JP2008054427A - Generator for faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a generator for faucet in which magnetization performance of a yoke can be regulated more finely. <P>SOLUTION: The generator for faucet comprises a rotor blade provided in a water supply channel rotatably about the central axis substantially parallel with the water supply channel, a magnet rotatable integrally with the rotor blade, a coil provided oppositely to the magnet, and a yoke provided to surround the coil and having a plurality of pole teeth arranged along the circumferential direction of the coil between the magnet and the coil while spaced apart from each other wherein the yoke is constituted by coupling a plurality of yoke members and at least any one of the plurality of yoke members contains a material different from others. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet generator that generates electric power using a flow of water supply.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an automatic faucet device in which a sensor is detected by inserting a hand under a faucet and water is automatically discharged from the faucet. There is also known a device that arranges a small generator in the flow path of such an automatic water faucet device, stores electric power obtained by the generator, and supplements electric power of a circuit such as the above-described sensor. Yes.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a magnet having an outer peripheral surface magnetized, an outer stator core having a plurality of pole teeth arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the magnet, and pole teeth of the outer stator core. A generator including an inner stator core facing the outer peripheral surface of the magnet and having a plurality of pole teeth arranged alternately at equal intervals in the circumferential direction alternately with the pole teeth of the outer stator core, and a coil is disclosed. Yes.

Since the faucet generator is used around water, materials suitable for the outer stator core and the inner stator core are limited to some extent. Under such conditions, when the outer stator core and the inner stator core are made of the same material, the magnetization performance (permeability) of the outer stator core and the inner stator core functioning as a yoke for forming a flow of magnetic flux interlinking the coils. The degree of freedom of adjustment is limited by the limited number of materials selected, and it is not possible to flexibly respond to detailed specification requirements according to the tap water pressure at the installation location or the application of the generator.
JP 2002-89429 A

  The present invention provides a faucet generator capable of finely adjusting the magnetizing performance of a yoke.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a moving blade provided in the water supply flow path so as to be rotatable around a central axis substantially parallel to the water supply flow path, a magnet rotatable integrally with the moving blade, A coil provided opposite to the magnet, and a plurality of pole teeth arranged between the magnet and the coil so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the coil, and provided to surround the coil A faucet generator comprising: a plurality of yoke members coupled to each other, wherein at least one of the plurality of yoke members includes a different material from the other. Is done.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the generator for faucets which can adjust the magnetization performance of a yoke more finely is provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of attachment of an automatic faucet device with a generator (hereinafter also simply referred to as an automatic faucet device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the automatic water faucet device.

  The automatic faucet device 3 according to the present embodiment is attached to the washstand 2 or the like, for example. The automatic water faucet device 3 is connected to an inflow port 5 such as tap water via a pipe 4. The automatic water faucet device 3 includes a cylindrical main body 3a and a water discharge portion 3b provided in an upper portion of the main body 3a so as to extend in a radially outward direction of the main body 3a. A water discharge port 6 is formed at the tip of the water discharge unit 3 b, and a sensor 7 is built in the vicinity of the water discharge port 6.

  Inside the automatic water faucet device 3, a water supply passage 10 is formed that guides the water supplied from the inlet 5 and flowing through the pipe 4 to the water outlet 6. An electromagnetic valve 8 that opens and closes the water supply flow path 10 is built in the main body 3a of the automatic water faucet device 3, and a constant flow valve 55 that restricts the amount of water discharged to the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 8 is further provided. Built in. In addition, a pressure reducing valve or a pressure regulating valve (not shown) for reducing the pressure when the water supply source pressure is too higher than the working pressure is built in upstream of the electromagnetic valve 8. The constant flow valve 55, the pressure reducing valve, and the pressure regulating valve are appropriately provided as necessary.

  A faucet generator 11 is built in the water discharger 3 b downstream of the constant flow valve 55. Inside the main body 3a, a charger 56 for charging the electric power generated by the faucet generator 11 and a controller 57 for controlling the driving of the sensor 7 and the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 8 are provided. Since the faucet generator 11 is disposed downstream of the solenoid valve 8 and the constant flow valve 55, the water supply source pressure (primary pressure) does not directly act on the faucet generator 11. Therefore, the faucet generator 11 does not require so high pressure resistance, and is advantageous in terms of reliability and cost.

