JP2998525B2 - Water circuit equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water circuit device provided with a flow control valve for adjusting a flow rate of a water supply in a water supply path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional water circuit device of this type, there is one shown in FIG. 8 as an example used for a sanitary washing toilet seat. (For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-61137) In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1 denotes a water supply pump provided with a rotation speed control function, which is provided in a water supply path 2 for washing water. 3 is an open / close solenoid valve,
Reference numeral 4 denotes a pressure-operated valve.
It is provided on the downstream side of the branch path 5 branching from. Reference numeral 6 denotes a bidet nozzle for cleaning a female part, and reference numeral 7 denotes an anal nozzle for cleaning the anus, which are provided downstream of the pressure-operated valve 4 and the on-off electromagnetic valve 3, respectively.

The on-off solenoid valve 3 has an inlet 8 and an outlet 9
It comprises a housing 11 having a valve seat 10 between them, a valve element 12 provided facing the valve seat 10, a solenoid 13, and a spring 14 for urging the valve to close. The pressure-operated valve 4 has a valve seat 17 provided between the inflow port 15 and the outflow port 16, a diaphragm valve 18 provided opposite the valve seat 17, and a spring 19 for urging the valve to close. Room 20
Communicates with the outlet 9 side of the on-off solenoid valve 3.

In the above configuration, when the water supply pump 1 is operated and the on-off electromagnetic valve 3 is closed, the pressure of the washing water flowing into the pressure-operated valve 4 via the branch passage 5 acts on the diaphragm valve 18 and the valve is closed. The valve is opened against the force of the biasing spring 19, and the washing water is discharged from the bidet nozzle 6. When the electromagnetic valve 3 is energized and opened, the washing water flows into the outlet 9 through the valve seat 10 and is discharged from the anal nozzle 7. At this time, the pressure on the outlet 9 side of the on-off solenoid valve 3 acts on the pressure chamber 20 of the pressure-operated valve 4, and the diaphragm valve 1
8 is closed.

As described above, the selection of the washing nozzles 6 and 7 can be switched by opening and closing the on-off solenoid valve 3, and the discharge flow rate can be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the water supply pump 1.

[0006]

However, in the conventional water circuit device as described above, a dedicated opening / closing solenoid valve 3 and a pressure operated valve 4 are required for nozzle switching, and the configuration is complicated. Also, since this type of sanitary washing toilet seat has a plurality of users, it is required to adjust the flow rate of the washing water as desired, and a dedicated flow rate adjusting means such as a water supply pump 1 capable of controlling the number of rotations is required. Met. As a result, there has been a problem that the cost is increased and the entire device is enlarged. In addition, since the flow rate adjustment is performed by the water supply pump 1, even when the water supply path 2 is directly connected to the water supply, there is a problem that the water supply pump 1 that can control the rotation speed as long as the flow rate adjustment is required is required. there were.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water circuit device that enables flow control by a motor-driven valve and that does not cause leakage even when a water head pressure at the time of water supply stoppage is applied when water stoppage of the motor-driven valve is insufficient or during a power failure. These are the first to third purposes.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a water circuit device capable of surely adjusting the flow rate by confirming the valve position when re-energizing a motor-driven valve that controls the flow rate by driving the motor.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, a water circuit apparatus according to the present invention comprises a water supply path, water supply control means for starting and stopping water supply provided in the water supply path, and a water supply control means provided downstream thereof. A hot water tank provided in the water supply path, and a motor drive valve provided downstream of the water supply control means for adjusting the water supply flow rate,
A water supply setter for instructing start and stop of water supply, a flow setter for setting the flow rate, a controller having a water supply control unit and a flow control unit, and a water supply with a head pressure at the time of water supply stop when the water supply control means is stopped. A water supply path for opening the water supply path with the water pressure at the time of water supply by the water supply control means without opening the path is provided with a stop pressure water stop valve which urges the water supply path toward the upstream side in the closing direction.

In order to achieve the second object, the water supply control means is constituted by a water supply pump, a water supply tank is provided as a water supply source of the water supply pump, and the urging force of the stop pressure water stop valve is used to stop the water supply. The stop pressure water stop valve is sometimes set to a force greater than the acting force.

