阅读说明：本技术 流路切换阀 (Flow path switching valve ) 是由 及川直树 相马雄太 本桥宪 伊藤裕司 于 2020-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种流路切换阀,在构成流路切换阀(10)的主体(12)的内部设置有套筒(42),在该套筒(42)的一端部和另一端部侧形成有与阀芯(14)的第1和第2台肩部(62、64)的外周滑动接触的第1和第2引导部(58、60)。该第1和第2引导部(58、60)形成为以在阀芯(14)沿轴向移动时始终抵接的方式在轴向上重叠。另一方面,在阀芯(14)具有沿轴向贯通的多个连通路(74),在套筒(42)的内部,形成于所述阀芯(14)的一端部侧的第1空间(70)与形成于所述阀芯(14)的另一端部侧的第2空间(72)经由所述连通路(74)而连通。(A sleeve (42) is provided inside a body (12) constituting a flow path switching valve (10), and first and second guide sections (58, 60) that slide on the outer peripheries of first and second shoulder sections (62, 64) of a valve body (14) are formed on one end section and the other end section of the sleeve (42). The 1 st and 2 nd guide portions (58, 60) are formed so as to overlap in the axial direction so as to always abut when the valve body (14) moves in the axial direction. On the other hand, the valve body (14) has a plurality of communication passages (74) that penetrate in the axial direction, and the 1 st space (70) formed on one end side of the valve body (14) and the 2 nd space (72) formed on the other end side of the valve body (14) communicate with each other via the communication passages (74) in the sleeve (42).)

1. A flow path switching valve (10) is provided with:

a main body (12) having an outlet port (30, 32) and an inlet port (28) to which a fluid is supplied;

a valve element (14) which is provided in the body so as to be movable in the axial direction; and

a drive unit (18) that applies a force to the valve body in the axial direction,

switching a communication state of the introduction port and the discharge port by moving the spool in an axial direction,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

a flow passage (68) for communicating the introduction port and the discharge port is formed in the main body, and the valve body has one space (72) formed between the main body and one axial end of the valve body which is the drive unit side and the other space (70) formed between the main body and the other axial end of the valve body,

the outer peripheral surface of the valve body is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the main body in the axial direction at all times, the flow path provided between the one space and the other space is separated from the one space and the other space, and the valve body has a communication path (74) that communicates the one space and the other space.

2. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1,

a detection member (16) capable of detecting the axial position of the valve body is provided in the other space.

3. The flow path switching valve according to claim 1 or 2,

the drive unit is a solenoid that can be excited by energization of the coil (118) and axially displace the movable body (122).

4. The flow path switching valve according to claim 3,

the plurality of communication passages are provided radially outward of the axial center of the valve body.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve that switches a flow state of a flow path through which a fluid flows by displacing a valve body.

Background

Conventionally, the following flow path switching valves are known: the valve body is provided in a cylindrical body so as to be displaceable in the axial direction, and switches the flow path of a fluid flowing through the body. As disclosed in, for example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2007-182964, the flow path switching valve includes: a spool valve provided so that a spool as a valve body can be displaced in a cylindrical sleeve; and a solenoid provided at an end portion of the spool valve and biasing the spool in an axial direction.

Further, a rubber diaphragm formed in a substantially annular shape is provided at a connection portion where the spool valve is connected to the solenoid, an outer edge portion of the diaphragm is sandwiched between the sleeve and a stator of the solenoid, a shaft protruding from an end portion of the valve plug is inserted through a center portion of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is fitted in a groove formed in an outer peripheral surface of the shaft, thereby isolating the spool valve from the solenoid.

The valve plug is moved in the axial direction by a magnetic force generated by energization of the solenoid, and a flow path of the fluid supplied into the sleeve is switched, and the oil, foreign matter, or the like in the sleeve is prevented from entering the solenoid side by the diaphragm.

In the above-described flow path switching valve, since a member for isolating the solenoid from the sleeve, such as a diaphragm, is provided in order to prevent foreign matter or the like from entering the solenoid side, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps increase, and the manufacturing cost increases, and since the diaphragm is made of rubber, durability deteriorates over long years of use.

