JP2011089297A - Combination faucet with reduction function, and hot-water supply method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent water from being wastefully poured off, by discharging only warm water, brought into an suitable-temperature state, from a spout etc., while preventing the discharge of lukewarm water at the initial stage of water discharge from the spout or shower equipment until a water temperature reaches a temperature set by a user, by providing a reduction structure in a combination faucet. <P>SOLUTION: This combination faucet 1 includes: a hot-water supply pipeline 3 and a cold-water supply pipeline 4; a tank 14 for reduction, in which accumulated water accumulated in the hot-water supply pipeline 3 from a hot-water storage tank 5 to a faucet body 2 is returned from a return pipeline 6 connected to the faucet body 2 and temporarily stored; a reduction pipeline 7 which is connected to the faucet body 2, and which supplies the faucet body 2 with the accumulated water stored in the tank 14; and an accumulated water adjusting valve 18 which is provided in the faucet body 2, and which adjusts the opening/closing of the return pipeline 6 and the reduction pipeline 7. When the hot-water supply is performed by the combination faucet 1, the accumulated water accumulated in the hot-water supply pipeline 3 is not discharged; and only the warm water in the hot-water storage tank 5, which reaches the temperature set by the user, is discharged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing faucet that mixes hot water and cold water, and more particularly to a mixing faucet with a reduction function that is suitable when hot water is supplied from a hot water storage tank to a water faucet using a long hot water supply pipe.

  Hot water and water mixing faucets that have the function of mixing hot and cold water to adjust the temperature appropriately include various types such as 2-handle mixing faucets, single lever mixing faucets, mixing mixing faucets, thermostat mixing faucets, etc. The structure of is known. For example, a “two-handle mixing faucet” is a faucet equipped with two handles and supplying and stopping tap water with one handle and hot water with the other handle. The two-handle water faucet adjusts the temperature of hot water discharged from the water faucet according to the opening of the tap water side and hot water side handles. The “single lever type mixed faucet” consists of a single lever, and when the lever is operated up and down, water and hot water are supplied and stopped, and when the lever is operated left and right, the temperature of the water and hot water coming out of the faucet Adjust. The “mixing-type mixing faucet” refers to a faucet in which a function for supplying and stopping hot water and a function for adjusting temperature are separately provided. It is premised that the water heater is set to an appropriate temperature of 40 ° C. or 42 ° C., and the temperature control handle is set to a hot water heater set temperature that is fully opened on the hot water supply side. "Thermostat type mixing faucet" is a faucet that can discharge hot water at a desired temperature stably by setting the temperature with the temperature control handle by the action of the thermo cartridge built into the discharge port. .

For example, as a technique related to a single lever type mixing faucet, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2541049 “Single lever type mixing faucet” of Patent Document 1, it is improved to prevent leakage from between the fixed disk valve and the body. Single lever type mixing faucets have been proposed.
Japanese Patent No. 2541049

Moreover, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2874322, “Hot Water Mixing Tap” of Patent Document 2, the operability is superior to a conventional thermostat mixing valve, and the discharge temperature is more stable than a single lever type hot water mixing tap. An excellent hot and cold water faucet has been proposed.
Japanese Patent No. 2874322

  As shown in the schematic explanatory diagram of FIG. 4, such a conventional mixing faucet 51 is configured so that a water supply amount such as tap water and an amount of hot water supplied from an electric water heater or a gas water heater are controlled by a control valve in the faucet body 52. The temperature is adjusted by 53 to adjust the temperature of the discharged hot water. However, as shown in the system diagram of FIG. 5, the conventional mixing faucet 51 has only a function of mixing hot water and feed water, so that even if the lever 54 is operated, the hot water storage tank 55 of the electric water heater discharges the discharge port 56, There has been a problem that hot water at an appropriate temperature cannot be used until the cooled water (residual water) staying in the hot water supply pipe 58 up to the shower facility 57 is completely discharged from the discharge port 56 and the shower facility 57. For example, it has been painful that the first cold water comes out in the winter when trying to take hot water in the shower facility 57.

  Then, after operating the stopper of the shower facility 57, the cold water which comes out of the shower facility 57 was thrown away until warm water came out for 10 seconds or more. In the kitchen, some people use the cold first water in a separate container after operating the lever 54 and use it effectively for dishwashing, washing machines, etc. At this time, the water overflowing from the container was thrown away.

  In such cases, many foreign countries originally have water shortages, and many countries recognize water as valuable. Recently, water such as advanced water purification has come to be recognized as precious in Japan, and there has been an increasing demand for the important use of such water from the viewpoint of environmental impact.

