JP2000283329A - Hot water and water mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently mix the hot water and the water by mounting a mixing member formed by projecting a plurality of fins for mixing the hot water and the water, from an end surface at a control valve element side of a cylindrical body having a through passage, between the control valve element and a temperature-sensitive member as a slewing current generating means. SOLUTION: A mixing member 36 consists of a spring receiving part 41 receiving a left supporting end 40 of a temperature-sensitive spring 19 through a washer 70 for thermal insulation, and a plurality of fins 42 as a slewing current generating means, projecting from this spring receiving part 41. The fins 42 are used a fin passage 43 for flowing the water from a water side port 14. According to this construction, the mixing member 36 ensures the distance before the mixing of the hot water and the water, and the hot water and the water are sufficiently mixed by applying the slewing force to the water, and then contacted with the temperature-sensitive spring 19. The temperature- sensitive spring 19 can accurately control a temperature for detecting a temperature of the mixture water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing apparatus, and more particularly, to a hot and cold water mixing apparatus using a temperature-sensitive element such as a shape memory alloy, the shape of which changes depending on temperature. The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing device for mixing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, one of movable valves of this type is urged by the above-mentioned temperature sensing element and the other is urged by a bias spring. 2. Description of the Related Art A hot water mixing apparatus having a mixing member for promoting mixing of hot water and providing stable hot water mixing water to a temperature sensing element is used.

[0003] Mixing members incorporated in this type of hot and cold water mixing apparatus include, as shown in Figs.
As described in 129, the water is swirled in the inner circumferential direction of the mixing member by being connected to the movable valve body facing the water-side water intake passage, and the swirling water collides with the hot water flowing in directly with the water. Then, a plurality of fins 100 for mixing water and hot water are integrally formed, and function to bring the mixed water into contact with the temperature-sensitive spring.

[0004]

However, the fins 100 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the inner periphery of the movable valve only on the surface of the mixing member 101 facing the movable valve. Since the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the fin 100, which is cut perpendicular to the axial direction of the mixing member 101, has a linear shape, the effective length for generating the turning force of the fin is short, and water is generated inside the mixing member 101. It is hard to say that they are turning sufficiently in the circumferential direction.

FIG. 15 shows the state of mixing hot and cold water in a conventional example based on the results of computer simulation analysis. The swirling force of the water was weak, the hot water could not be sufficiently stirred, the mixing of the water and the hot water was insufficient, and the temperature of the mixed water that could come into contact with the temperature-sensitive spring was not always appropriate. In other words,
Due to the weak swirling force of the water, mixed water that cannot achieve sufficient agitation for the swirling water and the hot water that flows in a bundle from the vertical direction and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the temperature-sensitive spring The temperature was lower than the desired temperature, and the temperature of the mixed water near the axis not in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the temperature-sensitive spring was higher than the desired temperature. As a result, the temperature-sensing spring cannot sense an appropriate temperature of the mixed water, which may adversely affect the temperature control performance.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention controls a control valve element by supplying hot water and water and controlling the inflow of the hot water and water, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the mixed water. In the hot and cold water mixing device that discharges the mixed water at an arbitrary temperature, the swirl flow generating means for promoting the mixing of hot water and water downstream of the control valve body and upstream of the temperature-sensitive member, the control valve body and the A plurality of swirling flow generating members for mixing hot water and water on the control valve body-side end surface of the cylindrical body having a through flow passage interposed between the temperature sensing member and a mixing member protrudingly formed in the through flow passage. It is characterized by having.

The swirling flow generating member of the mixing member is formed in a curved shape. Further, the swirling flow generating member of the mixing member has a parabolic shape in an outer radial direction from a substantially axial center of the mixing member.

Further, the present invention provides a control valve body which is movable in the axial direction of the main body facing each of hot water and water flow paths provided inside the main body, and is disposed opposite to both ends of the control valve body. A water-side valve seat and a hot-water-side valve seat, a temperature-sensitive spring that urges the control valve body toward the hot-water-side valve seat, a spring constant that changes according to temperature, and A hot and cold water mixing apparatus comprising a bias spring biasing toward a valve seat side, and a mixing member interposed between the control valve body and the temperature-sensitive spring and provided with a plurality of fins for mixing hot water and water. And a mixing member having a shape in which the fins form a parabolic shape in an outer radial direction from a substantially axial center of the mixing member.