Further, since the diaphragm made of rubber has a characteristic that hardness changes with temperature change, it is necessary to set the driving force of the solenoid in consideration of the change in hardness when a shaft (spool) fitted to the diaphragm is displaced in the axial direction. For example, when the hardness of the diaphragm (rubber) is matched to the hardest hardness at low temperature, the driving force of the solenoid needs to be increased, the performance is improved with the increase in output, and the running cost such as power consumption increases.

Disclosure of Invention

A general object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switching valve that can reduce the number of components and the number of assembly steps with a simple configuration, and can prevent foreign matter and the like from entering a portion other than the flow path.

An aspect of the present invention is a flow path switching valve including: a body having an outlet port and an inlet port to which a fluid is supplied; a valve element provided in the body so as to be movable in the axial direction; and a drive unit that biases the valve body in the axial direction and switches a communication state between the inlet port and the outlet port by moving the valve body in the axial direction, wherein a flow path that communicates the inlet port and the outlet port is formed inside the main body, the drive unit has one space formed between the main body and one end of the valve body in the axial direction, which is a drive unit side, and the other space formed between the main body and the other end of the valve body in the axial direction, an outer peripheral surface of the valve body is in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of both ends of the main body in the axial direction at all times, the flow path provided between the one space and the other space is separated from the one space and the other space, and the valve body has a communication path that communicates the one space and the other space.

According to the present invention, the flow path that communicates the introduction port and the discharge port is formed inside the body that constitutes the flow path switching valve, and the flow path switching valve has one space formed between the body and one axial end of the valve body that is the drive unit side and the other space formed between the body and the other axial end of the valve body. On the other hand, the valve body is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction inside the main body, and has a communication passage for allowing the one space and the other space to communicate with each other, and the valve body has an outer peripheral surface that is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the main body in the axial direction at all times while being overlapped in the axial direction, thereby separating the one and the other spaces from the flow passage.

Therefore, when the valve body moves in the axial direction along the main body, the outer peripheral surface of the valve body is always in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the main body in the axial direction, and thus the one and the other spaces can be separated from the flow path, respectively, and therefore, it is not necessary to provide a spacer member such as a diaphragm between the main body and the driving portion, as in the conventional flow path switching valve, and it is possible to prevent foreign matter or the like contained in the fluid from entering the one and the other spaces other than the flow path.

As a result, compared to a conventional flow path switching valve in which a diaphragm is provided to prevent foreign matter and the like from entering the solenoid side, a member for isolation such as a diaphragm is not required, and the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced, and accordingly, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to use a rubber diaphragm, durability can be improved as compared with a conventional flow path switching valve, and output setting of the driving unit according to a change in hardness is not necessary.

The above objects, features and advantages will be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a flow path switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the 1 st guide portion of the flow path switching valve shown in fig. 1;

fig. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the flow path switching valve shown in fig. 1 in the vicinity of the 2 nd guide portion.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 to 2B, the flow path switching valve 10 includes: a main body 12; a valve body 14 provided movably in an axial direction (direction of an arrow A, B) of the main body 12; a sensor unit (detection member) 16 connected to one end of the main body 12; and a driving unit 18 connected to the other end of the main body 12.

The main body 12 is formed of, for example, a resin material into a cylindrical shape that is long in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A, B), and the outer peripheral surface of the main body 12 is formed to have the same diameter in the axial direction. The locking wall 20 is formed inside one end portion side (arrow a direction) of the body 12 in the axial direction, and the other end portion side (arrow B direction) of the body 12 is open. A rod hole 22 (see fig. 2A) through which a detection body 82 of a sensor unit 16 described later is inserted is formed to penetrate axially through the center of the locking wall 20, and a 1 st annular groove 26 that holds one end portion of the valve spring 24 is formed radially outward of the rod hole 22.

Further, a tubular inlet port 28, 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30 and 32 protruding outward in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 12, and the inlet port 28 protrudes substantially at the center in the axial direction in one radial direction. The 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30 and 32 project radially toward the other side in the opposite direction of the inlet port 28, and the 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30 and 32 are formed so as to be separated by a predetermined distance in the axial direction such that the 1 st outlet port 30 is located on the one end side (arrow a direction) of the main body 12 and the 2 nd outlet port 32 is located on the other end side (arrow B direction).

The inlet port 28 and the 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30 and 32 are connected to unillustrated pipes, respectively, and for example, a fluid is supplied from an unillustrated supply source to the inlet port 28 through the pipes, and the 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30 and 32 are connected to unillustrated devices to which the fluid is supplied, respectively.

