JP2004346965A - Flow passage switching apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow passage switching apparatus which can reduce its operation resistance in switching a flow passage and can improve its durability while reducing its size. <P>SOLUTION: The flow passage switching apparatus comprises an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports 3 in a valve chamber 1, a valve seat 4, and a valve body 5 which is located inside the valve chamber 1 in the retractable manner to the valve seat 4 in each of a plurality of the outlet ports 3. Further, the apparatus has an elastic energizing means 8 for elastically energizing each valve body 5 toward each outlet port 3 so as to come into close contact with each valve seat 4, a plurality of cam members 11 which are held in each outlet side flow passage continued to each outlet port 3 so as to rotate and have a cam portion 11A for separating each valve body 5 from each valve seat 4 by coming into contact with each valve body 5 at a set rotational angular position, and a rotation operating means 100 for alternatively rotating a plurality of the cam members 11 to the set rotational angular position such that each valve body 5 alternatively separates from each valve seat 4 against the elastic energizing force of the elastic energizing means 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides one inlet and a plurality of outlets in a valve chamber, each of the plurality of outlets having a valve seat, and a valve located in the valve chamber and capable of being closely attached to and separated from the valve seat. The present invention relates to a flow path switching device provided with a body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The above-mentioned flow path switching device is attached to, for example, a faucet of a tap, and an outlet for purifying water for flowing the flow path of tap water from the inflow port into the valve chamber to the water purification section, or a direct current state or shower of tap water as it is. In the first conventional technique, a ball as a valve body is brought into close contact with each valve seat by a water flow and its own weight, and a plurality of balls are inserted into the valve chamber from the lateral wall of the valve chamber. The operation rods are inserted and each ball located on each valve seat is disposed so as to be able to be pressed laterally, and the plurality of operation rods are selectively operated to separate each valve body from each valve seat. Then, the flow path is switched to an outlet provided with the valve body (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
In the second prior art, one operating rod inserted in a state of crossing a plurality of outlet side flow paths respectively connected to a plurality of outlets is rotatably arranged around a rod longitudinal axis center, and different rotation angle positions are provided. The operation rod is provided with a plurality of cam portions which come into contact with each valve element and separate from the valve seat, and the operation rod is operated to rotate each valve element which is in close contact with the valve seat at each outlet. In such a configuration, the channel is pushed up and separated from the valve seat to switch the flow path (see Patent Documents 3 and 4). In this patent document, there are described one in which a valve body is brought into close contact with a valve seat by water flow and its own weight, and another in which a valve body is pushed by a compression spring to come into close contact with a valve seat.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-31036 (pages 1-4, Fig. 1-Fig. 6)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-41887 (pages 1-7, FIGS. 1-3)
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent No. 3218856 (pages 1-3, FIGS. 1-4)
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-9-144913 (Pages 1-6, FIGS. 1-6)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the first prior art, since the operation rod is inserted into the valve chamber to which the static pressure of the tap water is applied in a high pressure state, the sealing portion that seals a sliding portion between the operation rod and the side wall of the valve chamber has a high pressure. As a result, when the operation rod is pushed and pulled, the sliding resistance of the seal portion becomes large, and a large force is required for the switching operation of the flow path, and the operation rod is pushed and pulled. There has been a problem that the seal portion is worn by repeated operations, and the durability is reduced. Further, since the valve body is pressed and shifted to the side with respect to the valve seat, the operation causes uneven wear of the valve seat, which causes a reduction in sealing performance.
On the other hand, in the second prior art, since the operating rod is disposed in the outlet side flow path, a relatively low dynamic pressure in the flow state is applied to the seal portion for each outlet side flow path of the operating rod. There is no disadvantage that the static pressure of high-pressure tap water is added as it is. However, since the operating rod is disposed across the plurality of outlet-side flow paths, an O-ring or the like having a large sliding resistance is used as a sealing material for mutually sealing leakage between adjacent outlet-side flow paths. In addition, since the seal portion is provided at a plurality of places (for example, three places when switching to three outlet side flow paths) according to the number of switching flow paths, all of the plurality of places are provided at the time of the flow path switching operation. The sliding resistance of the seal portion becomes a load. In addition, since the rotational force received by the operation rod on the base end side is transmitted to the distal end side using the torsional rigidity of the rod, the torsional strength (bending strength) of the operation rod with respect to the sliding resistance is increased. Because of the necessity, the diameter of the operation rod is increased and the weight is increased, and the outer diameter of the seal portion is increased, so that the sliding resistance is further increased. And, for each of the above reasons, the sliding resistance becomes excessive, and there is a possibility that the durability of the seal portion is reduced. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the entire structure is enlarged, and it is difficult to reduce the operation resistance at the time of the flow path switching operation and to improve the durability.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switching device capable of reducing operation resistance at the time of flow path switching and improving durability while reducing the size. Is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first characteristic configuration of the flow path switching device according to the present invention for achieving the above object, as described in claim 1, each of the outlets is arranged such that each of the valve elements is in close contact with each of the valve seats. Elastic urging means for elastically urging toward the side, rotatably held in each outlet-side flow path connected to each of the outlets, and abutting on each of the valve bodies at a set rotation angle position, A plurality of cam members having a cam portion for separating each valve body from each valve seat; and each valve body alternatively separating from each valve seat against the elastic urging force of the elastic urging means. The rotation operating means for selectively rotating the plurality of cam members to the set rotation angle position is provided.
