WO2025027998A1 - Flow path switching valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve body (200, 300) comprises: a seal part (141a, 241a) that forms a flow path between the seal part (141a, 241a) and an inner wall part 112; one end side wall part 1411 that extends from the seal part (141a, 241a) on one end side in a center axis A direction to form the flow path; another end side wall part 1412 that extends from the seal part (141a, 241a) on the other end side in the center axis A direction to form the flow path; a connection part 1414 that connects the one end side wall part 1411 and said another end side wall part 1412; an intermediate seal part 241k that abuts the inner wall part 112 and divides the flow path into a plurality of divided flow paths in at least one of the center axis A direction and a circumferential direction; and a first wall part 2413a and a second wall part 2413b that extend from both ends of the intermediate seal part 241k toward the center axis A so as to separate from each other, and constitute the respective divided flow paths. The connection part 1414 of the divided flow paths has a biasing member 170 that biases the connection part 1414 to press the valve body (200, 300) from the central axis A toward the inner wall part 112.

Description

Flow path switching valve

The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve that switches the flow path of a fluid.

JP2022-535565A discloses a flow path switching valve that includes a cylindrical valve body and a valve plug that is disposed within the valve body so as to rotate relative to the valve body around a rotation axis, and in which the valve plug is provided with a seal that abuts against a side wall within the valve body.

The flow path switching valve described in the above document has a structure in which the seal abuts against the wall of the valve body from the inside. Therefore, if the biasing force between the seal and the wall is increased to improve sealing performance, a problem occurs in that a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above points, and provides a flow path switching valve that can properly maintain sealing performance.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the flow path switching valve includes a housing having a main body having a cylindrical inner wall portion and a plurality of ports opening in the circumferential direction, a first end covering one end of the main body portion in the central axis direction, and a valve body rotatably accommodated inside the housing around the central axis and slidingly contacting the inner wall portion to switch the communication state of the plurality of ports. The valve body includes a seal portion that slides against the inner wall portion to form a flow path between the inner wall portion, a one-end side wall portion that extends from the seal portion at one end side in the central axis direction to form the flow path, an other-end side wall portion that extends from the seal portion at the other end side in the central axis direction to form the flow path, a connecting portion that connects the one-end side wall portion and the other-end side wall portion, an intermediate seal portion that abuts against the inner wall portion to divide the flow path into a plurality of divided flow paths in at least one of the central axis direction and the circumferential direction, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that extend from both ends of the intermediate seal portion toward the central axis so as to be spaced apart from each other and that constitute each of the divided flow paths. At the connection of the divided flow paths, there is a biasing member that biases the connection so as to press the valve body from the central axis toward the inner wall.

In the above embodiment, the wall structure that separates the flow paths is composed of two structurally flexible first and second walls. When the valve body 20 is biased toward the inner wall by the biasing member, the structurally flexible first and second walls deform relatively easily, and the intermediate seal portion can be brought into closer contact with the inner wall, thereby maintaining appropriate sealing performance.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow path switching valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the flow path switching valve, showing a state in which a cover portion is removed from a housing. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve body, the rotating shaft, and the biasing member in an assembled state. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the first valve body. FIG. 7B is a front view of the first valve body. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7B. FIG. 9A is a plan view of the second valve body. FIG. 9B is a front view of the second valve body. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the biasing portion in the first valve body. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the valve body and the rotating shaft according to the second embodiment in an assembled state. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view of the rotating shaft. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the first valve body. FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the second valve body. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the biasing portion in the first valve body. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the flow path switching valve according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a front view of the flow path switching valve. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the valve body. FIG. 20 is a plan view of the valve body. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining switching of flow paths in the flow path switching valve.

Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a flow path switching valve 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the overall configuration of the flow path switching valve 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flow path switching valve 10. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the flow path switching valve 10, showing the state in which the lid portion 120 has been removed from the main body portion 111 of the housing 110.

In the following, the direction along the central axis A of the housing 110 (the central axis of rotation of the valve body 130) is referred to as the "central axis direction (central axis A direction)", the direction from the central axis A of the housing 110 toward the outer diameter is referred to as the "radial direction", and the direction in which the valve body 130 rotates within the housing 110 is referred to as the "rotation direction".

The flow path switching valve 10 of this embodiment has five ports 113 as described below, and the communication state (communication and closed) of the five ports 113 can be switched depending on the rotational position of the valve body 130. The flow path switching valve 10 is connected to a cooling circuit consisting of, for example, the power train, battery, radiator, and electric pump of an electric vehicle, and cools and warms these components with the refrigerant by switching the flow path based on the state of the electric vehicle.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the flow path switching valve 10 includes a housing 110, a valve body 130, and an actuator 180.

The housing 110 has a main body 111, a lid 120 as a first end, and a bottom 111a as a second end.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 111 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom. The main body 111 has an inner wall 112 and a number of ports 113. The lid 120 covers one end of the main body 111 in the direction of the central axis A, and the bottom 111a covers the other end of the main body 111 in the direction of the central axis A.

The inner wall portion 112 is the inner peripheral surface of a generally bottomed cylinder. The inner wall portion 112 is formed into a smooth curved surface so that the valve body 130 can slide in contact with it. A number of ports 113 are formed in the inner wall portion 112.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ports 113 connect the inner and outer circumferences of the main body 111 and extend radially from the outer circumference of the main body 111. A plurality of ports 113 are provided lined up in the direction of the central axis A and the circumferential direction of the housing 110. The ports 113 include a first port 113a, a second port 113b, a third port 113c, a fourth port 113d, and a fifth port 113e.

The first port 113a, the second port 113b, and the third port 113c are arranged in sequence in the circumferential direction at the same position in the direction of the central axis A. The first port 113a, the second port 113b, and the third port 113c form the first layer L1 as the first stage (see FIG. 3). The first port 113a, the second port 113b, and the third port 113c are arranged radially in the circumferential direction at a predetermined angular interval.