On the other hand, a 1 st receiving hole 34 extending in the axial direction with a substantially constant diameter is formed in the main body 12, the 1 st receiving hole 34 communicates with the introduction port 28, the 1 st and 2 nd lead-out ports 30 and 32 via 1 st to 3 rd opening portions 36, 38 and 40, respectively, and a sleeve 42 formed in a cylindrical shape is received in the 1 st receiving hole 34.

The sleeve 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, for example, the sleeve 42 is formed along the axial direction (the direction of the arrow A, B) with the same outer peripheral diameter as the 1 st receiving hole 34 of the main body 12, and the sleeve 42 is formed with the 1 st to 3 rd communication holes 44, 46, 48 at positions facing the 1 st to 3 rd openings 36, 38, 40 of the main body 12, respectively. The 1 st to 3 rd communication holes 44, 46, 48 penetrate in the radial direction of the sleeve 42 and communicate with the inlet port 28 and the 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30, 32 via the 1 st to 3 rd opening portions 36, 38, 40.

Further, a 2 nd receiving hole 50 extending in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A, B) and opening at both ends in the axial direction is formed inside the sleeve 42, and the 2 nd receiving hole 50 includes: a seating portion 52 formed at the axial center and opened with the 1 st communication hole 44; a 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54 formed at one end side (in the direction of arrow a) of the seating portion 52; and a 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56 formed on the other end side (arrow B direction) of the seating portion 52.

In the 2 nd receiving hole 50, a 1 st guide portion 58 that slides on the valve body 14 is formed below (in the direction of arrow a) the 1 st enlarged diameter portion 54, and a 2 nd guide portion 60 that slides on the valve body 14 is formed above (in the direction of arrow B) the 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56.

The seating portion 52 is formed to have a substantially constant diameter and a predetermined length in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A, B), the 1 st communication hole 44 opens at a substantially axial center of the seating portion 52, and the 1 st and 2 nd land portions 62 and 64 of the valve body 14, which will be described later, are formed to be capable of sliding contact with the seating portion 52.

The 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54 is provided on the sensor unit 16 side (in the arrow a direction) with respect to the seating portion 52, has a predetermined length in the axial direction, and is formed so as to be radially enlarged with respect to the seating portion 52.

The 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56 is provided on the drive portion 18 side (in the arrow B direction) of the seat portion 52, has a predetermined length in the axial direction, and is radially enlarged with respect to the seat portion 52, and the 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56 is formed with the same inner peripheral diameter as the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54.

The 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58 and 60 are formed at one end portion and the other end portion of the sleeve 42 with the same inner circumferential diameter as the seating portion 52, and the 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58 and 60 are formed to be capable of sliding contact with the 1 st and 2 nd shoulder portions 62 and 64 of the valve body 14, which will be described later, respectively.

That is, the 2 nd receiving hole 50 is formed in a stepped shape as follows: the seating portion 52 formed at the center in the axial direction and the 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58 and 60 formed at the one end portion and the other end portion are small in diameter, and the 1 st and 2 nd diameter-enlarged portions 54 and 56 formed at the one end portion side and the other end portion side are large in diameter, respectively.

Then, the sleeve 42 is inserted in the axial direction into the 1 st receiving hole 34 of the body 12, one end portion of the sleeve 42 abuts against the locking wall 20, and is positioned toward the sensor unit 16 (in the direction of arrow a), and the other end portion of the sleeve 42 is disposed substantially flush with the other end portion of the body 12. Further, a plurality of O-rings are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 42 to prevent leakage of the fluid passing between the sleeve 42 and the body 12.

The valve body 14 is formed of, for example, a plug-shaped shaft body formed of a metal material and having a circular cross section, and the valve body 14 is provided inside the sleeve 42 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A, B) in the axial direction.

Specifically, the valve body 14 is formed so as to be movable by a predetermined stroke amount L (see fig. 2A and 2B) in the axial direction (in the direction of arrow A, B) between a lower end position P1 (see fig. 1) to an upper end position P2 (see fig. 1), the lower end position P1 being a position to which the valve body 14 is pushed downward (in the direction of arrow a) against the elastic force of the valve spring 24 by the driving action of the driving portion 18, and the upper end position P2 being a position to which the driving force of the driving portion 18 disappears and the valve body 14 is moved upward (in the direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the valve spring 24.