In order to achieve the third object, the water supply control means is constituted by an electromagnetic valve which closes a water supply path when power is not supplied, and a vacuum break is provided between the electromagnetic valve and a hot water tank downstream of the electromagnetic valve. A valve is provided, and the urging force of the stop pressure water stop valve is set to be equal to or more than the acting force acting on the stop pressure water stop valve when water supply is stopped.

In order to achieve the fourth object, when re-energizing the motor drive valve, the controller is configured to drive the motor drive valve once to a predetermined position and then perform a normal flow control by a flow control unit. Things.

[0013]

In the water circuit device according to the first object of the present invention having the above-described structure, the water supply path is closed by the stop pressure stop valve even if the water head pressure is applied when the water supply control means is stopped. As a result, the motor-driven valve that adjusts the water supply flow rate deteriorates and loses water stoppage due to deterioration, uses a water-stop function, or stops the operation of the motor-driven valve when the flow path is opened at the time of power failure Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent water leakage to the water supply target portion.

Further, the water circuit device according to the second object of the present invention is a stop pressure stop valve even when hot water in a hot water tank leaks from a water tank to a water supply target due to a siphon phenomenon when a water supply pump is stopped. Thus, the problem that the hot water in the hot water tank becomes empty at the time of reuse and the problem that water continuously leaks from the hot water tank or the water tank to the water supply target can be solved.

In the water circuit device according to the third object of the present invention, when the power is not supplied, the water supply path is closed by the solenoid valve, and hot water in the hot water tank leaks from the vacuum break valve to the water supply target due to a siphon phenomenon. In this case, this can be prevented by the stop pressure water stop valve, and the problem that the hot water tank becomes empty at the time of reuse and the problem that hot water leaks to the water supply target can be solved.

A water circuit device according to a fourth object of the present invention is characterized in that when the controller re-energizes the motor-driven valve,
Once the motor is driven to a predetermined position and the flow control unit performs normal flow control, the valve position can be adjusted even when the motor drive valve does not have a position detecting unit or when the control operation returns after a power failure. Can be newly confirmed, and the subsequent flow rate control can be performed accurately.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a motor drive valve used in a water circuit device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a motor drive unit, and FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c) show motor drive valves. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a motor-driven valve,
An inflow passage 23 communicating with the water supply passage 22;
First and second outflow passages 24, each of which is branched from
25. Reference numeral 26 denotes a valve plug rotatably provided in the motor-driven valve 21, which is provided with a partially cutout portion 27 and an inclined notch portion 27 a in a part of a cylinder. A fluid passage 28 is formed therebetween. Reference numeral 29 denotes a seal member made of a polymer material containing ethylene tetrafluoride, which is integrally formed with the valve plug 26. The polymer material containing ethylene tetrafluoride has a small coefficient of friction and high elasticity, realizes smooth rotation of the valve plug 26, and prevents leakage of the control fluid. Reference numeral 30 denotes a stop pressure stop valve,
0a and a spring 30b, and urges the water supply path 22 in the closing direction toward the upstream side. A stepping motor 31 is used as a driving means of the motor drive valve 21, and a valve plug 26 is provided through a speed reduction means 32 and a motor shaft 33.
Is driving. Reference numeral 34 denotes a flow rate control unit that controls the stepping motor 31 to adjust the flow rate.

The details of the motor drive section are as shown in FIG. 2. A pin 33a is provided on the motor shaft 33, and when the pin 33a comes into contact with the stoppers 33b and 33c at the fully open point, the stepping motor 31 is driven. Using the action of step-out, the position is mechanically confirmed without using an electric position detecting means. Then, each time the stepping motor 31 is driven by the number of steps corresponding to the designated flow rate based on the full opening point as a reference, the opening degree is determined to adjust the flow rate.

