JP2007120737A - Water supply valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water supply valve suitable for a small fuel cell, for instance, and significant size reduction using a simple system, while satisfying specified performance in responsiveness and control accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The water supply valve 100 comprises electrolyte hydrogel 106, disposed in a passage 104 to serve as a valve element and a valve element power part. The hydrogel 106 is characterized by showing electric field responsiveness and being deformed reversibly (swollen and contracted), according to the change in the voltage (electric field). When a voltage is applied to the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is contracted to open the passage 104; and when the voltage is cut off, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 swells to close the passage 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water supply valve.

  Recently, development of small fuel cells has been actively promoted. For example, it is expected that a small fuel cell can be built in an IC chip.

  In developing such a small fuel cell for IC chip, it is required to make the entire system as simple as possible and as small as possible in size. Therefore, a water (fuel) supply valve for a small fuel cell is also required to have a structure that can simplify the system and reduce the size.

  As an example of attempts to reduce the size of a fuel supply valve for a small fuel cell by eliminating a sensor or the like, there is a fuel supply valve of Patent Document 1. The fuel supply valve according to Patent Document 1 opens and closes the valve by utilizing the fact that the proton conductor film interlocked with the valve bends due to the differential pressure between the fuel electrode chamber and the oxidant electrode chamber. In addition, the fuel supply valve according to another embodiment opens and closes the valve by causing the heater coil through which current flows according to the amount of power generated by the fuel cell to deform the bimetallic open / close member according to the amount of power generated. .

  By the way, it is known that the polymer gel exhibits swelling and shrinkage with respect to changes in the external environment. For example, Patent Document 2 describes a temperature-responsive polymer material that exhibits swelling and shrinkage depending on temperature, an electric field-responsive polymer material that exhibits swelling and shrinkage in response to an electric field, and the like.

As an invention using such a gel that swells and shrinks in response to a change in the external environment, there is a droplet discharge device for an inkjet print head disclosed in Patent Document 3. In the droplet discharge device according to Patent Document 3, the electrode that is not in contact with the electric field reaction gel applies the electric field to the electric field reaction gel, thereby expanding the electric field reaction gel. As the electric field reaction gel expands, it pushes out the fluid in the fluid passage so that droplets are ejected from the nozzle. Moreover, in the droplet discharge device according to another embodiment of Patent Document 3, the heating resistor contracts the temperature reaction gel by applying heat to the temperature reaction hydrogel. By expanding and contracting the temperature reaction gel in this manner, the droplet discharge device according to another embodiment of Patent Document 3 opens and closes the channel through which the fluid flows, and controls the discharge of the fluid.
JP 2002-33112 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-139689 JP 2004-224053 A

  However, conventional water (fuel) supply valves use various metal materials, plastic materials, etc. as the material of the valve body or valve stem (or equivalent). There is a problem that there is a certain limit to downsizing. For example, a water supply valve for a small fuel cell is required to have a certain level of performance in terms of responsiveness and control accuracy, but the conventional valve structure requires a complicated drive system and control system for driving the valve. It is necessary to provide it separately, and there is a big limit to downsizing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. For example, it is suitable for a small fuel cell and achieves a certain size and a large size while satisfying a certain performance in terms of responsiveness and control accuracy. An object of the present invention is to provide a water supply valve that can be used.

  The water supply valve of the present invention is a water supply valve having a flow path for passing water, a valve body that opens and closes the flow path, and a valve box that houses the valve body, and swells in response to a change in electric field. The structure which has the gel which opens and closes the said flow path to the said valve body by contracting, and a pair of electrode containing a positive electrode and a negative electrode which brings about the change of an electric field to the said gel by applying a voltage is taken.

  According to the present invention, for example, a water supply valve that is suitable for a small fuel cell and that can satisfy a certain performance in terms of responsiveness and control accuracy and can realize a large size with a simple system is obtained. be able to.

  The present inventor is a simple system and a material that has a property that the volume is remarkably changed in accordance with a change in the external environment as a power unit of a valve body that opens and closes a flow path in order to realize a significant downsizing. It was found necessary to use. Moreover, as such a material, it discovered that it was effective to use the gel (stimulus responsive gel) which produces a volume change according to the change of an external environment.

