Patent Description:
In a general refrigeration device to which a refrigeration cycle is applied, a refrigerant produces cold air by circulating a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.

The refrigerant compressed in the compressor is sent to the condenser to be condensed, and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is sent to the expansion device to be expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the expansion device is sent to the evaporator, and produces cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator.

In a case of a refrigerator, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is sent to the expansion device by a refrigerant tube, in which case the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is sent to the expansion device directly or via a hot pipe through a branched tube branched from the refrigerant tube.

The hot pipe is a pipe installed to prevent dew formation caused in a gasket portion of a refrigerator door, which is a portion vulnerable to the temperature in the refrigerator. Specifically, the high-temperature refrigerant of a high-pressure part of the refrigeration cycle passes the hot pipe to prevent dew formation in the gasket portion of the refrigeration door. The hot pipe only needs to maintain the temperature above the dew point based on humidity in the outside air, but when the temperature remains above the dew point in the refrigerator, it may act as a thermal load in the refrigerator and thus, increase power consumption of the refrigerator.

Accordingly, depending on the driving condition, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is sent to the expansion device through the hot pipe or sent directly to the expansion device without going through the hot pipe. When there is no need to send the refrigerant to the hot pipe, the refrigerant needs to be prevented from being sent to the branched tube connected to the hot pipe, thereby increasing energy efficiency. For this, a three-way valve is installed at a portion in which the branched tube is branched from the refrigerant tube.

However, some of the refrigerant sent directly to the expansion device by the three-way valve without going through the hot pipe flow into the branched tube at a point, at which the branched tube and the refrigerant tube meet, and is then sent to the hot pipe. That is, some of the refrigerant flows backward to the hot pipe from the point at which the branched tube and the refrigerant tube meet. To prevent this, there is a need to install a check valve between the point at which the branched tube and the refrigerant tube meet and the hot pipe, or install an additional three-way valve at the point at which the branched tube and the refrigerant tube meet, which incurs additional expenses. Furthermore, the check valve may be less effective because it does not have a perfect anti-backflow function. In addition, when the additional three-way valve is installed, a problem of having to reserve an installation space for the three-way valve and a complicated pipe connection problem may occur.

Document <CIT> discloses a refrigerant switching valve for switching the flow of refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle capable of reducing sliding resistance between a valve body and a valve seat.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a valve device with an enhanced structure capable of preventing a refrigerant from flowing backward to a hot pipe when the refrigerant condensed in a condenser is directly sent to an expansion device without going through the hot pipe.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a valve device includes a case having an opened bottom portion and a receiving space formed therein, a rotor arranged in the receiving space and including a rotor shaft, a pinion gear coupled to the rotor shaft and to be rotated along with the rotor, a pad gear arranged on a side of the pinion gear to be engaged with the pinion gear, and to be rotated by the pinion gear, the pad gear including a pad valve shaft, which is a rotation shaft of the pad gear, a base plate to cover the open bottom portion of the case, a flow-in pipe coupled to the base plate to introduce in a refrigerant to the receiving space therethrough, a boss installed to the base plate and including a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out, a plurality of flow-in/out pipes coupled to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes and through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out, and a pad arranged on the boss to be coupled to the pad valve shaft, the pad including an open cavity formed therein to selectively open one of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes and a connection cavity formed therein to selectively connect two of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes.

The boss may include a plurality of insertion holes to which the plurality of flow-in/out pipes are inserted, and the plurality of insertion holes may be formed to be connected to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes.

The open cavity and the connection cavity may be formed to each have a shape of a groove sunken upward from a bottom surface of the pad.

The open cavity may be formed to extend to an edge of the pad in a radial direction of the pad.

The connection cavity may connect two adjacent refrigerant flow-in/out holes among the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes.

The plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes includes a first refrigerant flow-in/out hole, and a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole, a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole, and a fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole formed in positions sequentially rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise starting from the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole.

The plurality of flow-in/out pipes may include a first flow-in/out pipe coupled to the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole, a second flow-in/out pipe coupled to the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole, a third flow-in/out pipe coupled to the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole, and a fourth flow-in/out pipe coupled to the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole.

The flow-in pipe may be coupled to an outlet pipe of the condenser to receive a refrigerant from the condenser therethrough, the second flow-in/out pipe may be coupled to an entrance of the hot pipe, the third flow-in/out pipe may be coupled to an exit of the hot pipe, and the first and fourth flow-in/out pipes may be coupled to a capillary tube.

