JPH01229185A - Hot water and water mixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide only one driving power supply and to simplify the structure of a control device by connecting one control circuit and one driving circuit to plural actuators through a switch circuit to drive plural actuators. CONSTITUTION:When input is provided to a control circuit C-1 through an input interface S, the control circuit C-1 selects an actuator to be controlled and driven according to a control program read out from a memory (u) to be output to a switch circuit C-3. The control circuit calculates control input to be output to a driving circuit C-2. On receiving output from the control circuit C-1, the driving circuit C-2 outputs electric power enough to drive the actuator to the switch circuit C-3. The switch circuit C-3 outputs power to the actuator selected by the control circuit C-1.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application fields The present invention relates to a control device for a hot water mixing device.

(b) Conventional technology Conventionally, a hot water mixing system has a plurality of valves such as a hot water side and a water side flow rate adjustment valve, or a hot water mixing valve and a switching valve, and controls actuators installed in these valves. In the control device of the device, each actuator is provided with an individual control circuit and a drive circuit, or each actuator is individually provided with a drive circuit that is connected to a common control circuit.
In any case, a drive circuit was provided for each actuator.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In a hot water mixing device equipped with a control device having such a configuration, at least one drive circuit is required for each actuator, resulting in a complicated structure, and each actuator may operate simultaneously. Because of this, it is necessary to use a power supply with a large capacity that corresponds to the number of actuators, which increases the size of the control device and
The disadvantage was that it was expensive.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, in a hot water mixing device having a plurality of valves connected to electrically driven actuators, the plurality of actuators disposed on each valve are replaced by one actuator. and a drive circuit under the control of the control circuit, the drive circuit and each actuator are connected via a switching circuit, and the switching operation of the switching circuit is controlled by the control circuit. The present invention provides a hot water mixing device equipped with a control device.

(E) Functions and Effects With the above configuration, the present invention has the following functions and effects.

Since only one control circuit and one drive circuit are required, the structure is simple and the number of parts can be reduced.

In addition, since only one actuator is driven out of position at the time of operation, the power source only needs to be sufficient to drive one actuator, and the entire control device can be miniaturized and costs can be reduced.

(F) Example An example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a piezoelectric actuator as one form of a minute distance stepless drive type actuator used in the automatic opening/closing valve for mixing hot water and water of the present invention. tA) (A') shows a cross-sectional view.

In this case, the micro-distance stepless drive actuator refers to a stacked piezoelectric actuator, a piezoelectric bimorph actuator, a stepping linear motor, a piezoelectric linear motor, a combination of an ultrasonic motor (rotary type) and a rotating screw,
A combination of a Stella Pink motor (rotary type) and a rotating screw.

The actuator (A) (8゛) is located on the front and rear walls (1) (2).
) A cylindrical plunger (4) is installed concentrically in a cylindrical actuator casing (3) that can move forward and backward along the axis, and the cylindrical plunger (4) has an engaging edge ( 5) to form a hole (A) in the center of the engagement edge (5) through which the plunger head (6) is inserted;
There is a plunger head (6) inside the cylindrical plunger (4).
is housed in a protruding tip.

That is, the plunger head (6) has a diameter larger at the base end than at the distal end, and has an engaging part (8) formed with a stepped part, and the engaging part (8) is arranged in the middle of the cylindrical plunger (4). The tip of the plunger head (6) passes through the hole (7) and engages with the engagement edge (5) when the cylindrical plunger (4) is withdrawn. ) It is protruding from the tip.

In addition, in the cylindrical plunger (4), an engaging portion (8) is provided.
The rear end surface and the rear wall (2) of the actuator casing (3)
) A spring (S) is interposed between the plunger head (6) and the plunger head (6), which constantly urges the plunger head (6) in the direction of forward movement of the tip, causing the engaging portion (8) to move towards the cylindrical plunger (
4) is in constant contact with the engaging edge (5).

A piezoelectric element is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the cylindrical plunger (4) to reduce its diameter.
The diameter can be expanded freely, and it is arranged so that it can be expanded and shortened.

