JP2008064210A - Gas flow control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas flow control device having less noises, reduced in size and weight and making accurate flow control and detection of the malfunction such as a motor lock by making the moving distance of a gas flow control closing element longer to secure more stages for changing over a flow rate. <P>SOLUTION: The gas flow control device comprises: a gas flow control part having a gas flow control function and a gas closing function for opening/closing gas; and a motor 7 for driving the gas flow control part. The rotary closing element 1 is used as the gas flow control part, which makes the moving distance of the closing element 1 longer so as to secure more stages for changing over the flow rate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas flow rate control device that can be used in gas appliances such as a gas stove, a gas stove, a gas table, and a gas oven.

  Conventionally, in this type of gas flow control device, a slide-type closure is used for a gas flow control device having a gas flow rate adjusting function and a gas closing function for opening and closing a gas passage. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional gas flow control device described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 12, the closing member 1 is placed on one surface so as to block the gas passage 3 opened in the cock body 2. A shaft 4 is connected to the closing element 1, and the shaft 4 is moved in a sliding direction by a motor 7 connected and fixed to the screw screw 6 via a feed nut 5 and a screw screw 6 as a gear mechanism, and is thereby closed. Child 1 also slides and moves on cock body 2 at the same time.

  A plate-like flow rate chip 8 for adjusting the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas passage 3 is placed on the upper surface of the closing member 1 opposite to the one surface of the cock body 2. It is held on the upper surface of a certain closing member 1. The closure 1 has a through hole 10 through which gas passes. When the through hole 10 is closed by the cock body 2, the gas is closed. When the through hole 10 and the gas passage 3 match, the gas flows. The gas flow rate is determined by a plurality of holes 8a that are opened in the longitudinal direction of the flow rate chip 8 in accordance with the number of switching steps of the gas flow rate along the sliding direction of the closing member 1.

Further, a pin 11 is connected and fixed to the shaft 4, and the position of the closing member 1 is detected by an encoder 12 connected to the pin 11.
JP 2000-161656 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, if the number of gas flow rate switching stages is increased, the movable stroke of the closing member 1 becomes longer, and the movement time from when the gas passage 3 is opened until the flow rate becomes maximum becomes longer. The convenience of the user who uses the gas appliances becomes worse. Further, in order to shorten the movement time of the closing member 1 in the sliding direction, the rotational speed of the motor 7 may be increased. However, the motor 7 becomes larger and the noise of the motor 7 and the gear during the movement increases, and the power consumption also increases. Increase.

  Therefore, in order to solve all the above problems, the number of possible flow rate switching stages is determined, and when the motor 7 is driven by a dry battery, the number of flow rate switching stages is about 5 stages. In addition, it has a gear mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the motor 7 into the sliding direction, thereby increasing the size of the entire apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gas flow rate control device that reduces drive noise, reduces the size of the device, and reduces the weight.

In order to solve the above problems, a gas flow rate control device of the present invention includes a gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate adjustment function and a gas closing function for opening and closing a gas passage, and a motor for driving the gas flow rate control unit. The gas flow rate control unit uses a rotary closure. As a result, it is possible to reduce the drive noise of the closing member and to reduce the size and weight of the device.

  The gas flow rate control device of the present invention makes it possible to eliminate the need for a gear mechanism for changing the sliding direction and to move the closing distance longer than the conventional sliding closing member, and to increase the number of flow switching stages. Therefore, it is possible to reduce noise and reduce the size and weight of the device.

  A first invention includes a gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate adjustment function and a gas closing function for opening and closing a gas passage, and a motor for driving the gas flow rate control unit, wherein the gas flow rate control unit is a rotary type This makes it possible to secure a longer moving distance of the closing element compared to the sliding type closing element and to provide a larger number of flow rate switching stages, as well as the conventional sliding element. Compared to the closed type, a gear mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the motor into the sliding direction is not required, so that noise can be reduced and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

  A second invention includes a gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate adjustment function and a gas closing function for opening and closing a gas passage, and a motor for driving the gas flow rate control unit, wherein the gas flow rate control unit is a rotary type And a position detection device for detecting the rotational position of the rotary closure can be provided, thereby enabling accurate flow rate control and detection of abnormalities such as motor lock.