Fig.1 (a) is a perspective view of the yoke 30 in the faucet generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention, FIG.1 (b) is the perspective view seen from the other side of Fig.1 (a). .
2A is a central cut perspective view of the yoke 30, and FIG. 2B is a central cut perspective view seen from the opposite side of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the third yoke 33 in the yoke 30, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from the opposite side of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the inside of the faucet generator.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pre-turning stationary blade 14, the moving blade 15, and the bearing 17 in the faucet generator.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the magnet M in the faucet generator.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the faucet generator according to the present embodiment mainly includes a cylindrical body 13, a pre-turning stationary blade 14, a moving blade 15, a magnet M, and a stator 9. Is accommodated in a case 12 represented by

  The cylindrical body 13 has a stepped shape including a small-diameter portion 13a and a large-diameter portion 13b. The cylindrical body 13 is built in the water discharge portion 3b illustrated in FIGS. The central axis direction of the body 13 is installed so as to be substantially parallel to the flowing water direction. The cylindrical body 13 is disposed with the small diameter portion 13a facing the upstream side and the large diameter portion 13b facing the downstream side.

  Inside the cylindrical body 13, a pre-turning stationary blade 14, a moving blade 15, and a bearing 17 are provided in order from the upstream side. The pre-turning stationary blade 14 is provided inside the small diameter portion 13a, and the moving blade 15 and the bearing 17 are provided inside the large diameter portion 13b.

  The pre-turning stationary blade 14 has a shape in which a conical body is integrally provided on one end surface (a surface located on the upstream side) of the cylindrical body. On the peripheral surface of the pre-turning stationary blade 14, a plurality of protruding stationary blade blade portions 18 projecting in the radially outward direction are provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the stationary blade blade portion 18 is inclined from the upstream side toward the downstream side while twisting in the right direction with respect to the axial center of the pre-turning stationary blade 14. A space between the adjacent stationary blade blade portions 18 as viewed in the circumferential direction functions as a stationary blade channel 71. The pre-turning stationary blade 14 is fixed to the cylindrical body 13 and does not rotate.

  A moving blade 15 is provided on the downstream side of the pre-turning stator blade 14 with a gap from the pre-turning stator blade 14. The moving blade 15 has a columnar shape, and a plurality of protruding moving blade blade portions 19 protruding in the radially outward direction are provided on the circumferential surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, the moving blade blade portion 19 is inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side while being twisted to the left with respect to the axial center, contrary to the stationary blade blade portion 18. A space between adjacent blade blades 19 as viewed in the circumferential direction functions as a blade passage 72. The moving blade 15 is supported on a bearing 17 fixed to the cylindrical body 13 through a central shaft 24 substantially parallel to the water supply flow path. The moving blade 15 is rotatable around the central axis 24.

  In the bearing 17, a ring member 21 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 13 and a shaft support portion 22 provided at the center of the ring member 21 are coupled by a connecting member 23 provided radially. Become. Since the connection member 23 penetrates without being closed, the flow of water supply inside the cylinder 13 is not hindered.

  A center shaft 24 fixed to the shaft center of the rotor blade 15 is rotatably supported on the shaft support portion 22 of the bearing 17. The tip of the central shaft 24 protrudes from the rotor blade 15 and is fitted into the pre-turning stationary blade 14. The front end portion of the central shaft 24 and the pre-turning stationary blade 14 are not fixed to each other, and the central shaft 24 is rotatable with respect to the pre-turning stationary blade 14 fixed to the cylindrical body 13. Alternatively, both end portions of the center shaft 24 may be fixed to the shaft support portion 22 and the pre-turning stationary blade 14, and the moving blade 15 may be fitted to the center shaft 24 so as to be rotatable.

  A cylindrical magnet M fixed to the rotor blade blade portion 19 so as to surround the rotor blade flow path 72 is accommodated in the large diameter portion 13 b of the cylindrical body 13. In FIG. 7, the inner peripheral surface of the magnet M represented by a two-dot chain line is fixed to the side end surface on the radially outer side of the rotor blade blade portion 19.

  As shown in FIG. 8, N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized along the circumferential direction on the end face of the magnet M in the axial direction.

  A stator 9 is disposed outside the large-diameter portion 13b of the cylindrical body 13 so as to face the upstream end surface of the magnet M. The stator 9 may be disposed to face the downstream end surface of the magnet M, or a pair of stators 9 may be disposed to face both the upstream and downstream end surfaces of the magnet M. Good.

