JP3166891B2 - 2-input / 2-output type fluid control disk valve - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[Object of the invention]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-input / two-output type having two fluid inlets and two fluid outlets and capable of controlling the flow rate and direction of a flow only by rotation of a disk. The present invention relates to a fluid control disk valve. Two inputs of the present invention
The two-output type fluid control disk valve is connected, for example, to an electrolytic cell that generates hydrogen ion-rich acidic water and hydroxyl ion-rich alkaline water by electrolysis of water. It can be suitably used for controlling the flow ratio of water and switching the discharge direction of acidic water and alkaline water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Alkaline water rich in hydroxyl ions (OH ⁻ ) is conventionally called “alkali ion water”,
It is considered that it has an effect of promoting health when served in a beverage, and has an effect of enhancing the taste when used in tea, coffee and the like or in cooking. In addition, hydrogen ions (H ⁺ )
Rich acidic water is known to be suitable for boiling noodles, and acidic water having a high hydrogen ion concentration is useful for sterilization and sterilization of kitchen cutting boards and cloths.

[0003] In order to obtain such alkaline water or acidic water, an ion-rich water generator (often referred to in the industry as an ion water generator) has conventionally been used. The ion-rich water generator utilizes the electrolysis of water and has an electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode. When a DC voltage is applied between the electrodes, at the interface between the anode and water,
OH ⁻ present in water due to ionization of water is oxidized by giving electrons to the anode and converted into oxygen gas and removed from the system. As a result, the H ⁺ concentration increases at the interface between the anode and water, and H ⁺
A rich acidic water is produced. On the other hand, at the interface between the cathode and water, H ⁺ receives electrons from the cathode, is reduced to hydrogen, and is removed as hydrogen gas, so that the OH ⁻ concentration increases, and the OH ⁻ -rich alkaline water is provided on the cathode side. Is generated.

In an electrolytic cell for generating ion-rich water, it is preferable to control the relative flow ratio of alkaline water and acidic water in order to obtain electrolytic water having a desired hydrogen ion concentration. In addition, deposits such as calcium carbonate are deposited on the electrodes due to the use of the electrolytic cell, which lowers the electrolytic efficiency.
As disclosed in JP-A-51-77584, it is preferable to dissociate the deposit by applying a voltage of opposite polarity to the electrode at an appropriate time. During the application of the reverse voltage, the water flowing out of the electrolytic cell is not suitable for drinking and must be discarded.

FIG. 5 of JP-A-1-104388 discloses an ion-rich water generating apparatus provided with a flow control valve and a direction switching valve. The flow control valve 8 is used to control the flow ratio of alkaline water and acidic water. A directional control valve in the form of a slide valve 23 discharges the electrolyzed water from the drain 21 during application of a reverse voltage.

[0006]

In the ion-rich water generating apparatus disclosed in JP-A-1-104388, there are two operation units, an operation unit of a flow control valve and an operation unit of a direction switching valve.
The flow rate and direction cannot be controlled by a single actuator. Also, because a slide valve is used,
It is difficult to automatically control the flow rate and direction by an electric actuator such as a motor. Further, since the flow control valve and the direction switching valve are separately provided, the structure is complicated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-input / two-output type fluid control valve capable of controlling the flow rate and direction of two kinds of flows by a single actuator.

[0008] In another aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide a two-input, two-input, two-input, two-input, automatic control system capable of controlling the flow rate and direction by an electric actuator such as a motor.
An object of the present invention is to provide an output type fluid control valve.

[0009] In still another aspect, an object of the present invention is to control the flow rate and direction of two types of flow only by rotating the disk, thereby achieving a simple and compact structure.
An object of the present invention is to provide an input / two-output type fluid control disk valve.

In another aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide an ion-rich water generating apparatus which can be suitably used for controlling the flow rate ratio and discharge direction of acidic water and alkaline water flowing out of an electrolytic cell. An object of the present invention is to provide an input / two-output type fluid control valve.

[0011]

Configuration of the Invention

The two-input / two-output type fluid control valve of the present invention has two fluid inlets and two fluid outlets, and controls the flow ratio of two kinds of fluids. The control and switching of the discharge direction are performed. In the simplest embodiment of the present invention, a two-input, two-output fluid control valve of the present invention comprises a stationary member and a rotating disk slidingly engaging each other along a flat joint surface, and an axis of the disk. Driving means for rotating the disk about the center.

