JP2003021246A - Mixing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mixing valve capable of mixing three fluids flowing from three inflow ports while continuously changing its mixing ratio, simplifying piping work, and reducing an installation space. SOLUTION: This mixing valve is provided with a valve body having three inflow ports 11, 12, 13 and one outflow port 14, and a valve element 20 rotatably mounted in the valve body, the fluids flowing from three inflow ports are mixed to flow out of the outflow port. The valve element 20 is provided with a first opening 21, a second opening 22 and a third opening 23 communicated with three inflow ports 11, 12, 13. The first fluid from the first inflow port and the second fluid from the second inflow port are mixed while changing its mixing ratio by rotating the valve element 20 in the constant direction, and the second fluid from the second inflow port and the third fluid from the third inflow port are mixed while changing its mixing ratio by further rotating the valve element 20 in the constant direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mixing valve for mixing hot water or the like, and more particularly to a mixing valve having three inlets,
The present invention relates to a mixing valve that mixes and flows three fluids.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mixing valve of this type, there is a mixing valve described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-303619. The mixing valve comprises a valve body having two inlets, one outlet and a valve chamber, and a ball valve arranged in the valve body, the ball valve communicating at the center of the ball valve. With two inflow passages and one outflow passage, the two inflow passages are inclined to each other,
Further, the two inflow passages and the one outflow passage of the ball valve are arranged in the direction of the outflow passage, and the two inflow passages and one outflow passage of the ball valve are arranged in a plane orthogonal to the fluid outflow direction of one outflow port of the valve body. As a result, the mixing ratio of the two kinds of fluids can be set accurately and, as a result, the mixing range of the two kinds of fluids can be increased.

Further, the mixing valve described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-179715 gradually increases the flow rate by continuously operating one movable valve while keeping the mixing ratio of water and hot water at a constant value. From the flow rate position, the flow rate of hot water is gradually reduced while the flow rate of water is almost zero. As a result, water and hot water can be mixed at a fixed mixing ratio and sent out at an arbitrary flow rate, and at the same time, hot water can be discharged at an arbitrary flow rate without providing an opening / closing valve or the like in the water supply pipe. It is also possible.

[0004]

By the way, the two mixing valves having the above structure are two-input mixing valves, and mixing from three inputs was impossible. For example, a first input from a water heater and a second input from a solar water heater.
2 and the water from the third input from the tap water are mixed and supplied for floor heating or the like, it is necessary to use two 2-input mixing valves for piping. However, when two pieces are used, there is a problem that control becomes complicated, the number of joints increases, piping work becomes complicated, and a large installation space is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to mix fluids flowing in through three inlets at desired ratios. Only the fluid from the second or third inflow port can be discharged, and the fluids entering from the first and second inflow ports can be continuously mixed at different mixing ratios. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mixing valve capable of continuously changing the mixing ratio of the fluid entering from the third inlet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-input mixing valve having a simple structure, easy piping work, and a small installation space.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve the above object,
A mixing valve according to the present invention includes a valve body having three inflow ports and one outflow port, and a valve body rotatably arranged in the valve body, and a fluid flowing from the three inflow ports is supplied to the mixing valve. The mixed fluid flows out from one outflow port, and the first fluid inflowing from the first inflow port and the second inflowing from the second inflow port by rotating the valve body in a certain direction. The fluid is mixed while changing the mixing ratio, and the valve body is further rotated in a fixed direction to separate the second fluid flowing from the second inlet and the third fluid flowing from the third inlet. The feature is that mixing is possible while changing the mixing ratio.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the mixing valve according to the present invention, the valve body is provided with first, second and third openings and an outflow opening which is in communication with the outflow opening and which faces the first, second and third openings. The third opening is arranged so as to sequentially communicate with the first inflow port, the second inflow port, and the third inflow port by rotating the valve body in a certain direction. When the valve body is rotated, The communication area gradually decreases from the state where the first inflow port and the first opening communicate with each other, and the communication area between the second inflow port and the second opening gradually increases, and After the two openings communicate with each other, the communication area between the second inlet and the second opening decreases, and the communication area between the third inlet and the third opening gradually increases to the third flow. The entrance and the third opening are in communication with each other.

As another preferable specific embodiment of the mixing valve according to the present invention, the valve body is fitted inside the valve body, and when the first opening communicates with the first inlet, The second opening is shifted from the second inlet by a predetermined phase, and the third opening is further shifted from the third inlet by the same phase. Further, the valve body is the first
The first inlet and the second inlet are provided on one side of the valve body with a space therebetween, and the third inlet is provided on the other side of the valve body corresponding to the distance between the two inlets. It has a feature.