  The stimulus-responsive gel 1) swells by absorbing water tens to hundreds of times its own weight, but unlike a sponge or the like, does not spout water even when pressure is applied. 2) Stimulation (change in external environment) 3) When the gel is contracted, the gel that has contracted cuts the stimulus and is left in the water to absorb and swell again, that is, reversible according to changes in the external environment. Therefore, a valve that opens and closes according to a change in the external environment can be manufactured by using this feature.

  Unlike a power unit that requires a complicated drive system or control system such as a motor, the stimulus-responsive gel, like a living cell, exhibits a stimulus response by itself as described above, thus simplifying the system. And it has the advantage that the size can be reduced.

  As described above, the water supply valve of the present invention is characterized in that the valve element opens and closes the flow path with gel.

  Next, the water supply valve according to the present invention will be described.

  A water supply valve according to the present invention is a water supply valve having a flow path for passing water, a valve body that opens and closes the flow path, and a valve box that houses the valve body, and according to a change in electric field. A structure having a gel that opens and closes the flow path in the valve body by swelling and shrinking, and a pair of electrodes including a positive electrode and a negative electrode that cause an electric field change to the gel by applying a voltage is adopted. .

  The flow path is a path of water that penetrates the interior of the water supply valve and connects between one or more water inlets and one or more water outlets. If there is nothing in the flow path that obstructs the flow of water, the water that has entered from the water inlet flows through the flow path and exits from the water outlet. In the water supply valve according to the present invention, the water inlet and the water outlet are not particularly distinguished. For convenience, out of the locations where the flow path opens outside the water supply valve, the location where water enters the water supply valve is the inlet, and the location where water exits the water supply valve is the outlet. Call. Therefore, if the direction of water flow is reversed, the water inlet and the water outlet are reversed.

  The valve body controls the flow of water in the flow path by opening and closing a part of the flow path. When the valve body opens the flow path, the water that has entered from the water inlet can flow to the water outlet (water conduction state). On the other hand, when the valve body closes the flow path, the water that has entered from the water inlet is prevented from flowing to the water outlet by the valve body (water stoppage state). The method for opening and closing the flow path of the valve body is not particularly limited. For example, if the valve body moves so as to close the flow path or the valve body expands so as to close the flow path, the valve body may Can be closed.

  A valve box is a case which stores each component of the water supply valve which concerns on this invention.

  The gel is a power part of the valve body that opens and closes the flow path. The water supply valve according to the present invention uses a valve whose volume reversibly changes in accordance with a change in the external environment. The method for causing the valve body to open and close the flow path is not particularly limited. For example, the gel and the valve body may be connected so that the valve body moves in accordance with the volume change of the gel. In this case, since the gel and the valve body may be separated from each other, the gel may be in the flow path or outside the flow path. In addition, when using a gel as a motive power part of a valve body, in order to transmit the energy accompanying the volume change of a gel to a valve body, it is preferable that the one end part of a gel is fixed to a valve box etc. at least.

  As described above, the gel used for the water supply valve according to the present invention is a stimulus-responsive gel that reversibly changes its volume in response to changes (stimulation) in the external environment such as electric field, heat, and pH. In addition, from the speed of the response speed, it is preferable to use an electric field responsive gel as the gel used for the water supply valve according to the present invention. Furthermore, since water flows through the flow path, it is easy to immerse the gel in water. Therefore, the gel used for the water supply valve according to the present invention is more preferably an electric field responsive hydrogel. Specifically, a hydrogel prepared using a polymer electrolyte (hereinafter referred to as “electrolyte hydrogel”) is particularly preferable.

  The electrolyte hydrogel used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is made of an ionic polymer having an ionic functional group in the main chain or side chain, and its electrical property is anionic (having a negative charge). Or may be cationic (having a positive charge). Such an electrolyte hydrogel is characterized by being in an equilibrium swelling state when no voltage is applied and contracting when a voltage is applied.

  Examples of the monomer reagent used for polymerization of an ionic polymer having an anionic functional group include those having a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group or the like in the molecule. Specific examples include acrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfone.

  Examples of the cationic monomer reagent include those having in the molecule a primary to tertiary amino group, a quaternary ammonium group, a quaternary phosphonium group, or the like. Specific examples include N, N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate and 4-vinylbenzyltrimethylphosphonium chloride.