A first output port communicating with the first fluid outlet and a first fluid inlet communicate with the joint surface of the stationary member along a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the rotation axis of the disk. A first input port, a second input port communicating with a second fluid inlet, and a second input port communicating with a second fluid outlet.
And the other output ports are circumferentially separated from each other and opened in the above order.

The rotating disk controls the flow rate and direction of the flow. The rotating disk is formed with first and second fan-shaped recesses substantially diametrically opposed to each other, and these recesses are stationary. An opening is provided in the joint surface of the disk to face each port of the member. Between these recesses, the rotating disk has a closing surface that controls the opening of the first and second input ports of the stationary member.

At least one of these recesses of the rotating disk allows the first and second input ports to be in communication with one of the output ports at the same time, while the first and second input ports and the first and second output ports are in communication with each other. It has a circumferential extent that does not allow all to communicate at the same time.

[0015] With such a configuration, the disk is rotated by the driving means, and one of the recesses of the disk is aligned with the first and second input ports of the stationary member and is aligned with the first or second output port. At times, the total amount of fluid entering from the first and second input ports is selectively drained from the first or second output ports. Also, when the respective recesses of the disc are aligned with the first input port and the first output port and the second input port and the second output port, respectively, the fluid coming from the first and second input ports will be respectively , From the first and second output ports. Further, when the closing surface of the disk partially closes the first or second input port, the flow ratio of the fluid flowing out of the first output port to the fluid flowing out of the second output port is controlled. In this way, the flow rate and direction of the flow can be controlled only by rotating the disk.

The two-input / two-output fluid control valve of the present invention comprises:
Since it has only one rotating disk as a movable control member, the structure is extremely simple and can be formed compact. Also, since the flow rate and direction of the flow are controlled only by the rotational movement of the disk, the rotation angle position of the disk can be electrically controlled by an electric drive means such as a motor, which is suitable for automatically controlling the flow. ing.

The input port of the stationary member can be configured to continuously change the flow rate ratio of the flow, or can be configured to change the flow rate stepwise. When the fluid control valve of the present invention is used for controlling the flow ratio of acidic water and alkaline water flowing out of the electrolytic cell of the ion-rich water generator, the flow ratio of the acidic water and the alkaline water is set in advance. It is sufficient to change stepwise according to the ratio.
In such an application, the first input port and the second input port
At least one of the input ports is formed by at least two independent orifices circumferentially spaced from each other, the fluid exiting the first output port by closing the disc or any of the orifices and the second output port. It is preferred that the flow rate ratio of the fluid flowing out of is controlled stepwise. By doing so, the control of the rotational angle position of the disk can be made rough, so that the motor control program can be simplified.

If it is desired to continuously control the flow ratio of the flow, at least one of the first input port and the second input port may be formed by a circumferentially extending elongated orifice.

The above features and effects of the present invention, as well as other features and advantages, will become more apparent as the following description of the embodiments proceeds.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The accompanying drawings show an embodiment in which the two-input / two-output type fluid control valve of the present invention is incorporated in a domestic or commercial water treatment apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, this water treatment apparatus 1
Numeral 0 is placed on a kitchen counter 14 provided with a sink 12, for example. In the illustrated use example, a single-lever type hot / water mixer tap 16 is installed in the sink, and hot water from a hot water heater (not shown) is supplied to the hot / water mixer tap 16 via a hot water supply pipe 16A. Water is supplied from a water supply pipe 16B connected to a water pipe (not shown). A faucet adapter 20 having a built-in switching valve mechanism is attached to the spout 18 of the hot and cold water mixing tap 16.
And the treated water discharge hose 24 are connected to the water treatment apparatus 10. When the handle 26 of the adapter 20 is turned to a predetermined position, the clean water from the faucet 16 is sent to the water treatment device 10 by the clean water supply hose 22, and the treated water is sent back from the discharge hose 24 to the adapter 20. It is discharged from the outlet 28. When the handle 26 is turned to another position, the faucet 1
The untreated clean water (or hot and cold water mixture) from 6 is directly discharged from the outlet 28 of the adapter 20 without passing through the water treatment device 10. A waste water hose 30 is further connected to the water treatment device 10 so that unnecessary water generated in the water treatment device is drained to the sink 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, this water treatment apparatus 10
Removes particulate components such as red rust and microorganisms floating in the tap water by filtration of the filter in advance, and then removes harmful or undesired substances such as residual chlorine, trihalomethane and odorous substances dissolved in the tap water. The water is removed by the adsorption action of activated carbon, and the purified water thus purified is further electrolyzed as required to produce acidic water or alkaline water. For this reason, the water treatment apparatus 10 includes a filtration stage 32 having a built-in filter (not shown) such as a hollow fiber membrane filter, and an adsorption stage composed of an activated carbon cartridge 34 containing activated carbon fibers or granular activated carbon. And an electrolytic cell 36 for generating ion-rich water (acidic water or alkaline water). These components of the water treatment device are supported on a base 40 with a bottom plate 38 and are surrounded by an outer case 42.