  In addition, since the gas water heater and instantaneous water heater using city gas and propane gas are close to the heating unit, the discharge port, and the shower facility, hot water can be discharged directly. However, distributed installations installed in places such as bathrooms, kitchens, and washrooms have the problem of high costs.

  On the other hand, an electric water heater basically uses hot water at night to supply hot water in a bathroom, kitchen, lavatory, etc. with a single water heater. In such an all-electric house, it is inevitable that the hot water supply pipe from the hot water storage tank of the electric water heater to each use place becomes long.

  The present invention has been developed to solve such problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a reducing structure in the mixing faucet, so that the cold water at the initial stage of water discharge is not discharged from the discharge port and the shower facility until the temperature set by the user is reached, and the temperature becomes an appropriate temperature. An object of the present invention is to provide a mixing faucet with a reducing function that discharges only warm water from a discharge port or the like and does not waste water unnecessarily, and a hot water supply method thereof.

  According to the mixing faucet of the present invention, the reducing function of mixing hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank (5) of the water heater with water from a water supply system such as tap water and supplying hot water at a temperature set by the user. A hot water supply pipe (3) for supplying hot water from a hot water storage tank (5) and a water supply pipe for supplying water from the water supply system, which are connected to the water faucet body (2). A return pipe connected to the water faucet body (2) and the water staying in the hot water supply pipe (3) from the hot water storage tank (5) to the water faucet body (2) A return tank (14) that is returned from (6) and temporarily stored therein, and the stagnant water stored in the reduction tank (14) is supplied to the faucet body (2) that supplies the faucet body (2). The connected reduction pipe (7) and the return pipe (6) and the reduction pipe (7) provided in the faucet body (2). A staying water adjusting valve (18) for adjusting the closing, and when hot water is supplied by the mixing tap (1), the staying water staying in the hot water supply pipe (3) is not discharged and set by the user. A mixing faucet with a reducing function is provided, which is configured to discharge only hot water in the hot water storage tank (5) having the above temperature.

The reduction tank (14) is provided with an inlet / outlet (15) at the bottom thereof, and the gravity tank is arranged so that the inlet / outlet (15) is located above the position of the faucet body (2). The accumulated water in the tank is configured to return to the faucet body (2) by its own weight.
The reducing tank (14) may be a non-pressure tank provided with an inlet / outlet at the bottom thereof and having the inlet / outlet disposed below the position of the faucet body (2).
When the accumulated water in the reduction tank (14) flows out in the middle of the pipe (21) between the inlet / outlet (15) of the reduction tank (14) and the faucet body (2), the reduction tank It is preferable to provide an air blocking valve (22) for blocking air inflow in (14).

  A jet pump mechanism (19) is provided in the faucet body (2), and the retained water in the reduction tank (14) is sucked into the faucet body (2) simultaneously with the water supply from the water supply pipe (4). And can be discharged.

According to the hot water supply method of the present invention, the hot water from the hot water storage tank (5) of the water heater and the water from the water supply system such as tap water are mixed to discharge hot water at a temperature set by the user. A hot water supply method using a faucet (1), wherein when the mixing faucet (1) is "opened", the hot water supply pipe from the hot water storage tank (5) to the faucet body (2) The staying water staying in (3) is returned to the reduction tank (14), and when the hot water in the hot water storage tank (5) reaches the mixing tap (1), the hot water is discharged. A hot water supply method using a mixing faucet with a reducing function is provided.
The staying water stored in the reduction tank (14) is mixed with hot water from the hot water storage tank (5) in the mixing tap (1) together with water supplied from the water supply pipe (4). Use it to adjust the hot water temperature.

  In the configuration of the present invention, when hot water is supplied, stagnant water remaining in the hot water supply pipe (3) from the hot water storage tank (5) to the mixed water tap (1) is transferred from the return pipe (6) to the reduction tank ( It returns to 14) and is temporarily stored, and this cold stagnant water is not discharged from the discharge port (16) or the like. When the accumulated water moves into the reduction tank (14) and the hot water in the hot water storage tank (5) reaches the mixing tap (1), it is discharged from the discharge port (16) or the like. As a result, only hot water having an appropriate temperature can be discharged from the discharge port (16) or the like. Furthermore, this warm water and the feed water of the feed water pipe (4) are mixed in this mixing faucet (1) and adjusted to an appropriate temperature.