The fourth port 113d and the fifth port 113e are arranged in sequence in the circumferential direction at the same position in the direction of the central axis A. The fourth port 113d and the fifth port 113e are arranged in a position in the direction of the central axis A closer to the bottom 111a than the first layer L1. The fourth port 113d and the fifth port 113e form the second layer L2 as the second stage (see FIG. 3). That is, the multiple ports 113 are arranged in two stages, the first layer L1 and the second layer L2, in the direction of the central axis A.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a plan view, the first port 113a, the second port 113b, the third port 113c, the fourth port 113d, and the fifth port 113e are arranged at equal intervals (here, 45° intervals) in the circumferential direction (clockwise direction).

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication section 115 communicates the spaces between the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 (described later) that are arranged side by side in the direction of the central axis A in the direction of the central axis A. The communication section 115 guides the fluid that flows in from the port 113 that is not surrounded by the valve body 130 through gaps in the rotating shaft 160, the coil spring 170, etc. inside the housing 110 to the other port 113.

In this embodiment, the multiple ports 113 are arranged in two tiers, a first layer L1 and a second layer L2, along the central axis A, but it may also be configured to arrange more layers (a third layer, a fourth layer, etc.) in the direction of the central axis A (three or more tiers).

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lid portion 120 closes the other end of the main body portion 111 in the direction of the central axis A. The lid portion 120 has an end plate portion 121 and a cylindrical portion 122.

The end plate portion 121 is formed in a flat plate shape and closes the other end of the main body portion 111 in the direction of the central axis A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical portion 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end fixed to the end plate portion 121. An annular O-ring 125 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 122 as a sealing member. The cylindrical portion 122 seals the inside and outside of the housing 110 by sandwiching and fixing the O-ring 125 between the cylindrical portion 122 and the main body portion 111.

As shown in FIG. 3, an annular passage 123 is formed between the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 122 and the side of the valve body 130. The annular passage 123 is provided on the outer circumference of the portion where the shaft seal 165 that seals the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 160 is provided. In other words, the space required to provide the shaft seal 165 is utilized, so providing the annular passage 123 does not increase the size of the housing 110.

For example, when a fluid that has flowed into the communication section 115 from a port 113 in the first layer L1 flows out from another port 113 in the second layer L2, the annular flow passage 123 guides the fluid not only to the communication section 115 located close to the port 113 into which the fluid flows, but also to the communication section 115 located away from the port 113 into which the fluid flows. As a result, the provision of the annular flow passage 123 makes it possible to guide the fluid to parts where the fluid flow resistance is high due to the rotating shaft 160, coil spring 170, etc., and where the fluid is difficult to guide. Therefore, the flow of the fluid can be dispersed so that the fluid can flow through all gaps within the housing 110. This makes it possible to reduce the fluid flow resistance.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the valve body 130 is accommodated inside the housing 110 so as to be rotatable around a central axis A. The valve body 130 has a rotating shaft 160 and a plurality of coil springs 170 serving as biasing members.

The valve body 130 switches the communication state of the multiple ports 113. The valve body 130 is provided across the first layer L1 and the second layer L2. The valve body 130 has a first valve body 141 and a second valve body 142. The first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 are movable radially relative to the central axis A of the housing 110, and are biased toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 by a coil spring 170 described below.

When observed from the direction of the central axis A, the first valve body 141 is formed in a sector shape centered on the central axis A. The first valve body 141 is formed large in the direction of the central axis A so as to straddle the first layer L1 and the second layer L2. The first valve body 141 is formed asymmetrically in at least one of the direction of the central axis A and the circumferential direction.

When observed from the direction of the central axis A, the second valve body 142 is formed in a sector shape centered on the central axis A. The second valve body 142 is provided opposite the first valve body 141 across the central axis A of the housing 110. The second valve body 142 is formed large in the direction of the central axis A so as to straddle the first layer L1 and the second layer L2. The second valve body 142 is formed asymmetrically in at least one of the direction of the central axis A and the circumferential direction.

In this manner, the valve body 130 has the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 that are arranged at positions facing each other around the rotation axis 160. At least one of the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 is provided so as to communicate with each of the multiple ports 113 that are arranged at different positions (different layers) in the direction of the central axis A among the multiple ports 113.
The valve body 130 is made of, for example, an elastic resin material so as to closely contact the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110. The resin material is appropriately selected depending on the type of fluid flowing through the port 113.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rotating shaft 160 extends in the direction of the central axis A of the housing 110. The rotating shaft 160 connects the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 so that they can move in opposing directions. The rotating shaft 160 switches the rotational positions of the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 by rotating.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the coil spring 170 is disposed between the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142. The coil spring 170 biases the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 toward the inner wall portion 112 in which the port 113 is formed.

The multiple coil springs 170 provided between the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 are arranged at two locations spaced apart in the direction of the central axis A. The central axes of the multiple coil springs 170 are arranged so that their positions in the direction of the central axis A coincide with the central axis of the port 113. With this configuration, the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 are biased against the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110, so that the seal portions of the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 are in close contact with the inner wall portion 112.

The actuator 180 operates upon receiving a command signal from a controller (not shown). The actuator 180 is connected to the rotating shaft 160 and drives the rotating shaft 160 to rotate.

Next, the specific configuration of the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 of the valve body 130 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9B.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve body 130, the rotating shaft 160, and the coil spring 170 assembled together. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the first valve body 141. FIG. 7B is a front view of the first valve body 141. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7B. FIG. 9A is a plan view of the second valve body 142. FIG. 9B is a front view of the second valve body 142. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the biasing portion 190.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first valve body 141 has a first seal portion 141a, a first flow path 141b, a first sealing portion 141c, a support portion 141d, multiple (four in this case) protrusions 141e, a sliding portion 141g, and a protrusion portion 141h.