The clean water from the faucet 16 is supplied to a clean water supply hose 22.
And the filtered clean water is sent to the activated carbon cartridge 34 via the hose 44. The activated carbon cartridge 34 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and an electric heater 46 is provided at the bottom thereof.
By energizing the electric heater 46 periodically or by a user's switch operation, the activated carbon cartridge 34 is activated.
Is heated. By heating, the activated carbon in the cartridge 34 is sterilized by boiling, chlorine and trihalomethane adsorbed on the activated carbon are desorbed, and the activated carbon is regenerated. A temperature-sensitive switching valve 50 is connected to an outlet 48 of the cartridge 34 so that hot water or steam generated at the time of activated carbon regeneration can be supplied to the outlet 52.
At the time of non-regeneration. The outlet 52 is appropriately connected to the waste water hose 30 via a hose and a joint (not shown) so that hot water or steam flows and is discharged to the drain 12. The outlet 54 is connected to the inlet of the electrolytic cell 36 via a hose (not shown).

An example of the configuration of the electrolytic cell 36 will be described with reference to FIGS. The illustrated electrolytic cell 36 is of a non-diaphragm type and has a vertically long pressure-resistant case 56 made of resin. As can be clearly understood from FIG. 3, three electrode plates, that is, a first side electrode plate 58, a center electrode plate 60, and a second side electrode plate 62 are sandwiched between a plurality of resin spacers 64 in the recess of the case 56. The electrolytic cell 36 is assembled by screwing the cover 66 to the case 56 in a liquid-tight manner. By arranging two side electrode plates on both sides of the center electrode plate 60, the electrolytic cell 36 has a parallel double structure. A terminal 68 is fixed to each electrode plate, and is connected to a DC power supply via a cord. In the alkaline water generation mode, a voltage is applied such that the side electrode plates 58 and 62 become anodes and the central electrode plate 60 becomes a cathode. In the acidic water generation mode, a voltage of the opposite polarity is applied.

As can be clearly seen from FIG. 4, the case 56 has a purified water inlet 70 and a first electrolyzed water outlet 72 (this outlet is an alkaline water outlet in an alkaline water supply mode, and an acidic water outlet in an acidic water supply mode. And the second
An electrolyzed water outlet 74 (an acidic water outlet in the alkaline water supply mode and an alkaline water outlet in the acidic water supply mode) is formed. The inlet 70 communicates with a distribution passage 76 having a substantially triangular cross section. As can be clearly understood from FIG. 5, the distribution passage 76 is formed by the case 56 and the cover 66, and extends over the entire length of the electrode plate in the vertical direction.

As can be clearly understood from the enlarged sectional view of FIG.
Two water passages 78 are formed on both sides of the center electrode plate 60. These water passages function as an electrolysis chamber in cooperation with the electrode plate. Since a plurality of spacers 64 extending in the horizontal direction are arranged between the electrode plates, the water purification inlet 7 is formed.
The water flowing down from 0 along the distribution passage 76 flows horizontally into the water passage 78 as shown in FIG. If the electrode interval is made sufficiently small, the water flow flowing in the water passage 78 in the horizontal direction becomes laminar. Therefore, even if a diaphragm is not provided between the electrode plates, the acidic water and the alkaline water generated along the electrode plate surface by the electrolysis can be separately collected.

The electrolyzed water generated along the surface of the central electrode plate 60 is recovered in the first electrolyzed water recovery passage 80 and discharged from the first outlet 72. This first electrolyzed water recovery passage 80
Are defined by a case 56 and a cover 66, and extend over the entire length of the electrode plate in the vertical direction, similarly to the distribution passage 32. The electrolyzed water generated along the surfaces of the side electrode plates 58 and 62 is collected in the second electrolyzed water recovery passage 82. For this reason, each side electrode plate has a slit 8
The electrolysis water flowing along the surfaces of the side electrode plates 58 and 62 flows into the second electrolysis water recovery passage 82. The electrolyzed water collected in the second electrolyzed water recovery passage 82 is supplied to the second outlet 74 through the communication port 86.
Is discharged from.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a valve unit 88 having a two-input / two-output type fluid control valve of the present invention is connected to the lower part of the electrolytic cell 36, and the electrolytic water outlet 72 and the electrolytic water outlet 72 of the electrolytic cell 36 are connected. The flow rate control and the direction control of the two types of electrolyzed water (acidic water and alkaline water) flowing out from 74 are performed. The valve unit 88 is provided with the fluid control valve 90 of the present invention.
And the electric actuator 92.