  In addition, as described above, in the water supply valve according to the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use an electric field responsive electrolyte hydrogel because of its fast response speed, but the external environment change used to cause volume change in the gel. (Stimulation) is not limited to changes in the electric field.

  The volume change of the gel is due to the fact that the balance of the force (repulsive force) that attempts to expand the polymer network inside the gel and the force (attractive force) that attempts to contract is disrupted by an external stimulus, so that a transition to a new equilibrium state occurs. Arise. Here, by restoring the temporarily changed external stimulus, the balance between attractive force and repulsive force is restored to the initial state, and the gel volume is also restored accordingly. In this case, the repulsive force is an electrostatic force due to ions in the polymer network constituting the gel, or an entropic force due to mixing of the network and the solvent, and the attractive force is a rubber elastic force or It depends on the force of intermolecular interaction. These balances are not limited to electric fields, but can be disrupted by slight changes in the external environment, such as ionic strength, temperature, and solvent composition. This change can be used to reversibly change the gel volume. it can.

  For example, by using an ionic strength responsive hydrogel, a thermosensitive hydrogel, or a solvent composition responsive hydrogel, the water supply valve can be operated according to changes in the external environment such as ionic strength, temperature, and solvent composition. Can do. In this case, it is of course unnecessary to provide an electrode described later.

  Specifically, the electrolyte gel in general can be used as the ionic strength responsive hydrogel, similarly to the electric field responsive gel.

  The temperature-responsive hydrogel is a hydrogel obtained by polymerizing N-isopropylacrylamide, and the solvent composition change is a copolymer of an electrolyte monomer and a non-electrolyte monomer, such as a polymer of acrylic acid and acrylamide. Is suitable.

  By the way, the speed of the volume change of the gel has a correlation with the specific surface area of the gel (the size of the surface area with respect to the unit volume) regardless of the type of stimulation. For example, when the surface area of the gel is increased, the time required for the gel volume change can be shortened. Therefore, the response speed of the gel (not limited to the electric field responsive gel) used in the present invention can be increased by increasing the surface area by making the gel porous.

  Note that the gel can function not only as a power unit but also as a power unit and valve body. In this case, since the gel itself becomes a valve body that opens and closes the flow path, the water supply valve can be made a simpler system, and the water supply valve can be further downsized. In this case, since the gel also functions as a valve body, the gel needs to be arranged in the flow path.

  A pair of electrodes (positive electrode and negative electrode) causes an electric field change in the gel by applying a voltage. In addition, it is preferable to arrange | position both electrodes so that both may contact the said gel. This is due to the following reason.

  When the gel and the two electrodes are not in contact, it is difficult for the two electrodes to apply a voltage to the gel unless there is an electroconductive substance such as an electrolyte substance or mercury in the space between them. However, there is a problem that the substance having electrical conductivity has an adverse effect (deterioration, deformation or destruction) on the gel due to its chemical characteristics. Therefore, considering the provision of a water supply valve with excellent durability, the liquid around the gel (for example, when the gel is placed in the flow path, the flow path is set for the purpose of applying an electric field to the gel). It is preferable to apply a voltage directly to the gel by bringing the gel and both electrodes into contact with each other, rather than mixing a substance having electrical conductivity with the flowing water).

  According to the water supply valve of the present invention, since the water supply valve is configured using an electrolyte hydrogel that exhibits swelling and shrinkage with respect to an electric field, the water supply valve is simple while satisfying certain performance in terms of responsiveness and control accuracy. System and significant downsizing can be realized.

  In addition, according to the water supply valve of the present invention, it is possible to protect the environment because no fuel or oil affecting the environment is required.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a water supply valve according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The water supply valve 100 includes a valve box 102, a flow path 104, an electrolyte hydrogel 106, a valve seat 108, a first electrode 110, and a second electrode 112.

  The valve box 102 is a case for storing each component.

  The flow path 104 is a passage of one water 114 that penetrates the inside of the water supply valve 100 and connects the water inlet and the water outlet. In the water supply valve of FIG. 1, since the water 114 flows from the top to the bottom, the upper opening serves as a water inlet and the lower opening serves as a water outlet.

  The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is a power part of the valve body and also a valve body. That is, the flow path is opened and closed by swelling and shrinking itself in response to a change in voltage.