When the open cavity is located in between the first and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes, the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes are all closed, which corresponds to a valve-closed state.

When the pad is rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise around a center of the boss, the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole may be opened by the open cavity, the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole may be closed, and the second and third refrigerant flow-in/out holes may be connected by the connection cavity.

The refrigerant flowing into the receiving space through the flow-in pipe flows out to the first flow-in/out pipe through the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole and flows into the capillary tube, and the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole may be closed, thereby closing an outflow into the fourth flow-in/out pipe.

When the pad is rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise around the center of the boss, the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole may be opened by the open cavity, the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole may be closed, and the third and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes may be connected by the connection cavity.

The refrigerant flowing into the receiving space through the flow-in pipe flows out to the second flow-in/out pipe through the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole and flows into the third flow-in/out pipe through the hot pipe, and the refrigerant flowing into the third flow-in/out pipe flows out to the fourth flow-in/out pipe through the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole connected to the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole by the connection cavity and flows into the capillary tube.

One end of the hot pipe is an entrance where the refrigerant from the receiving space flows into and the other end of the hot pipe is an exit where the refrigerant in the hot pipe flows out.

A valve device comprises a case having a receiving space formed therein, a flow in hole, and a boss hole, a rotor installed in the receiving space and including a rotor shaft, a pinion gear coupled to the rotor shaft and to be rotated by the rotor, a pad gear engaged with the pinion gear to be rotated with the pinion gear, the pad gear including a pad valve shaft, a flow-in pipe coupled to the flow-in hole to introduce a refrigerant to the receiving space therethrough, a boss installed to the boss hole and including a plurality of flow-in/out holes, a plurality of flow-in/out pipes respectively coupled to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes and through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out; and a pad coupled to the pad gear so that the pad is rotatable with respect to the boss to selectively open or close the the plurality of flow-in/out holes, the pad including an open cavity formed therein to selectively open one of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes and a connection cavity formed therein to selectively connect two of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, backflow of a refrigerant may be prevented with a single valve device without extra installation of a check valve or another valve device, thereby eliminating the need for securing space to install the valve device and minimizing an increase in additional expenses.

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications if they fall within the scope of the claims.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or room discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term "~ and/or ~," or the like.

The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", and "bottom" as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a valve device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a valve device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a pad gear being coupled to a pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a pad being arranged on a boss, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a bottom side of a boss, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of a valve device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, a valve device includes a case <NUM>, a base plate <NUM> covering an open bottom of the case <NUM>, a flow-in pipe <NUM> to which the refrigerant flows in, a plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> through which the refrigerant flows in/out, a boss <NUM> including a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> through which the refrigerant flows in/out, and a pad <NUM> rotationally arranged on the boss <NUM>.

The case <NUM> is provided to have the bottom open and a receiving space <NUM> formed therein.

A rotor <NUM> is arranged in the receiving space <NUM> in the case <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> includes a rotor shaft <NUM>.

Furthermore, a pinion gear <NUM> may be arranged in the receiving space <NUM>. The pinion gear <NUM> may be coupled to the rotor <NUM>. The pinion gear <NUM> is coupled to the rotor shaft <NUM> and rotated along with the rotor <NUM>.

In addition, a pad gear <NUM> may be arranged in the receiving space <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> is arranged on a side or sides of the pinion gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> is in gear with the pinion gear <NUM> and engaged with the pinion gear <NUM>. Accordingly, when the pinion gear <NUM> is rotated by the rotor <NUM>, the pad gear <NUM> is rotated by the pinion gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> includes a pad valve shaft <NUM> corresponding to a rotation axis. The pad valve shaft <NUM> is coupled to the pad <NUM> so that the pad <NUM> may be rotated along with the pad gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may include a pad coupling projection <NUM> coupled to the pad <NUM>. The pad coupling projection <NUM> may be provided in the plural. The pad coupling projection <NUM> may be provided on the bottom surface of the pad gear <NUM>. The pad coupling projection <NUM> may be coupled to a pad gear coupling hole <NUM> formed at the top surface of the pad <NUM>.

In addition, an elastic support spring <NUM> may be arranged in the receiving space <NUM>. The elastic support spring <NUM> may be fixed to the case <NUM> in the receiving space <NUM>. The elastic support spring <NUM> may be in a plate type. The elastic support spring <NUM> may elastically support a top center of the pad gear <NUM>. The pad gear <NUM> may be rotationally mounted at the elastic support spring <NUM>.

