JPH039184A - Three way valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a three way valve, in which noise generation is prevented at the time of selecting the valve while simplifying total unit constitution with a less number of part items, by forming at least one of the two springs, which urge a movable valve in a valve chamber in a valve case, to be made of shape memory alloy deformed by urging force of the other spring or restored against the urging force of the other spring in accordance with a temperature of fluid allowed to flow in the valve chamber. CONSTITUTION:A movable valve 11, which is movably arranged in the axial direction, is select-moved by urging force of a shape memory alloy-made spring 21 or 22 deformed or restored in accordance with a temperature of fluid allowed to flow in a valve chamber 2 in a valve case 1. The valve is selected by selectively closing one of the first port 3 or the second port 5 while opening the other. In this way, the cost down is contrived, and noise generation is prevented at the time of selecting the valve while simplifying the total unit constitution with a less number of part items.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a three-way valve used in, for example, a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner.

(Prior Art) This type of three-way valve is used for cooling and heating in a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor and a heat exchanger (condenser and evaporator), as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-146661. It is used for switching four-way valves.

The structure of the three-way valve is such that either one of the first port or the second port and the third port are selectively connected to the valve case having the first and second ports and the third port. The valve body for communication is arranged so that it can be switched and moved. This switching movement of the valve body was performed by the driving force of a solenoid, a stepping motor, or the like.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in conventional three-way valves, the valve body was switched by the driving force of a solenoid or a stepping motor, so when switching, the collision noise of the solenoid core and the operation of the motor were generated. It generates noise and requires electric power to operate the solenoid and stepping motor, as well as a control circuit to control the operation of the solenoid and stepping motor, which requires a large number of parts.
The overall configuration was complicated and the cost was high.

The present invention was developed in view of these points, and not only eliminates the need for solenoids and stepping motors, but also eliminates the need for electric power and control circuits, reduces the number of parts, simplifies the overall configuration, and reduces costs. It can be lowered, and
The object of the present invention is to provide a three-way valve that does not generate noise when switching the valve.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a valve case 1 having a valve chamber 2 with a first port 3 and a second port 5 coaxially facing each other and communicating with the valve chamber 2. A third port 7 is provided and communicates with the valve chamber 2.
A first port is provided between the first port 3 and the second port 5 of the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 to selectively close one of the first port 3 and the second port 5. valve body 12
A movable valve 11 integrally having a second valve body 13 is disposed so as to be movable in the axial direction, and the movable valve 11 is disposed within the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 at the first port 3. A first spring 21 that biases toward the closing direction and a second spring 22 that biases the second port 5 toward the closing direction are provided, respectively. At least one of the second springs 22 is deformed by the biasing force of the other spring or resists the biasing force of the other spring depending on the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1. It is made of a shape-memory alloy that restores its shape.

(Function) In the present invention, depending on the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1, at least one of the first spring 21 and the second spring 22 is made of a shape memory alloy. The movable valve 11 moves toward the first port 3 or the second port 5 by being deformed by the urging force of the spring or by restoring against the urging force of the other spring, and the movable valve 11 moves toward the first port 3 or the second port 5.
One of the second ports 5 is selectively closed and the other is opened to perform valve switching, and the opened port and the third port 7 communicate through the valve chamber 2 to allow fluid to flow.

(Example) Hereinafter, the configuration of an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a valve case, which is formed into a cylindrical shape with a valve chamber 2 inside, and a valve seat 4 having a first port 3 communicating with the valve chamber 2 is hermetically caulked into an opening at one end. At the same time, a valve seat 6 having a second port 5 communicating with the valve chamber 2 is hermetically caulked into the opening at the other end, and these first port 3 and second port 5 are connected to the valve chamber 2. Case 1
are arranged coaxially and oppositely on the central axis of the. Further, a third port 7 communicating with the valve chamber 2 is formed in the middle portion of the valve case 1 . The first, second and third ports 3,5.7 are connected to conduits 8. 9. Ill is hermetically connected.

A movable valve 11 is disposed inside the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The movable valve 11 includes a first valve body 1 that is joined to the valve seat 4 and closes the first port 3.
2, and a second valve that is joined to the valve seat 6 and closes the second port 5.
A valve body 13 is provided at both ends, and both valve bodies 12.13 are integrally connected by a shaft 14, and each valve body 12.
．． 13 and the shaft 14 is a guide plate 16 having a plurality of communication ports 15. 14 is attached, and the outer circumferential portions of the guide plates 16 and 17 are joined to the inner surface of the valve case 1 to support the movable valve 11 inside the valve chamber 2, and the outer circumferential portions of the guide plates 16 and 17 are slides on the inner surface of the valve case 1 in the axial direction, so that the movable valve 11 can be switched and moved.