The first seal portion 141a abuts against the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110. The first seal portion 141a is formed as a curved surface having the same curvature as the inner wall portion 112.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first seal portion 141a has an edge portion that faces the inner wall portion 112 in which the port 113 is formed, and only a portion of the inner periphery in the thickness direction abuts against the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110 to form a sealing surface. Specifically, the first seal portion 141a is formed so that the thickness of the edge portion that faces the inner wall portion 112 is less than half the thickness.

This reduces the contact area between the first seal portion 141a and the inner wall portion 112, and reduces the sliding resistance. This reduces the driving torque of the actuator 180. Furthermore, when fluid flows into the first flow path 141b and the pressure rises, the contact state between the first seal portion 141a and the inner wall portion 112 can be maintained even if the free end of the first seal portion 141a deforms toward the outer periphery.

The structure of the first seal portion 141a shown in FIG. 8 is also applied to the second valve body 142 of the valve body 130. This allows the drive torque of the actuator 180 to be reduced, making it possible to use a small actuator 180. Note that, although the seal surface is formed integrally with the valve body 130 in this embodiment, it may be formed from a different material or member so as to be freely deformable.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7B, the first flow path 141b is surrounded by the first seal portion 141a, the one end side wall portion 1411 formed in a sector shape on one end side of the first valve body 141, the other end side wall portion 1412 formed in a sector shape on the other end side of the first valve body 141, the intermediate wall portion 1413 formed in a sector shape between the one end side wall portion 1411 and the other end side wall portion 1412, the connecting portion 1414 connecting the one end side wall portion 1411, the other end side wall portion 1412, and the intermediate wall portion 1413 in the direction of the central axis A, and the inner wall portion 112 to form a first space through which the fluid flows.

The first flow path 141b is formed across the first layer L1 and the second layer L2. The first flow path 141b is formed in a substantially L-shape so that it can connect two ports 113 provided in the first layer L1 with one port 113 provided in the second layer L2.

The first sealing portion 141c is surrounded by the first seal portion 141a, the intermediate wall portion 1413, the other end side wall portion 1412, the connecting portion 1414, and the inner wall portion 112 to stop the flow of fluid. The first sealing portion 141c is capable of stopping the flow of fluid in one of the ports 113 provided in the first layer L1, which is adjacent to the port 113 communicated by the first flow path 141b.

The rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160 is fitted into the support portion 141d. The support portion 141d has a first insertion hole 141f having a square hole shape into which the rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160 is inserted.

The support portion 141d is formed in a shape that allows it to be sandwiched between the U-shaped portion of the support portion 142d of the second valve body 142, which will be described later, so that the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 cannot move relative to each other in the vertical direction. When the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 are combined, the support portion 142d of the second valve body 142 is sandwiched between the support portion 141d of the first valve body 141, and the first insertion hole 141f of the first valve body 141 and the second insertion hole 142f of the second valve body 142 are configured as a single insertion hole. The rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160 is inserted into this insertion hole.

The protrusion 141e faces the protrusion 142e of the second valve body 142 with a gap between them. The protrusion 141e positions the center of the coil spring 170. The coil spring 170 is attached to the protrusion 141e.

The sliding portion 141g is provided outside the first flow passage 141b so as to be aligned with a part of the first flow passage 141b in the direction of the central axis A, and slides against the inner wall portion 112. The sliding portion 141g is provided extending along the circumferential direction and is a protrusion that does not itself form a flow passage. As a result, when the first valve body 141 is formed asymmetrically in at least one of the direction of the central axis A and the circumferential direction, the sliding portion 141g slides against the inner wall portion 112, thereby preventing the first valve body 141 from shifting or tilting.

The protrusion 141h is formed on the upper surface of the first valve body 241 so as to stand along the first seal portion 141a. The protrusion 141h engages with a recess 124 formed in the lid portion 120 of the housing 110, thereby forming a biasing portion 190 that biases the first seal portion 141a toward the inner wall portion 112.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6 and Figures 9A and 9B, the second valve body 142 has a second seal portion 142a, a second flow path 142b, a second sealing portion 142c, a support portion 142d, multiple (here, four) protrusions 142e, and a sliding portion 142g.

The second seal portion 142a abuts against the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110. The second seal portion 142a is formed as a curved surface having the same curvature as the inner wall portion 112.

The second flow path 142b is surrounded by the second seal portion 142a and the inner wall portion 112 to form a second space through which fluid flows. The second flow path 142b is formed in the first layer L1. The second flow path 142b is formed in a substantially straight line so that the three ports 113 provided in the first layer L1 can communicate with each other.

The second sealing portion 142c is surrounded by the second seal portion 142a and the inner wall portion 112 to stop the flow of fluid. The second sealing portion 142c can stop the flow of fluid through the port 113 at one end of the multiple ports 113 connected by the second flow path 142b and the port 113 adjacent in the direction of the central axis A among the ports 113 provided in the second layer L2.

The rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160 is fitted into the support portion 142d. The support portion 142d has a second insertion hole 142f in the shape of a square hole into which the rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160 is inserted.

The rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160 and the insertion hole are configured so that there is a gap between the two outer walls of the rectangular portion 160a and the two inner walls of the insertion hole in the direction in which the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 face each other. This allows the support portion 141d of the first valve body 141 and the support portion 142d of the second valve body 142 to move relative to the rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160. Note that in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 face each other, the two inner walls of the insertion hole are configured to be parallel and flush with each other in the direction of the central axis A, and the two outer walls of the rectangular portion 160a and the two outer walls of the insertion hole abut with no gaps.

The support portion 142d has an axial cross section that is substantially U-shaped, and second insertion holes 142f are formed in both the upper and lower parts of the U-shape. The support portion 142d is configured so that the support portion 142d of the second valve body 142 is fitted to the open side of the U-shape.

The protrusion 142e faces the protrusion 141e of the first valve body 141 with a gap therebetween. The protrusion 142e positions the center of the coil spring 170. The coil spring 170 is attached to the protrusion 142e.