  The valve seat 108 is a recess for enhancing the water stopping ability when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 that is the valve body expands. However, the valve seat 108 may be omitted if the water stopping ability is not lost.

  The first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 are disposed so as to be in contact with opposite ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106 and apply a voltage to the electrolyte hydrogel 106. The first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 are connected to a power supply unit (not shown) by a conducting wire (not shown).

  The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is fixed to the valve box 102 at one of both ends where the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 are provided. The polarity of each of the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 may be positive electrode-negative electrode or negative electrode-positive electrode. The end fixed to the valve box 102 may be the end on either side of the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112, but the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is contracted from the negative electrode side when a voltage is applied. Therefore, it is preferable that the positive electrode side is fixed and the negative electrode side is not fixed. In FIG. 1, the case where the edge part by the side of the 1st electrode 110 among the 1st electrode 110 and the 2nd electrode 112 is being fixed to the valve box 102 is shown as an example.

  At this time, the end portion of the electrolyte hydrogel 106 that is not fixed (the end portion on the second electrode 112 side in FIG. 1) and the inner surface of the valve box 102 that faces the end portion (the valve seat 108 in FIG. 1). An elastic support such as a spring may be provided between the first electrode 112 and the second electrode 112. By doing so, the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 can always be pressed against the electrolyte hydrogel 106, so that the contact between the electrolyte hydrogel 106 and the two electrodes 110, 112 is more stable. Can be.

  By adopting the above configuration, by applying a voltage between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 contracts and the flow path 104 opens and water 114 flows. Moreover, by cutting the voltage, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 swells, the flow path 104 is closed, and the water 114 does not flow.

  Next, the operation of the water supply valve 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the water supply valve 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state (water stop state), and FIG. Shows the state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state (water conduction state), and (C) shows the state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in a re-swelled state (water stop state).

  First, in the water stop state shown in FIG. 2A, no voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106. At this time, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swelling state and stops the flow of the water 114.

  2B, by applying a voltage between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is applied. Releases water from the negative electrode side and contracts in the direction of the white arrow in the figure. Thereby, the flow path 104 opens and the water 114 flows.

  2C, the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106 in the water guiding state shown in FIG. 2B. The voltage applied between and is cut. As a result, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is re-swelled in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. As a result, the flow path 104 is closed and water is stopped.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the water supply valve is configured using the electrolyte hydrogel exhibiting swelling and shrinkage with respect to the electric field as the power unit and valve body, it is constant in terms of responsiveness and control accuracy. It is possible to realize a significant downsizing with a simple system while satisfying the above performance.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a water supply valve according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in which (A) shows a state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state, and (B) is an electrolyte hydrogel. Shows the state when is in an electrically contracted state.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the water supply valve 200 according to the second embodiment includes a valve box 102, a first flow path 116, a second flow path 118, an electrolyte hydrogel 106, and a first flow path. One electrode 110 and a second electrode 112 are provided. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the first embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements other than the first flow path 116, the second flow path 118, and the electrolyte hydrogel 106 are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are not particularly described here.

  The first channel 116 is a channel located in the upper part of the water supply valve 200, and the second channel 118 is a channel located in the lower part of the water supply valve 200. These two flow paths 116 and 118 are obtained by branching one flow path on the left side of FIG. In FIG. 3, the left side is the water inlet side and the right side is the water outlet side. That is, the water 114 flows from the left side to the right side in the figure.

  The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is disposed as a power unit and valve body at the branch portion of the first channel 116 and the second channel 118. The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is formed in a shape and size so as to close the second flow path 118 when it is in an equilibrium swelling state, and the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 are arranged. One of the two ends is fixed to the valve box 102. The end fixed to the valve box 102 may be the end on either side of the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112. For the same reason as in the first embodiment, the positive electrode side is fixed and the negative electrode is fixed. It is preferable not to fix the sides. In FIG. 3, the case where the edge part by the side of the 1st electrode 110 is being fixed to the valve box 102 as an example is shown.

  Next, the operation of the water supply valve 200 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, in the equilibrium swelling state shown in FIG. 3A, no voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106. At this time, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swelling state and stops the flow of the water 114 to the second flow path 118. As a result, the water 114 flows into the first flow path 116.

