JP2023059413A - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water discharge device capable of suitably suppressing the drop of water from a water discharge port.SOLUTION: A water discharge device 1 includes a hot water storage part 10, an opening/closing part 20, a water discharge part 30, a water passage part 40, and an air introduction part 50. The hot water storage part 10 stores water supplied from a water supply source and heats it. The opening/closing part 20 opens/closes a supply path 2 for water between the water supply source and the hot water storage part 10. The water discharge part 30 discharges the water stored in the hot water storage part 10. The water passage part 40 forms a flow path to distribute water from the hot water storage part 10 to the water discharge part 30. The air introduction part 50 introduces air into the water passage part 40 to push out the water stored in the flow path in the water passage part 40 to the water discharge part 30 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a water discharging device.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a conventional water discharger. This water discharger can discharge hot water boiled in a hot water storage tank from a spout portion. This water discharger is of a so-called main stop type, and water discharge is stopped at the spout portion by opening and closing a water stop portion provided on the upstream side of the hot water storage tank. In this type of water discharger, volumetric expansion occurs when water is heated in the hot water tank, and the expanded water drips from the water discharge port. In the case of Patent Document 1, air is supplied to the inside of the hot water storage tank when hot water is discharged as a countermeasure against dripping of the expanded water. The air supplied into the hot water storage tank gathers in the upper part of the hot water storage tank after the hot water is discharged, and replaces the hot water in the secondary side pipe. Accordingly, in Patent Document 1, volumetric expansion of water can be absorbed in the secondary pipe, and dripping from the spout can be suppressed.

JP-A-2003-42557

In the case of Patent Literature 1, since the air is supplied to the primary side pipe, when it enters the hot water tank, it may stay in the hot water tank as it is and may not reach the secondary side pipe.

This indication is made in view of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and an object of this indication is to provide the water discharging device which can control suitably dripping of water from a spout.

A water discharging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a hot water storage unit that stores and heats water supplied from a water supply source, and an opening/closing unit that opens and closes a water supply path between the water supply source and the hot water storage unit. a water discharge portion for discharging water stored in the hot water storage portion; a water passage portion forming a flow path for circulating water from the hot water storage portion to the water discharge portion; and an air introduction section for introducing air to be pushed out toward the water discharge section into the water flow section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows typically the discharging apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

<Embodiment>
A water discharging device 1 according to this embodiment is provided in a washbasin or the like installed in a public place such as a toilet in a public facility. The water discharge device 1 is an automatic water faucet with an electric water heater, and can discharge heated water in winter or the like. As shown in FIG. 1 , the water discharger 1 includes a hot water storage portion 10 , an opening/closing portion 20 , a water discharge portion 30 , a water passage portion 40 , an air introduction portion 50 and a control portion 60 .

The hot water storage unit 10 is a closed tank. The hot water storage unit 10 stores and heats water supplied from a water supply source (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 , the hot water storage unit 10 has an inlet 11 , an outlet 12 and a heater 13 . Inflow port 11 allows water from a water supply source to flow into hot water storage unit 10 . Inflow port 11 is formed at the lower end of hot water storage portion 10 . A downstream end of the supply path 2 is connected to the inlet 11 . The supply path 2 extends from a water supply source and supplies water to the hot water storage section 10 . The outflow port 12 allows the water in the hot water storage part 10 to flow out. The outflow port 12 is formed at the upper end portion of the hot water storage portion 10 . The outflow port 12 is connected to the downstream end of the water passage portion 40 that continues to the water discharge portion 30 .

Heater 13 heats the water in hot water storage unit 10 . The heater 13 is a so-called sheath heater, and is constructed by arranging a heating element such as a nichrome wire that generates heat when energized in a metal cylinder such as stainless steel having excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistance. The heater 13 has a bimetallic automatic temperature control function. Thereby, the water in the hot water storage unit 10 is kept at a temperature of about 80°C to 85°C.