  The stator 9 includes a yoke 30 (FIG. 1) and a coil wire 50 (represented by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) accommodated in a space surrounded by the yoke 30. The coil wire 50 wound in a cylindrical shape has an inner peripheral surface portion, an outer peripheral surface portion, and both end surface portions in the axial direction surrounded by a yoke 30. The yoke 30 is formed by coupling first to third yokes (yoke members) 31 to 33 each made of a magnetic material.

  The first yoke 31 has a substantially cylindrical shape disposed on the inner side of the coil wire 50, and a plurality of pole teeth 31a are integrally provided radially outward at one end in the axial direction thereof. In the first yoke 31, a portion facing the inner peripheral surface portion of the coil wire 50 and the pole teeth 31a are substantially perpendicular. The pole teeth 31 a are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the coil wire 50.

  The second yoke 32 has a substantially cylindrical shape arranged so as to surround the outer peripheral surface portion of the coil wire 50, and a plurality of pole teeth 32 a are integrally provided at one end portion in the axial direction toward the radially inner side. ing. In the second yoke 32, the portion facing the outer peripheral surface portion of the coil wire 50 and the pole teeth 32a are substantially perpendicular. The pole teeth 32 a are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the coil wire 50 and are arranged between the pole teeth 31 a of the first yoke 31. That is, the pole teeth 31 a of the first yoke 31 and the pole teeth 32 a of the second yoke 32 are arranged alternately and spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the coil wire 50.

  The pole teeth 31 a and 32 a are opposed to one end surface portion of the coil wire 50. One end surface portion of the coil wire 50 faces the end surface of the magnet M with the pole teeth 31a and 32a and the flange portion 13a of the cylindrical body 13 interposed therebetween.

  The third yoke 33 has a ring plate shape provided to face the other end surface portion of the coil wire 50. On the inner peripheral side of the third yoke 33, an inner peripheral step 33a is formed in an annular shape. On the outer peripheral side of the third yoke 33, an outer peripheral step 33b is formed in an annular shape. Convex positioning portions 34 are provided on the inner circumferential step 33a and the outer circumferential step 33b, respectively. Further, a part of the third yoke 33 is cut away to form a coil wire take-out portion 35.

  The third yoke 33 is coupled to the ends of the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32 opposite to the ends provided with the pole teeth 31a and 32a, respectively. Specifically, the end portion (the lower end portion in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first yoke 31 is engaged with the inner peripheral step portion 33a of the third yoke 33, and the outer peripheral step portion 33b of the third yoke 33 is engaged. In addition, the end (the lower end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the second yoke 32 is engaged. The coil wire 50 is accommodated in the space surrounded by the first to third yokes 31 to 33, and the coil wire 50 is drawn to the outside through the coil wire take-out portion 35 formed in the third yoke 33.

  The third yoke 33 is provided with, for example, a convex positioning portion 34, and this positioning portion 34 is engaged with a concave notch formed in each of the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32. Thus, the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32 are each positioned in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the predetermined pitch between the pole teeth 31a and 32a can be ensured with high accuracy. The third yoke 33 may be provided with a concave positioning portion, and the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32 may be provided with a convex positioning portion.

  Next, the operation of the faucet generator and the automatic faucet device according to this embodiment will be described.

  When the user holds his hand under the spout 6 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensor 7 senses this, and the control unit 57 opens the electromagnetic valve 8. Thereby, running water is supplied to the inside of the cylindrical body 13 of the faucet generator 11, and the water that has flowed inside the cylindrical body 13 is discharged from the water outlet 6. When the user moves his hand away from the bottom of the spout 6, the solenoid valve 8 is closed and water automatically stops.

  The flowing water that has flowed into the cylindrical body 13 flows on the surface of the conical body of the pre-swirl stationary blade 14 and is diffused in the radially outward direction. Thus, it flows through the stationary blade flow path 71 between the stationary blade blade portions 18.

  The swirl flow that has flowed through the stationary blade flow path 71 flows into the moving blade flow path 72 and collides with the upper inclined surface of the moving blade blade portion 19. In this specific example, the swirl flow that flows into the blade flow path 72 is a flow swirled in the right direction with respect to the axial center, so that a rightward force acts on the blade blade 19 and the blade 15 Rotate clockwise. Then, the flowing water that has flowed through the moving blade flow path 72 on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the magnet M passes through the inside of the bearing 17, passes through the inside of the cylindrical body 13, and reaches the water outlet 6.