A coil spring 170 is inserted between the convex portion 141e of the first valve body 141 and the convex portion 142e of the second valve body 142. The coil spring 170 biases the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 in a direction that presses them against the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110. This causes the first seal portion 141a of the first valve body 141 and the second seal portion 142a of the second valve body 142 to be in close contact with the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110.

As described above, the support portion 141d of the first valve body 141 and the support portion 142d of the second valve body 142 are configured to be movable relative to the rectangular portion 160a of the rotating shaft 160, so that the first valve body 141 and the second valve body 142 are permitted to move relative to each other in the biasing direction while suppressing the load in the direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft 160, and the biasing force of the coil spring 170 causes the first seal portion 141a of the first valve body 141 and the second seal portion 142a of the second valve body 142 to be in close contact with the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110.

A pair of coil springs 170 provided in a layer (here, first layer L1) in which the fluid flow path is large is set to have a stronger biasing force than the coil springs 170 provided in a layer (here, second layer L2) in which the fluid flow path is small. In other words, of the multiple coil springs 170, one provided in a position where the pressure-receiving area where the valve body 130 receives the fluid pressure is large has a stronger biasing force than the other provided in a position where the pressure-receiving area is small.

In other words, when fluid flows into the second flow path 142b and the second sealing portion 142c and the pressure rises, the spring force of the coil spring 170 on the side of the higher pressure is greater, and the spring force of the coil spring 170 on the side of the lower pressure is smaller. This allows the second sealing portion 142a to be stably pressed against the inner wall portion 112 when fluid pressure is applied, and since there is no need to increase the pressing force more than necessary, it is possible to improve the durability of the second sealing portion 142a.

The sliding portion 142g is provided outside the second flow passage 142b so as to be aligned with a part of the second flow passage 142b in the direction of the central axis A, and slides against the inner wall portion 112. The sliding portion 142g is provided extending along the circumferential direction, and is a protrusion that does not itself form a flow passage. As a result, when the second valve body 142 is formed asymmetrically in at least one of the direction of the central axis A and the circumferential direction, the sliding portion 142g slides against the inner wall portion 112, thereby preventing the second valve body 142 from shifting or tilting.

The protrusion 142h, like the protrusion 141h of the first valve body, engages with the recess 124 formed in the lid portion 120 of the housing 110 to form a biasing portion 190 that biases the second seal portion 142a toward the inner wall portion 112.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, the specific configuration of the biasing portion 190 formed by the protrusion 141h of the first valve body 141 will be described. Note that, although the configuration of the protrusion 141h of the first valve body 141 will be described here as a representative, the protrusion 142h formed on the second valve body 142 also has a similar configuration.

A protrusion 141h is formed near the first seal portion 141a of the first valve body 141, protruding in the direction of the central axis A along the curved surface of the first seal portion 141a. The protrusion 141h has a sliding contact portion 141i on the central axis A side that is formed so that its height in the direction of the central axis A increases toward the outer periphery.

The inside of the lid portion 120 is formed so that the depth in the direction of the central axis increases toward the outer periphery, has an inclined portion 124i that slides against the sliding portion 141i of the first valve body 141, and has a recess 124 formed in a concave shape in the direction of the central axis A. The recess 124 may be formed in an annular shape on the inner circumference of the lid portion 120, or may be formed in a circumferential shape (arc shape) on a part of the inner circumference of the lid portion 120 at a position where the valve body 130 abuts.

The inclined portion 124i of the recess 124 and the sliding contact portion 141i of the protrusion 141h of the first valve body 141 are configured to be in sliding contact with each other. When the valve body 130 rotates in the circumferential direction, the sliding contact portion 141i rotates in the circumferential direction while sliding on the recess 124.

When fluid flows into the first flow path 141b and the pressure in the first flow path 141b increases, the first valve body 141 is deformed in the expanding direction by this pressure. As a result, the upper surface of the first valve body 141 expands upward.

At this time, the recess 124 of the cover 120 fixed to the housing 110 does not move, so the sliding contact portion 141i of the protrusion 141h of the first valve body 141 slides against the inclined portion 124i of the recess 124, and the protrusion 141h moves radially outward. This causes the first seal portion 141a of the first valve body 141 to be biased toward the inner wall portion 112.

In this way, the protrusion 141h moves radially outward due to the pressure of the fluid, forming a biasing portion 190 that biases the first seal portion 141a against the inner wall portion 112.

This biasing portion 190 biases the first seal portion 141a against the inner wall portion 112 when fluid flows into the first flow path 141b and pressure increases, so that the sealing performance of the first seal portion 141a can be appropriately maintained.

The inclination angle between the recess 124 and the sliding contact portion 141i (the angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis A) is set to an appropriate acute angle taking into account the pressure of the fluid in the flow path and the biasing force of the first seal portion 141a.

In addition, the protrusion 141h is formed on the upper surface of the first valve body 141 so as to stand along the first seal portion 141a, and therefore also functions as a reinforcing rib on the upper surface of the first valve body 141. By having such a protrusion 241h on the upper surface of the first valve body 141, the first valve body 141 is prevented from deforming more than necessary, and there is no need to provide a separate structure such as a rib for reinforcing.

Note that, although the biasing portion 190 of the first valve body 141 has been described in FIG. 10, the protrusion 142h formed on the upper part of the second valve body 142 has a similar configuration. In addition, a similar configuration may be provided between the first valve body 141 and the bottom 111a, and between the second valve body 142 and the bottom 111a. This allows the sliding portions 141g, 142g and the second sealing portion 142c to be biased against the inner wall portion 112, and similarly maintains sealing performance. In this case, too, a configuration equivalent to the recess 124 may be formed in an annular shape on the inner circumference of the bottom 111a, or may be formed in a circumferential (arc-shaped) shape on a portion of the inner circumference of the bottom 111a at a position where the valve body 130 abuts.

