JP2004204918A - Drain valve for cold region - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drain valve for cold regions that requires neither a solenoid valve nor an electrically operated valve, reduced in cost and operating time, creates no noise, shows excellent quietness, and is suited for purposes, such as prevention of freezing even if water draining operation is forgotten and utilization without water draining as much as possible even in winter. <P>SOLUTION: One end of a valve body 8 that closes a drain valve seat 4 communicated with a drain port 3 of a valve box 1 is connected with a shape memory alloy wire 15 that shrinks when heated, and the diameter of the intermediate part of the valve body 8 is formed approximately equal to that of the drain valve seat 4 so as to seal the drain valve seat 4. In addition, by supplying power to the shape memory alloy wire 15 and heating it, the valve body 8 is detached from the drain valve seat 4 to discharge water from a water inlet 2 to the drain port 3. When power supply is stopped, the drain valve seat 4 is closed by a return spring 17 or water pressure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drain valve used for preventing freezing of a water supply pipe in a cold region, and particularly to a drain valve for a cold region in which a shape memory alloy wire is energized and heated to operate the valve, and a cold region using the same. Water supply valve.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, water supply valves in cold regions generally have a structure that allows drainage to prevent freezing. However, due to the simplicity and reliability of operability, the need for remote operation, etc. There were also those that used electric valves. For example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2542057 by the same applicant as a water valve for a faucet toilet uses two solenoid valves for water blocking and draining, and a conventional motor-driven electric valve. Further, it has a great feature that water flows out quickly and does not give the user an uneasy feeling.
[0003]
However, since the above-mentioned one uses two solenoid valves, the cost is not so different from the conventional motor-operated valve and the cost is high. There was a drawback that the plunger collision sound was a concern. In addition, an apparatus for electrically operating an antifreeze water tap has been used for a long time. For example, an apparatus for driving a valve having a valve structure having a valve seat, such as Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-26134 by the same applicant, has been put to practical use. However, to stop and drain water, the stroke of the valve becomes large, and it takes time to operate.In particular, for a large-diameter valve, a considerably large device is required, which also increases the cost. There was also a disadvantage.
[0004]
For this reason, there has been proposed a device that operates a valve using a shape memory alloy spring to drain water without using an electromagnetic valve or an electric valve. Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2530125 by the same applicant is an example of such a case. By the action of a shape memory alloy spring and a bias spring having a transformation point near 0 ° C., the water pressure acting on the valve is eliminated, and the water temperature is reduced. When the pressure drops to about 1-5 ° C., the bias spring overcomes the shape memory alloy spring to open the valve and drain water.
[0005]
However, the above one is suitable for the purpose of attaching to the bottom of the hot and cold water mixing tap and automatically draining the remaining water when water is stopped. It cannot be used for anti-freezing or for use without dropping water even in winter.Because of the wide transformation temperature range, even if used, there is a sufficient risk that it will not stop with water coming out in severe cold areas. In addition, such as a public toilet that is frequently used, for example, it is desired that the next user wants the water to come out immediately without dropping water as much as possible until the water temperature becomes 1 ° C or less. It was not suitable.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been filed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and does not use an electromagnetic valve or a motor-operated valve, is inexpensive, does not require much time for operation, has no noise, and has excellent quietness. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drain valve for a cold region or a water supply valve using the same, which can prevent freezing even if the drain operation is forgotten, or can be used without draining even in winter. And
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the cold district drain valve of the present invention is connected to a shape memory alloy wire that shrinks by heating to the other end of a valve body that closes a drain valve seat that communicates with a drain port of a valve box. The intermediate part of the valve body is sealed to approximately the same diameter as the drain valve seat, and the shape memory alloy wire is energized and heated to release the valve body from the drain valve seat and allow water from the water inlet to drain. When the power is stopped, the drain valve seat is closed by a return spring or water pressure.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic embodiment of a drain valve for a cold district of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a valve box having a water inlet 2 on a side wall and a drain port 3 on a lower end. A drain valve main body 5 having an upper end as a drain valve seat 4 is threadably connected to the drain port 3 so as to be adjustable, and an O-ring 6 is mounted on an upper portion thereof. Further, a resin bonnet 7 is fitted and connected to the upper end portion using the elasticity of the resin so as not to be detached. The drain valve body 5 does not always need to be adjusted, and may be fixed. Further, the drain valve body 5 may be formed integrally with the valve box 1 and a metal fitting having an O-ring may be screw-connected to the valve box 1. Is also good.