Furthermore, a rotor support plate spring <NUM> may be arranged in the receiving space <NUM>. The rotor support plate spring <NUM> may be fixed to the case <NUM> in the receiving space <NUM>. The rotor support plate spring <NUM> may elastically support the rotor <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> may be rotationally supported on the rotor support late spring <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> may cover the open bottom of the case <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> may include a rotor shaft support hole <NUM> through which the rotor shaft <NUM> is rotationally supported. The base plate <NUM> may include a refrigerant flow-in hole <NUM> coupled to the flow-in pipe <NUM> to which the refrigerant flows in. The base plate <NUM> may include a boss hole <NUM> through which the boss <NUM> is installed.

The boss <NUM> may be installed in the boss hole <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. An upper portion of the boss <NUM> may be arranged in the receiving space <NUM>. A lower portion of the boss <NUM> may be arranged outside the receiving space <NUM>. The boss <NUM> may include a pad valve shaft hole <NUM> to which the pad valve shaft <NUM> is rotationally inserted. The boss <NUM> may include a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> through which the refrigerant flows in/out. The plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> may be coupled to the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> through which the refrigerant flows in/out. There are four refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>. Also, there may be four flow-in/out pipes <NUM> coupled to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>. The boss <NUM> may include a plurality of insertion holes 82a to which the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> are inserted. There may be four insertion holes 82a to match the number of the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM>. The plurality of insertion holes 82a may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>.

The pad <NUM> may be rotationally arranged on the top of the boss <NUM>. The pad <NUM> may include a pad valve shaft coupling hole <NUM> to which the pad valve shaft <NUM> is coupled. The pad <NUM> may include a pad gear coupling hole <NUM> to which the pad coupling projection <NUM> is coupled. Accordingly, the pad <NUM> may be rotated along with the pad gear <NUM>. The pad <NUM> includes an open cavity <NUM> that selectively opens one of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> formed at the boss <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may be formed in a lower portion of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may have the form of a groove sunken upward from the bottom surface of the pad <NUM>. The open cavity <NUM> may be formed to extend to an edge of the pad <NUM> in a radial direction. The pad <NUM> may be rotated along with the pad gear <NUM> to selectively open one of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> formed at the boss <NUM>. The pad <NUM> includes a connection cavity <NUM> that selectively connects two of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> formed at the boss <NUM>. The connection cavity <NUM> may be formed in a lower portion of the pad <NUM>. The connection cavity <NUM> may have the form of a groove sunken upward from the bottom surface of the pad <NUM>. The connection cavity <NUM> may connect two adjacent refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> among the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>.

The valve device may further include a stator (not shown). The stator may be provided to enclose a portion, in which the rotor <NUM> is arranged, from outside of the case <NUM>.

The valve device may further include a bracket (not shown). The bracket may allow the case <NUM> to be coupled to the stator. The bracket may allow the valve device to be fixed to an external device.

<FIG> illustrates a valve-closed state in which all of a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes are blocked by a pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a first refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad, a fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole blocked by the pad, and second and third refrigerant flow-in/out holes connected by the pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a first refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad and second and third refrigerant flow-in/out holes connected by the pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad and third and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes connected by the pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad and third and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes connected by the pad, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the refrigerant compressed in a compressor (not shown) may be sent to a condenser C to be condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to a capillary tube CA, which is an expansion device, to be expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the capillary tube CA may be sent to an evaporator E, and may produce cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

For example, in a case of a refrigerator, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to the capillary tube CA directly or through a hot pipe H.

The hot pipe H may be a pipe installed to prevent dew formation caused in a gasket portion of a refrigerator door, which is a portion vulnerable to the temperature in the refrigerator. Specifically, a high-temperature refrigerant of a high-pressure part of a refrigeration cycle may pass the hot pipe H to prevent dew formation in the gasket portion of the refrigeration door.

The hot pipe H only needs to maintain a temperature above the dew point based on humidity in the outside air, but maintaining the temperature above the dew point in the refrigerator acts as a thermal load in the refrigerator, leading to an increase in power consumption of the refrigerator, so the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to the capillary tube CA through the hop pipe H or directly without going through the hot pipe H depending on the operation condition. For this, the valve device may be installed at an outlet pipe through which the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C flows out.