Referring to FIG. 9 to FIG.
In describing an embodiment of the input / output type fluid control valve, the fluid control valve 90 has a stationary member 94 and a rotating disk 96. The stationary member 94 and the rotating disk 96 each have flat mating surfaces 98 and 100, respectively, and are in fluid-tight sliding engagement with one another along these mating surfaces. In order to reduce sliding friction and prevent sticking, the stationary member 94 and the rotating disk 96 are made of a material mainly composed of a fluororesin (for example, a low friction resin "BEARLY" of NTN Precision Resins Co., Ltd.).
It is preferred to form with. The rotating disk 96 is driven to rotate by a shaft 102, so that a pin 104 of the shaft 102 is engaged with a notch 106 of the disk 96. The rotation drive and the rotation angle position of the shaft 102 are controlled by an electric actuator 92. The electric actuator 92 includes a conventional motor with a reduction gear (not shown) and a rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle position of the shaft 102. (Not shown) and a conventional angular position detecting device.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stationary member 94
Fits into a cylindrical bore 110 in a housing 108 with two fluid inlets and two fluid outlets. In order to stop the stationary member 94 from rotating with respect to the housing 108,
A notch 112 is formed in the stationary member 94 so as to engage with the protrusion 114 of the housing 108.
By positioning the stationary member 94 in the cylindrical bore 110, placing the rotating disk 96 thereon, engaging the notch 106 of the disk 96 with the pin 104 of the shaft 102, and screwing the cover 116 to the housing 108. , The control valve 90 can be assembled. The electric actuator 92 can be appropriately fixed to the cover 116 with screws or the like. In the embodiment shown, the shaft 10
2 is a hole 1 which penetrates the rotating disk 96 and the stationary member 94 and whose lower end is provided in the bottom of the bore 110 of the housing 108.
18 (FIG. 11). However, the shaft 102 may be supported only by the cover 116.

The housing 108 has a first inlet 120 and a second inlet 122 formed therein, which are respectively
The electrolytic cell 36 is connected to a first electrolytic water outlet 72 and a second outlet 74. The inlets 120 and 122 of the housing 108 have a first electrolyzed water outlet 126 and a second electrolyzed water outlet that open into the bottom surface of the bore 110 via corresponding internal passages, one of which is shown at 124 in FIG. 128
(FIG. 11). As can be clearly understood from FIG. 11, an inlet 130 for a working water passage and an inlet 132 for a waste water passage are further opened on the bottom surface of the bore 110,
These passages communicate with nipples 134 and 136 secured to the housing 108, respectively, via internal passages in the housing. Hose 2 for nipple 134
4 (FIG. 1), and the waste water hose 30 is connected to the nipple 136. These entrances 130, 126, 128, 132 which are open at the bottom of the housing 108,
As shown in FIG. 11, they are arranged along a circle of a predetermined radius centered on the axis of the disk 96 and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

As can be seen clearly from FIG.
4, the entrances 130, 126, 12
8 and 132 so as to face each other.
Fluid outlet) 138 and a first electrolytic water inlet (first fluid inlet)
140, a second electrolyzed water inlet (second fluid inlet) 142,
A waste water outlet (second fluid outlet) 144 is formed. As can be seen from FIG.
The entrances 138, 140, 142, 144 of the stationary members 94, 0, 126, 128, 132 and the corresponding entrances and exits 138, 140, 142, 144 have a stepped shape, and an annular sealing member (one of which is shown in FIG. (Indicated by reference numeral 146), the housing 108 and the stationary member 94 are sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

The used water outlet 138 and the waste water outlet 144 of the stationary member 94 are each provided with one used water output port (first output port) 14 that opens to the joint surface 98 of the stationary member 94.
8 and a waste water output port (second output port) 150. In contrast, in the illustrated embodiment, the first electrolyzed water inlet 140 of the stationary member 94 is connected to the joining surface 98.
The two orifices (first input ports) 152A and 152B communicate with two independent orifices that open to the second opening, and the second electrolyzed water inlet 142 has two orifices (second input ports).
It is in communication with 154A and 154B. In the illustrated embodiment, orifice 152A has a large diameter, orifices 152B and 154A have an intermediate diameter, and orifice 154B has a small diameter.