[0009]
Numeral 8 is a metal valve body in which the intermediate rod-shaped portion 9 is in close contact with the O-ring 6. A drain packing 10 is attached to the lower end, and a groove 11 is formed at the upper end as shown in a state diagram in a direction perpendicular to FIG. A roller 12 made of heat-resistant resin is connected by a pin 13 so that a shape memory alloy wire (hereinafter abbreviated as a wire) 15 does not contact the valve body 8 by a guide groove 14 formed in an intermediate portion of the roller 12. It is suspended in a U-shape, and both ends are fixed to the upper end of the bonnet 7 with screws 16.
[0010]
The valve seat 4 and the intermediate rod-shaped portion 9 are basically formed to have the same diameter, so that the operation of the valve element 8 is not adversely affected regardless of the level of the water pressure. 8 is pressed by the drain valve seat 4, but depending on the used water pressure, the return spring 17 is weakened, the diameter of the drain valve seat 4 can be increased, and the valve can be closed mainly by water pressure. If the stroke is reduced, it is possible to omit the return spring 17 and close the valve with the flow of water. The cord 18 is also fixed by the screw 16 and is electrically connected to the wire 15.
[0011]
In the state shown in the figure, the water from the water inlet 2 is blocked by the O-ring 6 and the drainage packing 10 and does not flow out to other places. In this state, for example, the water temperature on the water inlet 2 side detected by the sensor is detected. When the temperature approaches the freezing temperature and the user wants to drain water, it is good to energize the cord 18 and heat the wire 15. The wire 15 contracts when the temperature exceeds a certain transformation temperature, and overcomes the tensile strength of the return spring 17. The valve body 8 is raised to drain the water on the water inlet 2 side.
[0012]
When cold water is discharged and the sensor senses a rise in water temperature, or after a certain period of time has elapsed and drainage has been completed by a timer, energization is stopped, and the wire 15 falls below the transformation temperature due to natural heat radiation and returns. The valve body 8 is lowered by the spring 17 to close the drain valve seat 4, and drainage is stopped.
[0013]
The wire 15 in this embodiment is made of a nickel or titanium alloy and has a wire diameter of 0.1 mm. Since a thin wire of several millimeters is used, the electric resistance value is high, and the heat dissipation is good, drainage and drainage stoppage can be performed in a very short time by turning on and off the energization. The transformation temperature is as low as possible and 70-80 ° C. is used so as not to reach in a normal state. When the drainage state continues for a long time, the temperature becomes too high and the wire 15 It is also possible to repeat the energization and the interruption by the control so as not to deteriorate the characteristics.
[0014]
In the present embodiment, one wire 15 is extended in a U-shape via the roller 12 and both ends are fixed at the upper end, so that the valve element 8 can be lifted by double force, and the stroke of the valve element 8 can be increased. This is advantageous in that a design that overcomes the tensile strength of the return spring 17, which must be larger than the frictional force of the O-ring 6, can be easily performed. Since the contraction rate at the transformation temperature point of the wire 15 is determined, the length of the wire 15 itself is also determined by the stroke of the valve element 8. If several wires are used to fix the wire 15 laterally to a larger diameter, or if the wire 15 is changed downward and fixed in the middle, the length of the bonnet 7 is shortened even if the total length of the wire 15 is the same. can do.
[0015]
Since the wire 15 is thin and the electric resistance is large, the current to be passed is only a little, and one or two dry batteries are sufficient. Therefore, the amount of electricity used is small, and if a solar or the like is used, it can be applied in places where there is no electric equipment. Is also possible. Further, when energized, there is no occurrence of abnormal noise as in the case of using a motor or a solenoid, and it is extremely quiet.
[0016]
The drain valve according to the present embodiment is, for example, attached to the outlet of a watering faucet in a garden to prevent freezing even if you forget to drop water, or to use it without dropping water even in winter. It can be installed near the faucet of the kitchen or bathroom, and even if you forget to drop the water, you can apply it to a place where the water comes out somewhere. It is convenient if provided.
[0017]
In the case where the water valve is installed outdoors such as a water faucet, the position of the drain valve seat is projected upward as much as possible, and the discharged water droplets are discharged using the water temperature of the water inlet 2 side to reduce the size of the drain valve seat 4 having a small diameter. It is desirable that the lower end be frozen so as not to block the flow path.