The staying water temporarily stored in the reduction tank (14) is used as cold water as it is. Furthermore, it can mix with the hot water of a hot water storage tank (5) with the water supply from a water supply pipe line (4), and can use for adjustment of hot water temperature.
At this time, the staying water in the reduction tank (2) is reduced by its own weight from the reduction pipe (7) to the faucet body (2) and mixed with warm water. Alternatively, the jet pump mechanism (19) provided in the faucet body (2) is sucked into the faucet body (2) with water supplied from the water supply pipe (4) and mixed with hot water to discharge the outlet (16). Eject from etc.

  In the hot water supply method of the present invention, when the mixing faucet (1) is "opened", cold hot water (residual water) at the initial stage of water discharge is discharged from the discharge port (16) or the like until the temperature set by the user is reached. Only the hot water having the appropriate temperature can be discharged from the discharge port (16) or the like without being discharged. For example, a comfortable life is possible without being bothered by the cold water of the shower facility (17).

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the mixing faucet with a reduction function of this invention. It is a schematic system diagram which shows the hot water supply method by the mixed water tap with a reduction | restoration function of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the mixing faucet with a reduction | restoration function of this invention, (a) is the state which has returned stagnant water, (b) is the state which discharges warm water of suitable temperature, (c) is stagnant water. Is in a state of reducing. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the conventional mixing faucet. It is a schematic system diagram which shows the hot water supply method by the conventional mixing faucet.

  The mixing faucet with a reduction function of the present invention, when hot water is supplied by the mixing faucet, does not discharge the cooled staying water staying in the hot water supply pipe supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank of the water heater from the discharge port, the shower facility, etc. Only warm water at a temperature set by the user is discharged.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a mixing faucet with a reducing function of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram showing a hot water supply method using a mixed faucet with a reduction function.
The mixing faucet 1 with a reducing function of the present invention is a mixing faucet in which a hot water supply pipe 3 and a water supply pipe 4 are connected to a faucet body 2, and tap water is supplied to hot water supplied from a hot water storage tank 5 of a water heater. It is a mixing faucet that mixes water from a water supply system such as a hot water at a temperature set by the user. Further, the mixing faucet 1 of the present invention is provided with a return pipe 6 and a reduction pipe 7 having a reduction function in addition to these pipes. In addition, although the mixing faucet 1 of the example of illustration has shown the schematic of the single lever type mixing faucet, it is not limited to this.

  A hot water supply line 3 connected to the faucet body 2 is a pipe for supplying hot water from a hot water storage tank 5 storing hot water heated by an electric water heater. A water supply line 4 connected to the faucet body 2 is a line for supplying water from a water supply system such as tap water or well water. The water and hot water are supplied and stopped by operating the lever 8. For example, water and hot water are supplied and stopped by operating the lever 8 up and down, and the temperature of hot water discharged from the mixing tap 1 is adjusted by operating the left and right of the lever 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric water heater is provided with an external heating element 10 and a pump 11 using a circulation pipe 9 for boiling hot water in the hot water storage tank 5 using night electricity with a low electricity charge. The hot water supply temperature is kept constant by a thermostat. For example, the hot water storage tank 5 formed in a vertically long shape is provided with a hot water supply port 12 for supplying hot water to a kitchen, a wash basin, a bathtub, and the like at an upper portion thereof, and a water supply port 13 for supplying tap water and the like at a lower portion thereof. The heating element 10 is not limited to an external system as shown in the figure, and may include an internal heating element built in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 5.

  The mixing faucet 1 of the present invention includes a reduction tank 14 on the side. This reduction tank 14 is a tank that returns the accumulated water staying in the hot water supply pipe 3 from the hot water storage tank 5 to the faucet body 2 from the return pipe 6 connected to the faucet body 2 and temporarily stores it. It is. This is a tank that does not discharge the cooled staying water staying in the hot water supply pipe 3 from the discharge port 16, the shower facility 17, and the like.

  This reduction tank 14 is provided with, for example, a so-called gravity tank so that an inlet / outlet 15 is provided at the bottom and the inlet / outlet 15 is positioned above the position of the faucet body 2. In such a reduction tank 14, the accumulated water inside returns to the faucet body 2 by its own weight and can be easily discharged from the discharge port 16 or the like.

  It is also possible to use a non-pressure tank (not shown) in which an inlet / outlet is provided at the bottom of the reduction tank 14 and the inlet / outlet is located below the position of the faucet body 2. When such a pressureless tank is used as the reduction tank 14, the staying water in the pressureless tank is returned to the faucet body 2 by a jet pump mechanism 19 or a pump having various structures as will be described later. Configure.