The output ports 148 and 150 opening into the joining surface 98 of the stationary member 94 and the orifice 1
52 and 154 are controlled by a rotating disk 96. For this reason, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 10, two diametrically opposed fan-shaped recesses 156 and 158 are formed on the lower surface of the disk 96. In the illustrated embodiment, recess 156 has a greater circumferential extent than recess 158. This recess 156 has two input orifices 152 and 154 and either output port 1
It has a spread over 48 or 150. A closing surface 160 is formed between these recesses 156 and 158 to close either orifice 152 or 154. As will be described below with reference to FIG. 15, the disk 96 is rotated to force any or all of the input orifices 152 and 154 to either output port 148 or 150 via recess 156 or 158.
, The discharge destination of the water is switched.
Also, the orifice 152B or 15B
By closing 4A, the flow rate is variably controlled stepwise. The circumferential width of the closing surface 160 is the orifice 152B.
And 154A to ensure that the orifice can be closed.

Referring again to FIG. 2, an operation display section 162 is provided on the base 40 of the water treatment apparatus 10. Also,
In the base 40, an electric heater 46, an electrolytic cell 36, and an electric actuator 92 for regenerating activated carbon of the water treatment apparatus 10 are provided.
A control device for controlling the motor is arranged.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the layout of the operation display unit 162. The operation display section 162 includes an activated carbon manual regeneration switch 164 for regenerating activated carbon in the cartridge 34 in response to a user command, a regeneration time setting switch 166 for setting activated carbon regeneration time in the activated carbon automatic regeneration mode, and a liquid crystal display. A display panel 168, selection switches 170 and 172 for the user to select the type of water to be used, a light emitting diode 174 for displaying the selected type of water, and the like can be provided. In the illustrated layout, the operation display unit 162 includes the selection switch 170 or 1
By operating the filter 72, the purified water purified by the filter 32 and the activated carbon cartridge 34 and the acidic water or the alkaline water obtained by further electrolyzing the purified water can be selected. Further, the pH of the alkaline water can be adjusted to three levels of strong, medium and weak. For example, in the acidic water discharge mode, a weakly acidic water having a pH of 6.5 is obtained, and in the alkaline water discharge mode, a pH of 8.5 is obtained.
5, pH 9.0, or pH 9.5 alkaline water can be obtained.

One of the constitutions of the control device of the water treatment device 10 is as follows.
An example is shown in FIG. Power for controller 176 is obtained from commercial AC power supply 180 via power cord 178 (FIG. 1). The control device 176 has a programmed microcomputer (hereinafter, microcomputer) 182. The microcomputer 182 controls the power and polarity of the direct current supplied to the electrolytic cell 36, controls the electric actuator 92 for driving the rotating disk 96 of the fluid control valve 90, and controls the activated carbon of the activated carbon cartridge 34. It is programmed to control the power supply to the regeneration heater 46.

The microcomputer 182 drives a motor with a reduction gear of the electric actuator 92 via a motor driver. The rotary encoder incorporated in the actuator 92 detects the rotation angle position of the final output stage of the reduction gear, and sends the signal to the microcomputer 182. The microcomputer 182 controls the actuator 92 according to a signal from the rotary encoder.
Is controlled, the shaft 102 of the control valve 90 is controlled.
(Consequently, the rotating disk 96) is controlled to a desired rotation angle position.

Control device 176 includes a diode bridge 1 for full-wave rectification of the current from commercial AC power supply 180.
84 and a switching power supply circuit 186. Schematically, the control device 176 causes the microcomputer 182 to theoretically calculate the required electrolysis power of the electrolytic cell 36 based on various parameters, so that the power actually supplied to the electrolytic cell becomes the required electrolytic power. The microcomputer 182 is configured to feedback-control the switching power supply circuit 186. More specifically, the switching power supply circuit 186 includes a photocoupler 188, a capacitor 190 for smoothing its output, a switching power supply IC 192 having a pulse width modulation function, and a switching transistor 194.
And a switching transformer 196.

The current from the commercial AC power supply 180 is full-wave rectified by the diode bridge 184, and its DC output is applied to the primary side of the switching transformer 196. The pulse width of the DC current flowing through the primary coil of the switching transformer 196 is determined by the switching power supply IC 19
2 driven by switching transistor 19
4 is induced in the secondary coil of the switching transformer 196 according to the duty ratio of the primary side pulse. The secondary coil of the switching transformer 196 is connected to the electrode plate of the electrolytic cell 36 via a changeover switch 198 for inverting the polarity of the voltage.
The changeover switch 198 is controlled by a relay 200 driven by the microcomputer 182.