Second Embodiment
Next, a flow path switching valve 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 16. In the second embodiment, the shape of the housing 110 is substantially the same as in the first embodiment described above, but the configuration of the valve body 200 is different from the configuration of the valve body 130 in the first embodiment. Note that the same components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The flow path switching valve 20 of the second embodiment has five ports 113, similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, and is configured so that the communication state (open and closed) of the five ports 113 can be switched depending on the rotational position of the valve body 200 (see Figure 11) arranged in the housing 110.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the valve body 200 and the rotating shaft 260 assembled together. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a side view of the rotating shaft 260. FIG. 14A is a plan view of the first valve body 241. FIG. 14B is a front view of the second valve body 242. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the intermediate seal portion 241k in the second embodiment.

As shown in Figures 11 to 14A, the first valve body 241 has a first seal portion 241a, a first flow path 241b, a first sealing portion 241c, a second flow path 241d, a protrusion portion 241h, and an intermediate seal portion 241k on its surface (the side facing the inner wall portion 112). The back surface of the first valve body 241 (the side facing the rotating shaft 260) has multiple (four in this case) protrusions 241e and a set of protrusions 241j.

The first seal portion 241a abuts against the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110. The first seal portion 241a is formed as a curved surface having the same curvature as the inner wall portion 112. Note that the first seal portion 241a is formed integrally with the first valve body 241, but may be formed from a different material or member so as to be freely deformable.

As shown in Figures 12 and 15, the first valve body 241 has a one end side wall portion 2411 extending from the first seal portion 241a and formed in an arc shape on one end side of the first valve body 241, an other end side wall portion 2412 extending from the first seal portion 241a and formed in an arc shape on the other end side of the first valve body 241, intermediate wall portions 2413a, 2413b formed in a sector shape between the one end side wall portion 2411 and the other end side wall portion 2412, and connecting portions 2414a and 2414b connecting the one end side wall portion 2411, the other end side wall portion 2412, and the intermediate wall portion 2413, respectively, in the direction of the central axis A. As shown in FIG. 12, the connecting portions 2414a and 2414b are formed in an arc shape (so as to have a convex shape from the central axis A toward the inner wall portion 112) so as to follow the inner circumferential shape of the inner wall portion 112 in a plan view.

That is, the first valve body 241 is configured to integrally have one end side wall portion 2411, connecting portion 2414a, intermediate wall portion 2413a, intermediate wall portion 2413b, and other end side wall portion 2412 in the direction of the central axis A. The intermediate wall portion 2413a and the intermediate wall portion 2413b abut against the inner wall portion 112 at the intermediate seal portion 241k, and divide the flow path formed by the one end side wall portion 2411 and the other end side wall portion 2412 into multiple divided flow paths in the direction of the central axis A.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the first valve body 241 is provided with a first seal portion 241a at the location where the one end side wall portion 2411 and the other end side wall portion 2412 contact the inner wall portion 112, and is provided with an intermediate seal portion 241k at the location where the intermediate wall portion 2413a and the intermediate wall portion 2413b contact the inner wall portion 112.

In the first valve body 241, the first flow path 241b is formed by a space surrounded by the first seal portion 241a, the one end side wall portion 2411, the intermediate wall portion 2413a, the other end side wall portion 2412, the connecting portion 2424a, and the intermediate seal portion 241k.

The first flow path 241b is formed across the first layer L1 and the second layer L2. The first flow path 241b is formed with a substantially L-shaped cross section so as to connect two ports 113 provided in the first layer L1 with one port 113 provided in the second layer L2.

The first sealing portion 241c is formed by a space surrounded by the first seal portion 241a, the one end side wall portion 2411, the intermediate wall portion 2413a, the connecting portion 2424a, and the inner wall portion 112. The first sealing portion 241c can stop the flow of fluid in one of the ports 113 provided in the first layer L1, which is adjacent to the port 113 communicated by the first flow path 241b.

The second flow path 241d is formed by a space surrounded by the first seal portion 241a, the intermediate wall portion 2413b, the other end side wall portion 2412, and the connecting portion 2424a. The second flow path 241d is formed to communicate with two ports 113 provided in the second layer L2.

The second flow passage 241d further includes a communication passage 2415 that connects the front side and back side of the first valve body 241. When the second flow passage 241d is disposed in the port 113, the communication passage 2415 guides the fluid to the back side of the first valve body 241, passes through the back side of the first valve body 241 and around the rotating shaft 260, and guides the fluid to another communication passage (the communication passage 2425 formed in the second flow passage 242d of the second valve body 242, see FIG. 14B).

The first valve body 241 has a protrusion 241h on its upper part. The protrusion 241h slides against the recess 124 formed in the lid portion 120 of the housing 110, as described in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, and biases the first seal portion 241a toward the inner wall portion 112.

As shown in FIG. 12, the back side (center axis A side) of the flow path of the first valve body 241 is provided with four convex portions 241e and a set (two) of convex portions 241j. In addition, the rotating shaft 260 is formed with four convex portions 260b and two convex portions 260c at positions where the four convex portions 241e and the two convex portions 241j face each other with a gap between them. Coil springs 170 are attached to the convex portions 241e and the convex portions 260b. Coil springs 171 are attached to the convex portions 241j and the convex portions 260c.

Similarly, the second valve body 242 has four protrusions 242e and two protrusions 242j on the back side of the flow path (the central axis A side). In addition, the rotating shaft 260 has four protrusions 260b and two protrusions 260c formed at positions where the four protrusions 242e and the two protrusions 242j face each other with a gap between them. Coil springs 170 are attached to the protrusions 242e and 260b. Coil springs 171 are attached to the protrusions 242j and 260c.