[0009]
That is, when one of the plurality of cam members rotatably held in each outlet-side flow path connected to each outlet is selectively rotated to the set rotation angle position by the rotation operation means, the set rotation angle position is set. The alternately rotated cam member contacts each valve body and separates each valve body from the valve seat against the elastic urging force of the elastic urging means. The flow path is switched so that the outlet communicates with the one inlet.
[0010]
In the above switching operation of the flow paths, since each cam member is individually held in each of the outlet side flow paths separated from each other, there is no possibility that leakage occurs between adjacent outlet side flow paths, Since the sealing property of the seal portion to each outlet side flow path of the member does not need to be so high, as a sealing material, such as a U-shaped packing having a cross section that seals one-way leakage from the inside of each outlet side flow path to the outside. A sealing material having small sliding resistance can be used. Although the cam member has a structure for transmitting torque using torsional rigidity, the U-shaped packing or the like having a small number of sliding resistances and a small load becomes a load. Even if the cam member is formed to have a smaller diameter than the cam member, the desired torsional strength can be secured, and at the same time, the sliding resistance is reduced because the outer diameter of the seal portion is reduced. As a result, the sliding resistance of the seal portion of each cam member can be reduced, and the wear of the seal portion due to repetition of the rotation operation of each cam member can be reduced, and the durability can be improved. Since the outlet side flow path also serves as a holding section for each cam member, there is no need to provide a dedicated holding section, and the overall structure can be made small.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a flow path switching device capable of reducing the operational resistance at the time of switching the flow path and improving the durability while reducing the size.
[0011]
According to a second feature configuration, as set forth in claim 2, in the first feature configuration, the rotation operation means operates one rotation operation tool and each of the rotation operation tools at different rotation operation angles. And a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the rotary operating tool to the plurality of cam members so that each of the plurality of cam members selectively rotates to the set rotation angle position when the rotation is performed. On the point.
That is, when the one rotary operation tool is operated at each of the different rotational operation angle positions, the rotational force of the rotary operation tool is transmitted to the plurality of cam members by the transmission mechanism, and each of the plurality of cam members is sequentially or selectively selected. It rotates to the set rotation angle position.
Therefore, the operation of switching the flow path to the target outlet can be easily performed by operating one rotary operation tool, and a preferred embodiment of the flow path switching device is provided.
[0012]
According to a third feature configuration, as described in claim 3, in the second feature configuration, the rotation axes of the plurality of cam members are arranged adjacent to each other in a parallel state, and the rotation operating tool is provided on the plurality of cam members. The present invention is characterized in that the transmission mechanism is provided on one of the rotation shafts, and the transmission mechanism is constituted by a gear mechanism that screw-connects a rotation shaft of a cam member provided with the rotation operation tool to a rotation shaft of another cam member.
That is, when the one rotary operating tool is rotated, the rotary shaft of the cam member provided with the rotary operating tool rotates, and at the same time, the rotary shafts of the other cam members arranged adjacent to each other in a parallel state cooperate with the rotary operating tool. The rotating shaft of the attached cam member and the gear mechanism are screwed and rotated, and the plurality of cam members are selectively rotated to the set rotation angle position.
Therefore, while a plurality of cam members are arranged adjacent to each other in a parallel state and each cam member is screwed and connected by a gear mechanism, the flow path switching operation can be favorably performed by operating one rotary operation tool. A preferred embodiment of the flow switching device is provided.