In the mixing valve of the present invention thus constructed, the valve body is rotated so that the first inlet and the first opening are communicated with each other, and then the second inlet and the second inlet are connected.
The mixing ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid can be gradually changed and mixed until the opening is in communication. Also, the second
Of the second fluid and the third fluid are continuously and gradually changed and mixed from the state in which the inflow port and the second opening communicate with each other to the state in which the third inflow port and the third opening communicate with each other. can do.

That is, the mixing valve goes from a state in which only the first fluid flows out, to a state in which the second fluid increases and flows out while gradually reducing the first fluid, and a state in which only the second fluid flows out, After that, it is possible to successively increase the amount of the third fluid while gradually decreasing the amount of the second fluid and to flow out, and finally to flow out only the third fluid. Further, the piping work for inflowing the three fluids can be simplified, and the installation space can be reduced. Further, when the valve body is rotated by an electric mechanism to detect the temperature and concentration of the mixed fluid and automatically control the temperature and concentration to a desired temperature, the control can be easily performed.

When the first inlet and the first opening communicate with each other, the second opening is displaced from the second inlet by a predetermined phase, and the third opening
If the opening is further offset from the third inlet in the same phase,
The mixing ratio can be continuously changed from the first fluid to the third fluid through the third fluid in accordance with the angle at which the valve body is rotated. Further, if two inflow ports are provided on one side of the valve body with a space therebetween, and a third inflow port is provided on the other side corresponding to the space between the two inflow ports, the valve body can be made thin and three Piping work can be done easily because the space between the inlets is wide.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a mixing valve according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
Is a longitudinal sectional view of the mixing valve according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are sectional views taken along the line AA, BB, and CC of FIG. 1, respectively. It is a drawing line sectional view. 1 and 2, the mixing valve 1 includes a valve body 10 and
A valve body 20 rotatably arranged in the valve body 10, and the valve body 10 includes a first inflow port 11 and a second inflow port 1.
It has 2 and 3 inflow ports 13 and one outflow port 14.
The valve body 10 is formed by metal casting, plastic molding, or the like into a cylindrical shape that opens downward, and a lid 15 is screwed in a waterproof state with a packing 16 sandwiched in the lower opening.
An outflow port 14 is formed at 5. From the outflow port 14, the fluids entered from the three inflow ports 11, 12, and 13 are mixed and flown out.

On the outer circumferences of the first inflow port 11, the second inflow port 12, the third inflow port 13 and the outflow port 14, a mounting screw portion for mounting a pipe is formed. The valve body 20 fitted inside the valve body 10 includes a shaft portion 2 for rotating the valve body 20.
5 is integrally formed to project upward, the upper end of the shaft portion 25 projects outward from the valve body 10, and a lever (not shown) is provided.
A square shaft portion 26 is formed for mounting the same. The shaft 25 and the valve body 10 are kept waterproof by a packing 27. In this way, the valve body 10 is configured so that the fluids that have entered from the three inflow ports are mixed and exit from the one outflow port, and that there is no water leakage.

The first inflow port 11, the second inflow port 12, and the third inflow port 13 are provided from the valve body 10 in the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the cylindrical axial direction. There is. The upper first inlet 11 is formed on one side of the valve body 10, that is, on the left side in FIG. 1, and the second inlet 12 is spaced from the first inlet 11 and is on the lower left side. Formed on the side. The third inflow port 13 is formed on the other side of the valve body 10, that is, on the right side from the upper and lower central portions, corresponding to the distance between the first inflow port 11 and the second inflow port 12. As described above, since the third inflow port 13 is formed on the opposite side of 180 degrees corresponding to the distance between the first inflow port 11 and the second inflow port 12, the valve body 10 can be made thin and Since the respective inlets 11, 12, 13 do not come close to each other, piping work can be easily performed.

The valve body 20 has a cylindrical shape that contacts the inner surface of the valve body 10, is formed of metal casting, plastic molding, or the like, and is capable of communicating with the first inlet 11 of the valve body 10 so as to face it. The opening 21, the second opening 22 facing and communicating with the second inlet 12, and the third opening 23 facing and communicating with the third inlet 13 are formed with the same phase shifted. Has been done. That is, in this example, the second opening is
As shown in FIG. 2C, the opening 22 is offset by about 60 degrees clockwise, and the third opening 23 is different from the first opening 21 in FIG.
As shown in (b), they are formed counterclockwise by about 60 degrees. Then, by rotating the valve body 20,
The first, second, and third openings 21, 22, and 23 are sequentially connected to the first inlet 11, the second inlet 12, and the third inlet 13,
It is arranged to communicate. The lower portion of the valve body 20 is open and serves as an outflow opening 24 facing the outflow port 14. 1 and 2 show a state in which the first inflow port 11 and the first opening 21 coincide and face each other.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the first inflow port 11 and the first opening 21 are 100% opposed to each other and communicate with each other, as shown in FIG. As shown, the second inlet 12 and the second opening 22 are set so as not to communicate with each other, but the second inlet 12 and the second opening 22 are slightly communicated with each other so that they overlap each other. It may be possible to switch by setting to. Further, as will be described later, the third inlet 13 is also set in the same manner, but may be set to overlap.