The valve body 14 includes: a 1 st land portion 62 formed on the outer periphery of one end portion side (arrow a direction) of the valve body 14 in the axial direction thereof; a 2 nd shoulder portion 64 formed on the outer periphery of the other end portion side (arrow B direction) of the valve body 14; and a communication recess 66 provided on the outer peripheral side between the 1 st land portion 62 and the 2 nd land portion 64.

The 1 st and 2 nd shoulder portions 62, 64 are formed with the same diameter and are formed with substantially the same length as each other in the axial direction. The valve body 14 is provided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction (in the direction of arrow A, B) in a state where the 1 st shoulder portion 62 is in sliding contact with at least one of the seating portion 52 of the sleeve 42 and the 1 st guide portion 58, and the 2 nd shoulder portion 64 is in sliding contact with at least one of the seating portion 52 of the sleeve 42 and the 2 nd guide portion 60. At this time, a space formed between the 2 nd receiving hole 50 of the sleeve 42 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 14 and communicating with the 1 st communication hole 44 becomes a flow path 68 (see fig. 1) through which the fluid flows.

The valve body 14 is provided such that, regardless of the movement position of the valve body 14, the 1 st land 62 is always in sliding contact with the 1 st guide portion 58 in an axial direction (arrow A, B direction) overlapping (see fig. 2A), and the 2 nd land 64 is always in sliding contact with the 2 nd guide portion 60 in an axial direction (arrow A, B direction) overlapping (see fig. 2B).

Thus, in the sleeve 42, the 1 st space (the other side space) 70 formed on the one end portion side (the arrow a direction) of the valve body 14 and the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54 into which the fluid flows are always separated by the 1 st shoulder 62, and the 2 nd space (the one side space) 72 formed on the other end portion side (the arrow B direction) of the valve body 14 and the 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56 into which the fluid flows are always separated by the 2 nd shoulder 64.

The 1 st and 2 nd spaces 70 and 72 communicate with the 1 st and 2 nd enlarged diameter portions 54 and 56, respectively, via minute gaps provided between the 1 st and 2 nd shoulder portions 62 and 64 and the 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58 and 60 of the valve body 14.

The communication recess 66 is formed in a ring shape recessed radially inward with respect to the 1 st and 2 nd shoulder portions 62 and 64, and the communication recess 66 is disposed so as to face the seating portion 52 of the sleeve 42 and the 1 st communication hole 44, and is formed longer than the seating portion 52 in the axial direction.

On the other hand, the valve body 14 is formed with a plurality of communication passages 74 that penetrate from one end portion to the other end portion of the valve body 14 in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A, B) inside thereof, and the communication passages 74 are formed at positions radially outward of the axial center of the valve body 14 and are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axial center. In the sleeve 42, the 1 st space 70 on the one end portion side and the 2 nd space 72 on the other end portion side of the valve body 14 are always in a state of communication via the communication passage 74, and therefore the pressures are the same.

Further, a 2 nd annular groove 76 that is recessed toward the other end side (in the direction of arrow B) in the axial direction is formed in one end portion of the valve body 14, and the 2 nd annular groove 76 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the communication passage 74 so as to face the 1 st annular groove 26 of the locking wall 20. A valve spring 24 formed of a coil spring is interposed between the 2 nd annular groove 76 and the 1 st annular groove 26, and the valve spring 24 has an elastic force that constantly biases the valve element 14 toward the drive portion 18 (in the direction of arrow B).

The sensor unit 16 functions as a position detection device capable of detecting a position of the valve body 14 in the axial direction (the direction of the arrow A, B), and includes, for example: a sensor housing 78; a substrate 80 housed inside the sensor case 78; a detector 82 provided to be movable along the substrate 80; a sensor spring 84 that biases the detection body 82 toward the valve element 14 (in the direction of arrow B); a terminal 86 electrically connected to the substrate 80; and a cover member 88 that closes the opening of the sensor housing 78.

The sensor housing 78 is formed in a hollow shape, for example, from a resin material, and the other end of the opening of the sensor housing 78 is inserted into one end side (arrow a direction) of the main body 12, and the 1 st flange portion 90 protruding outward in the width direction is fixed by a screw 92 in a state of being in contact with the one end of the main body 12. Thereby, one end portion of the opened main body 12 is closed by the sensor unit 16.

