JP4517385B2 - Water supply control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water supply control device capable of easily setting water discharge, water stoppage, flow rate, and temperature by a simple operation of an operation switch in a faucet device for supplying water to a kitchen or a washroom.

As a conventional technique, there is a faucet device that remotely controls switching of water discharge and water stoppage of a faucet attached to a sink, a wash basin or the like by a foot switch provided at the foot.
The structure is provided with a foot switch as an operation part at the foot, and opens and closes an electromagnetic valve provided in the water supply path according to the operation to discharge and stop water. Thus, even when both hands are closed or dirty, the faucet can be opened and closed by foot operation, and it is used as a user-friendly faucet device. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

As another conventional technique, there is a water faucet device that switches water discharge, water stoppage, flow rate, and temperature by a plurality of operation switches provided on the water faucet at hand. According to this, not only opening and closing of the faucet but also temperature and flow rate can be adjusted by operating the switch at hand. (For example, see Patent Document 2)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-371604 (page 4, FIG. 1) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-17651 (page 4, Fig. 2)

The conventional foot switch can switch the water faucet and water stop by operating the foot switch, but cannot switch the temperature and flow rate. For this reason, it was necessary to use it in combination with a faucet having a flow rate adjusting function and a temperature adjusting function for adjusting the flow rate and temperature. Furthermore, since the operation must be performed by hand, the advantage of the foot switch that it can be operated without using the hand when both hands are blocked or dirty is halved.
In addition, when multiple switches are provided at the foot for simply switching the temperature and flow rate, it is difficult to determine the operating position of which switch is located. For example, it is necessary to check the position of the switch.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a water supply control device with improved usability that can easily perform water discharge, water stop, flow rate, and temperature setting by a simple operation of an operation switch. With the goal.

According to claim 1 of the present invention, in a water supply control device for supplying water to a water outlet such as a kitchen or a washroom and discharging water, the flow rate adjusting means for switching the water discharge flow rate and the water stop and the number of operations of one operation unit. And a control means for driving the flow rate adjusting means so as to obtain a plurality of preset water discharge flow rates and water stoppages, and the control means has an operation time interval of the operation unit that exceeds a predetermined time after the start of water discharge. When it reaches, the flow rate adjusting means is driven to stop water by the operation of the operation unit next time .

In the present invention, in response to repeated operation of the simple single operating unit allows a plurality of water discharge flow rate and the water stop which is preset, it is possible to improve the usability.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to adjust the flow rate by the faucet, the flow rate adjusting function can be eliminated from the faucet, so that the structure can be simplified and the cost of the faucet used in combination can be reduced.
In addition, when the operation time interval of the operation unit reaches a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the faucet has been used at the set flow rate, and in the next operation, water is stopped without switching the flow rate. Since the water can be stopped immediately by the operation, the usability can be further improved.

In claim 2, in the water supply control device for supplying water to the water outlet such as a kitchen or a washroom and discharging water, according to the flow rate adjusting means for switching the water discharge flow rate and the water stop, and the operation time of one operation unit And a control means for driving the flow rate adjusting means so as to obtain a plurality of preset water discharge flow rates and water stoppages, and the control means detects the operation of the operation unit immediately in a water stop state when the flow rate adjusting means is detected. When the operation time of the operation unit is less than a predetermined time in the water discharge state, the flow rate adjusting means is driven to switch between water discharge / water stop and the operation time of the operation unit is switched. When the time reaches a predetermined time or more, the flow rate adjusting means is driven to switch the flow rate.

In the present invention, it is possible by a simple operation of merely changing the operation time of one of the operation portions, allows a plurality of water discharge flow rate and the water stop which is set in advance, thereby improving the usability.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to adjust the flow rate by the faucet, the flow rate adjusting function can be eliminated from the faucet, so that the structure can be simplified and the cost of the faucet used in combination can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means stores the flow rate setting state before the water stop and drives the flow rate adjusting means so that the flow rate setting state before the previous water stop is reached at the next re-water discharge.

  In the present invention, by automatically returning to the flow rate setting at the previous use from a plurality of flow rate setting states, it is not necessary to set the flow rate again and the usability can be improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means drives the flow rate adjusting means so as to be an intermediate flow rate among the plurality of preset water discharge flow rates when water discharge starts.