[0018]
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in a plan view thereof show an embodiment in which two drain valves of the present invention are applied to a faucet toilet water supply valve. An outlet 20 is provided, and the water inlet 2 is located between the main valve seat 21 in the middle part and the outlet 20, and the outlet 3 is located at the lower end. A cylinder 22 having a larger diameter than the main valve seat 21 is formed above and downstream of the main valve seat 21, and a cap 23 is connected to an upper end thereof.
[0019]
A resin bonnet 7 is screw-connected to the upper end of the cap 23 via a lid 24 in which the O-ring 6 is mounted, and the valve 8 pressed by a return spring 17 locked on the lid 24. To accommodate. The valve body 8 has an upper end connected to a wire 15 via a roller 12, and the wire 15 is bent at a right angle via an upper roller 25 made of a heat-resistant resin connected to the bonnet 7 by a pin 13, and is screwed by a screw 16. It is fixed to the upper end of the hood 7. Although two rollers 12 may be used as the upper roller 25, the length of the bonnet 7 can be shortened by bending the upper roller 25 at a right angle. A cord 18 (not shown) is connected to the screw 16 as in FIG. 1 and is electrically connected to the wire 15.
[0020]
Reference numeral 26 denotes a main valve body, which is provided with a main valve packing 27 at a lower end thereof so as not to be detached by a packing holding screw 29 having a small-diameter pressure release hole 28 formed therein. A pressure relief hole 31 is formed. A one-way sealing annular packing 32 having a Y-shaped cross section that slides on the cylinder 22 is mounted on the outer circumference, and a small-diameter pressure introducing hole 34 communicating from a groove bottom to a pressure chamber 33 formed above the main valve body 26 is formed. I wear it.
[0021]
The same drain valve as described above is laterally connected to the drain port 3 side, and the valve body 8 closes the drain valve seat 4 communicating with the drain port 3.
[0022]
Although the figure shows the water stop state, when water is to be passed, pressing a button (omitted in the drawing) of the operation box energizes and heats the wire 15, contracts, and raises the valve element 8. At the same time, receiving a pressure difference based on the cylinder 22 having a larger diameter than the main valve seat 21, the main valve body 26 releases the pressure water in the pressure chamber 33 through the pressure relief hole 31 and the small diameter pressure relief hole 28. As a result, the water flows into the outflow port 20 side.
[0023]
After a certain time has passed by the action of the timer, the power supply to the wire 15 is cut off, and the valve body 8 is lowered by the return spring 17 as described above, and the pressure relief valve seat 30 is closed. Since the one-way sealing annular packing 32 is in close contact with the cylinder 22, the main valve body 26 slowly descends by the pressure water from the inflow port 19 that has gradually entered the pressure chamber 33 through the pressure introduction hole 34. Then, the main valve packing 27 comes into close contact with the main valve seat 21 and is again closed. In this case, the return of the valve element 8 by the flow of water cannot be expected, and the return spring 17 is an essential component.
[0024]
When the danger of freezing is confirmed by a water temperature sensor (not shown), the wire 15 on the drain side is automatically energized and heated, the valve body 8 is raised, and the outlet 20 side, the rising pipe ( The water in the drawing (not shown) is discharged from the water inlet 2 to the drain 3 to prevent freezing. After a lapse of a sufficient time for the drainage to end by the function of the timer, the valve body 8 closes the drainage valve seat 4.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the economic effect that the two solenoid valves of the cited example can be omitted is great, but the main valve body 26 is operated by the solenoid valve, and the wire 15 is used only on the drain side. You can also. A valve is usually provided on the inflow port 19 side for adjusting the flow rate and repairing the valve.
[0026]
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the drainage valve for a cold region of the present invention is applied to an antifreeze water faucet normally buried underground and used between the inlet 19 and the outlet 20 of the valve box 1. The valve seat 21 is provided, and the drain port 3 is formed at the lower end in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. A check valve (not shown) is connected to the drain port 3 so that underground sewage does not enter the valve box 1. When used as a valve that is not buried underground, the lower end may be largely opened as shown in FIG. 3 and the check valve may be omitted.
[0027]
A large-diameter cylinder 22 is formed above the main valve seat 21, and a small-diameter drain cylinder 35 is formed below the main valve seat 21. The piston 36 has annular packings 37 and 38 that slide on the cylinder 22, the drain cylinder 35, and a main valve seat. A main valve packing 27 for closing the valve 21 is mounted, a drainage channel 39 communicating with the drainage port 3 is formed therein, and a side wall between the annular packing 37 and the main valve packing 27 is bored to form the water inlet 2.