That is, [c] and [d) of the piezoelectric element are cylindrical plungers (
4) is arranged in the center of the actuator casing (
3) A cylindrical holder (9) with an abbreviated cross-section whose proximal end is fixed to
) is supported by

Further, another piezoelectric element (a) and (b) is a cylindrical plunger (
4) are supported by elastic bridges (10) and (11) at the front and rear ends, and the elastic bridges f10 and (11) are
The base end is fixed to the piezoelectric element fc) (d), and the tip thereof is formed in a cantilever state extending toward the front and rear walls (1) and (2) of the actuator casing (3), and the bridge (10) (11) has a brake shoe (12) on its inner peripheral surface.
013) is fixed.

This piezoelectric element (a) (bHcHd) is configured to shorten when in a non-energized state.

That is, the piezoelectric element (aHb) expands when energized,
The inner diameter is reduced to fix the outer shell, and a cylindrical plunger (4)
The cylindrical plunger (4) is clamped from its outer periphery, shortened in the non-energized state, and its inner diameter expanded to fix the outer shell to release the clamp on the cylindrical plunger (4).

On the other hand, when the piezoelectric elements (c) and (d) are energized,
= 6- The cylindrical plunger (4) i is in an extended state in the axial direction, and when the current is not applied, the top of the cylindrical plunger (4) is shortened and its total length in the axial direction is shortened.

The cylindrical plunger (4) moves forward and backward in the axial direction by appropriately controlling the four piezoelectric elements (a), (b), (c), and (d).

Piezoelectric elements (aHb) (c) and (d) are manufactured by inserting a large number of piezoelectric element pieces into a cylindrical plunger (4
) is a cylindrical element formed by laminating them in the axial direction. Electrodes are provided at both ends of the cylinder, and it is configured to contract and expand in diameter by applying a voltage to both ends.

Note that the material of the piezoelectric element piece can be, for example, piezoelectric ceramics, and such piezoelectric ceramics include:
It is a ferroelectric material with an ABO3 perovskite type crystal structure, such as PZT[Pb(Zr,Ti)03 co-based and PL
ZT [Pb(Zr,Ti)Oa], PT(PbTiO
a) system or a three-component system based on PZT can be used.

In addition, the piezoelectric elements (a), (b), (c), and (d) are made by laminating a large number of thin ring-shaped piezoelectric element pieces in the axial direction around the axis of the cylindrical plunger (4), as shown in Fig. 3. It can also be formed by

In this case, the direction of voltage application is changed by 90 degrees.

In addition, in FIG. 1, (14) is an actuator (A
) is a U-shaped or Y-shaped gasket with low sliding resistance installed in the corner to improve watertightness.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plunger has a diameter-reduced tip formed or connected to the tip, and the end surface area (pressure-receiving area) of the tip is made significantly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the plunger.

Therefore, when used in a valve, etc., as described later, the pressure receiving area can be significantly reduced, so the thrust force applied to the plunger can be minimized, and the influence of the thrust force on the plunger drive can be minimized. Accurate driving becomes possible.

In addition, if the step part of the plunger is made to come into contact with the rear surface such as the rear wall when the plunger has moved a certain distance forward (for example, at the fully closed position or an advanced position), the plunger (9) Further advancement of (30) can be restricted, and damage to the valve seat and its abutting body or the tire flam of the opening/closing valve described later due to excessive advancement can be reliably prevented.

Note that in the above configuration, piezoelectric elements (a), (b), and (c)
(d) can have not only a circular cross section but also a rectangular cross section, for example, and can also be formed from divided pieces as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Further, the cylindrical plunger (4) has a brake shoe (12
)(13), it is clamped many times by a piezoelectric element (aHb), so it has a small linear expansion coefficient, high hardness, strength, creep resistance, and wear resistance, and has high processing accuracy. Desirably, it may be made of a ceramic material, for example.

