JPH0415423A - Mixing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a temperature change and to set a hot water temperature to a set temperature in a short time by rotating a water valve for hot water by a controller which is operated according to a fuzzy theory by obtaining informations of a temperature setter, a temperature sensor, a hot water pressure sensor, and controlling a mixture hot water temperature. CONSTITUTION:Hot water from a hot water tube 1 is controlled in quantity by a hot water valve 2, water from a water tube 4 is controlled in quantity by a water valve 5, and both are used for a shower nozzle 6, a bathtub 7 by a mixer 3. The opening/closing of the valve 2 is controlled by a hot water motor 01, and the opening/closing of the valve 5 is controlled by a water motor 11. A set temperature signal of a temperature setter 19, a temperature signal of the mixer 3, and a pressure signal of a pressure sensor 12 are calculated by a microcomputer 17 which calculates based on a fuzzy theory, hot water and water output signals from them are applied to the motors 10, 11 through a motor controller 22, and mixture hot after temperature is maintained at a desired temperature by the rotations of the valves 2, 5. Thus, a calculating speed is accelerated, and an arrival time to the set temperature is short.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mixing device for adjusting the temperature of hot water used for bathing or showering.

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-4.1-50. The technology described in this publication measures the temperature of hot water coming out of a three-way valve, uses this temperature signal to operate a motor valve controller, and uses the output of this motor valve controller to rotate the three-way valve via a motor. The hot water is then mixed to the desired temperature. Two three-way valves are connected in series to improve quick response and safety.

Problems with the Prior Art In the prior art, two three-way valves are connected in series to control temperature, which inevitably results in a complicated structure.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention solves the problems of the prior art.It is an object of the present invention to provide a mixing device that uses fuzzy theory techniques to bring the temperature of hot water to a set temperature in a short period of time with little temperature fluctuation. It is an object.

That is, the present invention provides a groove motor 10 that opens and closes a groove valve 2 connected to a hot water pipe 1 that receives hot water, a water motor 11 that opens and closes a water valve 5 that receives water, and a groove valve 2 that opens and closes a water valve 5 that receives water. a mixer 3 that mixes hot water obtained from the outlet of the water valve 5 with water obtained from the outlet of the water valve 5; a temperature sensor 14 that measures the temperature of the hot water in the mixer 3;
a hot water pressure sensor 12 installed in the hot water pipe 1 and measuring the pressure of hot water;
A temperature setting device 19 that arbitrarily sets the temperature of mixed hot water, and a control section that operates according to fuzzy theory by obtaining set temperature information of the temperature setting device 19, temperature information of the temperature sensor 14, and hot water pressure information of the hot water pressure sensor 12. 15, and a motor control circuit 22 to which the output of the control unit 15 is applied and controls the driving of the groove motor 10 and water motor 11.
This is a mixing device that controls the temperature of mixed hot water by rotating a groove valve 2 and a water valve 5 connected to a water motor 11.

Hot water is obtained from a working hot water pipe 1, and the amount of the obtained hot water is controlled by a groove valve 2 and is introduced into a mixer 3.

Water is obtained from a water pipe 4, and the amount of water is controlled by a water valve 5, and the water is introduced into a mixer 3.

Hot water and water flow into the mixer 3 and mix together.

The mixed hot water is ejected from the shower nozzle 6 and used for washing, and is poured into the bathtub 7 and used for bathing.

The opening and closing of the groove valve 2 is controlled by the groove motor 10, and the water valve 5 is controlled by the groove motor 10.
The water motor 11 controls the opening and closing of the gutter valve 2 and the water valve 5 to keep the temperature of the mixed hot water constant at a desired temperature.

A microcomputer 17 that performs calculations based on fuzzy theory processes three signals: a set temperature signal obtained from the temperature setting device 19, a temperature signal obtained from the mixer 3, and a pressure signal obtained from the pressure sensor 12. The water output signal and the water output signal are applied to the groove motor 10 and the water motor 11 via the motor control circuit 22.

By rotating the groove valve 2 and the water valve 5, the temperature of the mixed hot water is maintained constant at a desired suitable temperature, and this mixed hot water is guided to the shower nozzle 6 and the snake lower and used for washing or bathing.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a piping system diagram and electrical configuration of the device of the present invention.

Hot water is obtained from an existing boiler in a hot water pipe 1, a gutter valve 2 is connected to the hot water pipe 1, and the output of the gutter valve 2 is connected to a mixer 3.

Tap water is obtained through a water pipe 4, a water valve 5 is connected to the water pipe 4, and the output of the water valve 5 is connected to a mixer 3 and mixed with the hot water. The mixed hot water is guided to the shower nozzle 6 and the snake lower.

