openings among the N openings are opened with respect to the fluid supply unit via the flow region. It is characterized in that the opening / closing state of the openings via the can be switched in three ways.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the fluid switching valve of 1st Embodiment. FF sectional view of FIG. A perspective view of the fluid switching valve of the first embodiment seen through virtually removing the stator case and the valve case (A) M direction arrow top view of FIG. 1, (b) KK sectional view The perspective view which shows the structure of the rotor pinion gear of 1st Embodiment, an idler gear, and a valve body. Front view of opening and valve body sliding contact surface of first embodiment The figure which shows the switching state of a fluid switching valve with four numerical apertures of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the switching state of the fluid switching valve with 5 to 6 numerical apertures of 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows 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-and-closing state of opening. Explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the opening of the fluid switching valve of 3rd 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 3rd Embodiment, and the opening-and-closing state of opening. Explanatory drawing which shows 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-and-closing state of opening. The figure which attached the outline | summary of the fluid circuit to the front external appearance of the refrigerator of 5th Embodiment. Circuit diagram of fluid circuit of 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 the response | compatibility of each state of the fluid switching valve of 5th Embodiment, and each mode of a fluid circuit The figure which shows the mode implement | achieved about each when the fluid switching valve demonstrated in 1st Embodiment is applied with respect to the fluid circuit of 5th Embodiment, and when the fluid switching valve demonstrated in 4th Embodiment is applied.

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

<< First Embodiment >>
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve with an improved ratio of the number of switching states to the numerical aperture. In particular, it is possible to switch to three states via the valve body groove while opening a certain opening to the fluid supply unit.
<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. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in 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. 4A is a view (in front view) of the arrow M in FIG. 1 when the valve case 66, the valve body 80, and the idler gear 79 are removed, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line KK. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rotor pinion gear 75, the idler gear 79, and the valve body 80.

[Outline of Fluid Switching Valve 60]
A cylindrical stator 62 around which a coil is wound is formed inside a cylindrical stator case 61 that forms the exterior of the fluid switching valve 60. 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 that connects wiring 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 and the coil of the stator 62 is energized, a magnetic field is generated in the stator 62, and the magnetic field is applied to the magnet of the rotor 70 via the valve case 66. Rotate. This motor can be configured as a stepping motor.

  The bottomed cylindrical valve case 66 covers the valve body 80 and suppresses the fluid supplied from the inlet A, which is an example of the fluid supply unit, from diffusing outside 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 opening end of the valve case 66.

  The valve seat plate 67 has three concentric plates with different thicknesses. The first valve seat plate portion 67a and the second valve that is smaller in diameter and thicker than the first valve seat plate portion 67a. The seat plate portion 67b and a third valve seat plate portion 67c larger in diameter and thinner than the first valve seat plate portion 67a are integrally provided.

  An inflow pipe 68 through which fluid can flow and four communication pipes 69 are connected to the valve seat plate 67. The first valve seat plate 67a has an inflow port A, and the second valve seat plate 67b has four openings B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4. The inflow port A supplies the fluid flowing through the inflow 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 communication pipes 69b-69e. Each of the inflow port A and the openings B_1-B_4 communicates with the inside of the valve case 66. The portion of the valve seat plate 67 that comes into contact with the valve body 80 is a polished finish surface 90.

The valve body shaft 71 is the rotation center of the rotor 70 and the valve body 80. When the rotor 70 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the valve body 80 through the rotor pinion gear 75, the valve body shaft 71, the idler gear 79, and the idler shaft 78 connected to the rotor 70. As a result, the valve body 80 rotates relative to the valve seat plate 67. A bottomed rotor shaft hole 72 into which the valve body shaft 71 is fitted is formed at the center position of the valve seat plate 67.
A rotor driving portion distal end 76, which is a convex portion provided around the rotation shaft at the lower end portion of the rotor pinion gear 75, is placed 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 protruding from the outer periphery of the valve body gear 83. When the valve body 80 rotates by a predetermined angle, the stopper 84 comes into contact with the idler stopper 79c below the idler pinion gear 79a, thereby restricting the rotation of the valve body 80.

  The stopper 84 is provided so that the valve body 80 can be rotated more 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-B_4 are provided at substantially equal distances from the valve body shaft 71, respectively. The openings B_1-B_4 are arranged in order of B_1, B_2, B_3, B_4 in the clockwise direction in the circumferential direction, and the openings_1, B_4 are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The openings B_1-B_4 are arranged at substantially equal angles with the valve body shaft 71 as the center. For example, the fluid switching valve 60 with N openings is arranged such that a part of each opening overlaps each vertex of a regular N-gon inscribed in a virtual circle centered on the valve body axis 71.

  Of the openings B_1-B_4, the opening B_1 is closest to the inflow port A. The inflow port A is located on the opposite side of the valve body shaft 71 with the opening B_1 interposed therebetween. The idler shaft 78 is provided on the side opposite to the inflow port A with the valve body shaft 71 interposed therebetween. Further, the diameters of the openings B_1-B_4 are not particularly limited as long as each of the openings B_1-B_4 is located at the above vertex position, but can be made substantially equal to each other.

[Valve sliding surface 81]
FIG. 6 is a front view of the opening B_1-B_4 and the valve body sliding contact surface 81. FIG. A valve body sliding contact surface 81, which is one surface of the valve body 80, rotates around the valve body shaft 71 while being in contact with the polished surface 90 provided with the openings B_1-B_4. By opening the valve body 80 relative to the valve seat plate 67, the openings B_1-B_4 provided in the valve seat plate 67 can be opened and closed. The inlet A can supply fluid into the valve case 66 without depending on the rotation of the valve body 80.