The coil spring 170 attached to the convex portion 241e and the convex portion 260b, and the coil spring 170 attached to the convex portion 242e and the convex portion 260b are arranged so that their center lines are the same. The coil spring 171 attached to the convex portion 241j and the convex portion 260c, and the coil spring 171 attached to the convex portion 242j and the convex portion 260c are also arranged so that their center lines are the same. The coil spring 170 has its center line positioned on either side of the central axis A, and the coil spring 171 has its center line positioned on either side of the central axis A (so as to be perpendicular to the central axis A).

In this way, the first valve body 241 and the second valve body 242 constituting the valve body 200 have a first biasing portion that biases each other toward the inner wall portion 112 by the coil spring 170 as a first biasing member on both sides of the central axis A, and a second biasing portion that biases each other toward the inner wall portion 112 by the coil spring 171 as a second biasing member across the central axis A. In this way, the first valve body 241 and the second valve body 242 are biased toward the inner wall portion 112 from multiple positions, so that the seal portions of the first valve body 241 and the second valve body 242 are in close contact with the inner wall portion 112. Note that at least one of the first biasing member and the second biasing member may be provided in the valve body 200.

Next, the configuration of the intermediate seal portion 241k will be described with reference to FIG. 16. Note that the configuration of the intermediate seal portion 241k of the first valve body 241 will be described here as a representative, but the second valve body 242 has a similar configuration.

As shown in FIG. 15, the rotating shaft 260 has flat protrusions 261 and 262 extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis A. The protrusion 261 extends to the back side of the one end side wall portion 2411 and the other end side wall portion 2412 of the first valve body 241. The protrusion 262 extends to the back side between the intermediate wall portion 2413a and the intermediate wall portion 2413b of the first valve body 241 (the back side of the intermediate seal portion 241k).

The protrusions 261 and 262 come into contact with the rear surfaces of the one end side wall portion 2411, the other end side wall portion 2412, the intermediate wall portion 2413a, and the intermediate wall portion 2413b, and regulate the amount of displacement so that they do not displace more than necessary.

As shown in FIG. 16, the intermediate wall portion 2413a (first wall portion) and the intermediate wall portion 2413b (second wall portion) are formed to extend from the intermediate seal portion 241k in the direction of the central axis A while being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined angle. The tip of the protruding portion 262 of the rotating shaft 260 extends to the back surface side of the intermediate seal portion 241k where the intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b are in contact. The tip of the protruding portion 262 has inclined surfaces 262a, 262b that are inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the back surfaces of the intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b and abut against the back surface of at least one of the intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b.

The intermediate wall portion 2413a and the intermediate wall portion 2413b are formed so as to be spaced apart from each other from both ends of the intermediate seal portion 241k toward the central axis A. In this way, the wall structure separating the first flow path 241b and the second flow path 241d is composed of the two intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b. These intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b are configured to be thinner in the plate thickness direction and can be structurally flexible compared to those configured with a single wall structure as in the first embodiment described above.

As a result, the intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b, which are structurally flexible, are relatively easily deformed by being biased toward the inner wall portion 112 by the coil springs 170 and 171 from the rotating shaft 260, and the intermediate wall portions 2413a and 2413b can bring the intermediate seal portion 241k into closer contact with the inner wall portion 112, while the protrusion portion 262 can regulate the amount of deformation.

In this way, the intermediate wall portion 2413a and the intermediate wall portion 2413b allow the intermediate seal portion 241k to be more appropriately attached to the inner wall portion 112, thereby maintaining the sealing performance appropriately.

Note that in Figures 15 and 16, the intermediate seal portion 241k that divides the first flow path 241b and the second flow path 241d in a plane direction perpendicular to the central axis A has been described, but the intermediate seal portion that divides the flow path in the direction of the central axis A and the two intermediate wall portions connected thereto can also have a similar configuration. For example, in Figure 14A, the intermediate seal portion 241l that divides the first flow path 241b and the first sealing portion 241c in the direction of the central axis A and its walls can also have a similar configuration. With this configuration, the intermediate seal portion 241l can also properly maintain its sealing performance against the inner wall portion 112.

Third Embodiment
Next, a flow path switching valve 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 17 to Fig. 21. Note that the same components as those in the first or second embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the flow path switching valve 30. Figure 18 is a front view of the flow path switching valve 30. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the valve body 300. Figure 20 is a plan view of the valve body 300, showing the state in which the lid portion 120 has been removed from the main body portion 111 of the housing 110. Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram explaining the switching of the flow path in the flow path switching valve 30.

The third embodiment is configured so that the housing 110 has a collection port 313 with nine ports 113.

More specifically, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the aggregate port 313 is configured with five layers (first layer L1 to fifth layer L5) from the first stage to the fifth stage, with two ports arranged in each layer (only the second layer L2 has one port).

As shown in FIG. 18, the first layer L1 has the first port 113L1a and the second port 113L1b, the second layer L2 has the third port 113L2c, the third layer L3 has the fourth port 113L3d and the fifth port 113L3e, the fourth layer L4 has the sixth port 113L4f and the seventh port 113L4g, and the fifth layer L5 has the eighth port 113L5h and the ninth port 113L5i.

These nine ports can switch the communication state (open and closed) of the nine ports 113 depending on the rotational position of the valve body 300 arranged in the housing 110. The valve body 300 is provided across the first layer L1 to the fifth layer L5.

As shown in FIG. 19, the valve body 300 is composed of a pair of opposing first and second valve bodies 341 and 342, and a third and fourth valve body 343 and 344 that are respectively disposed between the first and second valve bodies 341 and 342 at positions perpendicular to the first and second valve bodies 341 and 342.

The valve body 300 is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 360. The rotation shaft 360 is rotated by the actuator 180.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first valve body 341 and the second valve body 342, which face each other across the rotating shaft 360, are biased toward the inner wall portion 112 by the coil springs 170 and 170, as in the second embodiment described above. The third valve body 343 and the fourth valve body 344, which face each other across the rotating shaft 360, are biased toward the inner wall portion 112 by a pair of coil springs 170.