Further, the sensor case 78 includes, inside thereof: a substrate storage chamber 94 for storing the substrate 80; and a sample storage chamber 96 for storing the sample 82, wherein the substrate storage chamber 94 and the sample storage chamber 96 are separated by a partition wall 98 provided between the substrate storage chamber 94 and the sample storage chamber 96.

On the other hand, a 1 st connector portion 100 that protrudes perpendicularly to the axial direction is provided outside the sensor housing 78, and the terminal end of the terminal 86 is exposed to the inside of the 1 st connector portion 100 and connected to a connector (not shown), so that a control signal from a controller (not shown) is connected to the terminal 86 and a detection signal detected by the sensor unit 16 is output to the controller.

The substrate housing chamber 94 accommodates the substrate 80 by being inserted into the substrate housing chamber 94 from one end side (in the direction of arrow a) of the opening of the substrate housing chamber 94 along the partition wall 98. The lid member 88 is attached to the opening portion in a state where the substrate 80 is accommodated in the substrate accommodation chamber 94, whereby the substrate accommodation chamber 94 is closed.

The substrate 80 is electrically connected by bringing an electrode portion, not shown, into contact with, for example, 3 terminals 86 that are formed in a plate shape and constitute the 1 st connector portion 100. The substrate 80 is provided with a sensor coil (sensor) S for detecting the approach of the detection body 82 disposed close to the substrate, and generates a magnetic field in response to a control signal from a terminal 86 described later.

The sample storage chamber 96 is formed adjacent to the substrate storage chamber 94 with a partition wall 98 interposed therebetween, and the sample 82 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A, B) inside the sample storage chamber 96. The detection body 82 includes, for example: a main body portion 104 formed in a block shape; 1 st and 2 nd stem portions 106, 108, respectively, projecting axially relative to the body portion 104; and a detection piece 110 attached to a side surface of the body 104.

The main body portion 104 is guided so as to be displaceable in the axial direction (the direction of arrow A, B) by bringing one side surface perpendicular to the moving direction of the detection body 82 into contact with the inner wall surface of the detection body housing chamber 96. The other side surface of the main body 104 is disposed to face the partition wall 98, and the detection piece 110 is attached thereto.

The 1 st lever portion 106 protrudes from one end surface of the body portion 104 in the axial direction (the direction of arrow a), and the sensor spring 84 formed of a coil spring is inserted through the outer peripheral side of the 1 st lever portion 106. Then, one end of the sensor spring 84 abuts against the axial end face of the body portion 104 via the 1 st rod portion 106, and the other end of the sensor spring 84 engages with the spring seat of the sample accommodating chamber 96, whereby the detection body 82 is constantly biased toward the valve element 14 side (in the direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the sensor spring 84.

The 2 nd rod portion 108 is formed on a straight line with the 1 st rod portion 106 across the body portion 104, the 2 nd rod portion 108 protrudes a predetermined length in the axial direction (arrow B direction) from an axial end surface of the body portion 104, penetrates through the rod hole 22 of the locking wall 20 of the body 12, and the tip end of the 2 nd rod portion 108 abuts against the center of one end portion of the valve element 14. At this time, since the detector 82 is always biased toward the valve element 14 (in the direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the sensor spring 84, the tip end of the 2 nd rod portion 108 is always in a state of abutting against one end of the valve element 14.

The detection piece 110 is, for example, a plate made of a metal material, is attached substantially parallel to the other side surface of the main body 104 and substantially parallel to the partition wall 98, and the detection piece 110 is provided movably in the axial direction (the direction of the arrow A, B) along the partition wall 98 together with the detection body 82. Then, the detection piece 110 passes an overcurrent through a magnetic field generated in the vicinity of the sensor coil S of the substrate 80 via the partition wall 98, changes the inductance (capacitance), detects the change in inductance, and outputs the detected change as a detection signal from the terminal 86 to a controller (not shown).

For example, 3 terminals 86 are constituted by a pair of power supply terminals formed in an L-shape in cross section and a signal terminal provided between the power supply terminals, the terminals 86 are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction, and the distal ends of the terminals 86 are exposed inside the 1 st connector part 100, and the base ends of the terminals 86 on the opposite side to the distal ends are molded in the sensor housing 78 in a state of being exposed inside the substrate accommodating chamber 94.