In the above configuration, the motor-driven valve 21
The operation of will be briefly described. FIG. 3A shows the valve closed state, in which the fluid passage 28 communicating with the inflow passage 23 does not communicate with any of the first and second outflow passages 24 and 25, and the sealing member 29 Fluid leakage is prevented. Next, a control signal (not shown) is sent to the flow controller 3.
4, a drive signal is output to the stepping motor 31 and the valve plug 2 is transmitted through the speed reduction means 32 and the motor shaft 33.
6 is driven to rotate. For example, when the first outflow path 24 is selected, it rotates by θa ° to the position shown in FIG. 2B, and the inflow path 23 and the first outflow path 24 communicate to discharge the fluid. On the other hand, when the second outflow channel 25 is selected, on the other hand, FIG.
(C) rotates to the position shown in FIG.
The fluid is discharged by communicating with the outflow path 25. Further, since the stepping motor 31 is used, high-precision rotation angle control can be performed in accordance with the number of pulses to be supplied, and forward / reverse rotation can be easily performed. Thus, the rotation angle of the valve plug 26 can be controlled with high accuracy, and the valve opening, that is, the flow rate can be reliably adjusted.

As described above, the motor-driven valve 21
Uses a stepping motor 31 as a motor, and by controlling a supplied pulse signal, the first and second outflow paths 24 and 25 can be selectively switched, and the flow rate of the passing fluid (valve opening degree) ) Can be arbitrarily increased / decreased, and is a multifunctional fluid control valve that can be switched, flow rate adjusted, and closed by one drive means.

The motor drive valve 21 and the stop pressure water stop valve 30 are used in a water circuit shown in FIG. 4 and constitute a water circuit device.

In FIG. 4, water supplied from a water supply into a water supply tank 35 via a ball tap is supplied to a water supply path 22.
The supply of water and the stop of supply are controlled by a water supply pump 37 which is a water supply control means provided in the apparatus. Water supply pump 37
A hot water tank 38 is provided on the downstream side, and the water inside is heated by a heater 39 and stored. The hot water tank 38 is provided with a thermistor 40 for detecting the temperature of the tank water, a float switch 41 for detecting a drought condition, a high limit switch 42, a drain plug 43, and the like. A nozzle unit 44 is connected to the end of the water supply path 22 connected to the hot water tank 38. The nozzle unit 44 includes an anal nozzle 45 and a bidet nozzle 46. The motor drive valve 21 and the stop pressure stop valve 30 are connected to the nozzle unit 44. It is installed. Reference numeral 47 denotes a controller, in which, in addition to the flow rate control unit 34 and the water supply control unit 48, a control unit required for overall control is configured. A setting device 49 is provided as a means for giving an instruction to the controller 47. The setting device 49 includes an anal switch 50, a bidet switch 51, and a stop switch 52, which are water supply setting devices, and a flow down switch, which is a flow setting device. 53, a flow rate up switch 54, and a temperature setting volume 55 and the like are further provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment with the above configuration will be described. When the user sits on the sanitary washing toilet seat and turns on a seating switch (not shown), and then turns on the bidet switch 51 to perform, for example, local cleaning of a woman, the signal is input to the controller 47. During this initial operation, the flow control unit 34 controls the stepping motor 3
1 is driven to rotate, and the valve plug 26 is once driven to the position shown in FIG. After confirming this fully open position by bringing the pin 33b into contact with the stopper 33c and causing the stepping motor 31 to step out, the valve opening is returned to and maintained at a valve opening corresponding to a predetermined set flow rate. When returning to the predetermined valve opening, the pulse corresponding to the backlash is driven by a large amount to perform correction, and the valve opening corresponding to the set initial flow rate is accurately obtained. Subsequently, the pump 37 is energized, and the water in the water supply tank 35 is sucked. And the hot water stored in the hot water tank 38 is
The stop water stop valve 30 and the motor drive valve 21
Through the bidet nozzle 46. At this time, the pressure of the pump 37 is designed to be sufficient to push the stop water stop valve 30 to flow a predetermined flow rate. When the flow rate down switch 53 is pressed, the flow rate can be reduced stepwise according to the number of times the switch is pressed. At this time, the motor drive valve 21 operates the stepping motor 3 by the number of steps corresponding to the predetermined number of times.
1 drives the motor drive valve 21 in the closing direction. To increase the flow rate from this state, use the flow rate up switch 54
When is pressed, the motor drive valve 21 is driven in the opening direction by the stepping motor 31 by the number of steps corresponding to the number of presses. The flow control unit 34 drives the stepping motor 31 and the drive shaft 33 and the valve plug 26 by a pulse corresponding to the amount of backlash existing at the time of reversing the driving in the closing direction and the driving in the opening direction. Is controlled so that the position is accurately obtained. When the user presses the stop switch 52 of the setter 49 after the cleaning is completed, the pump 37 is first stopped by the controller 52, and then the drive stepping motor 31 closes the valve plug 26 by the flow rate control unit 34 in the closing direction. Drive. At this time, the stop pressure water stop valve 30 closes the water supply path 22. These control operations are performed according to a control flow chart shown in FIG.