The electrolytic cell 36 and the switching transformer 19
6 is connected in series with a current detecting resistor 202 for detecting a current flowing in the electrolytic cell, and a pair of voltage detecting resistors for detecting a voltage applied to the electrolytic cell. 204 is connected in parallel. The connection between these resistors 202 and 204 is connected to the A / D conversion input terminal of the microcomputer, and the microcomputer 182 detects the current and voltage supplied to the electrolytic cell by periodically checking the potential of the connection. I do.

The control device 176 further includes a solid state relay (SSR) 206 for controlling the energization of the activated carbon regeneration heater 46.
82. A thermistor 208 is in contact with the bottom of the activated carbon cartridge 34, the temperature of the bottom of the cartridge is detected by the thermistor 208, and the signal is input to the microcomputer 182.

Referring also to FIG. 15, the fluid control valve 90
And operation of the control device 176 and the water treatment device 10
To explain the mode of use, the user operates the operation switch 17.
When "Pure water" is selected by the operation of 0 or 172,
The microcomputer 182 moves the disk 96 of the fluid control valve 90 in FIG.
Positioning is performed at the angular position shown in FIG. In this position, the first recess 156 of the disk 96 has all input orifices 152 and 154 and the water output port 1
48. Also, the wastewater output port 150 that matches the second recess 158 is isolated from the input orifices 152 and 154. Therefore, input orifice 1
52 and 154 are connected to a working water output port 148 through a recess 156, and water entering the control valve 90 from the two outlets 72 and 74 of the electrolytic cell 36 via the inlets 120 and 122 of the housing 108. Is sent to the use water discharge hose 24 via the use water output port 148.

In the purified water supply mode, the electrolytic cell 3
No power is supplied to 6. The handle is switched by the user 2
6 (FIG. 1), when the faucet 16 is connected to the water treatment apparatus 10 and the faucet 16 is opened, the tap water is purified by passing through the hollow fiber membrane filter 32 and the activated carbon cartridge 34,
The purified water passes through the suspended electrolytic cell 36 and the used water discharge hose 24
And is discharged from the faucet 28.

When the user selects "alkaline water", the disk 96 of the fluid control valve 90 is rotated to the angular position shown in FIG. In this angular position, the input orifices 152A and 152B are in communication with the working water output port 148 via the first recess 156 of the disk 96,
The input orifice 154B is connected to the waste water output port 150 via the second recess 158. Input orifice 1
The 52A and 152B bores have an input orifice 154B
And the closing surface 16 of the disc 96
0 indicates that the input orifice 154A is closed, so that the flow rate of water flowing through the used water output port 148 is discarded.
It is larger than the flow rate of water flowing to 50. Input orifice 1
The diameters of 52A, 152B, and 154B are, for example, such that the flow rate of water flowing from the first outlet 72 of the electrolytic cell 36 to the use water output port 148 is 4 l / min, and the waste water port 150 is supplied from the second outlet 74 of the electrolytic cell 36 The flow rate of flowing water is 1L
/ Min. Disc 96
The circumferential width of the closing surface 160 of the input orifice 154A
Is larger than the diameter of the orifice 154A even if the angular position of the disk 96 is not precisely positioned.
Can be securely closed. Therefore, the motor of the actuator 92 can be roughly controlled.

In this alkaline water supply mode,
The center electrode plate 60 serves as a cathode, and the side electrode plates 58 and 6
A voltage is applied to the electrolytic cell 36 with a polarity such that 2 serves as an anode. Therefore, alkaline water is generated along the surface of the cathode plate 60 and sent to the first outlet 72 of the electrolytic cell 36, and acidic water is generated along the surfaces of the anode plates 58 and 62 and sent to the second outlet 74. Can be Due to the action of the fluid control valve 90, the flow rate of the alkaline water flowing through the first outlet 72 of the electrolytic cell 36 becomes
1 / min, and the flow rate of the acidic water flowing through the second outlet 74 is controlled to 1 l / min. In the alkaline water supply mode, the generated acidic water is discarded water. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the flow rate of the acidic water. However, if the flow rate of the acidic water is excessively suppressed, the generated acidic water is mixed with the alkaline water, so that it becomes difficult to increase the pH of the alkaline water to a desired value. The best efficiency can be obtained by setting the flow ratio of alkaline water to acidic water to 4: 1. The power supplied to the electrolytic cell 36 is controlled by the microcomputer 182 so that a desired pH (for example, pH 8.5, pH 9.0, or pH 9.5) selected by the user is obtained. The obtained alkaline water is sent to a faucet via a discharge hose 24, and the acidic water is discarded into a sink via a waste water hose 30.