  In the present invention, since the frequency of the flow rate adjusting operation can be reduced by starting water discharge at a flow rate setting with a high frequency of use from a plurality of flow rate setting states, the usability can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate adjusting means divides the water flow passage into a plurality of channels, and a constant flow valve and an on-off valve are provided in series in each of the water flow passages, and the flow rate is controlled by a combination of opening and closing of the on-off valves. I decided to switch.

  In the present invention, the motor valve and the flow rate detection means are not required, and the flow rate can be switched instantaneously by a simple opening / closing combination of the on-off valve, and the fluctuation of the feed water pressure is affected by the constant flow valve provided for each water flow passage. Stable flow rate adjustment that is not performed becomes possible.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the plurality of on-off valves are closed, the constant flow valves are sequentially closed with a time difference from the on-off valve of the water passage having a large flow rate setting.

  In the present invention, it is possible to reduce water hammer generated at the time of water stoppage by decreasing the flow rate stepwise when switching from the water discharge state to the water stop state.

In claim 7 , when the flow rate is adjusted by switching one on-off valve from open to closed and the other on-off valve from closed to open, after providing a time zone in which both on-off valves are open at the same time, The on-off valve was closed.

  In the present invention, when the flow rate is adjusted by switching the opening and closing of a plurality of on-off valves, the opening / closing during the flow rate switching is maintained by maintaining the time zone during which the on-off valve is open during the flow rate switching. It becomes possible to reduce the water hammer generated when the valve is closed.

In claim 8, the control means detects the operation of the operation unit in the water stop state and sets the water discharge state, and then when the operation time of the operation unit reaches a predetermined time or longer, the flow rate adjustment is performed. The means is driven to switch the flow rate, and then the flow rate is sequentially switched every time the operation time reaches a predetermined time.

In the present invention, in accordance with the operation of the simple single operating unit, the water discharge, it enables multiple water discharge temperature and the water stop which is preset, it is possible to improve the usability.
Furthermore , by switching the flow rate adjusting means according to the operation time of the operation unit, the flow rate can be adjusted in addition to water discharge and water stop by simple operation of one operation switch, and usability can be improved .

In the present invention, in accordance with the operation of the simple single operating unit allows a plurality of water discharge flow rate and the water stop which is preset, it is possible to improve the usability.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to adjust the flow rate by the faucet, the flow rate adjusting function can be eliminated from the faucet, so that the structure can be simplified and the cost of the faucet used in combination can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a flow rate switching water supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 are connected to the temperature adjusting unit 13, and the secondary side pipe of the temperature adjusting unit 13 is connected to the flow rate adjusting means 91. The water flow path 14 of the flow rate adjusting means 91 is branched into a plurality of water flow paths 15 and 16, and the constant flow valves 21 and 22 and the open / close valves 31 and 32 are connected in series to the water flow paths 15 and 16, respectively. The The plurality of water flow paths 15 and 16 are joined again and connected to the water outlet 4.
Off valve 31, 32 is driven to open and close by the control unit 5 in accordance with the sink 7, etc. in the installed operation of the operation unit 6.
When the on-off valve 31 is opened, water is discharged with the amount of water adjusted by the constant flow valve 21. Similarly, when the on-off valve 32 is opened, water is discharged with the amount of water adjusted by the constant flow valve 22. Furthermore, when the on-off valve 31 and the on-off valve 32 are opened simultaneously, the water amounts adjusted by the constant flow valve 21 and the constant flow valve 22 merge and are discharged.
Here, if the set flow rate of the constant flow valve 21 is a small flow rate and the set flow rate of the constant flow valve 22 is a medium flow rate, the small flow rate is opened when only the open / close valve 31 is opened, the intermediate flow rate is opened when only the open / close valve 32 is opened, When both 32 are opened at the same time, it is possible to switch water discharge at a large flow rate.
Thereby, a motor valve and a flow rate detection means are not required, and the flow rate can be switched by a simple opening / closing combination of on / off valves such as electromagnetic valves. Furthermore, the constant flow rate valves 21 and 22 provided in the water flow paths 15 and 16 enable stable flow rate adjustment that is not affected by fluctuations in the water supply pressure.
When electromagnetic valves are used as the on-off valves 31 and 32, the response time is faster than that of a motor valve, and the flow rate can be switched instantaneously.