[Fluid circulation part 82]
A fluid circulation portion 82 is provided on the valve body sliding contact surface 81. The fluid circulation 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 (the valve body shaft hole 85), the valve body groove 82 on the counterclockwise side is referred to as a valve body groove 82a, and the valve body groove on the clockwise side 82 is referred to as a valve body groove 82b.

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

Each of the two openings adjacent in the circumferential direction has an angle of approximately θa = (360 / N) ° with the valve body shaft 71 as 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 that are approximately θa apart from each other with respect to the virtual circle where the respective openings B_1 to B_4 are located. For example, a virtual circle in which each opening is positioned can be provided in an arc shape substantially along θa as illustrated in FIG. Hereinafter, connecting the two points of the virtual circle where the valve element grooves 82a and 82b are separated 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 substantially larger than θa.

  The valve body recess 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 virtual circle. The valve body recess 82c exposes the openings B_1-B_4 to the inside of the valve case 66 according to the rotation of the valve body 80, respectively. The fluid supplied from the inlet A into the valve case 66 flows into the openings B_1-B_4 exposed inside the valve case 66. That is, the valve body recessed part 82c distribute | circulates the fluid supplied from the inflow port A with respect to the exposed opening.

  Of the valve body 80 illustrated and described here, the valve body shaft 71 is sandwiched between two circumferential ends of the valve body recess 82c and two straight lines passing through the valve body shaft 71. Part of the imaginary circle included in the region C (see FIG. 6) located on the opposite side to the valve body recess 82c is part of the valve body sliding contact surface 81. That is, valve body grooves 82a and 82b are not provided in at least a part of the virtual circle included in the region C.

[Opening and closing of opening]
Hereinafter, the state where the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlap with two or more openings, or the state where the valve body recess 82c overlaps with the opening and the opening is exposed inside the valve case 66 is opened. Call it. 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 the inlet A via the fluid circulation portion 82. The state in which the opening is closed is a state in which the valve body sliding contact surface 81 and the valve body grooves 82a and 82b suppress the flow of fluid between a certain opening and another opening or the inlet A. Say.

Although it depends on the device to be applied, in the refrigerator which is an example of the device described later, the total number of valve body grooves 82a and 82b that simultaneously open the opening is preferably two. That is, one serves as an inlet for the valve body grooves 82a and 82b and the other serves as an outlet, so that the refrigerant uniformly passes through the valve body grooves 82a and 82b. In the case of three or more, for example, when one is an inlet and two are outlets, the refrigerant flows out from the two outlets, so the flow rate of refrigerant flowing out from each outlet decreases and the outlet Since the distribution of the refrigerant flow rate changes according to the flow path resistance corresponding to the above, the refrigerant flow rate does not become constant.
Similarly, in the case of a refrigerator, the number of openings that the valve body recess 82c opens simultaneously is preferably one. If there are two or more, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through each opening is reduced, the cooling capacity is reduced, and the distribution of the refrigerant flow varies depending on the flow resistance corresponding to each of the plurality of openings. It becomes difficult to acquire ability stably.

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

<Number of states of fluid switching valve 60>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a switching state of a five-way valve corresponding to the fluid switching valve 60 with the number N of openings B being 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, for each opening exposed by the valve body recess 82c, there are three combinations of openings in which the valve body grooves 82a and 82b open, so the numerical value “1” shown in the uppermost row is divided into three. -Summarized as "4".

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a switching state of the fluid switching valve 60 in which the number N of the openings B is 5 to 6. FIG. 8 shows only the switching state in which the opening B_3 of the opening B is opened by the valve body recess 82c, and the other (N-1) openings are opened by the valve body recess 82c. As for the case, since only the positions of the openings are different and the illustration is repeated, this is avoided. Those skilled in the art can understand by thinking in the same way as the above-described five-way valve.
First, among the illustrated valves, the five-way valve 5-1, the six-way valves 6-1, 6-2, and the seven-way valves 7-1, 7-2 will be described. The valve body recess 82c can switch the opening combination of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b in three ways with each opening being opened to the inflow port A.

  Here, when a certain opening B_i overlaps the center of the angle range of the valve body recess 82c (in this embodiment, when a certain opening B_i is located at the center of the arc cut by the valve body recess 82c) ) Is referred to as an 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” in the uppermost row in FIG. 7, the angles −θa, 0 shown in the “valve element angle” row in order, respectively. , + Θa, + 2θa, and a state corresponding to an angle 0 shown in the uppermost stage of FIG. This is the first switching state for the opening B_i. At this time, each valve body groove | channel 82a, 82b has overlapped with less than two opening.

  Hereinafter, regarding the relative rotation of the valve body 80 with respect to the valve seat plate 67, the clockwise rotation is positive and the counterclockwise rotation is negative. In addition, the angle of the arc cut by the valve body recess 82c is 2 × θp. At this time, θp can be set to an angular range of the opening, for example, one or more times an angle formed by two straight lines passing through the valve body shaft hole 85 and in contact with the opening B_1. Note that θp may be a value that satisfies 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 for the opening B_i. When the valve body 80 is rotated by -θp from the origin state, the other of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b overlaps the two openings. This is the third switching state related to the opening B_i.
Since the same switching state can be realized at each opening, among the illustrated fluid switching valves 60, the five-way valves 5-1, 5-2, the six-way valves 6-1, 6-2, the seven-way valves 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 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 combinations by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b are the same, and both openings are 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.