Inside the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1, a coiled first spring 21 is provided between the valve seat 5 and the guide plate 17 for biasing the movable valve 11 in the direction of closing the first port 3. In addition, a coil-shaped second spring 22 is disposed between the valve seat 4 and the guide plate 16 to bias the movable valve 11 in the direction in which the second port 4 is closed. . One of the second springs 22 is made of a NiTi-based shape memory alloy, and when the temperature is below the set temperature, the biasing force is weaker than that of the first spring 21. 21, and when the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the first
The biasing force is stronger than that of the first spring 21, and the first spring 2
1 and is set to expand and restore.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

When a low temperature fluid below the set temperature flows into the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 through the third port 7, the fluid flows into the guide 16.
The entire valve chamber 2 is filled through the communication port 15 of 17, and the second
the second spring 22 etc. from this fluid.
Heat transfer takes place.

Since the temperature of the second spring 22 that has received heat transfer from the fluid is below the set temperature, the biasing force of the first spring 21 exceeds the biasing force of the second spring 22, as shown in FIG. , the second spring 22 contracts and deforms, the movable valve 11 moves toward the first port 3, the first valve body 12 joins the valve seat 4, and closes the first port 3. Open the second port 5.

Therefore, the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 is
The fluid that has flowed in flows out from the second port 5.

On the other hand, when fluid with a high temperature higher than the set temperature flows into the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 through the third port 7, the fluid fills the entire valve chamber 2 through the communication port 15 of the guide 16, 17 and enters the second valve chamber 2. The fluid contacts the spring 22 and the like, and heat is transferred from this fluid to the second spring 22.

Then, the temperature of the second spring 22 that has received heat transfer from the fluid reaches the set temperature, so as shown in FIG. 2, the biasing force of the second spring 22 exceeds the biasing force of the first spring 21. Second
The spring 22 is expanded and restored, and the movable valve 11 is opened to the second port 5.
The second valve body 13 joins the valve seat 6 to close the second port 5 and open the first port 3.

Therefore, the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1 is
The fluid that has flowed in flows out from the first port 3.

As described above, the movable valve 11 moves according to the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber 2 of the valve case 1, and selectively closes either the first port 3 or the second port 5 and closes the other. Valve switching can be performed by opening the valve, which not only eliminates the need for solenoids and stepping motors as in the past, but also eliminates the need for electricity and control circuits, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall configuration, while also reducing costs. Moreover, when switching the valve, no noise such as the collision sound of the solenoid core or the operating sound of the motor is generated.

Note that the second spring 22 made of a shape memory alloy may be set to generate a restoring force at low temperatures (contrary to the above embodiment) (and the first spring 21 may also be made of a shape memory alloy). In this case, the valve may be switched reliably by a synergistic effect with the second spring 22.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the movable valve is switched and moved by a shape-memory alloy spring that deforms or restores itself depending on the temperature of the fluid flowing into the valve chamber of the valve case, and the movable valve switches between the first port and the second port. Since the valve can be switched by selectively closing the valve and opening the other valve, it not only eliminates the need for solenoids and stepping motors as in the past, but also eliminates the need for electric power and control circuits, reducing the number of parts. This makes it possible to simplify the overall configuration, reduce costs, and prevent noise from occurring during valve switching.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the three-way valve of the present invention;
The figure is a sectional view of the switching state. 1... Valve case, 2... Valve chamber, 3... First port, 5
...Second port, 7..Third port, 11..Movable valve, 12..First valve body, 13..Second valve body, 21..
-First spring, 22...Second spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A valve case having a valve chamber, a first port and a second port communicating with the valve chamber facing each other on the same axis, and a third port communicating with the valve chamber; A first port disposed between a first port and a second port of the valve chamber of the valve case so as to be movable in the axial direction, and selectively closing one of the first port and the second port. a movable valve that integrally includes a valve body and a second valve body, and a first spring that is disposed within the valve chamber of the valve case and biases the movable valve in a direction in which the first port is closed. and a second spring that biases the second port in the closing direction, and at least one of the first spring and the second spring flows into the valve chamber of the valve case. A three-way valve characterized by being made of a shape memory alloy that deforms under the biasing force of the other spring or restores its shape against the biasing force of the other spring depending on the temperature of the fluid.