When the user selects "acidic water", the switch 200 is energized to activate the changeover switch 198.
Are inverted, and the center electrode plate 60 becomes an anode, and the side electrode plate 5
Electric power is supplied to the electrolytic cell 36 with a polarity such that 8 and 62 become cathodes. Therefore, acidic water is obtained at the first outlet 72 of the electrolytic cell 36, and alkaline water is output at the second outlet 74. Also, the disk 96 of the fluid control valve 90 is shown in FIG.
It is rotated to the angular position shown in FIG. At this angular position, the flow rate of the acidic water to the working water outlet 148 is, for example, 3 l /
Min, and the flow rate of the alkaline water to the waste water outlet 150 is 2 l / min. The acidic water is sent to the faucet and the alkaline water is discarded in the sink as waste water.

With the use of the electrolytic cell 36, CaCO ₃ , Ca (OH) ₂ , Mg (OH) _{2 and the} like are deposited on the surface of the cathode plate, thereby deteriorating the performance of the electrolytic cell. Therefore, as is well known in this technical field, by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the previous use at an appropriate time, the precipitate is dissolved and removed from the electrode plate (hereinafter referred to as “reverse electric cleaning”). That)
Is preferred. Precipitates are dissolved in the water flowing out of the electrolytic cell 36 during the reverse power cleaning, and are not suitable for drinking. Thus, in the reverse cleaning mode, the rotating disk 96 is positioned at the angular position shown in FIG. At this angular position, the entire amount of water flowing out of the electrolytic cell 36 is sent to the waste water outlet 150 and the hose 3
Discarded in the sink via 0.

Further, with the passage of water through the activated carbon cartridge 34, the activated carbon adsorbs substances, and the adsorption performance of the activated carbon decreases. Therefore, it is preferable to regenerate the activated carbon by heating the activated carbon cartridge 34 at an appropriate time when the water treatment apparatus 10 is not used. The microcomputer 182 of the control device 176 is programmed to turn on the heater 46 when the playback time set by the playback time setting switch 166 has arrived or when the manual regeneration switch 164 has been pressed. When the heater 46 is energized, the cartridge 3
The water in 4 is boiled, the activated carbon in the cartridge 34 is sterilized by boiling, and volatile substances such as trihalomene and chlorine ions adsorbed on the activated carbon are desorbed to regenerate the activated carbon. When the water retained in the cartridge 34 and the water contained in the activated carbon evaporate, the temperature at the bottom of the cartridge 34 detected by the thermistor 208 increases. The microcomputer 182 determines that the temperature at the bottom of the cartridge 34 is, for example, 120 ° C.
Is exceeded, the power supply to the heater 46 is terminated.

Preferably, the microcomputer 182 is programmed to periodically drive the motor of the actuator 92 to rotate the rotating disk 96 when the water treatment device 10 is not used. This can prevent the rotating disk 96 from sticking to the stationary member 94.

FIG. 16 shows the fluid control valve 90 of the present invention described above.
2 shows a variation of the layout of FIG. In FIG. 16, components common to the components described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this layout, each input port 152 and 154 is formed as a single, elongated, circumferentially extending port. In the positions of FIGS. 16A and 16D, input ports 152 and 154
Is sent to the first outlet 148 or the second outlet 150, respectively. The disk 96 is shown in FIG.
When in the position (C), the input ports 152 and 1
Fluid coming from 54 is sent to a first outlet 148 and a second outlet 150, respectively. As shown in FIG. 16B, when the closing surface 160 of the disk 96 partially closes the input port 152 or 154, the flow ratio flowing out of the first outlet 148 and the second outlet 150 is increased or decreased.
In this layout, the flow rate ratio can be continuously changed by controlling the rotation angle position of the disk 96.

Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the fluid control valve of the water treatment apparatus has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an application example, and the fluid control valve of the present invention has two types. Can be widely used for controlling the flow rate and direction of fluid. Further, the layout of the ports of the stationary member 94 and the disk 96 can be appropriately changed. Disc 9
6 can be driven to rotate manually or may be driven by an actuator other than a motor.

[0052]

According to the present invention, the two-input / two-output type fluid control valve 9 of the present invention.
0 is significantly simpler to operate because the flow and direction of the two streams can be controlled by simply rotating the disk 96.