Further, FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a control device (C) for controlling the piezoelectric actuator (8). As shown in the figure, the control device (C) includes a microprocessor (r
), an input interface (S) connected to the temperature setting device (vl), temperature sensor (V2), flow rate setting device (Va), and flow rate sensor (v4), a memory (U) that stores the control program, and an output A control circuit (C-1) consisting of a drive circuit (C-2) connected to an interface (1)
), drive circuit (C-2), and each actuator (＾)(
It consists of a switching circuit (C-3) interposed between the

The drive circuit (C-2) has an output interface (1)
In addition to the control line (C-4) from the actuator drive power supply (C-5), the drive power line (C-6) from the actuator drive power supply (C-5) is connected, and the output from the drive circuit (C-2) is switched It is input to the circuit (C-3).

The control line (C-7) from the control circuit (C-1) is connected to the switching circuit (C-3), and the control output of the control circuit (C-1) causes the drive circuit (C-2 ) to select the actuator that receives the drive output.

Note that (C-8) indicates a control power source.

Next, each actuator by the above-mentioned control device FC)
10 - Explain the evening operation control.

Control circuit (C1) via input interface (S)
When there is an input to the control circuit (C-1), the memory (U)
The actuator to be controlled and driven is selected according to the control program read from the control program and outputted to the switching circuit (C-3), and the operation amount of the actuator is calculated and outputted to the drive circuit (C-2).

The drive circuit (C-2) receives the output from the control circuit (C-1) and outputs a drive output of sufficient power to drive the actuator to the switching circuit (C-3).

The switching circuit (C-3) transfers the above drive output to the control circuit (C-3).
-1) outputs to the selected actuator and activates the same actuator.

This series of control operations is performed by each control circuit (C-1).
The following routine is set in the control program stored in the memory (U) so that the drive circuit (C-2) can cause a plurality of actuators to perform the following steps.

Is there any problem when operating one actuator at a time?If it becomes necessary to operate multiple actuators at the same time, ■Set the order of operation priority in advance, and follow this order in the switching circuit (C-3). control and operate the actuators in sequence.

(2) The switching circuit (C-3) performs a switching operation at regular intervals to sequentially operate a plurality of actuators.

(2) The actuator drive output is made into a pulse, and the switching circuit R (C-3) performs a switching operation every pulse to sequentially operate a plurality of actuators. In this case, by shortening the pulse period, it is possible to apparently operate one or more actuators at the same time.

Next, the movement of the cylindrical plunger (4) and the plunger head (6) partially inserted and biased into the cylindrical plunger (4) by the actuator (A) having such a configuration will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

When voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element (a) from the drive circuit (C-2) via the switching circuit (C-3), the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element (a) as shown in FIG. The piezoelectric element (b) is actuated to clamp the cylindrical plunger (4), and the voltage of the piezoelectric element (b) is released to expand the diameter of the piezoelectric element (b), thereby releasing the clamping of the cylindrical plunger (4) by the piezoelectric element (b).

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements (c) and (d) to cause them to expand, the piezoelectric elements (a) and (b) move in the direction of the arrow, and as a result, the piezoelectric elements The cylindrical plunger (4) clamped in (a) also moves in the direction of the arrow.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, when the applied voltage to the piezoelectric element (a) is released and the diameter is expanded, the cylindrical plunger (4)
When the clamp is released and the voltage applied to the piezoelectric elements (C) and (d) is released, the piezoelectric element FC) ((1) shortens in the direction of the arrow, and the cylindrical plunger (4) further moves in the direction of the arrow. .

Thereafter, by repeating the above operation, the cylindrical plunger (4) can be moved in a linear manner with a stroke on the μm order or sub-μm order, and the cylindrical plunger (
4) Various actuating devices connected to the plunger head (6) at the tip can be operated precisely.

In particular, when the cylindrical plunger (4) advances toward the tip,
The plunger head (6) has a corresponding spring (S).
), the cylindrical plunger (4) advances at the same time until it engages with the engaging portion (8) or the engaging edge (5), and then stops, while the cylindrical plunger (4) retreats. 4)
The engaging portion (8) engaged with the engaging edge (5) of the plunger head (6) is pulled in the backward direction, causing the plunger head (6) to move backward, which prevents damage to the piezoelectric element during power outages, etc. When no voltage is applied, the piezoelectric element (aHb) expands in diameter, the cylindrical plunger (4) becomes free, and the spring (
S) advances in the distal direction together with the plunger head (6).