  Of the illustrated fluid switching valve 60, the five-way valve 5-2 has one valve body groove 82, and the valve body groove 82 has the above-mentioned virtual circle over an angle range of approximately 2 × θa. It was cut out. In this case, similarly to the five-way valve 5-1, etc., a switching state that is three times the number of openings can be realized. When the length of the valve body groove 82 is long, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the valve body groove 82 generates a force for separating the valve body 80 from the valve seat plate 67. For this reason, it is preferable that the number of the valve body grooves 82 is two because the length of the valve body grooves 82 can be easily shortened. In addition, the two valve body grooves 82 are likely to have the configuration described in the second embodiment to be described later.

[Summary of First Embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the valve body recess 82c opens a certain opening B_i (i = 1, 2,..., N) to the inflow port A in the same manner as the five-way valve described as an example. 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 4 (5-way valve) or 5 (6-way valve) or more. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an (N + 1) -way valve with a numerical aperture N ≧ 4 that can be switched in the number of possible switching states (3 × N). As described above, it is also 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 open two (total four) openings at the same time.

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

  Depending on the device to which the fluid switching valve is applied, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve capable of omitting some 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, the design method of the fluid switching valve according to the application and function, the structure of the fluid switching valve to which the fluid switching valve is applied, and the like become clear. For example, for one, two, or three or more i of N openings B_i (i = 1, 2,..., N), the openings B_i are opened to the inflow port A by the valve body recess 82c. In this 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 remainder of the opening. Can provide.

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

[Multiple virtual circumferences to arrange openings]
FIG. 9 is a front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 showing the arrangement of the openings B_1-B_4 and the structure of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 of the present embodiment. In order to make the explanation easy to understand, hatching is given to the valve-sliding contact surface 81 in FIG. 9A and to the fluid circulation portion 82 in FIG. 9B. FIG. 9B shows the positions of the openings B_1-B_4 when the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 67 are relatively rotated for each step rotation angle θp. Further, in FIG. 9B, three imaginary straight lines intersecting each other at the valve body shaft 71 are drawn, and each of the two adjacent straight lines has an angle of θp = 45 °.

  The openings B_1 and B_3 are provided at substantially equal distances d2 (outer radius) from the valve body shaft 71. The openings B_2 and B_4 are provided at substantially equidistant positions d1 (inner radius) from the valve body shaft 71. Note that d2> d1. Hereinafter, a circle having a radius d2 centering on the valve body shaft 71 is referred to as an outer circumferential circle, and a circle having a radius d1 is referred to as an inner circumferential circle. Further, θa can be set to be approximately an integral multiple of θp, but is preferably approximately 2 times or approximately 3 times.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 9A, the state where the opening B_3 is located at the center of the circular arc of the outer circumferential circle cut by the valve body recess 82c is referred to as an origin state (rotation angle θ = 0 °). Call. As shown in FIG. 9B, the valve body recess 82c cuts out an arc of the outer circumference circle over θ1 = 2 × θp = 90 °.

  Each of the openings B_1-B_N (N = 4) is arranged in the order of B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4 in the clockwise direction in the circumferential direction, and the circumferences where the adjacent openings in the circumferential direction are located 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 circumference circle are located on the outer circumference circle which is a circle different from the inner circumference 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 openings that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction to allow fluid to flow. The angle of the arc cut by the valve body groove 82a and the angle of the arc cut by the valve body groove 82b are each greater than or equal to θa. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the two end portions of the valve body groove 82a are separated by θ4 = 2 × θp = θa or more, and similarly, the two end portions of the valve body groove 82b are θ5. = 2 × θp = θa or more.

  The valve body grooves 82 a and 82 b can be formed in a shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a straight line that passes through the valve body shaft 71 and that divides the angle cut by the valve body recess 82 c in front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81. In FIG. 9, this straight line is indicated by a virtual straight line passing through the opening B_1 and the opening B_3. Here, the valve body grooves 82a and 82b may be symmetrical in the region overlapping the two virtual circumferences with the openings. The same applies to the valve body recess 82c.

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

The valve body groove 82b has a flow area S5 that cuts the inner circumference circle over an angle θ5, and a flow area S6 that is connected to the flow area S5 and extends to the circumference of the outer circumference circle.
The circulation region S5 cuts out an arc of θ5 = θa = 90 ° or larger. The distribution area S5 can be formed in a substantially arc shape.
The circulation area S6 is provided on the side away from the valve body recess 82c in the end of the circulation area S5. The circulation region S6 can be substantially parallel to the radial direction of the inner circle or the outer circle. The distribution region S6 has a length in the radial direction (d2-d1) or longer.
In addition, 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 overlap substantially all of the openings B_1 and B_3.

[Valve recess 82c]
By the relative rotation between the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 69, the flow regions S1 and S2 through which the fluid can flow together with the valve body recess 82c rotate around the valve body shaft 79. Hereinafter, the valve body recess 82c is expressed as having the flow regions S1 and S2. The valve body recess 82 c can be formed in a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the straight line passing through the center of the valve body recess 82 c 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 region S1 that is located on the center side of the flow region S1 and cuts the inner circle over the angle θ0. The flow region S1 cuts the outer circle over the angle θ1 = 2 × θp. Distribution area S2. The distribution region S1 includes a region on the outer side in the radial direction from the cut arc of the outer circumferential circle. The flow region S2 preferably includes a part of a straight line passing through the center of the outer circumference circle cut out of the communication region 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 with 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, θ1 = (2 × θp). However, 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 set to an angle that can overlap substantially the whole of the openings B_2 and B_4. Further, by setting the upper limit of θ0 to less than θ1, the angular range in which the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential circle overlap with the valve body concave portion 82c and the angular range in which the openings B_1 and B_3 on the outer circumferential circle overlap with the valve body concave portion 82c. Can be different. For this reason, the number of switching states by the valve body grooves 82a and 82b that can be realized when the valve body 80 is rotated with respect to the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential circle can be reduced. This point will be separately described later. Thereby, a part of mode which a fluid circuit implement | achieves can be abbreviate | omitted according to the use of the apparatus to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied.

