JP2526295Y2 - Rotary valve - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial application field> The present invention relates to a rotary valve, which is suitable for use as a valve for switching air supply to an air mat used as a sleeping bedding or a bedsore prevention bedding. is there.

<Conventional technology> Air mats are used as bedding for preventing bedsores, sleeping, etc., and enclose air in an air mat consisting of a plurality of air-filled chambers. It is supporting. The air mat is characterized in that the load of the lying person is dispersed and absorbed, and since a high supporting pressure is not applied to a specific part of the lying person, effects such as bedsore prevention and a good night's sleep are produced.

The air enclosing chamber is divided into a plurality of systems, and compressed air is alternately supplied and discharged for each system, thereby changing the air enclosing chamber supporting the lying person. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of this type of air mat.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the air mat 11 in the field example,
A plurality of cylindrical air-filled chambers 13 long in the left-right direction of the lying person 12 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the lying person 12. The air filling chamber 13 is divided into a first system without diagonal lines and a second system with diagonal lines, and compressed air is supplied and discharged alternately for each system to fill each air. The expansion and contraction of the chamber 13 are repeated at a fixed time cycle (for example, a 5-minute cycle). FIG. 3 (b) shows a state in which air is supplied to the air-filled chambers 13 belonging to the first system and these are expanded, and the air-filled chambers 13 of the second system are contracted. In this state, the air-filled chamber 13 of the first system mainly supports the lying person 12. Meanwhile, the third
On the other hand, FIG. 3C shows a state in which the air sealing chamber 13 of the first system is contracted and the air sealing chamber 13 of the second system is expanded. An enclosure 13 supports the lying person 12.

Thus, in the air mat 11, since the part supporting the lying person 12 changes periodically even if the lying person 12 does not move, for example, bedsores caused by poor blood circulation due to prolonged compression of the lying person 12 can be effectively prevented. And also has effects such as a good night's sleep.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change over time of the air pressure in the air filling chamber 13 of the first system and the second system in the air mat 11 described above.

Conventionally, the switching of the air pressure has been performed by a rotary valve shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway side view of a conventional rotary valve, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 14 denotes a drive motor with a reduction gear, 15 denotes a rotary valve, and the rotary valve 15 includes a disk-shaped fixed portion 16 and a rotary portion 17.

The fixed portion 16 of the rotary valve 15 is fixed to a frame of the drive motor 14, and the drive motor 14
Drive shaft 18 is rotatably penetrated. As shown in FIG. 7, an air introduction hole 20 communicating with an air supply source (air pump) (not shown) through a pipe 19 is provided on an upper surface of the fixed portion 16 (a surface in contact with a lower surface of the rotating portion 17).
A first air supply hole 22 communicating with the air enclosing chamber 13 belonging to the first system through the second air supply hole 24 communicating with the air enclosing chamber 13 belonging to the second system through a pipe 23. Are provided. These first and second
The air supply holes 22 and 24 are located on the same circumference around the drive shaft 18, and the air introduction hole 20 is located on a circumference different from these.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is located at the upper part of the fixed part 16, and the drive shaft 18 of the drive motor 14
A pin 25 fixed to the rotary member 17 is fitted into a groove 26 formed in the rotating part 17. A spring 27 is wound around the drive shaft 18 projecting upward, one end of which engages with a stopper 28 attached to the tip of the drive shaft 18, and the other end of which engages with the rotating part 17. The rotating part 17 is pressed against the fixed part 16. Therefore, the drive motor
When the drive shaft 18 is rotated by the operation of 17, the rotating part 17 rotates while being pressed against the fixed part 16 with the rotation.

As shown in FIG. 6, a fan-shaped groove 29 is formed in a lower surface of the rotating portion 17 (a surface in contact with the upper surface of the fixed portion 16), and an exhaust hole 30 is formed. This sector groove 29 is a fixed part
16 air introduction holes 20 and 1st and 2nd air supply holes 2
It has a size that includes any one of 2, 24.
The exhaust hole 30 is located on the same circumference as the first and second air supply holes 22 and 24.

In such a rotary valve 15, the drive motor 14 rotates the rotary unit 17 once at a constant speed, for example, for 10 minutes. Now, as shown in FIG. 8, the fan-shaped groove 29 of the rotating portion 17 is fixed to the fixed portion.
When in the rotational position including the 16 air introduction holes 20 and the second air supply holes 24, the compressed air supplied through the pipes 19 is supplied to the pipes 23 through the holes 20 and 24, The air filling chamber 13 belonging to the system expands. On the other hand, when the rotating portion 17 rotates and the fan-shaped groove 29 includes the air introduction hole 20 and the first air supply hole 22, the compressed air from the pipe 19 flows through the holes 20 and 2.
The air is supplied to the other pipe 21 via 2 and the air sealing chamber 13 belonging to the first system expands. When the exhaust hole 30 overlaps with the air supply holes 22 and 24, the compressed air in the air sealing chamber 13 is exhausted through the exhaust hole 30 to above the rotating part 17, and the air sealing chamber 13 contracts. By repeating these operations, the air filling chambers 13 of the first system and the second system can be used.
Expands and contracts alternately.

By the way, the contact surface between the fixed part 16 of the rotary valve 15 and the rotating part 17 as described above needs to be in close contact with each other, and it is necessary to prevent the compressed air from leaking from the gap between them. In particular, in the case of a rotary valve for an air mat, since the capacity of the air supply source is small, even if there is a slight leak, the air mat cannot be inflated properly.