  FIG. 2 and Table 1 show a time chart relating to flow rate switching according to the number of operations, which is an embodiment of the present invention, and a state of discharged water flow rate.

By the first operation of the operation unit 6, the control means 5 opens the on-off valve (small flow rate side) 31, and water is discharged at a small flow rate. When the operation unit 6 is operated again, the on-off valve (small flow rate side) 31 is closed and the on-off valve (medium flow rate side) 32 is opened by the second operation, and water is discharged at a medium flow rate. Further, when the operation unit 6 is operated again, the on-off valve 31 (small flow rate side) is opened again by the third operation, and water is discharged at a large flow rate. By the fourth operation, both the on-off valves 31 and 32 are closed to stop water. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every time the operation unit 6 is operated.
This way, by enabling switching the flow rate in accordance with the number of operations of the operation unit 6, be equipped with operation unit 6 to the hard example see location, one of the simple repetition operation of the operation switch, the water discharge, water stop In addition, the flow rate can be adjusted without using a hand, improving usability.

FIG. 3 shows a time chart relating to flow rate switching provided with a time limit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
When the operation time interval of the operation unit 6 is operated again after a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) after the start of water discharge, the flow rate is switched, and when operated again after the predetermined time has elapsed, the water flow is stopped without switching the flow rate. It is what I did.
In the example of FIG. 3, water discharge is started at a small flow rate by the first operation. Thereafter, when the second operation is performed, since the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous first operation, the flow rate is switched to the medium flow rate. Next, when the third operation is performed, since a predetermined time or more has passed since the last operation, the water is stopped without switching the flow rate. If the third operation is performed before the predetermined time has elapsed, the flow rate is switched to a large flow rate.
When the operation time interval of the operation unit 6 in the water discharge becomes longer than a predetermined time, it is considered that the user is working on the laundry with the current water discharge amount. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the next operation will be after the end of the work, so stopping the water without switching the flow rate eliminates the need to repeatedly operate the operation unit 6 to stop the water and improves the usability. Can do.

FIG. 4 shows a time chart relating to flow rate switching by operation time according to an embodiment of the present invention.
When the operation time of the operation unit 6 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), switching operation of water discharge and water stop is performed, and when the operation time reaches a predetermined time or more, the flow rate is changed from a small flow rate to a medium flow rate and a large flow rate. The switching operation is performed again in the order of small flow rates.
In the example of FIG. 4, since the first operation time is shorter than a predetermined time, water discharge is started at a small flow rate. Since the second operation time is longer than the predetermined time, every time the operation time reaches the predetermined time, the medium flow rate, the large flow rate, and the small flow rate are switched again in this order. And it sets to the flow volume which is discharging water at the time of stopping operation. Since the third operation time is shorter than the predetermined time, the water is stopped without switching the flow rate. If it is operated for a predetermined time or longer, the flow rate is switched again without stopping water.
In addition, when the operation unit 6 is operated for a long time by the first operation, water discharge starts immediately after detecting the operation of the operation unit 6 and then the flow rate is sequentially switched every time the operation time reaches a predetermined time. To go.
By switching the operation of the on-off valves 31 and 32 according to the operation time of the operation unit 6 in this way, even if the operation unit 6 is installed in a place where it is difficult to see, such as a foot, the water can be discharged and stopped by a simple operation of one operation switch. in addition to water flow rate regulation also allows, it is possible to improve the usability.

3 and 4, the time chart for starting water discharge from a small flow rate is shown. However, the flow rate setting state before the last water stop is stored, and at the next re-water discharge, water discharge is started in the flow rate setting state before the previous water stop. In this case, it is not necessary to set the flow rate again, and the usability can be further improved.
In addition, by learning the frequency of the flow rate setting state before water stoppage, water discharge may be started at the flow rate with the highest use frequency, and the flow rate setting may be switched in order of the frequency of use.
In addition, it is possible to reduce the frequency of the flow adjustment operation by starting the water discharge every time at a flow setting (for example, medium flow) that is generally considered to be frequently used from a plurality of flow setting states, thus improving usability. can do.