[0028]
The drain valve seat 4 is formed at the upper end of the drain channel 39 so as to be closed by the valve element 8. The valve box 1 is extended to the ground by an outer pipe 40 and the piston 36 is extended by an inner pipe 41, and is connected to an operating device (not shown). The upper roller 25 is accommodated in a joint 42 connecting the inner pipe 41, and the wire 15 is fixed with a screw 16. Further, the cord 18 is accommodated in the inner pipe 41 and is also electrically connected to the wire 15.
[0029]
Although the figure shows a water-passing state, when a draining state is desired, the piston 36 is first lowered by operating a handle (not shown) connected to the inner pipe 41 to move the main valve packing 27 to the main valve seat 21. The water is shut off from the inflow port 19 to make the water stop state. Thereafter, the wire 15 is energized, the valve body 8 is raised, and the water on the outflow port 20 side is discharged from the drainage channel 39 to the drainage port 3 through the water inlet 2. After that, the energization may be stopped by a timer after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0030]
When the handle is manually operated, power can be immediately supplied and drained by using a micro switch or the like, or when the water temperature becomes close to the freezing temperature by using a sensor, the current can be supplied and drained. Of course, an electric operation may be used instead of the manual operation.
[0031]
According to this embodiment, since the annular packings 37 and 38 do not come off from the cylinder 22 and the drainage cylinder 35, it is possible to avoid an accident that the packings are damaged by blow-out due to water pressure or the like, and the piston 36 stops water from flowing. Since only the above movement is required, the stroke can be reduced. Particularly, in the case of a large-diameter antifreeze water tap, the effect of reducing the size of the valve box 1 is great.
[0032]
Even if a normal shape memory alloy spring is used, it seems that the present invention can be realized.However, when a spring is used, the thickness is required to be several times larger than that of the present embodiment, and the temperature rise due to energization, and the natural heat radiation. It takes a long time for the temperature to drop, and when it is used for public toilets, there is a defect that water does not easily come out and does not stop, so that it is actually difficult to use.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention employs a method of operating a valve using a shape memory alloy wire that shrinks when heated, so that the cost is lower than that of operating a valve using a motor or a solenoid. In addition, the valve can be reduced in size, the valve can be downsized, there is no unpleasant gear biting noise or plunger collision noise, it is extremely quiet, and only a small drive current is required. It can be installed even where there is no water, etc., and it could not be realized with a normal shape memory alloy spring, it can prevent freezing even if you forget to drain, or even in winter, do not drop water as much as possible It is possible to provide a drainage valve for a cold district which is suitable for use in use, and also for use in a public toilet which is frequently used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a basic embodiment of a cold district drain valve of the present invention in a water stop state.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the valve body of FIG. 1 in a right angle direction.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view in a water stop state, showing an embodiment in which the cold district drain valve of the present invention is used as a water tap valve for a faucet toilet.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view in a water flowing state in which the cold district drain valve of the present invention is applied to an antifreeze water tap.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 valve box 2 water inlet 3 drain port 4 drain valve seat 8 valve body 15 shape memory alloy wire 17 return spring 19 inflow port 20 outflow port 21 main valve seat 22 cylinder 26 main valve body 30 pressure relief valve seat 31 pressure relief hole 33 Pressure chamber 36 Piston 39 Drainage channel

Claims (3)

A heat-shrinkable shape memory alloy wire is connected to the other end of the valve body that closes the drain valve seat communicating with the drain port of the valve box, and the middle part of the valve body is sealed to the same diameter as the drain valve seat. At the same time, the shape memory alloy wire is energized and heated to release the valve from the drain valve seat and drain water from the water inlet to the drain. A drain valve for a cold region, wherein the seat is closed. A main valve seat is formed in the middle of the inlet and outlet of the valve box, and a cylinder having a larger diameter than the main valve seat is formed downstream of the main valve seat. In the upper part, a pressure chamber communicating with the inflow port through the main valve body is formed, and further, inside the main valve body, a pressure relief hole that has a pressure relief valve seat at the upper end and communicates the pressure chamber with the outflow port is provided. The water supply valve for a flush toilet having a drainage valve for a cold region according to claim 1, wherein the water supply port is provided at an intermediate portion between the main valve seat and the outlet, and the lower end of the valve box is used as a drainage port. 2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of a piston that opens and closes between an inlet and an outlet of the valve box is formed as a water inlet, a drain passage communicating with a drain of the valve box is formed therein, and a drain valve seat is formed at an upper end thereof. An antifreeze faucet having the drainage valve for cold districts according to the above.

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