On the other hand, this type of air mat rotary valve 15 fixed part
The rotating part 16 and the rotating part 17 are generally formed of a synthetic resin in order to reduce the weight and cost, and if necessary, the contact surfaces are ground to improve the flatness. However, even if the flatness is improved by grinding, leakage may occur when the fixed part 16 and the rotating part 17 are brought into contact with each other due to individual differences in parts,
In such a case, grease is applied to the contact surface.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, even if grease is simply applied to prevent air leakage from the contact surface as described above, the solid portion 16
Due to the press-contact rotation between the grease and the rotating part 17, the applied grease flows out in a short period of time, and the sealing effect of the grease does not last long. Also, this rotary valve
15 may be used in a state where the contact surface between the fixed portion 16 and the rotating portion 17 is vertical, and in this case, the outflow of grease is further promoted.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a rotary valve that can obtain a good sealing effect with a simple configuration.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve this object, the rotary valve according to the present invention has a fixed portion and a rotating portion that are in contact with each other, and a fluid introduction hole is formed on one of the mutual contact surfaces. In a rotary valve in which a supply hole is formed on the other side and the two holes communicate with each other through the groove, a groove is formed on the contact surface having the groove so as to surround the groove, and grease is formed in the groove. Was charged.

<Operation> With the outflow of grease, the grease in the concave groove portion is gradually supplied to the contact surface between the fixed portion and the rotating portion, and it takes a relatively long time until all the grease flows out. In the meantime, the contact surfaces of the fixed portion and the rotating portion are rubbed with each other, and the surfaces are adapted to each other, and a good sealing state is achieved.

Further, after the grease flows out, the concave groove functions as a labyrinth seal.

<Embodiment> One embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view (corresponding to FIG. 6 of a conventional example) of a rotating portion of a rotary valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
A circular hole 31 through which the drive shaft of the drive motor penetrates is formed in the center of the hole 17, and a fan-shaped groove 29 is recessed in the contact surface with a fixed portion (not shown) as in the conventional example. Further, an exhaust hole 30 is provided.

Further, in consideration of the high pressure inside the groove 29, a groove 32 surrounding the groove 29 is formed on the contact surface of the rotating portion 17 with the fixed portion.
It is formed near the edge of 29. And this concave groove part 32
The inside is filled with grease, for example, stable silicon grease. The width and the depth of the concave groove 32 are determined so that a volume enough to accommodate grease for the later-described sliding can be obtained.

The other elements constituting the rotary valve may be the same as the conventional elements shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

Thus, the rotating portion 17 is pressed against the fixed portion, and the rotating portion 17
At a predetermined angular position with the rotation of, an air introduction hole and an air supply hole are included in the groove 29, and both are communicated.

At the contact surface between the rotating portion 17 and the fixed portion, the grease in the groove 32 functions as a sealant to prevent air from leaking from the contact surface.

On the other hand, the grease gradually flows out due to the relative rotation of the rotating portion 17 and the fixed portion, but since a certain amount of grease is held in the concave portion 32, the grease is in contact with the concave portion 32 relative to the contact surface. , And it takes a relatively long time for all the brease to flow out.
As a result, the contact surfaces of the fixed part and the rotating part 17 are rubbed during this time, and the surfaces are adapted to each other, and a good sealing state is achieved.
It should be noted that it is possible to obtain a good seal if the specific rotating part and the fixed part are sufficiently rubbed in advance so that the surfaces thereof are adjusted to each other, but this will increase the manufacturing cost. In the present invention, there is an effect that the prior arrangement is unnecessary, and the arrangement is performed simultaneously while maintaining the sealing effect during operation.

Further, after the grease flows out, the concave groove portion 32 also functions as a labyrinth seal.

The present invention is preferably used for a rotary valve for an air mat, but the application is not limited to this. Further, the material of the fixed portion and the rotating portion is not limited to the synthetic resin, but can be applied to a metal such as aluminum.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above in detail with reference to one embodiment, according to the present invention, a groove surrounding the groove is formed on the contact surface of the rotary valve having the groove, and the groove is formed in the groove. Since the grease is filled, the grease works as a sealant, and it takes a long time for the grease to completely flow out to the outside. During this time, the fixed portion and the rotating portion are sufficiently balanced. The concave groove also functions as a labyrinth seal. As a result, it is possible to obtain a good sealing state of the contact surface between the fixed part and the rotating part with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view (corresponding to FIG. 6 of a conventional example) of a rotating part of a rotary valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
II-II sectional view, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the air mat, FIG. 4 is a graph showing the change over time of the air pressure in the air filling chambers of the first system and the second system in the air mat, FIG. Fig. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of a rotary valve according to a conventional example, Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-V in Fig. 5.
II sectional view and FIG. 8 are explanatory diagrams of the operation. In the drawing, 15 is a rotary valve, 16 is a fixed part, 17 is a rotating part, 20 is an air introduction hole, 22 and 24 are air supply holes, 29 is a groove, and 32 is a concave groove part.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A fixed portion and a rotating portion that are in contact with each other;
In a rotary valve in which a fluid introduction hole and a supply hole are formed in one of the mutual contact surfaces and a groove is formed in the other, and the two holes communicate with each other through the groove, the groove is formed in the contact surface having the groove. A rotary valve, wherein a surrounding groove is formed and grease is filled in the groove.