The first valve body 341, the second valve body 342, the third valve body 343, and the fourth valve body 344 each have a protrusion and a sliding contact portion at one and the other axial end sides, similar to the first embodiment described above, and the biasing portion is formed by the inclined portions formed on the lid and the bottom.

Also, as shown in FIG. 19, in the flow passage formed in each valve body (for example, between the first flow passage 342a and the second flow passage 342b of the second valve body 342 as shown in FIG. 19), a protrusion protruding from the rotation shaft 360 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis A and the back surface of the second valve body 342 are abutted against each other, as in the second embodiment.

Next, the flow path switching of the flow path switching valve 30 configured in this manner will be explained with reference to Figure 21.

In Figure 21, the first state shows the state in which the first valve body 341 is located at the collection port 313. In this state, the first port 113L1a and the second port 113L1b communicate with each other, the fourth port 113L3d and the fifth port 113L3e communicate with each other, the sixth port 113L4f and the seventh port 113L4g communicate with each other, and the eighth port 113L5h and the ninth port 113L5i communicate with each other. The third port 113L2c does not communicate with the other ports and is closed.

The second state indicates a state in which the first valve body 341 is located in the collecting port 313 at a position different from that in the first state. In this state, the second port 113L1b communicates with the fifth port 113L3e, the sixth port 113L4f communicates with the seventh port 113L4g, and the eighth port 113L5h communicates with the ninth port 113L5i. The first port 113L1a, the third port 113L2c, and the fourth port 113L3d do not communicate with the other ports and are closed.

The third state indicates a state in which the second valve body 342 is located at the collection port 313. In this state, the first port 113L1a and the second port 113L1b communicate with each other, the fourth port 113L3d and the sixth port 113L4f communicate with each other, the fifth port 113L3e and the seventh port 113L4g communicate with each other, and the eighth port 113L5h and the ninth port 113L5i communicate with each other. The third port 113L2c does not communicate with the other ports and is closed.

The fourth state shows a state in which the second valve body 342 is located in the collecting port 313 at a position different from that in the third state. In this state, the first port 113L1a and the second port 113L1b communicate with each other, the third port 113L2c and the fourth port 113L3d communicate with each other, the fifth port 113L3e and the seventh port 113L4g communicate with each other, and the eighth port 113L5h and the ninth port 113L5i communicate with each other. The sixth port 113L4f does not communicate with the other ports and is closed.

The fifth state shows a state in which the third valve body 343 is located at the collection port 313. In this state, the second port 113L1b communicates with the fifth port 113L3e, the third port 113L2c communicates with the fourth port 113L3d, and the seventh port 113L4g communicates with the ninth port 113L5i. The first port 113L1a, the sixth port 113L4f, and the eighth port 113L5h do not communicate with the other ports and are closed.

The fifth state shows a state in which the fourth valve body 344 is located at the collection port 313. In this state, the second port 113L1b and the third port 113L2c communicate with each other, the fourth port 113L3d and the fifth port 113L3e communicate with each other, and the eighth port 113L5h and the ninth port 113L5i communicate with each other. The first port 113L1a, the sixth port 113L4f, and the seventh port 113L4g do not communicate with the other ports and are closed.

In this way, in the flow path switching valve 30, the communication state of each port 113 can be appropriately switched depending on the configuration of each valve body and its position relative to the port 113.

The above-described embodiment provides the following advantages:

The fluid switching valve (20, 30) comprises a housing 110 having a main body 111 with a cylindrical inner wall portion 112 and a plurality of ports 113 opening circumferentially, a first end (lid portion) 120 covering one end of the main body 111 in the direction of the central axis, and a second end (bottom portion) 111a covering the other end of the main body 111 in the direction of the central axis A, and a valve body (200, 300) accommodated inside the housing 110 so as to be rotatable around the central axis A and in sliding contact with the inner wall portion 112 to switch the communication state of the plurality of ports 113. The valve body (200, 300) includes a seal portion (141a, 241a) that is in sliding contact with the inner wall portion 112 to form a flow path between the seal portion (141a, 241a) and the inner wall portion 112, a one-end side wall portion 1411 that is extended from the seal portion (141a, 241a) at one end side in the direction of the central axis A to form the flow path, and an other-end side wall portion 1412 that is extended from the seal portion (141a, 241a) at the other end side in the direction of the central axis A to form the flow path, and the one-end side wall portion 1411. The valve body 200 includes a connecting portion 1414 that connects the other end side wall portion 1412, an intermediate seal portion 241k that abuts against the inner wall portion 112 and divides the flow path into a plurality of divided flow paths in at least one of the central axis A direction and the circumferential direction, and a first wall portion (intermediate wall portion 2413a) and a second wall portion (intermediate wall portion 2413b) that extend from both ends of the intermediate seal portion 241k toward the central axis A and separate from each other and constitute each divided flow path. The connecting portion 1414 of the divided flow paths includes a biasing member 170 that biases the connecting portion 1414 so as to press the valve body (200, 300) from the central axis A toward the inner wall portion 112.

In this configuration, the wall structure that separates the flow paths is composed of two structurally flexible intermediate walls 2413a and 2413b. When the valve body 20 is urged toward the inner wall 112 by the urging member 170, the structurally flexible intermediate walls 2413a and 2413b deform relatively easily, and the intermediate seal portion 241k can be brought into closer contact with the inner wall 112, thereby maintaining appropriate sealing performance.