[Distribution area distribution]
Of the circulation regions S1 and S2 of the valve body recess 82c, on the circumference on the side where the flow region S1 having a large arc angle to be cut is located, the end connected to the circulation regions S3 and S5 of the circulation regions S4 and S6 A different part is located.
Further, among the flow areas S1 and S2 of the valve body recess 82c, the flow areas S3 and S5 are located on the circumference on the side where the flow area S2 where the angle of the cut arc is small is located. That is, of the valve element grooves 82a and 82b, for example, portions where two points of a circle separated by θa are cut out.

[Partition 94]
A part of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 exists between each of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b and the valve body recess 82c. This is referred to as a partition portion 94.
More specifically, each of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b has a part of the flow region S1 at the end on the valve body recess 82c side or radially outside in the vicinity of the end, and the valve body groove 82a. , 82b, a circulation region S2 exists on the circumferential side of the end on the valve body recess 82c side. The valve body sliding contact surface 81 located between the end portions of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b and the radial direction with the flow region S1 or the circumferential direction with the flow region S2 is the partition portion 94.

  By the partition part 94, it can suppress that the fluid which flows through the valve body groove | channel 82a or the valve body groove | channel 82b exceeds the partition part 94 by its own pressure, and leaks to the valve body recessed part 82c. It is preferable to increase the range of the partition portion 94 because fluid leakage can be more effectively suppressed.

[Separation in the radial direction of the opening]
The difference [2 × (d2−d1)] between the diameters of the two circumferences where the openings are arranged is larger than the diameter of the openings B_1−B_4. Further, the openings B_1-B_4 are arranged so that the diameters of the virtual circles in contact with the inner circumferences of the openings B_1, B_3 are larger than the diameters of the virtual circles in contact with the outer circumferences of the openings B_2, B_4. By arranging the openings B_1-B_4 in this way, the inner circumferential circle side circulation regions S2, S3 and S5 overlap the outer circumference circle side openings B_1, B_3, or the outer circumference circle side circulation regions S1, S4 and S6. Can be prevented from overlapping with the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumferential circle side.

[Number of fluid switching valve states]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating eight states realized by the fluid switching valve 60 of the present embodiment. As described above, the fluid switching valve 60 has a small angle range in which the openings B_2 and B_4 on the inner circumference overlap the valve body recess 82c. Therefore, the switching is performed under a condition in which the openings B_2 and B_4 are opened with respect to the inlet A. The combination of states has decreased from 3 in the first embodiment to 1, and has partially disappeared. That is, the number of states realized by a five-way valve that is an example of the fluid switching valve 60 is four smaller than twelve.
Hereinafter, the opening state of the inlet A and the openings B_1-B_4 in each state will be described for each opening in which the valve body recess 82c is opened.

((4) Origin state)
In the origin state (fourth state) with 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. For this reason, 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 fluid flow between the other openings and the inflow port A is suppressed.

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

((5) Fifth state)
The fifth state is a state in which the valve body 80 rotates 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 inside 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. For this reason, the fluid can flow between the communication pipes 69b and 69e.

  Therefore, for example, if the fluid switching valve 60 is applied to a device having a fluid circuit in which the communication tube 69d is connected to one of the communication tube 69b or the communication tube 69e and the other is connected to the inflow tube 68, the device One mode can be realized. The opening B_2 is closed, and the fluid flow between the other opening and the inflow port A is suppressed.

((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 inside 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. For this reason, the fluid can flow between the communication pipes 69b and 69c.

  Therefore, for example, if the fluid switching valve 60 is applied to a device 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, the device One mode can be realized. The opening B_4 is closed, and the fluid flow between the other openings and the inflow port A is suppressed.

((8) 8th state)
In the eighth state where 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 fluid flow between the other openings and the inflow port A is suppressed.

((1) First state)
The first state is a state where the rotation angle θ is approximately −3 × θp = −135 °.
In the first state, the opening B_1 is exposed inside 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 fluid flow between the other openings and the inflow port A is suppressed.

((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 inside 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 fluid flow between the other opening and the inflow port A is suppressed.

((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 inside the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. The openings_1, B_2, and B_3 are closed, and fluid flow between the other openings and the inflow port A is suppressed.

((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 inside the valve case 66 by the valve body recess 82c. The openings B_1, B_3, and B_4 are closed, and fluid flow between the other openings and the inflow port A is suppressed.

[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 between three states while satisfying the condition exposed from the valve body 80 by the valve body recess 82c. On the other hand, only one state of the openings B_2 and B_4 can be realized. Hereinafter, openings that can be in three states, such as openings B_1 and B_3, are referred to as non-degenerate openings, and openings that are capable of one or two states are referred to as degenerate openings.

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

  In addition, although the number of states which the degeneracy opening of this embodiment implement | achieves is 1, the number of states can also be made 2 by adjusting the angle of the valve body recessed part 82c.

[Switching status]
By relatively rotating the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 69 by θp, the first to eighth states can be sequentially switched. In addition, since rotation is the movement of the circumferential direction, the 8th state and the 1st state can also mutually transition. However, if the rotation angle range of the valve body 80 is limited using the stopper 84 described above, transition between any two states can be limited. This is preferably adopted when it is not necessary to realize any of the first to eighth states.

[Summary of Second Embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a fluid switching valve capable of omitting some switching states while applying the technical idea of the fluid switching valve of the first embodiment. For example, for each of the two openings B_1 and B_3, the opening and closing states of the openings can be switched in three ways via the valve body grooves 82a and 82b while being opened with respect to the inlet A via the flow regions S1 and S2. is there.