A groove motor 10 is attached to the shaft 9 of the valve body 8 built into the groove valve 2.
is connected via the hot water valve gear 30, and the groove motor 10
The valve body 8 is rotated by the rotation.

A water motor 11 is attached to the shaft 9 of the valve body 8 built in the water valve 5.
is connected, and the valve body 8 is rotated by rotation of the water motor 11.

A pressure sensor 1 is installed at an appropriate position inside the hot water pipe 1 to measure the pressure of the hot water.
2, and a temperature sensor 14 for detecting the temperature of the mixed hot water is provided at an appropriate position inside the mixing hot water pipe 13 connected to the mixer 3.
is provided.

The control unit 15 includes an A/D converter 16, a microcomputer 17, and a D/A
The converters 18 are sequentially connected.

The control unit 15 receives a temperature signal obtained from the temperature sensor 14, a pressure signal obtained from the pressure sensor 12, a setting signal obtained from the temperature setting device 19 for setting the temperature of the mixed hot water to a desired temperature, and a signal obtained from the groove valve 2. Five signals are input: a hot water valve angle signal from a groove potentiometer 20 connected to the shaft 9, and a water valve angle signal from a groove potentiometer 21 connected to the shaft 9 of the water valve 5. ing.

The five signals are input to an A/D converter 16 in the control section 15, and the output of the A/D converter 16 is input to a microcomputer 17.

Three signals, a temperature signal, a pressure signal, and a setting signal, are calculated by the microcomputer 17 based on fuzzy theory.

The output of the microcomputer 17 is connected to the D/A converter 16,
The output of the /A converter 18 is input to a motor control circuit 22 that drives the hot water pressure motor 10 and the water motor 11.

The output of the motor control circuit 22 is applied to the groove valve 2 and the water valve 5, and the hot water pressure motor 10 and the water motor 11 are operated.

The rotation range of the hot water pressure motor 10 is 120 degrees, and the maximum rotation angle range of the valve body 8 connected by gears is reduced to 90 degrees.
degree. The valve body 8 can be rotated 90 degrees from the proximal position to the distal position, but even if it is rotated by a certain angle from an intermediate position, it cannot be rotated any further, so it can be rotated from that position. Means 2 for determining the maximum value of the maximum rotation angle
The upper limit of the rotation angle range is determined so that the motor will not be driven beyond the range in which the valve can rotate.

Similarly, a water valve gear 31 consisting of a reduction gear is provided on the output shaft of the water motor 11, and the output of the water valve gear 31 is connected to the water valve 5. The rotation angle range of the water motor 11 is 120 degrees, and the maximum rotation angle range of the valve body 8 connected by gears is 90 degrees after being decelerated.

The range of the maximum rotation angle from the relevant position of the water valve 5 is detected by means 29 for determining the maximum rotation angle, the detected signal is given to the microcomputer 17, and a rotation instruction signal to the water valve 5 is sent to the relevant position. The motor is kept within the maximum rotational angle range in which the valve can be rotated, and the motor is not driven beyond the range in which the valve can be rotated.

Next, each function of the microcomputer 17 that is performed when the microcomputer 17 performs temperature control applying fuzzy theory will be explained based on FIG. 2.

First, the memory (ROM) built into the microcomputer 7 contains the control rules shown in Table 1, the input membership function shown in the numerical table, and the outputs shown in the numerical table. The attribution function for this purpose is artificially created and recorded based on a large amount of experience.

The control rule consists of a condition part that sets the relationship between the set temperature and the mixed water temperature and the pressure of the hot water, and a conclusion part that determines the opening of the gutter valve and the water valve based on these conditions. It consists of

There are two input membership functions: an input membership function regarding the temperature difference between the set temperature and the mixed hot water temperature, and an input membership function regarding the hot water pressure.

Table 2 shows the numerical table of the input belongingness function regarding the temperature difference between the set temperature and the mixed water temperature, and the graph of the function is shown in Table 5.
As shown in the figure.

Table 3 shows a numerical table of the input belongingness function regarding the pressure of hot water, and a graph of the function is shown in FIG.

There are two output attribution functions: an output attribution function regarding the angle at which the shaft 9 of the groove valve 2 is rotated, and an output attribution function regarding the angle at which the shaft 9 of the water valve 5 is rotated. .

The rotation angle and direction of the groove valve 2 and the degree of area membership are
Table 4 shows a numerical table of the output belongingness function converted into a risk, and a graph of the function is shown in FIG.

Table 5 shows a function diagram of the output membership function, which is a matrix of the rotation angle and direction of the water valve 5 and the area membership degree, and a graph of the function is shown in FIG.

A comparison means 23 included in the microcomputer 17 compares the temperature signal of the mixed hot water and the setting signal to obtain a temperature difference.