FIG. 5 shows a time chart relating to the closing of a plurality of on-off valves.
When shutting off water by closing a plurality of on-off valves, the on-off valve 32 of the water flow passage 16 having a large flow rate setting is closed, and a water flow having a small flow rate setting after a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) by providing a time difference. The on-off valve 31 of the passage 15 is closed. Thus, by providing a time difference and closing the on-off valves 31 and 32 to gradually reduce the flow rate stepwise, it is possible to reduce water hammer generated when water stops from a large flow rate.

FIG. 6 shows a time chart relating to the flow rate switching from the small flow rate to the medium flow rate.
When switching from the small flow rate to the medium flow rate, the on-off valve 32 is first opened, and a time difference is provided, and the on-off valve 31 is closed after a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds). Similarly, when switching from the medium flow rate to the small flow rate, the on-off valve 31 is first opened and the on-off valve 32 is closed after a predetermined time.
When adjusting the flow rate by switching the opening and closing of multiple on-off valves in this way, the on-off valve closing during the flow rate switching is maintained by continuing the water discharge while maintaining the time zone when any on-off valve is open during the flow rate switching It is possible to reduce water hammers that sometimes occur.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a temperature switching water supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Hot water supply pipe 11 and water supply pipe 12 are connected to temperature adjusting means 92. The constant flow valves 23 and 24 and the on-off valves 33 and 34 are connected in series to the hot water supply path 17 and the water supply path 18 of the temperature adjusting means 92, respectively, and then connected to the water discharge port 4 via the flow rate control unit 8. Is done.
The on-off valves 33 and 34 are driven to open and close by the control means 5 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 6 installed at the foot of the sink 7 or the like.
When the on-off valve 33 is opened, hot water is discharged. Further, when the on-off valve 34 is opened, water is discharged. Further, when the on-off valve 33 and the on-off valve 34 are opened simultaneously, the mixed water of hot water is discharged.

  FIG. 8 and Table 2 show a time chart related to temperature switching according to the number of operations, which is an embodiment of the present invention, and a state of water discharge temperature.

The control means 5 opens the on-off valve (water side) 34 by the first operation of the operation unit, and water is discharged. When the operation unit is operated again, the on-off valve (hot water side) 33 is also opened by the second operation, and the mixed water of hot water is discharged. When the operation unit is operated again, the on-off valve (water side) 34 is closed by the third operation, and hot water is discharged. By the fourth operation, the on-off valve (hot water side) 33 is also closed to stop water. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every time the operation unit is operated.
By that it allows to switch the water discharge temperature, it is equipped with operation unit 6 to the hard example see location, one of the simple repetition operation of the operation switch in accordance with the thus operated number of times of the operation portion 6, spouting, stop temperature regulation in addition to water also becomes possible, it is possible to improve the usability.
In addition, the mixing ratio of hot water during mixed water discharge can be set by the ratio of the set flow rates of the constant flow valves 23 and 24, and the mixing ratio is stable without being affected by fluctuations or pressure differences in the feed water pressure and hot water pressure. It becomes possible to discharge water.

FIG. 9 shows a time chart relating to temperature switching according to operation time according to an embodiment of the present invention.
When the operation time of the operation unit 6 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), switching operation of water discharge and water stop is performed, and when the operation time reaches a predetermined time or more, the water discharge is mixed from water, hot water, water again In this order, the switching operation is performed.
By switching the operation of the opening and closing valve 33 thus by the operation time of the operation unit 6, it is equipped with e difficult locations on the operating unit seen, by simple manipulation of a single operating switch, water discharge, the water stop in addition temperature regulation becomes possible, it is possible to improve the usability.

The operation signal transmission method from the operation unit 6 to the control unit 5 may be a wired type in which the operation unit 6 and the control unit 5 are connected by a signal line, or may be a wireless type using radio waves or infrared rays. When a radio system using radio waves is used, the workability of the operation unit 6 and the control means 5 and the degree of freedom of the mounting position can be improved.
In addition, after the start of water discharge or after adjusting the flow rate and temperature, the on-off valves 33 and 34 are closed to automatically stop the water when a predetermined time elapses, thereby preventing useless use of water such as forgetting to stop the water. can do.
This water supply control device can be applied to all faucets such as bathroom faucets and showers, toilet faucets, and watering faucets in addition to kitchen faucets and toilet faucets.
In this water supply control device, in addition to faucet water discharge and water stoppage, the flow rate adjustment and temperature adjustment operations are performed by one common operation switch, and the operation unit 6 is provided with switches for other functions. There is no limit.