  When the moving blade 15 rotates, the magnet M fixed to it also rotates. As described above, since the N pole and the S pole are alternately magnetized along the circumferential direction (rotation direction), the end face of the magnet M faces the end face of the magnet M when the magnet M rotates. The polarities of the pole teeth 31a and 32a and the first and second yokes 31 and 32 integrated therewith change. Thereby, the direction of the interlinkage magnetic flux with respect to the coil wire 50 changes, and an electromotive force is generated in the coil wire 50 to generate power. After the generated electric power is charged into the charger 56, it is used for driving the electromagnetic valve 8, the sensor 7, and the control unit 57, for example.

  Since the faucet generator is used around water, the material suitable for the yoke 30 is limited to some extent under such usage conditions. The magnetization performance (magnetic permeability) of the yoke 30 can be adjusted by changing the material of the yoke 30. However, if the yoke 30 is composed of a single magnetic material made of a single material, the magnetization performance (magnetic permeability). The degree of freedom of adjustment becomes the number of materials to be used for the yoke 30. With the limited number of materials selected as described above, the degree of freedom of adjustment of the magnetization performance (permeability) of the yoke 30 is small, and the water supply at the installation site It is not possible to flexibly respond to detailed specification requirements according to water pressure and generator applications.

  In this embodiment, the yoke 30 surrounding the coil wire 50 is not composed of a single magnetic body made of a single material, but is a combined body of first to third yokes 31 to 33 which are three separated magnetic bodies. It is configured as. The materials of the yokes 31 to 33 are not all the same, and at least one of the first to third yokes 31 to 33 includes a material different from the others. Specifically, for example, the yoke 31 is formed of a material different from the others. In this way, in addition to changing the magnetic material itself constituting each of the yokes 31 to 33, depending on how the yokes using which materials are combined and which material is used for which yoke, Even if the choice of the material itself is small, the magnetization performance (magnetic permeability) of the yoke 30 as a whole can be finely adjusted as compared with the case where the yoke 30 is composed of a single magnetic material made of a single material. Thus, for example, the coil output can be flexibly set according to the tap water pressure at the installation location or the use of the generator, and the performance of the generator can be effectively exhibited without waste.

  When the adjacent pole teeth 31a and the pole teeth 32a magnetized in opposite polarities by the magnet M in which the N pole and the S pole are alternately magnetized in the circumferential direction are made of different materials, the pole teeth 31a and the magnet The magnetic attraction force generated between the magnet M and the magnetic attraction force generated between the pole teeth 32a and the magnet M is different. As a result, the rotation of the magnet M is likely to be unstable, and noise and rotation It may cause problems such as shaft wear. Therefore, it is desirable that the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32 each having the pole teeth 31a and 32a at one end are made of the same material.

  When the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32 having the respective pole teeth 31a and 32a are made of, for example, permalloy, electromagnetic stainless steel, silicon steel or the like having excellent magnetic performance such as high magnetic permeability and low coercive force. The coil output can be increased.

  In particular, electromagnetic stainless steel has advantages such as high electrical resistance, which can reduce eddy current loss, low coercive force, efficient magnetization direction change, and good corrosion resistance. In addition, silicon steel has advantages such as high electrical resistance, which can reduce eddy current loss, low coercivity, so that the direction of magnetization can be changed efficiently, and high magnetic permeability results in a large amount of power generation.

  When the first yoke 31 and the second yoke 32 having the respective pole teeth 31a and 32a are made of a material that is not so excellent in magnetizing performance, such as low carbon steel (JIS (Japan Industry Standard) symbol: S10C, S15C), for example. For example, in an area where the supply water pressure is high, the magnet M and the rotor blade 15 rotating integrally therewith can be prevented from generating more power than necessary. From the viewpoint of suppressing the wear of the rotating shaft and the bearing and noise, it is desirable to suppress the rotational speed of the rotating body (the moving blade 15 and the magnet M) to, for example, about 3000 (rpm) plus or minus 1000 (rpm).