  3B, by applying a voltage between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 releases water from the negative electrode side and contracts in the direction of the white arrow in the figure. Thereby, the second flow path 118 located in the lower part in the water supply valve 200 is opened, and the water 114 flows. At this time, since the water 114 that has flowed to the first flow path 116 in the equilibrium swelling state flows to the second flow path 118, the water 114 does not flow to the first flow path 116 that is positioned above. .

  Although not shown, when the voltage applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 is cut in the electrical contraction state shown in FIG. 3B, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 re-swells. , Recover to original size. As a result, the second channel 118 is closed and water is stopped, and the state shown in FIG.

  Thus, according to the water supply valve according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to control the flow of water to the two flow paths using one electrolyte hydrogel. it can.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the water supply valve according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and (A) is a longitudinal section of the water supply valve when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state (relative to the flow path). (B) shows a cross section (vertical to the flow path) including two valve bodies of the water supply valve when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state (conducted state). (C) shows a longitudinal section of the water supply valve when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state (water stop state), and (D) shows two valves of the water supply valve when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state. The cross section including a body is shown (water stop state).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the water supply valve 300 according to the present embodiment includes a valve box 102, a flow path 104, two electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b, a first electrode 110, It has two electrodes 112 and two valve bodies 120a and 120b. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the first embodiment. The constituent elements other than the electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b and the two valve bodies 120a and 120b are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are not particularly described here.

  The electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are arranged as a power unit of the valve body between the two valve bodies 120a and 120b.

  The valve bodies 120a and 120b are formed so as to function as one valve body by combining the two, and the flow path 104 can be closed by combining the two.

  Here, both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106 are fixed to different valve bodies 120a and 120b, respectively. At this time, when the electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b are in the swollen state, the flow path 104 through which the water 114 can flow is opened between the two valve bodies 120a and 120b. The two electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b and the two valve bodies 120a and 120b are arranged so that the valve bodies 120a and 120b are in close contact with each other and close the flow path 104.

  Next, the operation of the water supply valve 300 having the above configuration will be described.

  4A and 4B, no voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b. At this time, the electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b are in an equilibrium swollen state, the flow path 104 is opened between the two valve bodies 120a and 120b, and water 114 flows (from top to bottom in FIG. 4A). Flowing).

  4C and 4D, a voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b. As a result, the electrolyte hydrogels 106a and 106b release water from the negative electrode side and contract in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the two valve bodies 120a and 120b are combined, the flow path 104 is closed, and the water 114 does not flow.

  And although not shown in figure, when the voltage applied between the 1st electrode 110 and the 2nd electrode 112 is cut in the water stop state shown in Drawing 4 (C) and (D), electrolyte hydrogel 106 will be It re-swells and recovers to its original size. As a result, the flow path 104 is opened and the water is introduced, and the states shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are obtained.

  Thus, according to the water supply valve according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the flow rate can be controlled with a small gel even when the width of the flow path is further increased.

  In the third embodiment, an example of a water supply valve having two electrolyte hydrogels has been described. However, the number of electrolyte hydrogels is not limited to this. For example, even if there are three electrolyte hydrogels, it is possible to provide a water supply valve that has substantially the same configuration.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a water supply valve according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, wherein (A) shows a state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state (water conduction state), and (B). Shows a state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state (water-stopped state).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the water supply valve 400 according to Embodiment 4 includes a valve box 102, a flow path 104, an electrolyte hydrogel 106, a first electrode 110, and a second electrode 112. And a valve body 122. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the first embodiment. The constituent elements other than the valve box 102, the electrolyte hydrogel 106, and the valve body 122 are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are not particularly described here.

  The valve box 102 is a case for storing each component, and has a hole that becomes a flow path 104.

  The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and functions as a power unit of the valve body 122.

  The valve body 122 is disposed so as to block the flow path 104 and has a hole through which water 114 can flow. In addition, the valve body 122 is formed and arranged so as to be able to move on the surface of the valve box 102 where the hole to be the flow path 104 is formed. The hole of the valve body 122 is opened at a position where the valve body 122 can be connected to the hole of the valve box 102 as the valve body 122 moves. That is, the hole of the valve body 122 is opened so that the water 114 flows when the hole of the valve body 122 and the hole of the valve box 102 overlap, and the water 114 does not flow when the hole of the valve body 122 and the hole of the valve box 102 shift. It has been.