At the time of stoppage, the shutoff pressure shutoff valve 30
Positive pressure difference between the water supply tank 35 and the shutoff pressure shutoff valve 30 (force acts in the direction in which the shutoff water shutoff valve 30 is opened).
However, a negative pressure (a force acts in a direction in which the stop pressure water stop valve 30 is opened) of the height difference between the water stop pressure shutoff valve 30 and the bidet nozzle 46 is applied. , And is set to be equal to or more than the total acting force by the negative pressure. For this reason, even if the seal member 29 provided on the valve plug 26 deteriorates and leaks, continuous water leak from the water supply tank 35 to the bidet nozzle 46 can be prevented. Also,
In some cases, the motor drive valve 21 eliminates the water stop function only by the function of flow control, and replaces the water stop function with the stop pressure water stop valve 30.
May be held.

When the user presses the anal switch 50, hot water is supplied as in the case of the bidet cleaning nozzle. However, the initial flow rate at the start of use can be different from that of the bidet cleaning nozzle. Yes, by storing the memory in the controller 52, it is possible to always start supplying hot water at a fixed flow rate at the start of use.

In both cases during anal washing and bidet washing, if a power failure occurs or the breaker attached to the power supply is dropped by another person while the motor drive valve 21 is open. As a drawback of the motor-driven valve 21, it is expected that water will continue to drop until power supply is restored in order to maintain the water supply path 22 in an open state. Even in a state in which hot water or water is not supplied, it is possible to reliably prevent hot water or water from falling.

When the supply of electricity is started, the position of the motor drive valve 21 is not stored. Therefore, even if the mode when the electricity is supplied is the anal cleaning mode, the bidet cleaning is performed. Even in the mode, the stepping motor 31 is rotated by the initial set number of steps set so that the cover can be formed. Then, after the pin 33a in FIG. 3 contacts the stopper 33b and confirms the fully open position,
In consideration of the backlash, it is driven to the water stop position, stopped and waited. The control operation at the time of return after the supply of electricity is stopped is performed according to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In the case where a memory is provided, such a fully open point confirming operation may be omitted when the power supply is resumed, and the apparatus may be driven immediately to the water stop position to stand by.

With these controls, it is possible to prevent water from continuing to flow forever even when the user is gone when the supply of electricity is restarted.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. First
The configuration of this embodiment is different from that of the third embodiment in that a water supply control means is replaced with a water supply pump 37 instead of a solenoid valve 56 for closing a water supply path when electricity is not supplied, and a hot water tank 38 downstream of the solenoid valve 56.
Between the vacuum break valve 57 and the water supply tank 5
8 and a check filter unit 59 are connected. In this case, the water supply pump 37 is provided for pressurization on the assumption that the tap water pressure is insufficient, and is configured as a type whose rotation speed cannot be controlled at low cost.

The difference in operation is that the stop pressure water stop valve 30
The stop pressure water stop valve 30 and the vacuum break valve 6
1 (a force acts in a direction in which the stop pressure water stop valve 30 is closed) and a negative pressure (stoppage) caused by a height difference between the stop pressure water stop valve 30 and the nozzle 45 or 46 used. The pressure stop valve 30 exerts a force in the opening direction), but the spring 30b withstands this to prevent the siphon phenomenon. Further, when the solenoid valve 60 is opened, the flow passage is sufficiently opened. Since it is configured with a set load that can be opened, detailed description is omitted.

In any of the first and second embodiments, the stop pressure water stop valve 30 is used when the water stop of the motor drive valve 21 is insufficient or when the water stop function is not provided. At the time of stoppage, water can be prevented from dropping due to the siphon phenomenon, and backflow of sewage from the anal nozzle 45 and the bidet nozzle 46 can be prevented.