The opening/closing part 20 opens and closes the supply path 2 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the supply path 2 is a water flow path between a water supply source (not shown) and the hot water storage section 10 . In the water discharging device 1 , the opening/closing part 20 is arranged in the flow path on the upstream side of the hot water storage part 10 . That is, the water discharging device 1 is of the main stop type. The opening/closing part 20 has an electromagnetic valve. In the opening/closing unit 20 , the electromagnetic valve is driven and controlled by the control unit 60 . When opened by the opening/closing part 20 , the supply path 2 allows water to flow from the water supply source to the hot water storage part 10 . When the supply path 2 is blocked by the opening/closing part 20, the supply of water from the water supply source to the hot water storage part 10 is cut off. The supply path 2 is provided with a branch portion 2A. The branch portion 2A is connected to one end of the branch channel 3 . The other end of the branch channel 3 is connected to a first confluence portion 41 of the water passage portion 40, which will be described later.

Water discharger 30 discharges water stored in hot water storage 10 . The water spouting unit 30 can spout water in two ways: automatic water spouting and manual water spouting. As shown in FIG. 1 , the water discharger 30 has a water discharge port 31 , a sensor 32 and a press switch 33 . The water discharge port 31 communicates with the flow path in the water passage portion 40 . The water discharge port 31 discharges water that has flowed out of the hot water storage portion 10 and flowed through the water passage portion 40 .

The sensor 32 is used for automatic water spouting in the water spouting section 30 . The sensor 32 is a photoelectric sensor that uses infrared light or the like, and has a detection range that includes the forward direction in which water is discharged from the spout 31 . The sensor 32 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 60 when detecting an object to be detected such as a human hand. As a result, the control unit 60 that has received the detection signal controls the opening/closing unit 20 to open the supply path 2 and automatically discharge water from the water discharge port 31 .

The push switch 33 is used for manual water spouting in the water spouting section 30 . The push switch 33 can switch between continuous water discharge and stop water discharge by a push operation. The push switch 33 transmits a signal to the control unit 60 by being pushed. Upon receiving the signal, the control unit 60 controls the opening/closing unit 20 . If the supply path 2 is in the open state when the signal from the push switch 33 is received, the control section 60 controls the opening/closing section 20 to switch the supply path 2 to the closed state. When the control unit 60 receives the signal from the push switch 33 and the supply path 2 is in the closed state, the control unit 60 controls the opening/closing unit 20 to switch the supply path 2 to the open state.

Water passage portion 40 forms a channel through which water stored in hot water storage portion 10 flows. As described above, the water passage portion 40 is connected to the outflow port 12 of the hot water storage portion 10 at its upstream end. A downstream end of the water passage portion 40 is connected to the water discharge portion 30 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the water passage section 40 has a first confluence section 41 and a second confluence section 42 . The first merging portion 41 and the second merging portion 42 are provided in intermediate portions between the upstream end and the downstream end of the water communicating portion 40, respectively. A branch flow path 3 is connected to the first confluence portion 41 . The branch flow path 3 is a flow path that introduces water from the water supply source into the water flow section 40 without passing it through the hot water storage section 10 . The branch channel 3 is connected at its downstream end to the first merging portion 41 and connected at its upstream end to the branch portion 2A of the supply channel 2 . Branch portion 2A is provided in supply path 2 between opening/closing portion 20 and hot water storage portion 10 .

A mixing valve 43 is provided in the first confluence portion 41 . The mixing valve 43 mixes the water flowing through the branch channel 3 with the water flowing through the water flowing portion 40 . That is, the mixing valve 43 mixes unheated water with the water heated in the hot water storage unit 10 . As a result, water adjusted to an appropriate temperature of, for example, about 35° C. to 39° C. flows through the water passage portion 40 on the downstream side of the mixing valve 43 . The second junction portion 42 is provided downstream of the first junction portion 41 in the water passage portion 40 . A downstream end of the air flow path 4 is connected to the second confluence portion 42 .