The flow-in pipe <NUM> may be connected to the outlet pipe of the condenser C. The flow-in pipe <NUM> may be connected to the receiving space <NUM> in the case <NUM> through the refrigerant flow-in hole <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> includes a first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, and a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, and a fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> formed in positions sequentially rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise starting from the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> based on the center of the boss <NUM>.

The plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> may include a first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, a second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, a third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, and a fourth flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>,.

The second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be connected to one end of the hot pipe H. The third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be connected to an other end of the hot pipe H. The first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> and the fourth flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the capillary tube CA. One end of the hot pipe H may be an entrance where the refrigerant from the receiving space <NUM> flows into and the other end of the hot pipe H may be an exit where the refrigerant in the hot pipe H flows out.

When the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM> is positioned in the middle of the first and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> and <NUM>, the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are all blocked by the pad <NUM>, which corresponds to a valve-closed state. In the valve-closed state, the refrigerant may not flow.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to the capillary tube CA directly without going through the hot pipe H.

When the pad <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise around the center of the boss <NUM> from the position in the valve-closed state, the open cavity <NUM> may open the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>. The fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> may be blocked by the pad <NUM>. The second and third refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be connected by the connection cavity <NUM>.

The refrigerant that has flown into the flow-in pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may flow into the receiving space <NUM> (see <FIG>) through the refrigerant flow-in hole <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown in may flow out to the first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM> and then flow into the capillary tube CA. The refrigerant that has flown into the capillary tube CA may be expanded and may flow into the evaporator E.

In this case, As the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> is blocked by the pad <NUM>, the refrigerant flowing into the capillary tube CA through the first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be prevented from flowing backward to the fourth flow-in/out pipe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to the capillary tube CA through the hot pipe H.

When the pad <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise around the center of the boss <NUM> from the position in the valve-closed state, the open cavity <NUM> may open the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>. The first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> may be blocked by the pad <NUM>. The third and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be connected by the connection cavity <NUM>.

The refrigerant that has flown into the flow-in pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may flow into the receiving space <NUM> (see <FIG>) through the refrigerant flow-in hole <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown in may flow out to the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown out to the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow into the third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the hot pipe H. The refrigerant that has flown into the third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow out to the fourth flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> connected to the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> by the connection cavity <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown out to the fourth flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow into the capillary tube CA. The refrigerant that has flown into the capillary tube CA may be expanded and may flow into the evaporator E.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a valve device, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, which does not fall within the scope of the claims.

<FIG> illustrates a pad being arranged on a boss, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, which does not fall within the scope of the claims.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom side of a boss, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, which does not fall within the scope of the claims.

Compared to the valve device shown in <FIG>, different elements will be described only.

The boss <NUM> may be installed in the boss hole <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. An upper portion of the boss <NUM> may be arranged in the receiving space <NUM>. A lower portion of the boss <NUM> may be arranged outside the receiving space <NUM>. The boss <NUM> may include the pad valve shaft hole <NUM> to which the pad valve shaft <NUM> is rotationally inserted. The boss <NUM> may include the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> through which the refrigerant flows in/out. The plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> may be coupled to the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> through which the refrigerant flows in/out. There may be three refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>. Also, there may be three flow-in/out pipes <NUM> coupled to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>. The boss <NUM> may include a plurality of insertion holes 82a to which the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> are inserted. There may be three insertion holes 82a to match the number of the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM>. The plurality of insertion holes 82a may be connected to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>.

Except the structure in which three flow-in/out pipes <NUM> are arranged and thus, there are three refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> and three insertion holes 82a, all the other structures may be the same as in the valve device shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a valve-closed state in which a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes are all blocked by a pad, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, which does not fall within the scope of the claims. <FIG> illustrates a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad, a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole blocked by the pad, and the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole blocked by a connection cavity, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad, a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole blocked by the pad, and the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole blocked by a connection cavity, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, which does not fall within the scope of the claims. <FIG> illustrates a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad and first and second refrigerant flow-in/out holes connected by the pad, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes with a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole opened by a pad and first and second refrigerant flow-in/out holes connected by the pad, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, which does not fall within the scope of the claims.

As shown in <FIG>, the refrigerant compressed in a compressor (not shown) may be sent to a condenser C to be condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to a capillary tube CA, which is an expansion device, to be expanded. The refrigerant expanded in the capillary tube CA may be sent to the evaporator E, and may produce cold air through heat exchange in the evaporator E.