The fluid switching valve (10, 20, 30) includes a housing 110 having a main body 111 with a cylindrical inner wall 112 and multiple ports 113 opening in the circumferential direction, a first end (lid) 120 covering one end of the main body 111 in the central axis direction, and a second end (bottom) 111a covering the other end of the main body 111 in the central axis A direction, and a valve body (130, 200, 300) that is accommodated inside the housing 110 so as to be rotatable around the central axis A and slides against the inner wall 112 to switch the communication state of the multiple ports 113. The valve body (130, 200, 300) has a seal portion (141a, 241a) that slides against the inner wall 112 to form a flow path between the inner wall 112 and the valve body. At least a portion of the first end 120 and the second end 111a has a circumferential recess 124 including an inclined portion 124i with which the sliding portion (141i, 241i) slides, the depth of which increases toward the outer periphery. At a position corresponding to the recess 124 of the seal portion (141a, 241a), there is a protrusion (141h, 241h) protruding in the direction of the central axis A, the protrusion (141h, 241h) including the sliding portion (141i, 241i) that increases in height toward the outer periphery, and when the valve body (130, 200, 300) expands in the direction of the central axis A due to the pressure of the fluid in the flow path, the sliding portion (141i, 241i) slides against the inclined portion 124i, and the protrusion (141h, 241h) moves radially outward, and is pressed against the inner wall portion 112.

In this configuration, when the valve body (130, 200, 300) expands in the direction of the central axis A due to the pressure of the fluid, the sliding contact portion (141i, 241i) slides against the inclined portion 124i, and the protrusion portion (141h, 241h) moves radially outward, thereby biasing the seal portion (141a, 241a) against the inner wall portion 112. This makes it possible to properly maintain the sealing performance between the valve body (130, 200, 300) and the inner wall portion 112 of the housing 110 due to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow path.

　Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-125560, filed with the Japan Patent Office on August 1, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (13)

A flow path switching valve,
a housing including a main body having a cylindrical inner wall and a plurality of ports opening in a circumferential direction, a first end covering one end of the main body in a central axis direction, and a second end covering the other end of the main body in the central axis direction;
a valve body that is accommodated inside the housing so as to be rotatable about the central axis and that slides in contact with the inner wall portion to switch the communication states of the plurality of ports;
Equipped with
The valve body is
a seal portion that is in sliding contact with the inner wall portion and forms a flow path between the seal portion and the inner wall portion;
a one-end side wall portion extending from the seal portion at one end side in the central axis direction to form the flow path;
an other end wall portion extending from the seal portion at the other end side in the central axis direction to form the flow path;
a connecting portion connecting the one end side wall portion and the other end side wall portion;
an intermediate seal portion that abuts against the inner wall portion and divides the flow passage into a plurality of divided flow passages in at least one of the central axial direction and the circumferential direction;
a first wall portion and a second wall portion extending from both ends of the intermediate seal portion toward the central axis so as to be spaced apart from each other and constituting each of the divided flow paths;
having
a biasing member configured to bias the connecting portion of the divided flow paths so as to press the valve body from the central axis toward the inner wall portion;
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1,
a rotary shaft extending in the direction of the central axis and configured to switch a rotational position of the valve body by rotating the rotary shaft;
The biasing member is disposed between the connecting portion and the rotation shaft.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 2,
At least two valve bodies are provided in the rotation direction of the rotary shaft,
The biasing member biases the two valve bodies toward each other toward the inner wall portion.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 3,
In each of the valve bodies, the first wall portion and the second wall portion extend from both ends of the intermediate seal portion toward the central axis so as to be spaced apart from each other.
Flow path switching valve. A flow path switching valve,
a housing including a main body having a cylindrical inner wall and a plurality of ports opening in a circumferential direction, a first end covering one end of the main body in a central axis direction, and a second end covering the other end of the main body in the central axis direction;
a valve body that is accommodated inside the housing so as to be rotatable about the central axis and that slides against the inner wall portion to switch the communication states of the plurality of ports;
Equipped with
The valve body has a seal portion that is in sliding contact with the inner wall portion to form a flow path between the valve body and the inner wall portion,
At least a portion of the first end and the second end has a circumferential recess that is formed to have a depth that increases toward an outer periphery and includes an inclined portion with which the valve body slides,
a protrusion protruding in the central axis direction including a sliding contact portion whose height increases toward the outer periphery at a position corresponding to the recess of the seal portion, and when the valve body expands in the central axis direction due to the pressure of the fluid in the flow path, the sliding contact portion slides against the inclined portion and the protrusion portion moves radially outward, thereby being pressed against the inner wall portion.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 5,
The valve body is
a one-end side wall portion extending from the seal portion at one end side in the central axis direction to form the flow path;
an other end wall portion extending from the seal portion at the other end side in the central axis direction to form the flow path;
a connecting portion connecting the one end side wall portion and the other end side wall portion;
having
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 6,
The connecting portion is formed in an arc shape so as to conform to the inner circumferential shape of the inner wall portion.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 6,
The one end side wall portion and the other end side wall portion extend close to each other from both ends of the seal portion toward the central axis.
Flow path switching valve. 9. A flow path switching valve according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The valve body is
an intermediate seal portion that abuts against the inner wall portion and divides the flow passage into a plurality of divided flow passages in at least one of the central axial direction and the circumferential direction;
a first wall portion and a second wall portion extending from both ends of the intermediate seal portion toward the central axis so as to be spaced apart from each other and constituting each of the divided flow paths;
Further comprising
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 9,
A rotary shaft extending in the direction of the central axis and rotating to switch the rotational position of the valve body,
The rotation shaft has a protrusion that protrudes toward a rear surface of the seal portion between the first wall portion and the second wall portion and restricts a deformation amount of the valve body.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 10,
The protruding portion has an inclined surface inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the first wall portion and the second wall portion and abuts against a back surface of at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 8,
The valve body may further include at least one of a first biasing member that biases the connecting portion so as to press the valve body toward the inner wall portion, and a second biasing member that biases the connecting portion toward an outer side in the circumferential direction.
Flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve according to claim 11,
The valve body may further include at least one of a first biasing member that biases the connecting portion so as to press the valve body toward the inner wall portion, and a second biasing member that biases the connecting portion toward an outer side in the circumferential direction.
Flow path switching valve.

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