The capacity of the reduction tank 14 is calculated from, for example, the hot water supply line 3 from the hot water storage tank 5 to the mixed tap 1. It is calculated by a calculation formula as shown in the following formula.
Reducing tank capacity = hot water supply pipe capacity x α
α is 1.5 to several times. For example, if a 16 mm hot water supply pipe is 10 m, 0.8 × 0.8 × 3.14 × 1000 cm = 2L, and if α is 1.5, 3 L tank capacity It becomes.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, a reduction tank 14 is also provided near the shower facility 17. The same structure is used so that cold water is not discharged from the shower facility 17.

  When returning the staying water to the reduction tank 14, the return pipe 6 is opened and closed by the staying water adjustment valve 18 provided in the faucet body 2. The staying water adjusting valve 18 adjusts the opening and closing of the return pipe 6 and the reduction pipe 7 even when the staying water stored in the reduction tank 14 is returned to the reduction pipe 7. The operation of these staying water regulating valves 18 is driven by detecting the temperature of the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 3 with a thermostat or by a predetermined time based on the capacity in the hot water supply pipe 3 as described above. There is a method. There is also a method of switching manually.

  An air blocking valve 22 that prevents air from flowing into the reduction tank 14 can be provided in the middle of the pipe 21 between the inlet / outlet 15 of the reduction tank 14 and the faucet body 2. The air blocking valve 22 is provided in the vertical pipe 21 and is opened and closed by a float 23. When the stagnant water is flowing into the pipe 21, the floating float 23 opens the air blocking valve 22, while when the water level in the pipe 21 is lowered, the air blocking valve 22 is moved by the lowered float 23. By closing, the inflow of air into the reduction tank 14 is prevented.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing a mixing faucet with a reducing function according to the present invention, in which (a) shows a state in which stagnant water is returned, (b) shows a state in which hot water having an appropriate temperature is discharged, and (c). Is a state where the stagnant water is being reduced.
The operation state of the mixed faucet 1 with a reducing function will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the mixing faucet 1 is opened, the return pipe 6 is opened and the reduction pipe 7 is closed by adjusting the accumulated water regulating valve 18. Thus, the staying water staying in the hot water supply pipe line 3 from the hot water storage tank 5 to the faucet body 2 is returned to the reduction tank 14 without being discharged from the discharge port 16, the shower facility 17, or the like. This eliminates wasteful disposal of water. The retained water is also reduced when water is supplied from the water supply line 4.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the hot water in the hot water storage tank 5 reaches the faucet body 2, the return pipe 6 is made “closed” by adjusting the staying water adjustment valve 18, and the hot water Are discharged from the discharge port 16, the shower facility 17, and the like. As a result, only hot water having an appropriate temperature can be discharged, and there is no problem that cold water comes out from the discharge port 16, the shower facility 17, and the like. In the illustrated example, only hot water is supplied from the hot water supply line 3, but it is of course possible to mix water from the water supply line 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the accumulated water stored in the reduction tank 14 is mixed with hot water from the hot water storage tank 5 together with water from the water supply pipe 4 in the mixing faucet 1 and hot water temperature. It is used for adjustment. Alternatively, it is possible to use only the water in the reduction tank 14.

  The reduction tank 14 is provided with an inlet / outlet 15 at the bottom thereof, and is disposed so that the inlet / outlet 15 is located above the position of the faucet body 2. Returning to the main body 2, the ink is discharged from the discharge port 16.

  Alternatively, the jet pump mechanism 19 is provided in the faucet body 2, and the accumulated water in the reduction tank 14 is sucked into the faucet body 2 simultaneously with the water supply from the water supply system and discharged from the discharge port 16 and the shower facility 17.

  Further, by providing a tandem turbine pump or electric pump in the pipe of the faucet body 2 in place of the jet pump mechanism 19, the retained water in the reduction tank 14 is sucked into the faucet body 2 simultaneously with the water supply from the water supply system. Thus, it can be discharged from the discharge port 16 or the like.

  When carrying out the mixing faucet with a reducing function and the hot water supply method of the present invention, for example, if the hot water temperature is set to 80 degrees with the mixing faucet 1 and the hot water is discharged from the faucet 16 of the mixing faucet 1, carelessness will occur. It is very dangerous if the hand hits the faucet 16 and the hand is in a position where the water splash hits. Therefore, it is desirable to discharge the hot water from about 50 degrees. Alternatively, it is also desirable to add a means for displaying the return temperature or set temperature in real time on a small display attached to the faucet 16 of the mixing faucet 1 and further notifying by an alarm or voice message.