  The omission of some of the switching states 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, if the value is larger than θa, it is apparent that some states cannot be realized when the valve body grooves 82a and 82b extend over θa.

  The number N of openings of the fluid switching valve 60 is not particularly limited as long as it is 4 or more. However, when the number is even, particularly preferably 4 as in the present embodiment, the openings are alternately arranged on the inner circle and the outer circle. be able to. At this time, since the symmetry of the structure is improved, the design can be facilitated.

Depending on the application of the device to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied, one, two, three, four or more, N / 2 or more, or N openings are flowed through the flow areas S1 and S2. While opening the inlet A, the opening / closing states of the openings may be switched in three ways via the valve body grooves 82a and 82b. Similarly, one, two, three, four or more, or N / 2 or more, or N openings are opened to the inlet A via the flow regions S1 and S2, and the valves are opened. The opening / closing states of the openings may be switched in two ways via the body grooves 82a and 82b.
Note that three or more virtual circumferences for arranging the openings may be provided.

«Third embodiment»
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The configuration of this embodiment can be the same as that of the second embodiment except for the following points. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 showing the arrangement of the openings B_1-B_4 and the structure of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 of the present embodiment. In order to make the explanation easy to understand, hatching is given to the valve body sliding contact surface 81 in FIG. 11A and to the fluid circulation portion 82 in FIG. FIG. 11B shows the positions of the openings B_1-B_4 when the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 71 are relatively rotated at each step rotation angle θp.
This embodiment relates to an example in which the configuration on the inner peripheral side and the configuration on the outer peripheral 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 angle range of the circulation region S2 is larger than 0 ° and less than the angle range θ1 of the circulation region S1.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating 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-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 according to the third embodiment, a fluid switching valve 60 capable of omitting a part of the switching state can be provided as in the second embodiment. However, in the fluid switching valve 60 according to the third embodiment, the circulation region S2 having a small arc cutting angle is located on the outer circumference circle side, and the circulation region S1 connected to the circulation region S2 is located on the inner circumference circle side. . For this reason, compared with 2nd Embodiment, the flow resistance with respect to the fluid to distribution area | region S1 in an inner peripheral circle side becomes large. For this reason, it is preferable that the angle of the arc cut off by the valve body recess 82c (overlapping the valve body recess 82c) is larger on the outer circumferential circle side than on the inner circumferential circle side.

<< Fourth Embodiment >>
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The configuration of this 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 time relative rotation of θp = θ2 or θ3 = (θa−θp).
FIG. 13 is a front view of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 showing the arrangement of the openings B_1-B_4 and the structure of the valve body sliding contact surface 81 of the present embodiment. In order to make the explanation easy to understand, hatching is given to the valve body sliding contact surface 81 in FIG. 13A and to the fluid circulation portion 82 in FIG. FIG. 13B shows the position of each opening B_1-B_4 when the valve body 80 and the valve seat plate 71 are relatively rotated at every step rotation angle θp = θ2 or θ3. Yes. In FIG. 13B, a virtual straight line that intersects with the valve body shaft 71 is drawn for each θp. In the present embodiment, θp is approximately 30 °, which is 1/3 smaller than half of θa = 90 °.

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

  Thereby, a part of angle range of valve body groove | channel 82a, 82b can be borne also by distribution area | region S4, S6. For example, in the second embodiment, each of the flow regions S3 and S5 secures the entire angle range θa of the valve body grooves 82a and 82b by cutting the inner circumferential circle by θa. However, when configured as in the present embodiment, the angle of the arc cut by the flow areas S3 and S5 can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the circulation regions S3 and S5 cut out the inner circumference circle over 2 × θp = 60 ° <θa, and the circulation regions S4 and S6 are separated from the inner circumference circle over θp = 30 ° smaller than that. It is provided so as to extend a region between the outer circumference circles.

As described above, θ6 can be set to approximately 2 × θp = 60 °. That is, the valve body grooves 82a and 82b and the opening B_1 can be overlapped 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. Further, the end of the flow regions S3 and S5 on the valve body recess 82c side can be positioned far from the valve body recess 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 valve body groove | channel 82a, 82b and the valve body recessed part 82c.
In addition, the angle range θ1 of the flow region S1 of the present embodiment can be set to θ6 = 2 × θp = 60 ° or more.

[Switching status]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating 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 overlaid on the valve body recess 82c can be made by the rotation of θp.
On the other hand, the separation angle between the openings is θa = 90 ° ≈3 × θp, and the flow region S2 is provided in the range of θp in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions with respect to the flow region S2. The transition between the first, second, and third states, and the transition between the fifth, sixth, and seventh states that change the opening that overlaps the body recess 82c are rotated by θ3 = (θa−θp) ≈2 × θp≈60 °. Is possible.

«Fifth embodiment»
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment relates to a refrigerator 1 that is an example of a device to which a 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 the present embodiment, as an example, a refrigerator 1 having a fluid circuit to which the fluid switching valve described in the fourth embodiment is applied will be described.

[Outline of refrigerator 1]
FIG. 15 is a diagram in which an outline of the fluid circuit is added to the front appearance of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 has, from above, a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice making compartment 3 and an upper freezer compartment 4, a lower freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6 arranged side by side. Each door 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a of the refrigerator 1 opens and closes the opening on the front surface of the refrigerator. When each door is opened, warm outside air comes into contact with the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, so there is a possibility that condensation occurs on the opening peripheral. For this reason, the dew condensation suppression piping 17 which lets a high temperature refrigerant pass is embed | buried under part or all of an opening peripheral part.

[Configuration of fluid circuit]
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. In addition to the fluid switching valve 60, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor 51, a condenser 52, a dew condensation suppression pipe 17, a decompression unit 54, a cooler 7, pipes 55, 56, and 57. For example, isobutane can be used as the refrigerant.