The air introduction portion 50 introduces air into the water passage portion 40 . The air introduction section 50 is configured with an air pump. The air introduction unit 50 is controlled by the control unit 60 to drive the air pump, and pumps the air. The control unit 60 drives the air pump in the air introduction unit 50 for a predetermined period of time, for example, about 3 to 5 seconds, and then stops the operation. Air pressure-fed from the air introducing portion 50 flows through the air flow path 4 . The air introduction part 50 is connected to the upstream end of the air flow path 4 . The air that has flowed through the air flow path 4 is introduced from the second confluence portion 42 into the water flow portion 40 . As a result, the water remaining in the flow path in the water passage portion 40 is pushed toward the water discharge portion 30 and discharged from the water discharge port 31 . An intermediate portion of the air flow path 4 is provided with a check valve 4A that prevents water from flowing into the air pump.

In the case of this embodiment, the air introduction section 50 introduces air into the water passage section 40 in a state where the opening/closing section 20 closes the supply passage 2 . Specifically, the air introduction part 50 starts introducing air into the water passage part 40 when the opening/closing part 20 switches from the open state to the closed state of the supply path 2, and after a predetermined time elapses, the air introduction part 50 It is driven and controlled by the controller 60 so as to terminate the introduction of air to 40 .

The operation of the water discharging device 1 having the above configuration will be described. The water discharger 1 discharges water from the water discharge port 31 of the water discharger 30 when the sensor 32 detects an object to be detected such as a user's hand in the water stop state, or when the push switch 33 is operated in the water stop state. Dispense. Specifically, the water discharger 1 drives the opening/closing part 20 based on the detection of the sensor 32 or the like to open the supply path 2 . As a result, water flows into the hot water storage unit 10 from the inflow port 11 through the open supply path 2 . At the same time, the stored and heated water flows out from the outlet 12 in the hot water storage section 10 to the flow path in the water passage section 40 . The water that has flowed out of the hot water storage portion 10 flows through the water passage portion 40 and is discharged from the water discharge port 31 .

The water discharger 1 drives the opening/closing part 20 to block the supply path 2 when the detection state of the object to be detected by the sensor 32 becomes non-detected in the water discharge state or when the push switch 33 is operated in the water discharge state. . As a result, the water discharger 1 stops water discharge from the water discharge port 31 . At this time, water remains in the flow path in the water passage portion 40 . In this state, the water discharger 1 drives the air introduction portion 50 to introduce air into the water passage portion 40 . The air introduced from the air introduction portion 50 enters from the second confluence portion 42 into the flow path in the water passage portion 40 on the water discharge portion 30 side. As a result, the water remaining in the water passage portion 40 is pushed out from the water outlet 31 .

Once the water discharging device 1 discharges water, new unheated water is supplied from the water supply source to the hot water storage unit 10 . As a result, the water temperature in the hot water storage section 10 after water is discharged is lowered. In the case of this embodiment, the hot water storage unit 10 has a bimetal type temperature control function, and heating by the heater 13 is automatically started when the internal water temperature drops. The water in the hot water storage portion 10 expands as the temperature rises, and flows out to the water passage portion 40 side by the amount corresponding to the increase in volume. At this time, if the flow path in the water passage portion 40 is filled with water, the water corresponding to the volume expansion due to the temperature rise is discharged from the water discharge port 31 in a so-called dripping manner. However, in the water discharging device 1, the air introducing portion 50 is driven for a predetermined period of time after the water is discharged, and air is introduced into the water passing portion 40, so that the volume increase of the water due to heating is absorbed by the air. Therefore, the water discharger 1 is prevented from dripping water from the water discharge port 31 due to volumetric expansion of water.

As described above, the water discharging device 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes the hot water storage section 10 , the opening/closing section 20 , the water discharging section 30 , the water passing section 40 , and the air introducing section 50 . The hot water storage unit 10 stores and heats water supplied from a water supply source. The opening/closing section 20 opens and closes the water supply path 2 between the water supply source and the hot water storage section 10 . Water discharger 30 discharges water stored in hot water storage 10 . The water passage portion 40 forms a flow path for circulating water from the hot water storage portion 10 to the water discharge portion 30 . The air introduction portion 50 introduces into the water passage portion 40 air that pushes out the water remaining in the flow path inside the water passage portion 40 toward the water discharge portion 30 side.