In addition, when applying voltage to the piezoelectric elements (a), (b), (c), and (d) in order to advance the cylindrical plunger (4) in the distal direction, the plunger (4) advances to the limit in the distal direction. When the plunger head (6)
Since the plunger head (6) moves forward together with the plunger (4) due to the biasing force of the spring (S), the advancing operation of the plunger head (6) is performed exclusively by the biasing force of the spring, and the strong operating force of the actuator can be reduced.

Actuator (8) (8゛) configured as above
As a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, this valve is used in an automatic opening/closing valve FB for mixing hot water and water, and is constructed as follows.

That is, in the cylindrical longitudinal casing (D), an actuator for hot water adjustment (8) and an actuator for water adjustment (A') are disposed on the left and right sides so as to face each other, and a cylindrical hot water A mixing part (16) is interposed, and valve bodies (17) and (18) for hot water and water, each consisting of a tire flam valve, are arranged in the openings at both ends of the hot water and water mixing part (1θ) so as to be able to press and separate. , the openings at both ends of the hot water mixing part (16) are communicated with the hot water inlet flow path (19) and the water inlet flow path (20) via the respective valve bodies (17) and (18), respectively. )(1
On the back of 8) are the hot water adjustment actuator (8) and the plunger head (6) of the water adjustment actuator (8").
(6) are arranged so as to be pressable and releasable, and in the center of the peripheral wall of the hot water mixing section (16), a mixing hot water flow path (21
) is a continuous long throw.

(22) is a hot water pipe, (23) is a water pipe,
The tips of these pipes (22N23) are connected to spaces (G) (G') formed on the outer periphery of both ends of the hot water mixing section (16).
The hot water side and water valve body (17) [) consisting of a diaphragm valve are connected to the hot water mixing part (16
) and the spaces (G) and (G') around its outer periphery so that they can be crimped and separated, and each valve body (
17) At the time of crimping (1s), both the openings at both ends of the hot water mixing part (16) and the spaces (G) (G') are closed, and the hot water and water inlet flow path (19N20) and the hot water mixing part (16) are closed. This means that the water is completely cut off between the two and the water stops.

On the other hand, when one or both of the valve bodies (17) and (18) separate, the tips of the hot water and water inlet flow paths (1g) (20) connect to the hot water mixing part ( 16), and is set by the temperature detection value of the temperature sensor (v2) provided in the mixed hot water flow path (21) and the temperature setting device (vl). In addition, the flow rate detection value of the flow rate sensor (ν4) provided in the mixed hot water flow path (21) and the flow rate setting device (v
Based on a predetermined calculation, the actuator is actuated by a signal issued from the control device (C) so that the flow rate matches the flow rate set in step 3), and hot water or cold water, or hot water and cold water are poured into the hot water mixing part (16). Hot water at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow rate flows through the mixed hot water flow path (21) and is supplied with hot water and water.

In addition, the range of forward and backward movement of the plunger head (6) is determined by the piezoelectric element (a) (bHcH) of the actuator (^) (8').
By making fine adjustments using the action of d), the valve body (17) (
The amount of water flowing can also be adjusted by adjusting the degree of opening of the tube.

Further, as a second embodiment, Fig. 11 shows a hot water/cold water mixing faucet (P) each having one actuator, and a flow rate regulating valve (Q) connected in communication with the downstream side of the hot/cold water mixing faucet (P). To explain the structure of the hot water mixing faucet (P), (50) in the figure is the gauging of the upper and lower end openings forming a cylindrical block, and the case sink (50) has a reduced diameter pulp in the center of the inside. A mixed hot water flow path (52) having a sliding guide space (51) is formed.

In addition, cylindrical bodies (52) and (53) with openings at both ends are protruded from the left and right side walls of the casing (50), and a hot water side flow path (54) and a water IPI flow path (55) are provided inside the cylinder bodies (52) and (53), which are open at both ends. is formed. The outer open ends (54a) and (55a) of these channels (54) and (55) communicate with the hot water supply pipe (56) and the water supply pipe (57), respectively.