A pipe 55, a condenser 52, a compressor 51, and a cooler 7 are connected to the inlet A in order from the inlet A side. The refrigerant becomes 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 dew condensation suppression pipe 17 are connected to the openings B_1 and B_3, respectively.
One end of the first decompression unit 54a is connected to the opening B_2, and one end of the second decompression unit 54b is connected to the opening B_4. The other ends of the first decompression part 54a and the second decompression part 54b are connected by a junction part 89, respectively. The refrigerant that has passed through the first decompression unit 54 a or the second decompression unit 54 b passes through the merging unit 89, then flows into the cooler 7, and returns to the compressor 51. The first decompression unit 54a and the second decompression unit 54b differ in the amount of decompression of the refrigerant that passes. For example, a capillary tube can be adopted as the two decompression units 54 and the diameters thereof can 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 that allows the refrigerant to flow downstream of the fluid switching valve 60 is referred to as a feed port, and an opening that allows the refrigerant to flow to other openings is referred to as a reflux port. The state of the fluid switching valve 60 is switched so as to form a cycle including one inlet and the inlet A, and the state of the fluid switching valve 60 is switched so as to form a cycle including an even number of return ports. Thus, various modes can be realized in the device.

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

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, the fluid circuit is designed so that one of two reflux ports connected to each other overlaps the valve body groove 82a or the valve body groove 82b and the other overlaps the recess 82c. Yes. Here, it is preferable to arrange the feeding port and the reflux port alternately in the circumferential direction as in this embodiment because the above-described state is likely to appear.

  In addition, the openings B_1 and B_3 that are non-degenerate ports are set as reflux ports, and the openings B_2 and B_4 that are degenerate ports are set as flow outlets. By setting a non-degenerate port having a large number of states as a reflux port, it becomes easy to realize a mode in which a fluid is supplied by selecting a functional unit provided between the two reflux ports. Thereby, it becomes easy to correspond to each state of the fluid switching valve 60 so as not to overlap each mode of the device, and the number of modes can be increased.

[Fluid circuit mode]
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 mode to the seventh mode, which are the 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, a device that executes seven modes will be described. For convenience of illustration, the positional relationship of the opening B is different from the actual positional relationship. Specifically, in FIGS. 16 to 23, the opening B is described in the order of B_1, B_2, B_4, and B_3 in the clockwise direction, but actually, as illustrated in FIG. 24, B_1 and B_2 are clockwise. , B_3, and B_4.

[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 exchanging heat with air (external air) in the condenser 52. The refrigerant that has flowed 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 in accordance with each mode, the refrigerant flows downstream of the fluid switching valve 60 through the opening B_2 or B_4 which is a feed port. Further, the refrigerant is depressurized by the decompression unit 54 to become a low temperature and a low pressure, and reaches the joining unit 89. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows into the cooler 7, exchanges heat with the ambient air, and returns to the compressor 51. Hereinafter, each mode will be described.

[Overview of each mode]
In the first mode, the refrigerant is circulated through the dew condensation suppression pipe 17 and the first decompression unit 54a. As shown in the figure, the refrigerant flows through the paths L1 and L2, and passes through the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 from the opening B_1 side. This is called a first dew condensation suppression mode.
In the second mode, the refrigerant is circulated through the first decompression unit 54a. As shown in the drawing, the refrigerant flows through the path L3 and is not sent to the dew condensation prevention pipe 17. This is called the first bypass mode.
In the third mode, the refrigerant is circulated through the dew condensation suppression pipe 17 and the first decompression unit 54a. As illustrated, the refrigerant flows through the paths L4 and L5 and passes through the dew condensation preventing pipe 17 from the opening B_3 side. This is called a second dew condensation suppression mode.
In the fourth mode, the openings B_2 and B_4, which are flow outlets, are both closed to block the refrigerant flow. In this embodiment, the compressor 51 is stopped at this time. This is called a stop mode. Since the openings B_2 and B_4 that are the feed ports are closed, the relatively high-temperature refrigerant in the condenser 52, the dew condensation suppression pipe 17, and the pipes 55 and 56 flows into the cooler 7 and raises the temperature of the cooler 7. This can be suppressed.
In the fifth mode, the refrigerant is circulated through the dew condensation suppression pipe 17 and the second decompression unit 54b. As illustrated, the refrigerant flows through the paths L4 and L6, and passes through the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 from the opening B_3 side. This is called a third dew condensation suppression mode.
In the sixth mode, the refrigerant is circulated through the second decompression unit 54b. As shown in the figure, the refrigerant flows through the path L7 and is not sent to the dew condensation prevention pipe 17. This is called a second bypass mode.
In the seventh mode, the refrigerant is circulated through the dew condensation suppression pipe 17 and the second decompression unit 54b. As shown in the figure, the refrigerant flows through the paths L1 and L8 and passes through the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 from the opening B_1 side. This is called a fourth dew condensation suppression mode.
The mode corresponding to the eighth state is a stop mode similar to the fourth mode. Although the mode corresponding to the eighth state may be executable, in the present embodiment, the stopper 84 is used to suppress the transition to the mode corresponding to the eighth state.

[Direction of refrigerant flowing in dew condensation prevention pipe 17]
Although the high-temperature refrigerant after passing through the condenser 52 flows in the dew condensation suppression pipe 17, the temperature is lowered while the peripheral edge of the opening on the front surface 16 of the refrigerator body is heated. That is, the refrigerant flowing through the dew condensation suppression pipe 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 dew condensation on the peripheral edge of the opening, it is necessary to keep the downstream side, which is the lowest temperature, at a temperature higher than the dew point temperature of the outside air. At this time, if the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 cannot be changed, the temperature on the upstream side becomes relatively higher than the dew point temperature to suppress the dew condensation on the downstream side. Increasing energy efficiency becomes difficult.

