JPH01240776A - Flow path switching actuator device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically further continuously select a flow path by providing an actuator member which is driven by a shape memory alloy, extended and contracted by alternately obtaining hot water and cold water, while simultaneously driving a flow path selector, in the case of a massager or the like in a bathroom. CONSTITUTION:A device main unit 1 provides two flow paths 2, 3 of hot water and cold water. A flow path selector 5 switches the flow paths 2, 3. Shape memory alloys 8, 9 extend and contract by alternately obtaining the hot water and the cold water. An actuator 10 is driven by extending and contracting the shape memory alloys 8, 9. By connecting members 11, the actuator 10, when it is driven by the shape memory alloys 8, 9, simultaneously drives the flow path selector 5. In this way, the flow path is automatically further continuously selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a flow path switching actuation device that obtains power by expanding and contracting a shape memory alloy with hot and cold water and automatically switches the flow paths of hot and cold water. For example, it can be applied to pine surge devices in bathrooms.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a solenoid valve system can be considered as a flow path switching operation in this type of device. However, this method requires a solenoid as actuating force and a current changeover switch to switch the flow path.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-mentioned conventional system, it is necessary to apply an electrical signal from the outside, so the places where it can be used are limited, and it cannot be used in places where there is a risk of electrical leakage, such as a bathroom.

The present invention has solved the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switching actuation device that uses hot water and cold water to obtain power and automatically switches the flow path without using electricity. It is something to do.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the device of the present invention comprises a device main body provided with two flow paths for hot water and cold water, a flow path switching body for switching the flow paths, and this flow path switching body. This device includes a shape memory alloy that expands and contracts by alternately obtaining hot water and cold water by switching channels, and an actuating body that is driven by the expansion and contraction of the shape memory alloy and simultaneously drives the channel switching body.

Further, the attraction force of a magnet is added to the drive of the actuating body.

Function In the above configuration, by pouring hot water and cold water into the flow path, the shape memory alloy expands and contracts and drives the actuating body to automatically and continuously open and close valves, etc., or directly switch the flow path. Yes, and can be used in bathrooms where hot and cold water is readily available.

Furthermore, by adding the attraction force of the magnet, the actuating body can be driven reliably and smoothly.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figure, 1 indicates two flow paths 2 and 3 for hot water and cold water.
This is the main body of the device. Each of the flow paths 2 and 3 is formed into two parts, which merge in the middle and are connected to the discharge port 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes a flow path switching body for switching between the flow paths 2 and 3, which is provided so as to be movable through the main body 1 of the apparatus. This flow path switching body 5 has flow passages 6, 6 formed of small-diameter portions spaced apart from each other at regular intervals, and switches the flow paths 2.3 by movement. Since the flow paths 2 and 3 are formed in two parts, the flow path switching body 6 intersects the flow paths 2 and 3 at two places, and on the other hand, how does the flow path 2 and the flow section 6 communicate with each other? In this case, it is considered that the flow path 3 and the circulation part e communicate with each other on the other side. 7 is the flow path 2, 3
This is a power generation chamber provided inside the device main body 1 between the flow path after the merging and the discharge port 4. 8 and 9 are coil-shaped shape memory alloys that expand and contract by alternately receiving hot water and cold water, and are provided on both sides of the power generation chamber γ, facing the flow path after merging. 1o is an actuating body driven by the expansion and contraction of shape memory alloys 8 and 9, which can move freely without interfering with the flow of hot and cold water. Reference numeral 11.11 denotes a connecting member that connects the actuating body 1o and the flow path switching body 6 at their ends.
When driven by the shape memory alloys 8 and 9, they simultaneously drive the flow path switching body 6. 12. 12 are magnets provided on both sides of the device main body 1, and the connecting members 11.
It faces the adsorption plate 13° 13 attached to the end of the actuator 11, and makes the actuating body 10 more reliable and smooth to drive.