[0013]
According to a fourth feature of the present invention, as set forth in claim 4, in any one of the first to third features, the elastic urging means includes a plate-shaped peripheral portion and an inner portion extending from the plate-shaped peripheral portion. And a plurality of plate-shaped spring portions that are connected to one side and are in contact with the respective valve bodies on the distal end side and press against the respective valve seats. That is, a plurality of plate-shaped spring portions continuously provided inward from the plate-shaped peripheral portion of the plate-shaped spring member are in contact with the respective valve elements on the distal end side so that the respective valve seats are in close contact with the respective valve seats. Press.
Therefore, the elastic urging means is constituted by a plate spring body in which a plurality of plate spring portions are integrally formed by, for example, punching from a plate material on the inner side of the plate peripheral edge portion. The number of parts is reduced as compared with the one provided with biasing means, the labor for assembling the device is reduced, and each valve body is elastically attached in a stable state with each plate-shaped spring part located inside the plate-shaped peripheral edge. A preferred embodiment of a flow switching device capable of energizing is provided.
[0014]
The fifth characteristic configuration is, as described in claim 5, in any one of the first to fourth characteristic configurations, wherein the inflow port is an inflow port of raw water, and the plurality of outflow ports are the inflow of raw water. And a raw water outlet for discharging the raw water to the outside as it is. That is, when purifying raw water flowing in from the inlet, the flow path is switched to a purifying outlet among the plurality of outlets, and when the raw water is directly discharged to the outside without purification, the plurality of outlets are used. The flow path to the raw water outlet.
Accordingly, there is provided a preferred embodiment of a flow path switching device that can be used, for example, when purifying tap water, which is raw water, or selecting to use tap water without purification.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The embodiment of the invention of the flow path switching device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. It will be described based on the following.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the flow path switching device of the present invention is provided with one inlet 2 and a plurality of outlets 3 in a valve chamber 1, and each of the plurality of outlets 3 has a valve seat 4. A metal (SUS) ball 5 is provided in the valve chamber 1 as a valve body which is capable of being closely attached to and separated from the valve seat 4. The valve seat 4 is formed of a rubber packing having a circular opening at a position corresponding to each outlet 3. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view at the position AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view at the position BB in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5 (a) and 6 (a) are C in FIG. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D in FIG. 3, and FIG.
[0017]
The inflow port 2 is an inflow port of raw water (tap water) and is provided above the valve chamber 1, and an annular packing 2 </ b> A for attaching a faucet is provided at an edge of the inflow port 2. Then, while sealing the end of the tap faucet J having a thread formed on the outer peripheral end with the packing 2B, the adapter 7A covered with the faucet attachment ring 7 is screwed to the faucet J. The water faucet attachment ring 7 is screwed into the casing 6 while being pressed against the annular packing 2A of the inflow port 2, and the inflow port 2 is connected to the water tap J.
[0018]
On the other hand, the plurality of outlets 3 are composed of a purification outlet 3A for flowing tap water to the purification section 20 and raw water outlets 3B and 3C for discharging tap water as it is to the outside. The outlets 3B and 3C are provided with a DC outlet 3B communicating with the DC outlet 21 and a shower outlet 3C communicating with a shower outlet 22 having a number of small holes. Although the purifying section 20 is not described in detail, it has a built-in cylindrical filter cartridge 20A for purifying tap water and is disposed on the side of the flow path switching device.
[0019]
A leaf spring body 8 is provided as elastic urging means for elastically urging each ball 5 toward each outlet 3 so as to be in close contact with each valve seat 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the leaf spring body 8 is provided with an annular plate-shaped peripheral portion 8D, and is connected inward from the plate-shaped peripheral portion 8D and abuts against each ball 5 at the distal end. It has a plurality of plate-like spring portions 8A, 8B, and 8C pressed against each valve seat 4, and the plate-like peripheral edge portion 8D is installed so as to abut against a receiving portion of the inner wall (casing 6) of the valve chamber 1 downward. By doing so, each plate-like spring portion 8A, 8B, 8C pushes each ball 5 downward to make close contact with each valve seat 4 in a horizontal posture from the front. The contact portions of the plate-like spring portions 8A, 8B, 8C with the ball 5 are formed in a spherical shape in order to press the ball 5 stably. Therefore, even when the water pressure is low, the valve closed state can be maintained satisfactorily. In the lower part of the valve chamber 1, a plurality of columnar partitions 10 for regulating the movable range of each ball 5 are provided upright.