  Further, one end of each end of the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is fixed to the valve box 102, and the other end is fixed to the valve body 122. Therefore, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 can move the valve element 122 by swelling and shrinking itself. At this time, when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swelling state, the valve box 102, the electrolyte hydrogel 106, and the valve body 122 are formed so that the holes of the valve body 122 coincide with the holes of the valve box 102 (FIG. 5). (A)). Further, when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an electrically contracted state, the valve box 102, the electrolyte hydrogel 106, and the valve body 122 are formed so that the holes of the valve body 122 do not coincide with the holes of the valve box 102 (FIG. 5). (B)). Accordingly, only when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swollen state, the hole of the valve body 122 and the hole of the valve box 102 coincide with each other, so that the water 114 can flow.

  Next, the operation of the water supply valve 400 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, in the water guiding state shown in FIG. 5A, no voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106. At this time, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swollen state, and the hole of the valve body 122 and the hole of the valve box 102 coincide with each other, so that the flow path 104 is opened and water 114 flows (in FIG. From the bottom).

  And in the water stop state shown to FIG. 5 (B), by applying a voltage between the 1st electrode 110 and the 2nd electrode 112 which were provided in the both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106, electrolyte hydrogel 106 releases water from the negative electrode side and contracts in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Thereby, since the hole of the valve body 122 and the hole of the valve box 102 do not correspond, the flow path 104 is closed and the water 114 does not flow.

  Although not shown, when the voltage applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 is cut in the water stop state shown in FIG. 5B, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 re-swells. , Recover to original size. As a result, the flow path 104 is opened and the water is introduced, and the state shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the flow of water is stopped when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state. However, by changing the position of the hole of the valve box 102 or the hole of the valve body 122, the equilibrium hydrostatic state is maintained. Sometimes it is possible to stop the flow of water. Further, by providing a plurality of holes in the valve box 102, the flow of water to the plurality of flow paths can be controlled using one electrolyte hydrogel as in the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the water supply valve according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the water supply valve 500 when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state (channel 104). (B) shows a cross-sectional view of the water supply valve 500 when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state (water-stopped state).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the water supply valve 500 according to the present embodiment includes a valve box, a flow path 104, an electrolyte hydrogel 106, a first electrode 110, and a second electrode 112. Have. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the first embodiment. For convenience, the valve box is not shown in FIG. In addition, since each component other than the flow path 104 and the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, it is not particularly described here.

  The flow path 104 is a hole directly opened in the electrolyte hydrogel 106. When the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swollen state, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is electrically contracted so that water 114 can flow therethrough. In the state, the hole 114 is formed so that the size of the hole is adjusted so that the water 114 cannot flow therethrough.

  The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is the same as the electrolyte hydrogel of the first embodiment, and the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 are provided as in the first embodiment. Note that the positions of the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 are not particularly limited as long as the flow path 104 is not obstructed.

  Next, the operation of the water supply valve 500 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, in the water guiding state shown in FIG. 6A, no voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106. At this time, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swollen state, the flow path 104 opened in the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is opened, and water 114 flows.

  6B, by applying a voltage between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 shrinks by releasing water from the negative electrode side. Thereby, the flow path 104 opened in the electrolyte hydrogel 106 becomes narrow, and the water 114 does not flow. At this time, since water has a large surface tension, the flow of water can be stopped without completely closing the flow path 104.

  Although not shown, when the voltage applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 is cut in the water stop state shown in FIG. 6B, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is re-swelled. To the original size. As a result, the flow path 104 is opened and the water is introduced, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a water supply valve according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, in which (A) shows a state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an equilibrium swollen state (water conduction state), and (B). Shows a state when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state (water-stopped state).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the water supply valve 600 includes a valve box 102, a flow path 104, an electrolyte hydrogel 106, a valve seat 108, a first electrode 110, and a second electrode 112. And a valve body 122 and a valve stem 124. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the respective constituent elements of the first embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements other than the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the valve seat 108, the valve body 122, and the valve stem 124 are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are not particularly described here.