Further, the mixing fin of the mixing member is integrally supported from an outer diameter portion of the mixing member, and protrudes substantially in the center direction of the mixing member.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. A hot-water mixing faucet 1 as a hot-water mixing apparatus is provided with a temperature adjusting handle 3 for adjusting the temperature of hot water on the left side of a cylindrical faucet main body 2 and a switching handle 4 for switching a shower / bath and adjusting a flow rate on the right side. A water discharge pipe 5 is provided at a lower portion of the faucet main body 2, and a shower hose 6 having a shower head at a distal end is provided at a rear portion. Further, a hot water supply pipe 7 is provided at a left rear portion of the faucet main body 2, and a water supply pipe 8 is provided at a right rear portion.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hot and cold water mixing faucet 1.
The hot and cold water mixing faucet 1 has a hot and cold water mixing valve 10 inside the outer casing 9.
And a switching valve 11. Water and hot water supplied from a water flow path and a hot water flow path are mixed by a hot and cold water mixing valve 10, and this is switched by the switching valve 11 to discharge water from a water discharge pipe 5 or a shower hose 6. .

First, the hot water mixing valve 10 will be described.
3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hot and cold water mixing valve 10, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part thereof. As shown in FIG.
Has a temperature adjusting handle 3 provided at an end of the outer casing, a casing main body 12, and a water-side valve seat member 13 screwed to the casing main body 12.

The casing body 12 and the water-side valve seat member 13
A chamber for accommodating a later-described valve mechanism and the like is provided therein. Further, a water side port 14 and a hot water side port 15 are formed in the casing body 12, and both ports 14, 15 communicate with a hot water inflow chamber 16. Further, in the hot water inflow chamber 16,
A movable valve body 17 as a control valve body is slidably fitted. The movable valve element 17 receives a spring force by a temperature-sensitive spring 19 as a temperature-sensitive means housed in a hot and cold water mixing chamber 18 and also receives a spring force by a bias spring 20, and the position of the movable valve element 17 is balanced by these forces. Is determined.

The temperature-sensitive spring 19 is provided between the water-side valve seat member 13 and the mixing member 21. The temperature-sensitive spring 19 is formed of a metal whose spring constant changes according to temperature, and the bias spring 20 is formed of a normal spring material having a substantially constant spring constant with respect to temperature. As a metal material whose spring constant changes according to temperature, a shape memory alloy (SM
Alloys belonging to the category of A) are known. This kind of SM
A shows that the elastic modulus changes according to the temperature, and as a result, SM
The spring constant of the temperature-sensitive spring 19 made of A changes according to the temperature.

On the left side of the figure, a load adjusting device 22 for adjusting the load applied to the bias spring 20 is provided. The load adjusting device 22 changes the target temperature of the mixed hot and cold water. By rotating the temperature adjusting handle 3, the liner 24 moves forward and backward through the spindle 23,
As a result, the load applied to the bias spring 20 increases or decreases. By increasing or decreasing the applied load, the movable valve body 17 is displaced to a position where the spring force of the bias spring 20 and the spring force of the temperature-sensitive spring 19 are balanced, and the target temperature is changed.

Next, the operation of adjusting the temperature of hot and cold water of the temperature mixing valve 10 will be described. Hot water temperature from hot water supply pipe 7, water supply pipe 8
Conditions such as water temperature or flow rate from
When the mixed hot and cold water is being discharged at the target temperature, the position of the movable valve element 17 is determined by the balance between the force generated in the temperature-sensitive spring 19 due to the temperature of the mixed water in the hot and cold water mixing chamber 18 and the spring force of the bias spring 20. Have been stopped. From this state, if conditions such as the hot water supply temperature from the hot water supply pipe 7, the water temperature or the flow rate from the water supply pipe 8 fluctuate due to disturbance, the mixed hot / cold water temperature in the hot / water mixing chamber 18 deviates from the target temperature in accordance with the fluctuation. Generates temperature deviation. The temperature-sensitive spring 19 changes the spring constant in accordance with this temperature change.
9, the spring force changes. At this time, if the hot and cold water mixing temperature is higher than the target temperature, the spring force of the temperature-sensitive spring 19 increases, and the movable valve element 17 is displaced to the left in FIG. At the same time, the proportion of hot water decreases, and at the same time, the proportion of water increases, and the temperature of the mixed hot water drops.