  The third invention uses a stepping motor as the motor that drives the gas flow rate control unit of the gas flow rate control device in the first or second invention, so that accurate flow rate control can be achieved even in locations where position detection is not possible. It is possible to change the flow rate switching speed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gas flow control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flow rate chip of the gas flow control device, and FIG. It is a top view. A gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate adjustment function and a gas closing function for opening and closing a gas passage is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the closing member 1 formed of a metal circular plate is rotatably abutted on the outer peripheral end portion of the lower surface of the metal cock body lower part 13 constituting the cock body 2, and gas is supplied to the gas passage 3. A circular plate flow rate chip 8 for adjusting the flow rate of gas passing through the through hole 10 is placed on the upper surface of the closing member 1. The closing member 1 and the flow rate chip 8 are pushed downward by the holding spring 9, the closing member 1 is brought into contact with the lower cock body 13, and the through hole 10 of the rotating closing member 1 is positioned on the contact surface 13 a. Thus, the flow to the gas passage 3 is closed.

  A shaft 4 is connected to the closing member 1, and the shaft 4 is connected and fixed to a motor shaft 14. When the motor 7 rotates, the closing member 1 also rotates simultaneously via the motor shaft 14 and the shaft 4. The flow rate chip 8 has a clearance hole 21 formed in the center so as not to contact the shaft 4, and is placed on the upper surface of the closing member 1.

When the through hole 10 through which the gas passes is closed by the contact surface 13 a of the cock body lower 13, the gas flow is closed and the through hole 10 is separated from the contact surface 13 a of the cock body lower 13. When the positions do not match and are not blocked, gas flows through the through hole 10. The motor shaft 14 is inserted through the O-ring 16 into the metal cock body upper part 15 that constitutes the cock body 2 to block gas from leaking outside.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flow rate chip 8 is provided with a protrusion 17 on a part of the circumference, and the protrusion 17 is locked to the groove 22 of the cock body lower 13 to prevent rotation on the upper surface of the closing member 1. Yes. In addition, the flow rate of the circular flow rate chip 8 is adjusted according to the degree of polymerization with the through hole 10 of the closing member 1, and the flow rate of the gas entering from the inlet 23 in the lower cock body 13 through the through hole 10 to the outlet 24 is adjusted. Therefore, a plurality of holes 8a to 8g having different sizes with the same radius r as the center are formed. The gas flow rate adjusting function is configured by the holes 8a to 8g of the flow rate chip 8, the through hole 10 of the closing member 1, the motor 7 for rotating the closing member 1, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 10 of the closing member 1 is opened around the same radius r in the rotational direction by an end mill, and a recess 24 for connecting the shaft 4 is opened at the center. The rotation of the fitted shaft 4 is transmitted to the closing member 1.

  About the gas flow control apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The gas flowing into the cock body 2 from the inlet 23 passes through the holes 8a to 8g of the flow rate chip 8 from above the flow rate chip 8, passes through the through holes 10 of the closing member 1, and the outlet of the cock body 2 which is the lower part of the apparatus. 24 is discharged.

  The flow rate tip 8 and the closing element 1 are pressed downward from above by a holding spring 9 to prevent the outflow of gas from the contact surface 13a between the flow rate tip 8 and the closing element 1 and between the closing element 1 and the lower cock body 13. It is out. The shaft 4 joined to the closing member 1 is rotated by the motor 7 through the motor shaft 14, and the closing member 1 also rotates simultaneously with the motor shaft 14. The flow rate chip 8 has a structure in which a protrusion 17 is fitted in a groove 22 provided in the lower cock body 13 and does not rotate even when the closing member 1 rotates.