In another aspect, since the flow rate and direction of the flow are controlled only by the rotational movement of the disk 96, the disk 96 can be controlled by an electric actuator 92 such as a motor, and the flow can be electrically controlled automatically. Suitable to control.

In still another aspect, the fluid control valve 90
Can be composed only of the stationary member 94, the rotating disk 96 and the driving means (shaft) 102, so that the structure is extremely simple, and can be formed compactly and at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of use of a water treatment apparatus incorporating a fluid control valve of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the water treatment apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrolytic cell shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing an assembled state of the electrolytic cell.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4, in which an electrode plate and spacers are omitted for simplification of the drawing.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion inside a circle in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid control valve.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the stationary member and the disk shown in FIG. 9 as viewed obliquely from below.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the housing shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows an example of an operation display unit.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control device.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 12, showing the rotating discs of the fluid control valve at different angular positions.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15 showing a variation of the layout of the stationary member and the disk;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10: Water treatment device 36: Electrolyzer 90: 2-input / 2-output fluid control valve 92: Electric actuator 94: Static member of fluid control valve 96: Rotating disk of fluid stationary 98: Joint surface of stationary member 100: Rotating disk 138: The first fluid outlet of the stationary member 144: The second fluid outlet of the stationary member 140: The first fluid inlet of the stationary member 142: The second fluid inlet of the stationary member 148: The first output port 150 of the stationary member 150: The second output port of the stationary member 152: The first input port (orifice) of the stationary member 154: The second input port (orifice) 156, 158 of the stationary member 156, 158: The recess 160 of the rotating disk 160: Closing surface of rotating disc

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Akemi Kuroda 2-1-1, Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Tochiki Kiki Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16K 11/00-11/24 F16K 31/04

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A stationary member and a rotating disk slidingly engaged with each other along a flat joint surface, and drive means for rotating the disk around an axis of the disk, wherein the joint surface of the stationary member has A first output port communicating with a first fluid outlet, a first input port communicating with a first fluid inlet, and a second input port communicating with a first fluid outlet along a circle having a predetermined radius centered on the rotation axis of the disk. A second input port communicating with the fluid inlet and a second output port communicating with the second fluid outlet are open in the circumferential direction so as to be separated from each other; First and second recesses which are opened at the joint surface of the disk so as to face the respective ports and are substantially diametrically opposed to each other; and a closure which controls the opening of the first and second input ports. With a face Said first and at least one second recess of the rotary disc, the first and second but communicates the input port with Izure or the one output port simultaneously, the first and second
It has a circumferential extension that does not allow all of the input port and the first and second output ports to communicate at the same time, so that, depending on the rotational angle position of the disk, the one recess of the disk is the first recess of the stationary member. And when the second input port is aligned with the first or second output port, the total amount of fluid coming from the first and second input ports is selectively drained from the first or second output port and Are aligned with the first input port and the first output port and the second input port and the second output port, respectively, the fluid coming from the first and second input ports is respectively the first and second input ports. Flowed out of the second output port,
When the closing surface of the disk partially closes the first or second input port, the flow ratio of the fluid flowing out of the first output port to the fluid flowing out of the second output port is controlled. 2-input / 2-output type fluid control disk valve. At least one of said first input port and said second input port comprises at least two orifices circumferentially spaced from each other, said first output port being provided by closing one of said orifices with a closing surface of the disk; 2. The fluid control disk valve according to claim 1, wherein the flow ratio of the fluid flowing out of the port and the fluid flowing out of the second output port is controlled stepwise. 3. The fluid control disc valve according to claim 2, wherein the closing surface of the disc has a circumferential width substantially greater than the diameter of the orifice. At least one of said first input port and said second input port comprises an elongate orifice extending in a circumferential direction, and wherein a closing surface of a disk partially closes said orifice to thereby cause a displacement from the first output port. 2. The fluid control disk valve according to claim 1, wherein the flow ratio of the fluid flowing out and the fluid flowing out of the second output port is continuously controlled. 5. The driving means for rotating a disk,
5. A fluid control disk valve according to claim 1, comprising an electric motor controlled by control means. 6. The fluid control disk according to claim 5, wherein said control means prevents the rotating disk from sticking to the stationary member by periodically driving a motor to rotate the rotating disk. valve. 7. The disk valve is connected to an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen ion-rich acidic water and hydroxyl ion-rich alkaline water by electrolysis of water, and a flow rate of the acidic water and the alkaline water flowing out of the electrolytic cell. A fluid control disk valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, used for ratio control and directional control.