  The electrolyte hydrogel 106 is the same as the electrolyte hydrogel of the first embodiment, and is disposed as a power unit of the valve body 122. One end of each end of the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is fixed to the valve box 102, and the other end is fixed to the valve stem 124.

  The valve seat 108 is disposed in the middle of the flow path 104, and is formed in a shape that can be in close contact with the valve body 122 so that the valve body 122 can close the flow path 104.

  The valve body 122 is formed in a shape that can be in close contact with the valve seat 108 so that the flow path 104 can be closed. Further, the valve body 122 is fixed to the electrolyte hydrogel 106 via a valve rod 124.

  The valve stem 124 connects the electrolyte hydrogel 106 and the valve body 122. Thus, when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 swells and contracts, the valve body 122 moves. The length of the valve stem 124 is such that when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an electrically contracted state, there is a gap through which water flows between the valve body 122 and the valve seat 108 when the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swollen state. Adjustment is made so that the valve body 122 and the valve seat 108 come into close contact with each other.

  Next, the operation of the water supply valve 600 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, in the water guiding state shown in FIG. 7A, no voltage is applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106. At this time, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 is in an equilibrium swollen state, and since the valve body 122 and the valve seat 108 are separated from each other, the flow path 104 is opened and water 114 flows (from FIG. 7A toward the top to the bottom). Flow).

  7B, by applying a voltage between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 provided at both ends of the electrolyte hydrogel 106, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 releases water from the negative electrode side and contracts in the direction of the white arrow in the figure. Thereby, since the valve body 122 and the valve seat 108 are in close contact with each other, the flow path 104 is closed and the water 114 does not flow.

  Although not shown, when the voltage applied between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 112 is cut in the water stop state shown in FIG. 7B, the electrolyte hydrogel 106 re-swells. To the original size. As a result, the flow path 104 is opened and the water is introduced, and the state shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the flow of water is stopped by pulling the valve body when the electrolyte hydrogel is in an electrically contracted state, but by changing the orientation of the valve seat and pressing the valve body, It is also possible to stop the flow of water during the equilibrium swelling state.

  The water supply valve according to the present invention has a special effect that it is possible to realize a significant downsizing with a simple system while satisfying a certain performance in terms of responsiveness and control accuracy. It is useful as a water supply valve for fuel cells.

Schematic which shows the structure of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows an equilibrium swelling (water stoppage) state, (B) is an electric contraction (water conveyance) state The figure which shows (C) is a figure which shows a re-swelling (water stoppage) state It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows an equilibrium swelling state, (B) is a figure which shows an electric contraction state It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an equilibrium swelling (water conveyance) state, (B) is an equilibrium swelling (water conveyance). (C) is a longitudinal sectional view showing an electric contraction (water-stopping) state, and (D) is a cross-sectional view showing an electric contraction (water-stopping) state. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows an equilibrium swelling (water conveyance) state, (B) is an electric contraction (water stoppage) state Figure showing It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows an equilibrium swelling (water conveyance) state, (B) is an electric contraction (water stoppage) state Figure showing It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the water supply valve which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows an equilibrium swelling (water conveyance) state, (B) is an electric contraction (water stoppage) state Figure showing

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 Water supply valve 102 Valve box 104 Channel 106, 106a, 106b Electrolyte hydrogel 108 Valve seat 110 First electrode 112 Second electrode 114 Water 116 First channel 118 Second flow path 120, 120a, 120b, 122 Valve body 124 Valve rod

Claims (7)

A water supply valve having a flow path for passing water, a valve body that opens and closes the flow path, and a valve box that houses the valve body,
Gel that causes the valve body to open and close the flow path by swelling and shrinking according to the change in the electric field,
A pair of electrodes consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode that cause a change in electric field to the gel by applying a voltage;
Having a water supply valve.   The water supply valve according to claim 1, wherein the gel is a hydrogel exhibiting swelling and shrinkage with respect to a change in electric field.   The water supply valve according to claim 2, wherein the hydrogel is an electrolyte hydrogel.   The water supply valve according to claim 3, wherein one end of the electrolyte hydrogel is fixed. The electrolyte hydrogel is:
If no voltage is applied, it swells and
Contracts when voltage is applied,
The water supply valve according to claim 4.   The water supply valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gel is included in the valve body. The water supply valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pair of electrodes are in contact with the gel.

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