FLOW PATH SWITCHING VALVE

摘要

There is provided a flow path switching valve arranged to rotate a main valve 3 with an auxiliary valve 4 to switch a cooling state and a heating state, which provides a reliable operation of the main valve 3 by simplifying the rotation movement of the auxiliary valve 4 and the main valve 3 and provides reduced switching time. An outdoor heat exchanger-side communication path 31A and an indoor heat exchanger-side communication path 31B are formed at the main valve 3. An outdoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole 34a is formed to communicate the outdoor heat exchanger-side communication path 31A with a valve chamber 11 and an indoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole 34b is formed to communicate the indoor heat exchanger-side communication path 31B with the valve chamber 11. An occluding portion 43A closing the outdoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole 34a and a pressure equalizing hole aperture 45B opening the indoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole 34b are formed at the auxiliary valve 4. An occluding portion closing the indoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole 34b and a pressure equalizing hole aperture opening the outdoor heat exchanger-side pressure equalizing hole 34a are also formed at the auxiliary valve 4. A support portion which slides on an auxiliary valve seat 34 is formed at the auxiliary valve 4. The main valve 3 is rotated 90 degrees by merely operating the auxiliary valve 4 along one direction in forward or reverse direction to switch between the cooling state and the heating state.