  In each of the specific examples described above, since the stator 9 is disposed opposite to the magnet M in the axial direction, the radial dimension is smaller than that in the case where the stator 9 is disposed opposite to the outer diameter of the magnet M. can do. Further, in each specific example, the generator is provided with the moving blade 15 with the rotating shaft 24 substantially parallel to the flowing water direction, and the magnet M is arranged so that its rotating center coincides with the rotating center of the moving blade 15. The moving blade 15 is a so-called axial flow generator that is provided on the outer side of the diameter and is rotated by the force of the water flow that flows inside the magnet M. Therefore, using an impeller arranged with the rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the flowing water direction, a magnet connected to the rotation shaft of the impeller and rotating with the impeller, and a coil facing the outer peripheral surface of the magnet, The radial dimension can be reduced as compared with the water wheel type structure provided so as to protrude to the outside of the flow path. Thus, since the structure in each specific example is advantageous in reducing the radial dimension of the generator, for example, even if it is incorporated in the cylindrical water discharger 3b shown in FIG. 4, the water discharger 3b is thin. Does not spoil the clean design. In addition, since the stator 9 is not disposed outside the rotor blade 15 in the radial direction, the radial dimension of the rotor blade 15 can be increased, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to them, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

  The faucet fitting of the present invention is suitably used in a living space. Examples of usage purposes include kitchen faucets, living-dining faucets, shower faucets, toilet faucets, toilet faucets, and the like. In addition to automatic faucet fittings using human body detection sensors, for example, one-touch faucet fittings by turning on / off a manual switch, fixed-quantity water faucet fittings that stop water by counting the flow rate, and stop when a set time has elapsed. It can also be applied to water faucet fittings. The generated power may be used for, for example, light-up, generation of electrolyzed functional water such as alkali ion water or silver ion-containing water, flow rate display (metering), temperature display, voice guidance, and the like.

  In the faucet fitting according to the present embodiment, the discharge flow rate is set to, for example, 100 liters per minute or less, desirably 30 liters per minute or less. In particular, it is desirable that the toilet faucet is set to 5 liters per minute or less. In addition, when the discharge flow rate is relatively high, such as a toilet faucet, the water flow flowing from the water supply pipe to the generator 11 can be branched to adjust the flow rate flowing through the generator 11 to 30 liters per minute or less. desirable. This is because if the entire water flow from the water supply pipe is flowed to the generator 11, the rotational speed of the rotor blade 15 increases, and there is a concern that noise and shaft wear may increase, and even if the rotational speed increases. This is because if the rotational speed is not less than the appropriate number of revolutions, energy loss due to eddy currents and coil heat occurs, and the power generation amount does not increase. In addition, the water supply pressure of the water pipe to which the faucet fitting is attached may be a low water pressure of about 0.05 (MPa) in Japan, for example.

It is a perspective view of the yoke in the faucet generator concerning the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a central cut perspective view of the yoke shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the 3rd yoke in the yoke shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of attachment of the automatic faucet device with a generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the automatic water faucet device. It is a schematic cross section showing the inside of the faucet generator concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the pre-rotation stationary blade, the moving blade, and the bearing in the faucet generator. It is a perspective view of the magnet in the generator for faucets.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Automatic faucet device, 7 ... Sensor, 8 ... Solenoid valve, 9 ... Stator, 11 ... Generator for faucet, 14 ... Pre-turning stationary blade, 15 ... Rotor blade, 17 ... Bearing, 18 ... Stator blade blade part , 19 ... Rotor blade part, 24 ... Central axis, 30 ... Yoke, 31 ... First yoke, 31a ... Polar tooth, 32 ... Second yoke, 32a ... Polar tooth, 33 ... Third yoke, 33a ... Inner circumferential side Step part, 33b ... Outer peripheral side step part, 34 ... Positioning part, 35 ... Coil wire take-out part, 43-83 ... Third yoke, 50 ... Coil wire, 55 ... Constant flow valve, 56 ... Charger, 57 ... Control part , 71 ... Stator blade flow path, 72 ... Rotor blade flow path, M ... Magnet

Claims (3)

A moving blade provided in the water supply channel so as to be rotatable around a central axis substantially parallel to the water supply channel;
A magnet rotatable integrally with the moving blade;
A coil provided facing the magnet;
A plurality of pole teeth disposed between the magnet and the coil in the circumferential direction of the coil and spaced apart from each other; and a yoke provided around the coil;
With
The yoke is formed by combining a plurality of yoke members,
The faucet generator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of yoke members includes a material different from the others.   The faucet generator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of yoke members is made of electromagnetic stainless steel.   The faucet generator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of yoke members is made of silicon steel.

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