[0020]
A cam portion 11A rotatably held in each outlet-side flow path 9 connected to each of the outlets 3 and abutting on each of the balls 5 at a set rotation angle position to be separated from each of the valve seats 4 is provided. A plurality of cam rods 11 are provided as a plurality of cam members. Specifically, each of the outlet-side flow paths 9 is connected downward from each of the outlets 3, and the cam portion 11 </ b> A is attached to a branch flow path 9 </ b> A laterally divided from each of the outlet-side flow paths 9. Each formed cam rod 11 is held in a horizontal posture. Here, the rotation angle position where each cam rod 11 is rotated and the cam portion 11A is positioned above corresponds to the set rotation angle position. At this set rotation angle position, the ball 5 is pushed upward by the cam portion 11A and the valve is opened. Move away from seat 4. Therefore, since each ball 5 is closely and spaced apart along the front direction of the valve seat 4, the deterioration (compression strain) of the sealing portion of the rubber packing of the valve seat 4 becomes uniform, and the long-term sealing maintenance performance is enhanced.
[0021]
Most of the cam rods 11 are formed in a small-diameter rod body, and are provided with a front support portion 11B and a rear support portion 11C each having a circular cross section in a state of separating a minute gap from the inner wall of the branch flow passage 9A to form a wide portion. An annular packing 12 having a U-shaped cross section is arranged around the periphery of the rear support portion 11C. Here, the packing 12 having a U-shaped cross section has a feature that the sliding resistance is small when no pressure is applied, and the sealing direction is set so as to seal the leakage of the fluid from the inside of the outlet side flow path 9 to the outside. are doing.
[0022]
Rotation operating means 100 for selectively rotating a plurality of cam rods 11 to the set rotation angle position is provided so that each of the balls 5 is separated from each of the valve seats 4 against the elastic biasing force of the leaf spring 8. Have been. The rotation operation means 100 is configured such that when one rotation operation tool 15 and each of the plurality of cam rods 11 are operated at different rotation operation angles, each of the plurality of cam rods 11 is alternatively set to the set rotation angle. And a transmission mechanism 200 that transmits the rotational force of the rotary operation tool 15 to the plurality of cam rods 11 so as to rotate to the position.
[0023]
The rotation shafts 11E of the plurality of cam rods 11 are arranged adjacent to each other in a parallel state, the rotary operation tool 15 is attached to one of the rotation shafts 11E of the plurality of cam rods 11, and the transmission mechanism 200 is provided with the rotation operation tool 15. And a gear mechanism 11D that screw-connects the rotating shaft 11E of the cam rod 11 and the rotating shaft 11E of the other cam rod 11 to each other. Specifically, the rotary operation tool 15 is configured as a handle type, and the base end of the rotary operation tool 15 is attached to the rear end of the middle cam rod 11 among the three cam rods 11 arranged side by side, and a gear mechanism is provided. 11D is constituted by a gear formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cam rod between the rear end of each cam rod 11 and the rear support portion 11C. Note that the rotary operation tool 15 may be attached to one of the right and left cam rods 11 instead of the middle cam rod 11 among the three cam rods 11.
[0024]
When the rotary operation tool 15 is set at the center position (the position facing the vertical direction) of the rotary operation range (see FIG. 5), the cam portion 11A of the center cam rod 11 is turned upward, and the ball 5 of the DC outlet 3B is moved. Tap water is lifted up from the valve seat 4 and separated therefrom, and tap water is discharged from the DC outlet 21. When the rotary operation tool 15 is rotated 45 degrees to the left from the center position (see FIG. 6), the cam portion 15A of the right cam rod 11 is turned upward, and the ball 5 of the purification outlet 3A is pushed up from the valve seat 4. To make it flow away to the purification unit 20. Conversely, when rotated 45 degrees to the right, the cam portion 15A of the left cam rod 11 is turned upward, the ball 5 of the shower outlet 3C is pushed up from the valve seat 4 to be separated, and tap water is discharged from the shower outlet 22. Is discharged.
[0025]
When switching the flow path by rotating the rotary operation tool 15 as described above, the sealing material (the packing having a U-shaped cross section) of the two cam rods 11 rotating in the opposite directions between the valve opening position and the valve closing position. Although the sliding resistance of 12) becomes an operation load, the sliding resistance of the U-shaped packing 12 of the cam rod 11 (corresponding to the middle inflow port 3B) that rotates from the valve opening position to the valve closing position becomes small, and the cam rod 11 closes. Only the sliding resistance of the U-shaped packing 12 of the cam rod 11 (corresponding to the right inlet 3A) that moves from the valve position to the valve opening position becomes a substantial load. Therefore, in the present invention, when the operation rod with the cam portion described in the second related art section is rotated to perform the flow path switching operation, all of the three O-rings and the like that seal the operation rod are used. The operation load can be reduced as compared with the case where the sliding resistance becomes the operation load.