The verification means 24 obtains the signal from the comparison means 23 and verifies to what extent this signal belongs to each of the ten control rules.

As a result of the matching, if it is determined to what extent each rule belongs to each rule, the conclusion is automatically determined by the control rule.

Based on this determination, the motor is driven by a predetermined amount.

The above will be explained in detail.

To explain the 10 types of control rules shown in Table 1, the temperature of the mixed hot water is divided into five areas depending on whether it is high or low, and each of these areas is divided into two areas depending on whether the hot water pressure is low or normal. A control rule is created that divides each area into 10 areas.

A conclusion for this condition is made based on the combination of the opening degree of the ditch valve and the opening degree of the water valve. In other words, change the opening degree of the groove valve 2 to the left.
The opening degree of the water valve 5 is divided into seven areas from ``to the left'' to ``to the right''. A conclusion consisting of 10 areas is created based on the 5 combinations of opening degrees and directions to correspond to the conditions.

Table 2 is a numerical table created by replacing the above control rules with numerical values and using temperature differences and five areas as a matrix. The degree of belonging to each area is expressed as a numerical value from 0 to 1, and the extent to which the measured signal belongs to each of the 10 rules is checked.

Increase the temperature difference between the mixed water temperature and the set temperature from -15℃ to +15℃.
℃, the range from -15℃ to +15℃ is divided into 5 areas, and the degree of belonging to that area is indicated by the degree of belonging, with 1 being 100%. When the degree of belonging does not seem to exist, it is marked as ○, and the degree of belonging between 100% and 0 is entered as a value of 1 to O.

FIG. 5 is a graph of Table 2. The five areas have a width of 10°C, and overlap with their neighbors by 5°C.

Table 3 shows the pressure of hot water from 0.5kg/crK to 3.5kg.
The area between 3 kg/cd and 3 kg/cd is divided into two areas: "low" and "normal", and the degree of belonging to which of the two areas the measured pressure belongs is marked with a circle.

Each 'J-kg/d is entered in the relevant area.

FIG. 6 is a graph of Table 3. The two areas have a width of 2.5 kg/, -i, making the adjacent parts of the two stages overlap by 1 kg/cJ.

Table 4 shows the rotation angle and direction of the groove valve 2 among the 10 conclusions determined based on the above 10 conditions. This is a numerical table for quantifying the conclusion determined based on the instructions from the condition section.The rotation angle of the groove valve and the 7-level area are made into a matrix, and the degree of belonging from 1 to ○ is entered. Creating.

Create 7 operating instructions for the opening degree of the valve body 8 from ``largely to the left'' to ``largely to the right'', divide these 7 into 7 areas of 60 degrees, and determine which conclusion comes from the condition section. This is a numerical table for checking whether it applies to the area and determining the operation instruction.

FIG. 7 is a graph of Table 4.

The valve body 8 is assumed to rotate 90 degrees, and the rotation direction and angle of the motor shaft are changed from +120 degrees to -120 degrees using a valve gear.
It has expanded to a degree. The center of the rotation angle of 60 degrees of the motor shaft has a degree of membership of 1, and both ends have a degree of membership of O.

The seven areas overlap by 30 degrees with the areas on both sides.

Table 5 shows the rotation angle and direction of the motor shaft from ``largely to the left'' to ``largely to the right'' with respect to the opening degree of the water valve 5.
It is divided into seven areas according to degree, and the degree of belonging is recorded for each area.

FIG. 8 is a graph of Table 5. The input signal is checked by means 24 for checking the temperature difference and pressure against the rule of ten.

As an example, a case will be explained in which the temperature difference is 14 degrees, that is, the mixed water temperature is 4 degrees lower than the set temperature.

This example is classified into the control rule ``a little low'' and the control rule ``habo the same'', and the degree of attribution to ``a little low'', that is, the degree to which it is thought to be a little low, is 0.8, and the control rule ``habo the same'' is 0.8. ” is 0.2.

Also, if the pressure of hot water is 2.4 kgff1,
It is classified into the control rule "normal" and the control rule "low", and the degree of belonging to "normal" is 0°7, and the control rule is "low".
The degree of belonging to "low" is 0.3.

It checks against each of the 10 control rules, and to describe the case where it checks against one of them, control rule 5, the degree of attribution of the temperature difference to "the same" is 0.2, The degree of attribution of the pressure to "low" is 0°3. In this case, the assumption is made that the smaller of the two membership degree values obtained by matching is taken, and based on this assumption, 0.2 is set as the output value of the condition section.

Describing the point in time when control rule 6 was compared among the 10 control rules, the degree of attribution of temperature difference to “the same” is 0.2, and the degree of attribution of pressure to “normal” is 0.7.