The mixing operation of the mixing valve 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. The mixing valve 1 has a first inlet 11
Is supplied with hot water (first fluid) from a water heater, middle temperature water (second fluid) from a solar water heater is supplied to the second inlet 12, and normal water is supplied to the third inlet 13. Tap water (third fluid) is supplied, and it is arranged so as to supply hot water for hot water supply and floor heating from the outlet 14, and the shaft portion 25.
By rotating the, high temperature water, medium temperature water and low temperature water can be mixed and flowed out.

In the state of FIG. 2, the upper first inflow port 11 and the first opening 21 communicate with each other, and the second inflow port 12 and the third inflow port 13 have the first opening 21 and the second opening 22. High temperature water flows in through the first inflow port 11 and flows out through the outflow port 14 without communicating with the. From the state of FIG. 2, the valve body 20 is rotated counterclockwise by about 3
When rotated by 0 °, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained, and the first inlet 11
And the first opening 21 communicate with each other by about half, and the second inlet 12
And the second opening 22 communicate with each other about half, and the third inflow port 13
Is in a state of not communicating with the third opening 23. The state of FIG. 3 is a state in which the high temperature water flowing in from the first inflow port 11 and the medium temperature water flowing in from the second inflow port 12 are mixed and flow out from the outflow port 14.

While the valve body 20 is being rotated from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 3, the amount of high-temperature water flowing from the first inlet 11 gradually increases in accordance with the rotation angle of the valve body 20. And the amount of the medium temperature water flowing from the second inlet 12 gradually increases, so that the mixing ratio can be gradually and continuously changed. In the state of FIG. 3, approximately the same amount of fluid flows into the valve body 20 from the first inflow port 11 and the second inflow port 12, and flows out from the outflow port 14 through the outflow opening 24. The first inflow port 11 and the first opening 21 may be formed as square holes so that the mixing ratio changes in proportion to the rotation angle of the valve body 20.

When the valve body 20 is further rotated counterclockwise by about 30 ° from the state shown in FIG. 3, the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained, and the first inlet 11 does not communicate with the first opening 21 and the second inlet 21 does not communicate. Inlet 1
2 communicates with the second opening 22, and the third inflow port 13 does not communicate with the third opening 23. In the state of FIG. 4, the medium temperature water flows in only from the second inflow port 12, and only the medium temperature water flows out from the outflow port 14. In the state of FIG. 4, when the second inflow port 12 and the second opening 22 are 100% opposed to and coincide with each other, the first inflow port 11 and the first opening 21 are set so as not to communicate with each other. There may be a slight communication.

While the valve body 20 is being rotated from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4, the amount of high-temperature water flowing from the first inlet 11 is further increased in accordance with the rotation angle of the valve body 20. It gradually decreases and the amount of the medium temperature water flowing in from the second inflow port 12 further gradually increases. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the medium temperature water can be gradually and continuously increased. Only the inlet flows from the second inlet 12 and the outlet 14 through the outlet opening 24. The rotation angle and the mixing ratio may be proportional to each other as described above.

From the state shown in FIG.
When rotated, the state becomes as shown in FIG. 5, the first inflow port 11 is not in communication with the first opening 21, the second inflow port 12 is in communication with the second opening 22, and the third inflow port 13 is in the third position. The communication with the three openings 23 is established. The state of FIG. 5 is a state in which the medium temperature water flowing from the second inflow port 12 and the low temperature water flowing from the third inflow port 13 are mixed and flow out from the outflow port 14.

While the valve body 20 is being rotated from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5, the amount of medium temperature water flowing from the second inflow port 12 gradually changes in accordance with the rotation angle of the valve body 20. And the amount of low temperature water flowing from the third inlet 13 gradually increases, so that the mixing ratio can be gradually and continuously changed. In the state of FIG. 5, approximately the same amount of fluid flows into the valve body 20 from the second inflow port 12 and the third inflow port 13, and flows out from the outflow port 14 through the outflow opening 24.

When the valve body 20 is further rotated counterclockwise by about 30 ° from the state shown in FIG. 5, the state shown in FIG. 6 is reached, and the first inlet 11 does not communicate with the first opening 21 and the second inlet 21 does not communicate. Inlet 1
2 does not communicate with the second opening 22, but only the third inflow port 13 communicates with the third opening 23. In the state of FIG. 6, low temperature water flows in only from the third inflow port 13, and only low temperature water flows out from the outflow port 14. In addition, in the state of FIG.
The second inlet 12 and the second opening 22 are set so as not to communicate with each other when the inlet 13 and the third opening 23 face each other, but even if they slightly communicate with each other. Good.