The base end of the terminal 86 is electrically connected to the connector 114, and the terminal 86 and the electrode portion of the substrate 80 are electrically connected via the connector 114. A control signal from a controller, not shown, is supplied to the board 80 via the terminal 86, and the position of the detection body 82 detected by the board 80 is output as a detection signal from the terminal 86 to the controller.

As shown in fig. 1, the driving unit 18 is, for example, a solenoid that generates a magnetic force by energizing the coil 118 to obtain an axial thrust. The driving unit 18 includes: a housing 116; a bobbin 119 housed inside the case 116, around which the coil 118 is wound; a fixed core 120 provided at a lower portion of the bobbin 119; a rod-shaped iron core (movable body) 122 provided inside the bobbin 119 and urged toward the fixed iron core 120 by the excitation of the coil 118; a shaft 124 connected to the center of the rod 122; and a resin mold 126 covering the outer peripheral sides of the bobbin 119 and the coil 118.

The case 116 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and one end of the opening of the case 116 is integrally press-fixed and closed with a fixing member 128. The 2 nd flange portion 130 formed at one end of the fixing member 128 is coupled to the other end of the main body 12 by a plurality of screws 92 in a state of abutting against the other end.

The bobbin 119 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which one end portion and the other end portion of the bobbin 119 are radially expanded outward, and a coil 118 is wound around an outer peripheral surface of the bobbin 119. The outer peripheral sides of the coil 118 and the bobbin 119 are molded in the case 116 by a resin mold 126 described later.

The fixed core 120 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from a metal material, and a portion of the fixed core 120 is inserted into the bobbin 119, and a flange portion 132 extending radially outward from the outer peripheral surface is sandwiched between the resin mold portion 126 and the other end portion of the fixing member 128.

The rod core 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, from a magnetic material, is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the bobbin 119, and is provided to face the other end portion of the fixed core 120.

The shaft 124 is coupled to the shaft center of the rod-shaped core 122, the shaft 124 protrudes a predetermined length toward the valve element 14 side (in the direction of arrow a) with respect to one end of the rod-shaped core 122, a part of the shaft 124 is inserted into the fixed core 120, and one end of the shaft 124 abuts against the center of the other end of the valve element 14. At this time, the valve element 14 is constantly biased toward the shaft 124 (in the direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the valve spring 24, and therefore, one end portion of the shaft 124 is constantly in contact with the valve element 14.

The resin mold portion 126 is formed of, for example, a resin material, is molded inside the case 116 so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the coil 118 and the bobbin 119, and the resin mold portion 126 has a 2 nd connector portion 136 that protrudes from a side thereof and receives the connection terminal 134. The connection terminal 134 is electrically connected to the coil 118, and the 2 nd connector portion 136 is connected to a connector not shown, so that a control signal from a controller not shown is input from the connection terminal 134 to the coil 118.

The detection method of the detection body 82 in the sensor unit 16 is not limited to an inductive sensor that can detect a position based on a change in an induced current generated as the detection piece 110 approaches, and for example, a non-contact sensor using a hall element or the like or a contact sensor may be used.

The flow path switching valve 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, and the operation and the effect of the flow path switching valve 10 will be described below. As shown in fig. 1, a description will be given of a case where the valve body 14 is moved toward the driving portion 18 (in the direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the valve spring 24 as an initial position, and the flow path switching valve 10 is used in a cooling water circuit through which cooling water as a fluid flows.

At this initial position shown in fig. 1, the state is such that: the communication recess 66 of the valve body 14 faces the introduction port 28, and the 1 st shoulder 62 abuts the seating portion 52 and the 1 st guide portion 58, and the 2 nd shoulder 64 abuts only the 2 nd guide portion 60, and the 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56 communicates with the communication recess 66.

The cooling water supplied from a supply source, not shown, to the inlet port 28 flows through the 1 st opening 36 and the 1 st communication hole 44 into the sleeve 42, and flows into the 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56 through a flow path 68 including a gap generated between the 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56 and the communication recess 66 of the valve body 14.