  According to this embodiment, since the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 can be changed, the temperature difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 can be reduced, and the energy saving performance can be improved.

[Two decompression units]
When the user opens and closes the door to add new food in the refrigerator 1, warm outside air enters the refrigerator 1 together with the food. From the viewpoint of the preservation of food, it is desired to execute a strong operation that cools the interior in a short time. At this time, it is desirable that the pressure drop by the decompression unit 54 is small, and a weak throttle is preferable.

  On the other hand, when the door is opened and closed little, the amount of heat entering the refrigerator 1 is small. At the time of steady operation (weak operation) that is sufficient to balance with this amount of heat, 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 decompression unit 54a is a weak (thick inner diameter) throttle suitable for strong operation and the second decompression unit 54b is a strong (thin inner diameter) throttle suitable for steady operation, Since the pressure drop suitable for each of these can be obtained, the energy saving performance can be enhanced.

[Mode array]
In the first mode to the third mode, the outlet is the opening B_2. That is, the refrigerant passes through the first decompression unit 54a. On the other hand, in the fifth mode to the seventh mode, the flow outlet is the opening B_4. That is, the refrigerant passes through the second decompression unit 54b.

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

  Further, a second mode, which is a bypass mode, is located between the first mode and the third mode in which the directions of the refrigerant flows are opposite to each other via the dew condensation suppression pipe 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 the dew condensation suppression piping 17, 2nd mode and 6th mode are easy to be performed in the meantime. If the flow direction is suddenly reversed without executing the bypass mode, there is a concern about an adverse effect due to the inertial load of the refrigerant flow. According to this embodiment, such a load can be suppressed.

[Mode omitted due to fluid switching valve design]
FIG. 25 shows the case where (a) the fluid switching valve described in the first embodiment is applied to the refrigerant circuit of the refrigerator 1 and (b) the case where the fluid switching valve described in the fourth embodiment is applied. It is a figure which shows the mode implement | achieved about.

In FIG. 25, only the state (0) is assigned with reference to the openings B_1-B_4, each functional unit, and the valve body grooves 82a, 82b.
In the present embodiment, in the N = 4 five-way valve, the fluid switching valve 60 capable of only eight of them is used instead of the fluid switching valve 60 capable of 3 × N = 12. Thereby, it became the arrangement | sequence of the above modes and the mode control preferable as the refrigerator 1 was attained.

  On the other hand, the case where the fluid switching valve 60 capable of twelve types is applied to the fluid circuit of the present embodiment will be considered. At this time, in addition to the eight states described above, as shown in FIG. 25A, for example, a new leak 1 mode appears between modes 1 and 2. In this leak 1 mode, the refrigerant from the inflow port A is sent to the decompression unit 54a, and at the same time, is allowed to flow from the condensation suppression pipe 17 to the decompression unit 54b. Then, the high-temperature refrigerant in the dew condensation suppression pipe 17 flows out to the cooler 7 via the path indicated by the broken arrow in the figure, and the cooler 7 rises in temperature. Therefore, it is not preferable that this mode appears in the refrigerator 1. The same applies to other newly appearing leak 2 to leak 4 modes.

  In the present embodiment, these unfavorable modes can be omitted by applying the above-described configuration. Thereby, in the process of switching of each mode, obstruction | occlusion of each of the two return ports to which the dew condensation suppression piping 17 is connected can be maintained. In this way, a design more suitable for a device to which the fluid switching valve 60 is applied is possible.

[Clogged decompression section]
Moisture 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 part 54b, which is a strong diaphragm, is thin and relatively easily clogged with foreign matter. For example, when the temperature of the cooler 7 is monitored by a temperature sensor and the temperature of the cooler 7 does not decrease despite operating in any one of the fifth mode to the seventh mode, the second decompression unit 54b. May be clogged. When the refrigerator 1 detects this, if the operation using only the fourth mode from the first mode using the first decompression unit 54a is performed, it is possible to suppress the cooling operation of the refrigerator 1 from stopping. .

[Chalk operation]
In the fourth mode, the opening B_2 and the opening B_4 are not opened to the inflow port A, and the refrigerant circuit is closed. Therefore, when the compressor 51 is operated in this state, the pressure on the downstream side (inlet 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 idling and is in a so-called choke state, which is not preferable.

  According to the present embodiment, the fourth mode is located between the third mode and the fifth mode in which the decompression unit 54 to be used is different. While it is desirable to reverse the refrigerant flow to the dew condensation prevention pipe 17 every predetermined time, it is desirable that the decompression unit 54 to be used follows the fluctuation of the refrigerator internal condition. When the mode using the same pressure reducing unit is located across the fourth mode, there is a possibility that the compressor needs to be frequently stopped. According to the mode arrangement of the present embodiment, the occurrence of choke operation can be suppressed.

[Summary of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the valve circuit plate 69 and the valve body 80 are relatively rotated with respect to two of the openings that are exposed (opened) so as to overlap with the valve body recess 82c, whereby the fluid circuit is A device using the fluid switching valve 60 that can be switched in three ways can be provided. That is, two of the openings are non-degenerate openings. Accordingly, when a five-way valve, for example, is employed as the fluid switching valve 60, eight states can be realized. Moreover, about the refrigerator 1 to which this fluid switching valve 60 is applied, seven modes can be realized.

≪Summary≫
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. That is, the specific form of the present invention can be arbitrarily changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the 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 can be applied to an air conditioner or a hydraulic machine.

