Channel-switching valve and method of controlling the same, and refrigerating cycle and method of controlling the same

摘要

A channel-switching valve is provided. The channel-switching valve comprises: a cylindrical valve housing whose one end is closed by a main valve seat; a low pressure outlet and two connecting holes for connecting the inside and the outside of the valve housing; a high pressure inlet for connecting the inside and the outside of the valve housing; and a connecting groove and a guide groove formed on an end surface of a main vale element which is accommodated in the valve housing. When the main valve element is situated in a first rotation position, one of the connecting holes is connected to the low pressure outlet by the connecting groove while the other one of the connecting holes is connected to the high pressure inlet. When the main valve element is situated in a second rotation position, the other one of the connecting holes is connected to the low pressure outlet by the connecting groove while the one of the connecting holes is connected to the high pressure inlet by the guide groove.Both end surfaces of the main valve element are externally connected by an equalizer channel formed inside the valve housing. When the main valve element is rotated between the first rotation position and the second rotation position by a main valve element drive, the lower end surface of the main valve element is separated from the main valve seat by internally connecting both end surfaces by a pilot port which is open as a pilot valve element is moved by a pilot valve element drive. Thus, the refrigerant channels can be switched efficiently in terms of energy consumption and time required.