On the other hand, the inner opening ends of the hot water side flow path (54) and the water side flow path (55) are respectively a hot water side opening (54b) and a water gauging opening ( 55
b) and communicates with the mixed hot water flow path (52).

In addition, a cylindrical valve body (56) is disposed in the mixed hot water flow path (52) of the gauging (50) so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and by sliding in the axial direction, Not only can the side opening (54b) and water side opening (55b) be opened and closed, but by adjusting the opening area of both openings (54b) and (55b), the amount of hot water and water to be mixed can be adjusted to achieve an appropriate temperature. It is possible to make mixed hot water.

In addition, in order to normally urge the valve body (56) upward to close the water side opening (55b), a spring (57) is disposed within the mixed hot water flow path (52). The spring (57) has its upper end locked to a spring receiving plate (58) installed inside the valve body (56), and its lower end locked to the lower circumferential wall of the mixed hot water flow path (52). There is.

Further, a cylinder (59) having a mixed hot water communication channel (59a) formed therein protrudes from the lower end of the casing (50), and the inner open end of the mixed hot water communication channel (59a) It communicates with the hot water flow path (52), while its outer open end communicates with the mixing hot water pipe (60).

Furthermore, a piezoelectric actuator (8) similar to that described above is disposed above the gauging (50) for driving the valve body (56) having the above configuration.

In addition, (61) is L constituting the main body of the flow rate regulating valve (Q).
The casing (61) is a whistle-shaped casing, and the casing (61) has an inflow side pipe (63) that forms, for example, a flow path (62) inside.
and an outflow side pipe (65) forming the other side flow path (64) inside.
).

The inflow side pipe (63) has its tip connected to the end wall (63a).
-19= is closed by the -heavy upper side wall (63b
) is provided with an opening (66);
A valve body (67) consisting of a tire flam valve is attached to the tire flamm valve.

On the other hand, the outflow side pipe (65) has a proximal cylindrical portion (65a).
) and extends at the opening (66) t, and its tip abuts freely on the valve body (67).

With this configuration, by driving the piezoelectric actuator (8 degrees) to be described later to open and close the valve body (67),
One side pipe (62) not formed in the inflow side pipe (63) and the other side channel (64) formed in the outflow side pipe (65) can be connected and disconnected from each other.

Note that the negative side flow path (62) has its outer open end communicating with the mixed hot water pipe (60), and the other side flow path (64) communicates with a flusher, shower, etc.

A piezoelectric actuator (8 degrees) is attached to the upper side wall of the casing (61) coaxially with the valve body, and by driving the actuator (8 degrees), the valve body (67) can be opened and closed.

The embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, and in order to drive a plurality of actuators, each control circuit and drive circuit are connected to the plurality of actuators via a switching circuit. Only one drive circuit and actuator drive power supply are required, which simplifies the structure of the control device and reduces the number of parts.In particular, since the actuator drive power supply only requires a small capacity, the control device can be made smaller. Therefore, it is also advantageous in terms of cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing a piezoelectric actuator used in the automatic on-off valve of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Fig. 1, and Figs. 3 to 5 are other specific examples of the piezoelectric element. An explanatory diagram of an example, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the control device, FIGS. 7 to 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the operating sequence of the actuator used in the automatic opening/closing valve of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the hot water mixing device of the second embodiment. (8) (8”): Actuator (C-1): Control circuit (C-21: 4-circuit FC-3): Switching circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In a hot water mixing device that has a plurality of valves connected to electrically driven actuators, a single control circuit controls the plurality of actuators (A) (A')... disposed on each valve. (C-1) and the drive circuit (C-2) under the control of the control circuit (C-1), and the drive circuit (C-2) and each actuator (A), (A'), ... are connected via the switching circuit (C-3), and the switching circuit (C-3) is connected to
-3) A hot water mixing device equipped with a control device configured to control the switching operation of step 3) using a control circuit (C-1).