  Here, the set temperature refers to the temperature of hot water required by the user, for example, about 80 degrees. The constant temperature means that even if the user desires a hot water temperature of 80 degrees, the temperature at which safety hot water begins to be discharged is set to a low value of about 50 degrees, for example. In addition, even if it begins to come out at 50 degrees, although there is a slight difference in the heat capacity of the pipe, there is no problem because it immediately rises to 80 degrees. However, even in the short time, the hand can be reverted to a safe position, and safety can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment of the invention mentioned above, A user's setting is provided in the mixing faucet 1 by providing the reduction | restoration structure which consists of the return pipeline 6, the reduction pipeline 7, and the tank 14 for reduction. Until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the cold water at the initial stage of water discharge is not discharged from the discharge port 16 and the shower facility 17, but only hot water having an appropriate temperature is discharged from the discharge port 16 and the shower facility 17, and wasteful water can be discarded. Of course, the configuration is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The mixing faucet with a reducing function and the hot water supply method of the present invention can be used not only for a domestic water heater but also for an electric water heater having a large-sized hot water storage tank for business use. Furthermore, if it has a long hot water supply pipe, it can of course be used for a gas water heater.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mixed faucet 2 Faucet body 3 Hot water supply line 4 Water supply line 5 Hot water storage tank 6 Return line 7 Reduction line 14 Reduction tank 15 Entrance / exit of reduction tank 18 Stagnant water adjustment valve 19 Jet pump mechanism

Claims (7)

A mixing faucet (1) with a reduction function that mixes water from a water supply system such as tap water with hot water supplied from a hot water storage tank (5) of a water heater to supply hot water at a temperature set by a user. ,
A hot water supply line (3) for supplying warm water from a hot water storage tank (5), a water supply line (4) for supplying water from the water supply system, respectively connected to the faucet body (2);
The staying water staying in the hot water supply pipe (3) from the hot water storage tank (5) to the faucet body (2) is returned from the return pipe (6) connected to the faucet body (2). A reduction tank (14) for temporary storage,
A reduction pipe (7) connected to the faucet body (2) for supplying the retained water stored in the reduction tank (14) to the faucet body (2);
A stagnant water adjustment valve (18) for adjusting the opening and closing of the return pipe (6) and the reduction pipe (7) provided in the faucet body (2);
At the time of hot water supply by the mixed water tap (1), the staying water staying in the hot water supply pipe (3) is not discharged, but only hot water in the hot water storage tank (5) set by the user is discharged. A mixing faucet with a reducing function, characterized in that it is configured as described above.   The reduction tank (14) is provided with an inlet / outlet (15) at the bottom thereof, and the gravity tank is arranged so that the inlet / outlet (15) is located above the position of the faucet body (2). The mixed water faucet with a reducing function according to claim 1, wherein the stagnant water in the tank is configured to return to the faucet body (2) by its own weight.   When the accumulated water in the reduction tank (14) flows out in the middle of the pipe (21) between the inlet / outlet (15) of the reduction tank (14) and the faucet body (2), the reduction tank (14) The water faucet with a reducing function according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an air blocking valve (22) for blocking inflow of air.   The said tank for reduction (14) is a non-pressure tank which provided the entrance / exit in the bottom part, and this entrance / exit is arrange | positioned in the position below the position of the said faucet body (2). Mixing tap with reduction function.   A jet pump mechanism (19) is provided in the faucet body (2), and the retained water in the reduction tank (14) is sucked into the faucet body (2) simultaneously with the water supply from the water supply pipe (4). The mixed water tap with a reducing function according to claim 1, wherein the mixed water tap is configured to be discharged. A hot water supply method with a mixing faucet (1) with a reduction function that mixes hot water from the hot water storage tank (5) of the water heater and water from the water supply system such as tap water to discharge hot water at a temperature set by the user. There,
First, when the mixing faucet (1) is “opened”, the accumulated water staying in the hot water supply pipe (3) from the hot water storage tank (5) to the faucet body (2) is reduced. Return to the tank (14)
Next, when the hot water in the hot water storage tank (5) reaches the mixing tap (1), the hot water is discharged.   The staying water stored in the reduction tank (14) is mixed with hot water from the hot water storage tank (5) in the mixing tap (1) together with water supplied from the water supply pipe (4). The hot water supply method using a mixed faucet with a reducing function according to claim 6, wherein the hot water temperature is adjusted.

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