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

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

(Appendix 2)
A fluid supply,
A valve seat having N openings;
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body that is rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and a valve body sliding contact surface is in contact with the valve seat;
N is a natural number of 5 or greater than 5,
The valve body is
Two valve body grooves each capable of opening the two openings, and
And a valve body recess that forms a flow region where the opening can be opened to the fluid supply unit,
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening relative to the fluid supply unit, as well as the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
The two valve body grooves can open two openings at a time,
A state g in which the valve body recess opens the first opening;
A state h in which the valve body recess opens the second opening;
Is possible,
While maintaining the state g, any two of the second to Nth openings are opened through one of the valve body grooves, and the two openings of the second to Nth openings are open. A state i in which the other two openings excluding are opened through the other of the valve body groove;
While maintaining the state h, any two of the first, third to Nth openings are opened through one of the valve body grooves, and the first, third to Nth openings are opened. Among these, two states other than these two openings are opened via the other of the valve body groove j, and
A fluid switching valve characterized in that

  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 open two (a total of four) openings simultaneously.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 7 Cooler 17 Condensation suppression piping 51 Compressor 52 Condenser 54 Pressure reduction part 60 Fluid switching valve 66 Valve case (case)
67 Valve seat plate (valve seat)
67a First valve seat plate (valve seat)
67b Second valve seat plate (valve seat)
68 Inflow pipe 69 Communication pipe (1st communication pipe, 2nd communication pipe, 3rd communication pipe, 4th communication pipe)
69b Communication pipe (first communication pipe)
69c Communication pipe (second communication pipe)
69d Communication pipe (3rd communication pipe)
69e Communication pipe (4th communication pipe)
71 Valve body shaft 80 Valve body 81 Valve body sliding contact surface 82 Fluid flow part 82a Valve body groove (first valve body groove)
82b Valve body groove (second valve body groove)
82c Valve body recess 86 Leaf spring (biasing means)
89 Joining part 90 Polishing finish 94 Partition A A Inlet (fluid supply part)
B_1 opening (first opening)
B_2 Opening (second opening)
B_3 opening (third opening)
B_4 opening (fourth opening)

Claims (8)

A fluid supply,
A valve seat having N openings;
A fluid switching valve comprising: a valve body that is rotatable relative to the valve seat about a valve body axis, and a valve body sliding contact surface is in contact with the valve seat;
N is a natural number greater than or equal to 4;
The valve body is
A valve body groove capable of opening the two openings;
A valve body recess that forms a flow region in which one of the openings can be opened with respect to the fluid supply unit, and
According to the relative rotation, the opening and closing of the opening relative to the fluid supply unit, and the opening and closing of the openings can be switched,
Among the N openings, one or two or more than two openings are opened to the fluid supply part via the flow region, and the openings through the valve body groove are opened. A fluid switching valve characterized in that the open / closed state of the valve can be switched in three ways.   The N openings are respectively positioned on one or more circumferences centering on the valve body axis, and the openings and the valves are respectively provided for the two openings adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The fluid switching valve according to claim 1, wherein when considering two straight lines passing through the body axis, an angle of approximately (360 / N) ° is formed. Two valve body grooves,
The two valve body grooves are located in a counterclockwise direction and a clockwise direction of the relative rotation when the valve body recess is observed from the valve body shaft. Item 3. The fluid switching valve according to Item 1 or 2. The N openings are respectively located on two concentric circles centered on the valve body axis,
Each of the valve body grooves
A distribution region that cuts out two points on one circumference of the concentric circles;
A circulation region extending on the other circumference of the concentric circles,
The flow region formed by the valve body recess is:
It has a flow area that cuts off each arc of the concentric circles, and the angle of the flow area that cuts the other arc of the concentric circles is larger than the angle of the flow area that cuts one arc of the concentric circles. The fluid switching valve according to claim 3. N is 4,
5. The fluid switching valve according to claim 4, wherein each of the openings is alternately disposed on two concentric circles centered on the valve body axis.   The extending direction of each of the flow regions extending on the other circumference of the concentric circles of the two valve body grooves is a direction in which an angular range of the valve body groove is increased. 4. The fluid switching valve according to 4. A device including a fluid circuit including the fluid switching valve according to claim 4,
The opening is
A reflux port for sending fluid to another opening;
A flow outlet that circulates fluid downstream of the fluid circuit and sends it to the fluid supply section,
The fluid circuit is:
It has a plurality of functional parts that function by being supplied with the fluid,
Each of the plurality of functional units is located in a cycle including the two reflux ports,
The other part or the remainder of the plurality of functional units is located in a cycle including one of the flow inlet and the fluid supply unit, respectively. A refrigerator as a device according to claim 7,
The fluid is a refrigerant;
A compressor for supplying the refrigerant to the fluid supply unit;
Two reflux ports,
The two outlets,
Each of the two reflux ports is connected to a dew condensation suppression pipe provided at the opening peripheral edge of the refrigerator,
A first decompression part and a second decompression part are connected to the two flow outlets,
A first mode for supplying the refrigerant to the first decompression unit after supplying the refrigerant to the dew condensation suppression pipe from one side of the reflux port;
A second mode for supplying the refrigerant to the first decompression unit;
A third mode for supplying the refrigerant to the first decompression unit after supplying the refrigerant to the dew condensation suppression pipe from the other side of the reflux port;
A fourth mode for stopping the compressor;
A fifth mode for supplying the refrigerant to the second decompression unit after supplying the refrigerant from the other side of the reflux port to the dew condensation suppression pipe;
A sixth mode for supplying the refrigerant to the second decompression unit;
And a seventh mode in which the refrigerant is supplied from the one side of the reflux port to the dew condensation suppression pipe and then the refrigerant is supplied to the second decompression unit.

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