The system block diagram of the flow volume switching water supply control apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns on the flow volume switching by the frequency | count of operation which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns on the flow volume switching which provided the time restriction | limiting which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns on the flow volume switching by the operation time which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns at the time of the several on-off valve closing which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns on the opening / closing switching of the some on-off valve which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The system block diagram of the temperature switching water supply control apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns on the temperature switching by the frequency | count of operation which is one embodiment of this invention is shown. The time chart which concerns on the temperature switching by the operation time which is one embodiment of this invention is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Hot water supply pipe 12 ... Water supply pipe 13 ... Temperature control part 14 ... Water flow path 15 ... Water flow path (small flow rate side)
16 ... Water passage (medium flow rate side)
17 ... Hot water supply path 18 ... Water supply path 21 ... Constant flow valve (small flow rate setting)
22 ... Constant flow valve (medium flow setting)
23 ... Constant flow valve (hot water side)
24 ... Constant flow valve (water side)
31 ... Open / close valve (small flow rate side)
32 ... Open / close valve (medium flow rate side)
33 ... Open / close valve (hot water side)
34 ... Open / close valve (water side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Spout part 5 ... Control means 6 ... Operation part 7 ... Sink 8 ... Flow rate adjustment part 91 ... Flow rate adjustment means 92 ... Temperature adjustment means

Claims (8)

  In a water supply control device for supplying water to a water outlet such as a kitchen or a washroom and discharging water, a flow rate adjusting means for switching between water discharge flow rate and water stop, and a plurality of preset values according to the number of operations of one operation unit Control means for driving the flow rate adjusting means so that the water discharge flow rate and the water stoppage of the water supply, and when the operation time interval of the operation part reaches a predetermined time or more after the start of water discharge, the control means The water supply control device characterized in that the flow rate adjusting means is driven to stop water by the operation of. In a water supply control device for supplying water to a water outlet such as a kitchen or a washroom and discharging water, flow control means for switching the water discharge flow rate and water stop, and a plurality of preset values according to the operation time of one operation unit And a control means for driving the flow rate adjusting means so that the water discharge flow rate and the water stoppage are maintained . The control means detects the operation of the operation unit in the water stop state and immediately turns the flow rate adjustment means to the water discharge / water stoppage. When the operation time of the operation unit is less than a predetermined time in the water discharge state, the flow rate adjusting means is driven to switch between water discharge and water stop and the operation time of the operation unit reaches a predetermined time or more. When it does, the water supply control apparatus characterized by driving the said flow volume adjustment means by switching the flow volume.   The said control means memorize | stores the flow volume setting state before water stop, and drives the said flow volume adjustment means so that it may become the flow volume setting state before last water stop at the time of next water discharge. Water supply control device.   3. The water supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the flow rate adjusting unit so as to be an intermediate flow rate among the plurality of preset water discharge flow rates when water discharge starts.   The flow rate adjusting means divides a water flow channel into a plurality of channels, and a constant flow valve and an open / close valve are provided in series in each of the water flow channels, and the flow rate is switched depending on the open / close combination of the open / close valves. The water supply control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The water supply control device according to claim 5, wherein when closing the plurality of on-off valves, the constant flow valves are sequentially closed with a time difference from the on-off valve of the water passage having a large flow rate setting.   When adjusting the flow rate by switching one open / close valve from open to close and the other open / close valve from closed to open, close one open / close valve after both open / close valves are open at the same time. The water supply control device according to claim 5. The control means detects the operation of the operation section in the water stop state and sets the water discharge state, and then when the operation time of the operation section reaches a predetermined time or longer, the flow rate adjustment means is driven to switch the flow rate. Then, the water supply control device according to claim 2, wherein the flow rate is sequentially switched every time the operation time reaches a predetermined time.

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