While the valve body 20 is being rotated from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the state shown in FIG. 6, the amount of medium temperature water flowing from the second inflow port 12 is further increased corresponding to the rotation angle of the valve body 20. Since it gradually decreases and the amount of low temperature water flowing from the third inflow port 13 further increases gradually, it is possible to gradually and continuously increase the mixing ratio of the low temperature water while reducing the medium temperature water. In this state, only low-temperature water flows into the valve body 20 from the third inflow port 13 and flows out from the outflow port 14 through the outflow opening 24.

The desired temperature of the hot water exiting the outlet 14 is
When the temperature is higher than the medium temperature water of the second inflow port 12, the position of the valve body 20 is set to any position in FIGS. 2 to 4 so that the high temperature water and the medium temperature water are mixed, and the mixing ratio is set. When the desired temperature of the hot water discharged from the outflow port 14 is lower than that of the medium temperature water, the position of the valve body 20 is set to any position of FIGS. 4 to 6 so that the medium temperature water and the low temperature water are mixed. Set the mixing ratio. In this way, the medium-temperature water supplied from the solar water heater to the second inlet 12 can be positively used, so that solar energy can be effectively used. Further, when the temperature of the medium temperature water is high, such as in fine weather, high temperature water using electricity or gas is not used, so that energy can be significantly reduced.

In the above embodiment, tap water or hot water is used as the fluid, but it can be used for switching refrigerants used in cooling and heating equipment. Further, although the example of the valve body having a cylindrical shape is shown, it is a matter of course that the valve body may have a spherical shape or the like. The shaft portion that rotates the valve body may be configured to be rotated by an electric mechanism that combines a motor and a gear, for example. Then, the temperature and concentration of the mixed fluid may be detected, and the rotation angle of the valve body may be controlled via the electric mechanism so that the fluid can be mixed to a desired temperature and concentration. Even in the case of automatic control as described above, since only one shaft portion is rotated, control can be easily performed.

[0028]

As can be understood from the above description, in the mixing valve of the present invention, the first fluid, the second fluid, and the third fluid that flow in from the three inlets are discharged from the state in which only the first fluid flows out. , Gradually increasing the amount of the second fluid while gradually decreasing the amount of the first fluid, and then flowing out only the second fluid, and then gradually decreasing the amount of the second fluid and gradually increasing the amount of the third fluid It is possible to continuously flow out, and finally to flow out only the third fluid.

Further, the valve main body can be made thin, the mixing valve can be made compact, and the mixing ratio of the three fluids can be continuously changed in proportion to the angle at which the valve body is rotated. . Further, the piping work becomes easy, the installation space can be reduced, and the automatic control can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of a mixing valve according to the present invention.

2A is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is FIG.
2 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of being rotated about 30 ° from the state of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation state in which the state of FIG. 3 is further rotated by about 30 °.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state in which the state of FIG. 4 is further rotated by about 30 °.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state in which the state of FIG. 5 is further rotated about 30 °.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mixing valve, 10 valve body, 11 1st inflow port, 12 2nd inflow port, 13 3rd inflow port, 14 outflow port, 15 lid body, 20 valve body,
21 first opening, 22 second opening, 2
3 Third opening, 24 Outflow opening, 25 Shaft

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3H067 AA12 AA23 CC32 DD03 DD12                       DD23 EA03 EA06 FF02 GG13

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A valve body having three inflow ports and one outflow port, and a valve body rotatably arranged in the valve body, wherein the fluids flowing in through the three inflow ports are mixed. And a first fluid that flows in from the first inlet and a second fluid that flows in from the second inlet by rotating the valve body in a certain direction. The second fluid to be mixed while changing the mixing ratio, and the valve body is further rotated in a fixed direction, so that the second fluid flowing from the second inlet and the third fluid flowing in from the third inlet. A mixing valve capable of mixing with a third fluid to be mixed while changing a mixing ratio. 2. The valve body includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening that communicate with the first inflow port, the second inflow port, and the third inflow port, respectively. When rotated, the communication area gradually decreases from the state where the first inflow port and the first opening communicate with each other, and the communication area between the second inflow port and the second opening gradually increases, After the second inflow port and the second opening are in communication with each other, the communication area between the second inflow port and the second opening is reduced, and the communication area between the third inflow port and the third opening is reduced. Is gradually increased, and the third inflow port and the third opening are in communication with each other, and the mixing valve according to claim 1. 3. The valve body is fitted inside the valve body, and when the first opening communicates with the first inlet, the second opening has a predetermined phase from the second inlet. 3. The mixing valve according to claim 1, wherein the third opening is further shifted from the third inflow port in the phase. 4. The valve body includes a first inflow port and a second inflow port.
Is provided on one side of the valve body with a gap, and the third inlet is provided on the other side of the valve body corresponding to the gap between the two inlets. The mixing valve according to claim 1.