On the other hand, when the hot and cold water mixing temperature is lower than the target temperature, the spring force of the temperature sensing spring 19 decreases and the movable valve body 17 is displaced rightward in FIG. At the same time as the proportion of water increases, the proportion of water decreases, and the temperature of the mixed hot water rises. By the action of the temperature sensing spring 19, the temperature of the mixed hot and cold water is adjusted toward the target temperature.

In the hot water mixing valve 10, the target temperature can be changed by rotating the temperature adjusting handle 3, which is a part of the load adjusting device 22, in a predetermined direction. When the temperature adjustment handle 3 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the liner 24 moves rightward in FIG. 2 via the spindle 23, and the bias spring 20 is compressed and displaced.
0 increases the load applied to the movable valve element 17. On the other hand, when the temperature adjustment handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the liner 24 moves to the left in FIG. 2 via the spindle 23, the bias spring 20 is extended and displaced, and the preload of the movable valve body by the bias spring 20 decreases. .

Due to the increase in the load applied to the bias spring 20, the movable valve element 17 is adjusted so that the flow path of the hot water side port 15 is widened and the flow path of the water side port 14 is narrowed at the same time. By changing the mixing ratio of the hot and cold water by increasing the amount of hot water and decreasing the water, the water discharge temperature of the mixed hot water is increased, and conversely, by reducing the applied load, the movable valve element 17 narrows the flow path of the hot water side port 15. At the same time, it is adjusted so as to be balanced at a position where the flow path of the water-side port 14 is widened, and the water discharge temperature of the mixed hot water is lowered.

Next, the components of the hot water mixing valve 10 and the operation thereof will be described in more detail. The movable valve element 17 is formed on a cylindrical portion 30, a water-side seating portion 31 and a hot-water-side seating portion 32 provided at both ends of the cylindrical portion 30, and an inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 30, and has a flow path portion. An annular locking portion 34 having a 33 is provided, and a guide surface 35 formed to be inclined from the hot water side seating portion 32 toward the inner peripheral side. The annular locking portion 34 supports the bias spring 20 on the left end surface, and supports the mixing member 36 receiving the temperature-sensitive spring 19 on the other end portion.

The movable valve element 17 is movable in balance with the temperature-sensitive spring 19 and the bias spring 20, and when the water-side seating portion 31 is seated on the water-side valve seat 37, only the hot water from the hot water supply pipe 7 is supplied. Is discharged, and the hot water side seating portion 32 is
8, only water from the water supply pipe 8 is discharged, and when neither of the seating portions 31 and 32 is seated, an amount corresponding to the flow path opening of the water-side port 14 and the hot-water port 15. The water and hot water are discharged and mixed by a mixing member 36 as a swirling flow generating means.

Next, the mixing member 36 interposed between the movable valve body 17 and the temperature-sensitive spring 19 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the mixing member 36 is connected to the left supporting end 4 of the temperature-sensitive spring 19.
A spring receiving portion 41 for receiving the airflow through the washer 70 for heat insulation and a plurality of fins 42 as swirling flow generating members protruding from the spring receiving portion 41 are provided. The space between the fins 42 is an inter-fin flow path 43 for flowing water from the water-side port 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the fins 42 are curved, are attached at a predetermined angle to the outer peripheral tangent of the spring receiving member 41, and the extension of the curvature of the fins 42 gathers at the center of the through flow path 44. It is formed as follows.

The water passing from the water side port 14 through the inter-fin flow path 43 of the mixing member 36 and the hot water from the hot water side port 15 are mixed, and pass through the through flow path 44 of the mixing member 36 so that the temperature-sensitive spring 19 Flowing to the side. That is, the mixing member 36 secures a distance until the hot water and the water are mixed, and after the water is sufficiently mixed by applying a turning force to the water, the temperature-sensitive spring 1
9 to make contact.