  4 to 7 show the positional relationship between the flow rate tip 8, the closing member 1, and the lower cock body 13. FIG. The hatched portion in each figure shows the contact surface 13a of the closing member 1 and the cock body lower part 13. FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship when the closing element 1 is closed so that gas does not flow through the gas passage 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the through hole 10 of the closing element 1 is closed by the contact surface 13a of the cock body lower part 13, and the gas flow is closed.

  FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the flow rate tip 8, the closing member 1, and the cock body lower portion 13 when the minimum flow rate of gas is flowing. As shown in FIG. 5, the closing element 1 is rotated 82.5 ° clockwise from the gas closing position shown in FIG. 4, and only one hole 8 g of the flow rate chip 8 is positioned on the through hole 10 of the closing element 1. Then, the gas passes through the hole 8g and is discharged to the outlet 24 through the through hole 10.

  FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship among the flow rate chip 8, the closing member 1, and the lower cock body 13 when the intermediate flow rate of gas is flowing. As shown in FIG. 6, the closing member 1 rotates clockwise by 128 ° from the gas closing position shown in FIG. 4, and only four holes 8 d to 8 g of the flow rate chip 8 are positioned on the through hole 10 of the closing member 1. Then, the gas passes through the four holes 8 d to 8 g and is discharged to the outlet 24 through the through hole 10 of the closing 1. The flow rate of the gas flowing at this time is a flow rate proportional to the total area of the holes of the flow rate chip 8 located above the through hole 10.

FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship among the flow rate chip 8, the closing member 1, and the lower cock body 13 when the maximum gas flow rate is flowing. As shown in FIG. 7, the closing element 1 rotates 193 degrees clockwise from the gas closing position shown in FIG. 4, and the total area of the holes 8 a to 8 c of the flow rate chip 8 positioned on the through hole 10 of the closing element 1. Becomes the maximum, and the maximum flow rate is proportional to the area. Disk-like closure 1 like this
By rotating, the flow rate can be changed stepwise. In addition, the moving distance can be long even when the size is the same as that of the conventional method in which the flow rate is controlled by sliding the closing element 1 on a straight line.

  As described above, the present embodiment includes a gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate adjustment function and a gas closing function for opening and closing the gas passage 3, and a motor 7 for driving the gas flow rate control unit, The gas flow rate control unit uses the rotary type closing member 1, so that the moving distance of the closing member can be secured longer than that of the conventional sliding type closing member, and the number of flow rate switching stages is increased. Further, in the conventional slide type closing member, a gear mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the motor to the sliding direction is not required, so that noise can be reduced and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the gas flow rate control device in the second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is different from the gas flow control device described in the first embodiment in that a position detection device for detecting the rotational position of the rotary closing member 1 is provided. Other configurations of the gas flow control device In addition, the function and effect are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different parts are mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the position detection device that detects the rotational position of the rotary closure 1, a rotary plate 18 is connected and fixed to the motor shaft 14, and an encoder brush 19 is joined on the rotary plate 18. The brush 19 is assembled with the tip of the brush 19 pressed against the encoder board 20.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the encoder board 20 in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the encoder board 20 and the encoder brush 19. As shown in FIG. 9, an encoder pattern is laid on the encoder board 20 in a concentric circle with four copper foils (black coating portions), and the track [1], track [2], track [3] are arranged from the outside. , Track [4], COM. The end face of the track [1] is a base point (0 °), the track [2] is 82.5 °, the track [3] is 128 °, and the track [4] is copper foil from the position of 193 °. Has all-around copper foil.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the encoder brush 19 is composed of five terminals 19a, and each terminal 19a is arranged so as to be directly above each encoder pattern, and the end face of the encoder brush 19 is placed on a copper foil. Is located, the encoder signal that is ON is connected to COM, and when the end surface of the encoder brush 19 is located on the copper foil, the encoder signal that is OFF is output because it is not connected to COM.

  About the gas flow control apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the gas flow rate, the rotational position of the encoder brush 19, and the encoder signal. The position where the track [1] of the encoder signal is turned from ON to OFF is the closing position shown in FIG. 4, and the gas flow rate is zero. The position where the track [1] is turned from ON to OFF is the base point, and the position where the encoder brush 19 is rotated by 82.5 ° is the minimum flow rate shown in FIG. 5, and the track [2] is turned from OFF to ON.