At this time, the 2 nd land portion 64 is in sliding contact with the 2 nd guide portion 60 so as to overlap a predetermined length in the axial direction (see fig. 2B), and therefore, when the cooling water flows in from the 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56 to the 2 nd space 72 side (the arrow B direction) through the gap, foreign matters and the like contained in the cooling water are prevented from entering the 2 nd space 72, and further, from entering the driving portion 18 side (the arrow B direction) from the 2 nd space 72.

On the other hand, since the 1 st shoulder portion 62 of the valve body 14 abuts against the seating portion 52, the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54 does not communicate with the communication recess 66, and the cooling water does not flow to the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54.

The cooling water flowing through the 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56 passes through the 3 rd communication hole 48 and the 3 rd opening 40 facing the 2 nd enlarged diameter portion 56, and is discharged from the 2 nd discharge port 32 to the device, not shown, which needs to be cooled.

In the sensor unit 16, in the above-described initial position, the detection body 82 abutting on the valve element 14 is lifted together with the valve element 14 by the elastic force of the sensor spring 84, and the electric current is passed from the controller not shown to the substrate 80 via the terminal 86 of the 1 st connector portion 100, and the change in inductance according to the approach distance of the detection piece 110 to the magnetic field generated in the sensor coil S is detected.

Then, a detection signal based on the change in inductance is output from the substrate 80 to a controller, not shown, through the terminal 86, and the axial positions of the detection body 82 having the detection piece 110 and the valve element 14 in contact with the detection body 82 are detected, and it is confirmed that the valve element 14 is lifted in the main body 12 and the sleeve 42 and is at an initial position where the introduction port 28 and the 2 nd lead-out port 32 communicate with each other.

Next, when the cooling water supplied to the introduction port 28 is circulated to the 1 st lead-out port 30 side, a control signal from a controller, not shown, is input to the 2 nd connector portion 136 of the driving portion 18 via a wire, and the coil 118 is energized and excited to generate magnetic flux.

The magnetic flux flows along the fixed core 120, the coil 118, the case 116, and the rod-shaped core 122, the rod-shaped core 122 is attracted toward the fixed core 120 (in the direction of arrow a) together with the shaft 124 by the generated magnetic force, and the valve element 14 in contact with one end portion of the shaft 124 is pressed toward the sensor unit 16 (in the direction of arrow a) against the elastic force of the valve spring 24 and moves accordingly.

Thus, the communication concave portion 66 of the valve body 14 faces the introduction port 28, the 1 st shoulder portion 62 is separated from the seat portion 52 and is brought into contact only with the 1 st guide portion 58, the communication concave portion 66 communicates with the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54, and the 2 nd shoulder portion 64 is brought into contact with the seat portion 52 and the 2 nd guide portion 60, thereby blocking communication between the communication concave portion 66 and the 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56.

The cooling water supplied to the introduction port 28 flows into the sleeve 42 through the 1 st opening 36 and the 1 st communication hole 44, and then flows into the 1 st enlarged diameter portion 54 through the flow path 68 including the gap generated between the 1 st enlarged diameter portion 54 and the communication recess 66 of the valve body 14.

At this time, the 1 st shoulder portion 62 is in sliding contact with the 1 st guide portion 58 so as to overlap a predetermined length in the axial direction (see fig. 2A), and therefore, when the cooling water flows from the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54 toward the 1 st space 70 (in the direction of arrow a) through the gap, foreign matter and the like contained in the cooling water is prevented from entering the 1 st space 70. This prevents foreign matter or the like in the cooling water from entering the sensor unit 16 (in the direction of arrow a) through the 1 st space 70, and thus improves the reliability and detection accuracy of the sensor unit 16.

Further, since the valve spring 24 provided in the 1 st space 70 can also avoid contact with foreign matter or the like, the valve element 14 can be reliably and smoothly moved toward the driving portion 18 (in the direction of arrow B) by the elastic force of the valve spring 24. On the other hand, since the communication between the 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56 and the communication recess 66 is blocked, the cooling water does not flow to the 2 nd diameter-enlarged portion 56.

The cooling water flowing through the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54 passes through the 2 nd communication hole 46 and the 2 nd opening 38 facing the 1 st diameter-enlarged portion 54, and is discharged from the 1 st discharge port 30 to other devices not shown that need cooling.