The fin 42 of the mixing member 36 is connected to the water side port 1
When the water from 4 hits, it turns by the curved surface of the fin 42,
Water flows from each of the inter-fin channels 43 into the hot and cold water mixing chamber 18 as a swirling flow. The hot water flows in from the hot water side port 15, passes through the hot water inflow chamber 16 and the flow path of the movable valve body 17, flows in from the left side of the mixing member 36, and mixes so that the water turns from the outside and uniformly surrounds. Is done. Accordingly, the temperature-sensitive spring 19, in combination with the operation of the mixing member 36 until the mixed hot and cold water is mixed, comes into contact with the mixed hot and cold water that is almost uniformly mixed and changes the load. Therefore, the temperature-sensitive spring 19 does not apply a sliding force that causes the movable valve element 17 to flex evenly by expanding and contracting uniformly.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show details of the mixing member 36. FIG. 5 is a plan view, and FIG. 6 is a side view. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. The eight fins 42 are formed to protrude from the spring receiving portion 41 of the mixing member 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the radius of the
The first fin 42 is formed so as to be curved and extend to about one-half, and that the starting end of the next fin 42 starts from an extension of the end of one fin 42 when viewed from the center of the through flow path 44. The water flowing from the fins 42 always hits one of the fins 42. Further, the fins 42 are arranged such that the curved extensions of the fins 42 are gathered at the center of the through flow path 44. For this reason, the water flowing from the water-side port 14 hits the fins 42 and goes to the center of the through flow path 44 along the curved surface of the fins 42, so that the swirling flow becomes very effective for mixing hot and cold water. Mixing with the hot water flowing straight from the front is promoted.

FIG. 8 shows the mixing state of hot water and water by the mixing member 36. Explanation of the state where the water is sufficiently swirled and stirring the hot water, based on the analysis results of computer simulation. The outer surface side of the fins 42 is a water region, and the central portion of the through flow path 44 and eight strip-shaped portions extending from the central portion toward the end of the fins 42 are a hot water region.
The inner surface side of 2 is a mixed water region. The peripheral surface portion of the through flow path 44 where the temperature-sensitive spring 19 is located is almost a mixed water region, and the temperature-sensitive spring 19 detects the temperature of the mixed water.
Temperature control is performed accurately.

FIG. 9 is a quantitative view of the schematic diagram of the mixed state of FIG. 8 from another viewpoint, based on the analysis result of computer simulation. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the temperature close to the actual water discharge temperature is smaller than that of the conventional product.
It can be seen that it is distributed around the A coil. In particular, a significant improvement effect can be seen around 40 ° C., which is a commonly used temperature.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the mixing member. As shown, the spring receiving member 51 of the mixing member 50
Then, the fins 53 are moved toward the through flow path 52 so that the through flow path 5
The water is formed into a curved shape up to about one third of the radius of 2, and the flowing water becomes a swirling flow, and the mixing with the hot water flowing linearly from the front of the fins 53 is promoted. Since the length of the fins 53 is shorter than in the first embodiment, the turning force is slightly weaker, but the mixing is promoted as compared with the conventional product.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the mixing member. Linear fins 57 are formed in the spring receiving member 56 of the mixing member 55 toward the through flow path 58 to about two-thirds of the radius of the through flow path 58, and water flowing from the outer periphery of the fin 57 is The fin 57 is swirled to promote mixing with hot water flowing straight from the front surface of the fin 57. The swirling force is weaker than in the first embodiment, but the mixing is promoted as compared with the conventional product.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the mixing member. A linear fin 62 is formed on the spring receiving member 61 of the mixing member 60 so as to extend to about one third of a radius of the through flow path 63 toward the through flow path 63, and water flowing from the outer periphery of the fin 62 is formed. The fins 62 hit the fins 62 to form a swirling flow, which promotes mixing with hot water flowing straight from the front of the fins. The swirling force is weaker than in the first embodiment, but the mixing is promoted as compared with the conventional product.