[0035]

As described in detail above, the water circuit device of the present invention comprises a water supply control means for electrically starting and stopping water supply,
A motor-driven valve for adjusting the water supply flow rate, and a stop pressure stop valve for opening the water supply path with the water pressure at the time of water supply of the water supply control means without opening the water supply path with the head pressure at the time of water supply stop when the water supply control means is stopped. The following effects can be obtained.

(1) A motor drive valve provided in the water supply path for adjusting the flow rate of water supply and a flow control unit for controlling the motor drive valve in accordance with the setting of the flow setting device are provided, and the flow rate can be adjusted by the motor drive valve. Along with the stop pressure stop valve,
When the water supply control means is stopped, the water stoppage of the motor-driven valve deteriorates due to long-term use, or a water-stopper that does not have water stoppage is used. A water circuit device that does not cause leakage can be provided.

(2) The water supply control means is constituted by a water supply pump, and a water tank is provided as a water supply source of the water supply pump. The urging force of the stop pressure water stop valve acts on the stop pressure water stop valve when water supply is stopped. Water can be supplied even if there is no pressurizing action by the water supply, and even if the water supply tank is installed at a high place, the stop pressure stop valve can prevent water from dropping because it is set to be higher than the acting force due to .

(3) The water supply control means is constituted by a solenoid valve which closes a water supply path when power is not supplied, and a vacuum break valve is provided between the solenoid valve and a hot water tank on the downstream side of the solenoid valve. Since the urging force is set to be greater than the force acting on the stop pressure water stop valve when water supply is stopped, even if water is cut off when the solenoid valve fails, air is sucked in from the vacuum break valve and the hot water tank In addition to preventing the backflow of warm water, it is possible to prevent water from dropping due to the action of the vacuum break valve even in normal times.

(4) When re-energizing the motor drive valve, the controller drives the motor drive valve once to a predetermined position and then performs normal flow control by the flow control unit. In, by checking the valve position at the time of re-energization, it is possible to reliably perform water stoppage and flow rate adjustment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a motor drive valve of a water circuit device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the drive valve.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the operation of the drive valve.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a water circuit device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of a normal control operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation when the device is re-energized.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a water circuit device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional water circuit device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Motor drive valve 22 Water supply path 30 Stop pressure stop valve 34 Flow rate control unit 35 Water supply tank 37 Water supply pump (water supply control means) 38 Hot water tank 47 Controller 48 Water supply control unit 49 Setting device 56 Solenoid valve (water supply control means) 57 Vacuum break valve

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hideki Ohno 1006 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-107126 (JP, A) JP-A-61- 257546 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E03D 9/08 F16K 31/04 F16K 31/06 385

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water supply path, water supply control means provided in the water supply path for electrically starting and stopping water supply, and a hot water tank provided in the water supply path downstream of the water supply control means.
A motor drive valve provided in the water supply path downstream of the water supply control means for adjusting the water supply flow rate, a water supply setter for instructing water supply start and water supply stop, a flow setter for setting the water supply flow rate, and the water supply A controller having a water supply control unit for controlling the water supply control means by setting of a setting device, a flow control unit for adjusting a flow rate by the motor drive valve by setting of the flow rate setting device, and supplying water when the water supply control means is stopped. A stop pressure stop valve for urging the water supply path in the closing direction toward the upstream side to open the water supply path with the water pressure at the time of water supply of the water supply control means without opening the water supply path with the head pressure at the time of stop. Water circuit device equipped with 2. A water supply control means comprising a water supply pump, a water supply tank which is a water supply source of the water supply pump, and an urging force of the stop pressure water stop valve acting on the stop pressure water stop valve when water supply is stopped. The water circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the water circuit device is set to a force or more. 3. A water supply control means comprising a solenoid valve for closing a water supply path when electricity is not supplied, a vacuum break valve provided between the solenoid valve and a downstream hot water tank, and a stop pressure stop valve. 2. The water circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the urging force is set to be equal to or more than the acting force acting on the stop pressure water stop valve when the water supply is stopped. 4. The water circuit device according to claim 1, wherein when re-energizing the motor drive valve, the controller drives the motor drive valve once to a predetermined position and then performs normal flow control by the flow control unit.