Thus, in the water discharger 1 , air is directly introduced into the water passage portion 40 by the air introduction portion 50 . Therefore, the water discharger 1 can suitably push out the water that remains in the water passage portion 40 . Therefore, the water discharger 1 can suitably suppress the dripping of water from the water discharge port 31 due to the volume expansion of water.

In the water discharger 1 , the air introduction portion 50 introduces air into the water passage portion 40 while the opening/closing portion 20 closes the supply passage 2 . Therefore, the water discharging device 1 can suitably introduce air to the water discharging portion 30 side of the water passing portion 40 .

<Other embodiments>
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described by the above description and drawings, and the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

The configuration and the like of the hot water storage unit according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above embodiments. The hot water storage unit may have means for measuring the temperature of water, such as a thermistor, and the water temperature may be adjusted based on the measurement result.

The configuration, shape, size, etc. of the water discharger according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above embodiments. The shape, arrangement, etc. of each component in the water discharge section are not particularly limited.

In the water discharger according to the present disclosure, it is not essential that the water discharger includes both the sensor and the push switch. That is, the water discharger may have only one function of automatic water discharge and manual water discharge. When the water discharger includes a sensor, its type is not limited to the above embodiment. Examples of sensors provided in the water discharger include non-contact sensors such as range sensors and capacitance sensors.

The opening/closing unit according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration having the solenoid valve illustrated in the above embodiment. The opening/closing unit can be configured with other types of electrically operated valves, such as, for example, electric cylinder valves, electric ball valves, and the like.

In the water discharger according to the present disclosure, it is not essential that the water passage portion is provided with the mixing valve. As a configuration in which the water passage portion does not include a mixing valve, for example, a configuration in which water is preheated to an appropriate temperature in a hot water storage tank can be cited.

The configuration and the like of the air introduction portion according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above embodiments. The air introduction section may, for example, introduce air from an externally arranged air pump, compressed air generated by an external compressor, or the like, without directly providing an air pump.

In the water discharger according to the present disclosure, the form of air introduction by the air introduction portion is not limited to the above embodiment. The air introduction part may start introducing air when the water in the hot water storage part starts to be heated, for example. Specifically, for example, the water discharger according to the present disclosure has a detection unit that detects the operation status of the means for heating water in the hot water storage unit, such as whether or not the heater is energized. It is possible to adopt a form in which air is introduced based on the detection result of the.

As described above, when the air introduction part starts to introduce air when the water in the hot water storage part starts to be heated, the air introduction part can have the following configuration. That is, in this case, the air introduction section can selectively introduce air at the start of heating depending on whether or not the opening/closing section has opened/closed the supply path from the previous introduction of air to the present. Specifically, the air introduction section is controlled by the control section so as to introduce air upon start of heating when the opening and closing of the supply path by the opening and closing section has been executed since the last time air was introduced. good too. The air introduction section is controlled by the control section so as not to introduce air even when heating is started if the opening and closing of the supply path by the opening and closing section has not been performed since the last time air was introduced. good too. This is because when water is not discharged after the previous air introduction, water does not remain in the water passage portion, and air introduction is unnecessary.

In the water discharger according to the present disclosure, the form in which the introduction of air by the air introduction portion is terminated is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the air introduction part may be configured to terminate the introduction of air after introducing a predetermined amount of air.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Water discharger, 2... Supply path, 10... Hot water storage part, 20... Opening-and-closing part, 30... Water discharge part, 40... Water passage part, 50... Air introduction part

Claims (2)

a hot water storage unit for storing and heating water supplied from a water supply source;
an opening/closing unit that opens and closes a water supply path between the water supply source and the hot water storage unit;
a water discharger for discharging water stored in the hot water storage;
a water passage portion forming a flow path for circulating water from the hot water storage portion to the water discharge portion;
an air introducing portion that introduces into the water communicating portion air that pushes out water remaining in the flow path in the water communicating portion toward the water discharging portion;
A water discharge device. The water discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the air introduction section introduces air into the water passage section in a state in which the opening/closing section closes the supply path.

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