[0031]

According to the present invention, a control valve for supplying hot water and water and controlling the inflow of hot water and water, and a control valve for controlling the temperature of the mixed water by controlling the temperature of the mixed water to mix the desired temperature. In a hot and cold water mixing device that discharges water, as a swirling flow generating unit that promotes mixing of hot water and water downstream of the control valve body and upstream of the temperature-sensitive member, interposed between the control valve body and the temperature-sensitive member. And, since a plurality of fins for mixing hot water and water are provided on the end face of the cylindrical body having the through flow passage on the control valve body side, and a mixing member protrudingly formed in the through flow passage, the fin has a long and sufficient swirling flow. Since the water can be provided, the mixing of the hot water and the water can be sufficiently performed, and the temperature of the mixed water can be accurately detected by the sensing means.

Since the fins of the mixing member are formed in a curved shape, a swirling flow is easily generated along the curved fins.

Since the shape of the fins of the mixing member is a parabolic shape in the outer radial direction from the approximate axial center of the mixing member, a swirling flow is more likely to occur.

A control valve body movable in the axial direction of the main body facing each of hot water and water flow paths provided inside the main body, and a water-side valve disposed opposite to both ends of the control valve body A temperature-sensitive spring that urges the control valve body toward the hot-water-side valve seat and changes a spring constant in accordance with the temperature; and a control valve body that moves the control valve body toward the water-side valve-seat side. And a bias spring interposed between the control valve body and the temperature-sensitive spring, and provided with a plurality of fins for mixing hot water and cold water. Since the shape of the fin is parabolic in the outer radial direction from the approximate axial center of the mixing member, mixing of hot and cold water at the outer peripheral portion where the temperature-sensitive spring is located is sufficiently performed by the swirling flow.

Since the fins of the mixing member protrude toward the center from the inner diameter of the mixing member, a swirling flow is more likely to occur, and the swirling flow sufficiently mixes the hot and cold water at the outer peripheral portion where the temperature-sensitive spring is located. Done in

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a hot water mixing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front vertical sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a control valve body, a mixing member, and a temperature-sensitive spring portion.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the mixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the mixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a mixed state of water and hot water according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the water discharge temperature and SM of the first embodiment of the present invention and the conventional example.
7 is a graph showing the relationship between the A ambient temperature.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a mixing member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a mixing member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the mixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a conventional mixing member.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a conventional mixing member.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a conventional example in which low water and hot water are mixed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hot-water mixing faucet (hot-water mixing device) 17 ... Movable valve body (control valve body) 19 ... Temperature-sensitive spring (temperature-sensitive means) 36 ... Mixing member 42 ... Fin (swirl flow generating member) 44 ... Through flow path

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shigeto 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka F-term (reference) 3T057 AA03 BB06 BB25 CC12 DD13 EE03 FC04 FD19 GG08 HH03 HH14

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A control valve body for supplying hot water and water and controlling the inflow amount of hot water and water, and a control valve body controlled by a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the mixed water to mix the desired temperature. In a hot and cold water mixing device that discharges water, as a swirling flow generating unit that promotes mixing of hot water and water downstream of the control valve body and upstream of the temperature-sensitive member, interposed between the control valve body and the temperature-sensitive member. A plurality of swirling flow generating members for mixing hot water and water, and a mixing member protrudingly formed in the through flow passage, provided on the end face of the cylindrical body having the through flow passage on the control valve body side. Mixing equipment. 2. The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the swirling flow generating member of the mixing member is formed in a curved shape. 3. The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 2, wherein the shape of the swirling flow generating member of the mixing member is a parabolic shape in an outer radial direction from a substantially axial center of the mixing member. 4. A control valve body which is movable in the axial direction of the main body facing each of hot water and water flow paths provided inside the main body, and water disposed opposite to both ends of the control valve body. A side valve seat and a hot water side valve seat, a temperature-sensitive spring for urging the control valve body toward the hot water side valve seat side, and a spring constant changing according to a temperature; and A hot / cold water mixing device provided with a cylindrical mixing member provided with a bias spring biasing to a seat side and a plurality of fins interposed between the control valve body and the temperature-sensitive spring and configured to mix hot water and water. A hot and cold water mixing device, wherein the shape of the fin is a parabolic shape in an outer radial direction from a substantially axial center of the mixing member. 5. The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 4, wherein the fins of the mixing member protrude toward the center from the inner diameter portion of the mixing member.