In the sensor unit 16, as the valve body 14 is lowered, the detection body 82 is pushed down toward one end (in the direction of arrow a) against the elastic force of the sensor spring 84, and moves, and the proximity distance of the detection piece 110 with respect to the magnetic field generated by the sensor coil S of the substrate 80 changes, so that the inductance changes, and a detection signal based on the change in inductance is output to a controller (not shown) through the terminal 86.

As a result, the axial positions of the detection body 82 having the detection piece 110 and the valve body 14 abutting against the detection body 82 are detected, and it is confirmed that the valve body 14 descends inside the main body 12 and the sleeve 42, and the introduction port 28 and the 1 st introduction port 30 communicate with each other.

Even when the 1 st and 2 nd land portions 62 and 64 of the valve body 14 are always brought into sliding contact with the 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58 and 60 of the sleeve 42, the separated 1 st space 70 and 2 nd space 72 communicate with each other via the communication passage 74 of the valve body 14. Therefore, when the valve body 14 moves in the axial direction inside the sleeve 42, the cooling water in the 1 st and 2 nd spaces 70 and 72 is not compressed and does not become an operation resistance, and therefore the valve body 14 can be displaced smoothly.

In this way, in the flow path switching valve 10 described above, the supply path of the cooling water can be switched by moving the valve body 14 in the vertical direction along the main body 12 and the sleeve 42, and switching the communication state between the introduction port 28 and the 1 st and 2 nd outlet ports 30 and 32 via the communication recess 66 of the flow path switching valve 10.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical sleeve 42 is provided inside the body 12 constituting the flow path switching valve 10, the valve body 14 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction along the 2 nd accommodation hole 50 of the sleeve 42, the 1 st land portion 62 formed on the outer periphery of one end portion of the valve body 14 is in sliding contact with the 1 st guide portion 58 of the sleeve 42, the 2 nd land portion 64 formed on the outer periphery of the other end portion of the valve body 14 is in sliding contact with the 2 nd guide portion 60 of the sleeve 42, and when the valve body 14 moves in the axial direction, the 1 st and 2 nd land portions 62, 64 and the 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58, 60 are overlapped in the axial direction so as to be in sliding contact at all times.

Therefore, in any of the case where the valve body 14 is lowered along the sleeve 42 by the driving force from the driving portion 18 and the case where the driving force is lost and the valve body 14 is raised along the sleeve 42 by the elastic force of the valve spring 24, the 1 st and 2 nd shoulder portions 62 and 64 of the valve body 14 are brought into sliding contact with the 1 st and 2 nd guide portions 58 and 60 of the sleeve 42, and the 1 st space 70 formed on the one end portion side and the 2 nd space 72 formed on the other end portion side of the valve body 14 can be separated from the flow path 68.

Therefore, between the main body 12 and the sleeve 42 and between the driving portion 18 and the sensor unit 16, it is possible to prevent foreign matters and the like contained in the fluid from entering the 1 st and 2 nd spaces 70 and 72 side with a simple structure in which the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 42 are always in sliding contact, without providing a diaphragm (spacer member) as in the conventional flow path switching valve.

As a result, the number of components and the number of assembly steps can be reduced as compared with a conventional flow path switching valve in which a diaphragm is provided to prevent intrusion of foreign matter or the like, and accordingly, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, since it is not necessary to use a diaphragm made of rubber whose hardness changes with temperature, it is not necessary to set the driving force of the driving unit 18 corresponding to the change in hardness, and the driving unit 18 can be driven with the most appropriate driving force, whereby it is possible to reduce the running cost such as power consumption compared to the conventional flow path switching valve, and to improve the durability.

Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matter or the like from entering the sensor unit 16 provided on the 1 st space 70 side, and to improve the detection accuracy and reliability of the sensor unit 16 with respect to the movement position of the valve body 14, and to prevent foreign matter or the like from entering the driving portion 18 provided on the 2 nd space 72 side, and to improve the reliability of the driving portion 18.

The above-described driving unit 18 is not limited to a configuration using a solenoid that generates a magnetic force by energization of the coil 118 to obtain an axial thrust force, and may be, for example, a stepping motor that rotates by energization.

In the flow path switching valve 10 described above, the following case is explained: the supply destination of the fluid is switched by using the cooling water as the fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, oil, a refrigerant, or the like may be circulated as the fluid, and a flow path switching valve may be used to switch the supply destination of the fluid.

The flow path switching valve of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.