Further, the position at which the track [1] is turned from ON to OFF is used as a base point, and the position at which the encoder brush 19 is rotated by 128 ° is the intermediate flow rate shown in FIG. 5. At that time, the track [3] is turned from OFF to ON. Furthermore, with the position where the track [1] is turned from ON to OFF as a base point, the position where the encoder brush 19 is rotated by 193 ° is the maximum flow rate shown in FIG. 6, and at that time, the track [4] is turned from OFF to ON.

  In this way, the closing member 1 can be moved to the optimum position so that the flow rate required by the encoder signal flows. If the encoder signal does not change even though the motor 7 is rotating, it can be determined that the motor 7 or the closing member 1 is locked, and the use of the device can be stopped.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing a position detection device that detects the rotational position of the rotary closure 1, accurate flow rate control and detection at the time of abnormality such as motor lock can be performed.

  Further, when the motor 7 of the first and second embodiments is a stepping motor, the rotation speed can be changed by changing the drive frequency. Further, as a feature of the stepping motor, when the rotational speed is high, the torque is low, and when the rotational speed is slow, the torque is high. Therefore, when the device is started or abnormal, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the apparatus by setting the rotation to low speed and high torque in response to an increase in the driving torque due to sticking of the closing member or the like, and normal speed to high speed and low torque. Furthermore, the intermediate heating power that cannot be understood from the encoder signal can be stopped finely and accurately.

  As described above, by using a stepping motor as the motor that drives the gas flow rate control unit of the gas flow rate control device, accurate flow rate control is possible even in locations where position detection is not possible, and the flow rate switching speed can be varied freely. Become.

  As described above, the gas flow rate control device according to the present invention eliminates the need for a gear mechanism for changing the sliding direction, lengthens the moving distance of the closing member, and increases the number of flow switching stages as compared with the conventional sliding closing member. It is possible to reduce noise, reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, and can be applied to a wide range of gas appliances such as a gas table and a gas oven.

Sectional drawing of the gas flow control apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Plan view of flow rate chip of gas flow control device in embodiment 1 Plan view of the closing member of the gas flow control device in the first embodiment Positional relationship diagram under flow rate chip, closing element, cock body when gas is closed in gas flow rate control device in embodiment 1 In the gas flow control device in the first embodiment, the positional relationship diagram under the flow rate chip, the closing member, and the cock body when the minimum flow rate is flowing In the gas flow control device according to the first embodiment, the positional relationship diagram under the flow rate chip, the closing member and the cock body when the intermediate flow rate is flowing In the gas flow control device in the first embodiment, the positional relationship diagram under the flow rate chip, the closing member, and the cock body when the maximum flow rate is flowing Sectional drawing of the gas flow control apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention The top view of the encoder board | substrate of the gas flow control apparatus in Embodiment 2 Positional relationship diagram of encoder board and encoder brush in gas flow control device in embodiment 2 The figure which shows the relationship between the gas flow rate, the rotation position of an encoder brush, and an encoder signal in the gas flow rate control apparatus in Embodiment 2. Sectional view of a conventional gas flow control device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Closer 2 Cock body 3 Gas passage 7 Motor 8 Flow rate chip 10 Through hole 12 Encoder 13 Below cock body 15 Above cock body 18 Rotating plate 19 Encoder brush 20 Encoder board

Claims (3)

A gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate control function and a gas closing function for opening and closing the gas passage, and a motor for driving the gas flow rate control unit, and a rotary closure was used as the gas flow rate control unit A gas flow rate control device characterized by that. A gas flow rate control unit having a gas flow rate control function and a gas closing function for opening and closing the gas passage; and a motor for driving the gas flow rate control unit, wherein the gas flow rate control unit uses a rotary type closing member. A gas flow rate control device provided with a position detection device for detecting a rotational position of the rotary type closing member. The gas flow rate control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor that drives the gas flow rate control unit is a stepping motor.

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