For example, in a case of a refrigerator, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser C may be sent to the capillary tube CA directly or through the hot pipe H.

The plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> may include a first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, and a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> and a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> formed in positions sequentially rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise starting from the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> based on the center of the boss <NUM>.

According to an embodiment not falling within the scope of the claims, the plurality of flow-in/out pipes <NUM> may include a first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, a second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>, and a third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> coupled to the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>.

The first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be connected to an exit of the hot pipe H. The third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be connected to an entrance of the hot pipe H. The second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be connected to the capillary tube CA.

When the open cavity <NUM> of the pad <NUM> is in a position rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise from the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> based on the center of the boss <NUM>, the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may all be blocked by the pad <NUM>, which may correspond to the valve-closed state. In the valve-closed state, the refrigerant may not flow.

When the pad <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise around the center of the boss <NUM> from the position in the valve-closed state, the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> may be opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> may be blocked by the bottom side of the pad <NUM>. The second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> may be blocked by the connection cavity <NUM>.

The refrigerant that has flown into the flow-in pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may flow into the receiving space <NUM> (see <FIG>) through the refrigerant flow-in hole <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown in may flow out to the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown out to the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow into the capillary tube CA to be expanded. The refrigerant that has flown into and expanded in the capillary tube CA may flow into the evaporator E.

In this case, as the first and third refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> and <NUM> are blocked, the refrigerant flowing into the capillary tube CA through the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may be prevented from flowing backward.

When the pad <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees clockwise around the center of the boss <NUM> from the position in the valve-closed state, the open cavity <NUM> may open the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM>. The first and second refrigerant flow-in/out holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be connected by the connection cavity <NUM>.

The refrigerant that has flown into the flow-in pipe <NUM> from the condenser C may flow into the receiving space <NUM> (see <FIG>) through the refrigerant flow-in hole <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown in may flow out to the third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the third refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> opened by the open cavity <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown out to the third flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow into the first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the hot pipe H. The refrigerant that has flown into the first flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow out to the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> through the second refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> connected to the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole <NUM> by the connection cavity <NUM>. The refrigerant that has flown out to the second flow-in/out pipe <NUM> may flow into the capillary tube CA. The refrigerant that has flown into the capillary tube CA may be expanded and may flow into the evaporator E.

Particular shapes and directions are focused above in describing the valve device with reference to the accompanying drawings, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
A valve device comprising:
a case (<NUM>) having an opened bottom portion and a receiving space (<NUM>) formed therein;
a rotor (<NUM>) arranged in the receiving space (<NUM>) and including a rotor shaft (<NUM>);
a pinion gear (<NUM>) coupled to the rotor shaft (<NUM>) and to be rotated along with the rotor (<NUM>);
a pad gear (<NUM>) arranged on a side of the pinion gear (<NUM>) to be engaged with the pinion gear (<NUM>), and to be rotated by the pinion gear (<NUM>), the pad gear (<NUM>) including a pad valve shaft (<NUM>), which is a rotation shaft of the pad gear (<NUM>);
a base plate (<NUM>) to cover the open bottom portion of the case (<NUM>);
a flow-in pipe (<NUM>) coupled to the base plate (<NUM>) for introducing a refrigerant to the receiving space (<NUM>) therethrough;
a boss (<NUM>) installed to the base plate (<NUM>) and including a plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>) through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out;
a plurality of flow-in/out pipes (<NUM>) coupled to the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>) and through which the introduced refrigerant flows in/out; and
a pad (<NUM>) arranged on the boss (<NUM>) to be coupled to the pad valve shaft (<NUM>), the pad (<NUM>) including an open cavity (<NUM>) formed therein to selectively open one of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>) and a connection cavity (<NUM>) formed therein to selectively connect two of the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>),
wherein the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>) comprises a first refrigerant flow-in/out hole (<NUM>), and a second refrigerant flow-in/out hole (<NUM>), a third refrigerant flow-in/out hole (<NUM>) and a fourth refrigerant flow-in/out hole (<NUM>) formed in positions sequentially rotated <NUM> degrees counterclockwise starting from the first refrigerant flow-in/out hole (<NUM>) based on the center of the boss (<NUM>),
characterized in that
when the open cavity (<NUM>) is located in between the first and fourth refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>, <NUM>), the plurality of refrigerant flow-in/out holes (<NUM>) are all closed, which corresponds to a valve-closed state.