In the above configuration, in the state shown in FIG. 1, hot water flows through the flow path 2, flows as shown by the arrow, heats the shape memory alloy 8, and flows out to the discharge port 4. Note that hot water does not flow on the shape memory alloy 9 side because the flow path 2 is closed. The heated shape memory alloy 8 generates an elongating force and tries to move the actuating body 4 to the right. At this time, cold water simultaneously flows into the flow path 3, cools the shape memory alloy 9 that has been heated up to now, and also flows out to the discharge port 4. The shape memory alloy 9 cooled to the transformation temperature undergoes transformation due to cooling, and the generated force in the elongation direction decreases. The magnitude of the difference between the force in the elongation direction of the heated shape memory alloy 8 and the force of the shape memory alloy 9 whose υ generation force has been reduced by cooling is determined by the adsorption between the magnet 12 and the adsorption plate 13. When the force becomes larger than the force, the actuating body 1o moves to the right, and at the same time moves the flow path switching body 5 to the right via the connecting member 11. When the channel switching body 5 is moved to the right, it is attracted to the other adsorption plate 13 or the magnet 12, and at the same time, the channel switching body 6 is moved to the right, and the hot water is transferred to the shape memory alloy 91, contrary to the above. The cold water flows through a path that heats the shape memory alloy 8, and the cold water flows through a path that cools the shape memory alloy 8, and contrary to the above, the actuating body 4 moves to the left. In this way, the actuating body 4 continuously repeats the left and right reciprocating motion.

Here, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the left and right reciprocating movement of the flow path switching actuating device described above and a general flow path switching valve are combined and applied to a foot pine surger. Hot and cold water is divided and supplied to a flow path switching device and a general switching valve 14 as shown in the figure,
Actuating body 10 of flow path switching actuating device and general switching valve 14
The switching valve 11 is switched by the left and right operating forces of the operating body 10. The foot pine surge device 16 has shape memory alloy coils 16& and 15b, to which hot and cold water is alternately sent from the switching valve 11.
Push rod 16! It performs foot and musculature surgery by moving up and down L and 16 bft. 17! L.

17b is a bias spring for compressing the cooled shape memory alloy coil. , 18 is a hot and cold water outlet.

In this way, by obtaining power (reciprocating operating force) by utilizing the temperature difference between hot and cold water without using electricity, it is possible to obtain a pine surge device and the like that are completely free from the risk of getting wet with electricity.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, the device of the present invention can be used in bathrooms, etc., since the flow path can be switched manually with hot and cold water, and power can be obtained. The addition of the magnetic attraction force makes the operation more reliable and smooth.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom view, FIG. 3 is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of application. 1... Device main body, 2, 3... Channel, 6
...Flow path switching body, 8, 9...Shape memory alloy, 1o...Operating body, 12...Magnet. Agent's name: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person/-%Dashiokihonimoto14-Kirisoemasumasu15-Footmap location rock! Figure 4: Cold water Hot water 1 Indication of the case Patent application No. 66581 of 1988 2 Name of the invention Flow path switching actuation device 3 Person making the amendment Relationship to the case Patent application Person Person Place Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Oaza Kadoma 1006 address name (582)
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Representative Tani
Akio I 4 Agent 571 Address 1006-6 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Contents of Amendment 1 In the specification of this application, on page 5, line 6, "drive more precisely" has been changed to "drive in neutral state". Eliminate stoppages and make corrections more accurately. 2. Correct "Foot pine surge device" on page 6, line 14 of the same page to "7 foot pine surge device using shape memory alloy." 3 "11" on page 6, line 18 and page 7, line 1 will be corrected to "14". 4 "Dielectric" on page 7, line 9 will be corrected to "earth leakage". 4 "Bathrooms, etc... due to addition" on page 7, lines 14 to 15 will be changed to "electrical leakage in bathrooms, etc." This is a worry that can be used.The magnet's suction force prevents the valve from stopping at the neutral position, and the flow path switching operation is repeated at M17?-.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A device body with two flow paths for hot water and cold water,
a flow path switching body that switches the flow path; a shape memory alloy that expands and contracts by alternately obtaining hot water and cold water by switching the flow path with the flow path switching body; and a shape memory alloy that is driven by the expansion and contraction of the shape memory alloy and that controls the flow path A flow path switching actuating device having an actuating body that simultaneously drives the switching body. (2) The flow path switching actuating device according to claim 1, wherein an attractive force of a magnet is added to drive the actuating body.