[0026]
Although not shown, as another operation tool, the center position (DC outflow position) of the rotation operation tool 15 is set to a position facing the horizontal direction, and the rotation operation tool 15 is moved upward or downward from this horizontal position. A configuration in which the flow path is switched by rotating by 45 degrees may be used.
[0027]
As described above, the flow path can be switched by a relatively small rotation angle operation of plus or minus 45 degrees (a total rotation range of 90 degrees), so that the operation distance is short and the operation is easy. In addition to the above-described configuration in which the rotary operation tool 15 is rotated in the range of plus or minus 45 degrees, the rotary operation tool 15 performs endless sequential flow switching at every 45-degree rotation or 360 degrees in 45-degree increments. Various modifications can be made, such as rotation operation in the range of degrees. Also, the required rotation operation angle when switching from one flow path to the next flow path can be set to an angle other than 45 degrees.
[0028]
[Another embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the valve element 5 is formed of a ball, but valve elements of various shapes other than the ball can be used.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, the elastic urging means 8 is constituted by the leaf spring body 8 in which the plurality of leaf spring portions 8A, 8B, 8C are integrally formed on the inner side of the plate-shaped peripheral edge portion 8D. A plurality of springs such as a plurality of leaf springs and coil springs corresponding to the valve body 5, or an elastic material such as hard rubber may be used.
[0030]
In the above embodiment, the cam member 11 is formed in a rod shape, but cam members of various other shapes can be used.
[0031]
In the above-described embodiment, the rotation operation means 100 is constituted by one rotation operation tool 15 and the transmission mechanism 200 (specifically, the gear mechanism 11D), but other various rotation operation means can be used.
[0032]
In the above embodiment, the flow path switching device of the present invention is applied to the case where the flow path is switched to the purification unit (water purifier) using tap water as raw water, but the flow path switching is performed for other fluids. Can be used for applications.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view and a bottom view showing the appearance of a flow path switching device and a water purifier. FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a flow switching device of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of the flow switching device. FIG. 5 is a side vertical cross-sectional view of the flow switching device and an explanatory view of a switching operation. FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view and a perspective view showing the specific structure of the elastic urging means.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Valve room 2 Inlet 3 Outlet 3A Outlet for purification 3B, 3C Outlet for raw water 4 Valve seat 5 Valve 8 Elastic biasing means (leaf spring)
8A, 8B, 8C Plate-shaped spring portion 8D Plate-shaped peripheral portion 9 Outlet-side flow path 11 Cam member 11A Cam portion 11D Gear mechanism 11E Rotary shaft 15 Rotary operating tool 20 Purification unit 100 Rotary operating means 200 Transmission mechanism

Claims (5)

A valve chamber is provided with one inlet and a plurality of outlets, and each of the plurality of outlets is provided with a valve seat, and a valve body located in the valve chamber and capable of being closely separated from and separated from the valve seat. Channel switching device,
Elastic urging means for elastically urging the respective valve elements toward the respective outlets so as to be in close contact with the respective valve seats;
A cam portion rotatably held in each outlet-side flow path connected to each of the outlets, and abutting against each of the valve bodies at a set rotation angle position to separate each of the valve bodies from each of the valve seats. A plurality of cam members provided,
The plurality of cam members are selectively rotated to the set rotation angle position so that the respective valve elements are selectively separated from the respective valve seats against the elastic urging force of the elastic urging means. A flow path switching device provided with a rotation operation means. When the rotation operation means operates one rotation operation tool and each rotation operation tool at a different rotation operation angle, each of the plurality of cam members is selectively rotated to the set rotation angle position. 2. The flow path switching device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission mechanism that transmits a rotational force of the rotary operation tool to the plurality of cam members. A cam member in which the rotation axes of the plurality of cam members are arranged adjacent to each other in a parallel state, the rotation operating tool is attached to one of the rotation shafts of the plurality of cam members, and the transmission mechanism is provided with the rotation operation tool. 3. The flow path switching device according to claim 2, comprising a gear mechanism that screw-connects the rotation shaft of the first cam member and the rotation shaft of another cam member. The elastic urging means includes a plate-shaped peripheral portion, and a plurality of plate-shaped springs which are provided continuously from the plate-shaped peripheral portion to an inner side and which abut on the valve bodies at the distal end and press against the valve seats. The flow path switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow path switching device is configured by a leaf spring body having a portion. The inlet is an inlet for raw water, and the plurality of outlets are constituted by an outlet for purification for allowing the raw water to flow to a purification unit, and an outlet for raw water for discharging the raw water as it is to the outside. The flow path switching device according to claim 1.

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