If the smaller value is taken, the output will be 0.2. Control rule 7
When compared to
, and the degree of attribution of pressure to "Makitsu" is 0.7.

Control rule for the output of the condition part of the comparing means 23], 2.3.4
．． 9.10, these control rules do not apply to the temperature difference area at all, and the degree of belonging is O in all cases. The degree of belonging to the area of pressure is 0.3 or 0.7, but since the output of the conditional part is assumed to take the lower value of the two items, the output of the conditional part of these six control rules will be either Also becomes ○.

The converting means 25 for converting the numerical table converts the output of the collating means 24 for collating and obtaining the degree of belonging into a ``numerical table (Table 4) in which the rotation angle and direction of the groove valve 2 and the degree of belonging of the area are made into a matrix. A conversion process is performed in which the first limit of the degree of belonging is set as the value of the output, and values higher than this value are cut off to reach a ceiling. When the output of the collation means 24 is ○, no conversion process is performed.

Regarding the water valve 5, the output value of the collation means 24 is similarly set as "71
- the upper limit of the degree of belonging is processed using the output value, and the values higher than the input value are cut out.

For example, in Table 6 and FIG. 8, which is a graph of Table 6, the degree of attribution for leaving the position of the groove valve 2 "as is" is +15 degrees to O.
The upper limit is 0.2 between degrees and 15 degrees. "A little to the left"
The degree of attribution for rotation is -'', from 5 degrees to 145 degrees'' 1st limit is 0.7, and the degree of attribution for rotation ``to the middle left'' is 145
At 175 degrees, the limit is 0.3.

The combining means 26 combines the values of term 1] such as "a little left", "as is", r a little right", etc., output by the converting means 25, into a single value. When combining the areas into one, if one area and an adjacent area have different values at a certain specified angle, it is specified that the larger value is taken.

Based on Table 6 and Fig. 8, the term "as is" in the degree of attribution regarding the rotation angle and direction of the groove valve 2 is +"-5 degrees to
At -15 degrees, it is 0.2, and the term "slightly to the left" is -15
It is 0.7 from 145 degrees to -45 degrees, and the term "to the middle left" is 0.3 from 145 degrees to -75 degrees, so if we put these three values together, from +15 degrees to ○ degrees, it is 0.7. The term “as is” is 0
．． 2, and from -15 degrees to -45 degrees, the term "slightly to the left" is 0.7, and from -60 degrees to -75 degrees, "to the middle left" is 0.7.
The term becomes 0.3.

There is no output at other angles.

Table 8 shows the output of the summarizing means 26 described in 1.

The same applies to the water valve 5. That is, between +45 degrees and +15 degrees, the term "slightly to the right" is 0°4, and 0
The "as is" term is 0.2 between degrees and +15 degrees.

No output is produced for other angles. Table 9 shows the results of the above calculation.

The average value calculation output means 27 calculates the product of each angle element and the degree of belonging for each of the numerical tables shown in Tables 8 and 9 in which the combined values are listed, and calculates this product as the degree of belonging. One output value is calculated by dividing by the sum of the values, and this calculated value is used as the final output.

The final output for the groove valve 2 in the fuzzy calculation,
The two final outputs for the water valve 5 are applied to means 28 for determining the maximum rotation angle of the groove valve 2 and means 29 for determining the maximum rotation angle for the water valve 5.

The output of the means 28 for determining the maximum rotation angle of the groove valve 2 and the output of the means 29 for determining the maximum rotation angle of the water valve 5 are converted into signals by the D/A converter 18, and then sent to the motor control circuit 22. Granted.

The output of the motor control circuit 22 is applied to the groove valve 2 and the water valve 5, and the satsuma motor 10 and the water motor 11 are immediately activated.

The motor rotates the valve and supplies mixed hot water at a temperature that is the same as or close to the set temperature.

It should be noted that the smaller the number of control rules, the faster the calculation speed and the better the response of the hot water temperature adjustment. The fewer the number of sensor signals for computation input into the control unit 15, the fewer the number of control rules will be required, and the fewer the number of areas created as possible, the fewer the number of control rules will be required.

In view of the above situation, this embodiment does not use a water pressure sensor or a sensor for hot water or water flow rate, but narrows down the number of sensors to two, a temperature sensor for mixed hot water and a pressure sensor for grooves, to minimize the number of sensors as much as possible. This is a mixing device that uses numerical control rules to increase calculation speed and obtain a suitable water temperature with quick response.

In addition, when using a mixing device to bathe a sick person who requires assistance, if the mixing device does not follow the fluctuations in the temperature and pressure of the hot water source, it may cause some patients to have sensory disturbances. Such sick people do not pay attention to the rise and change in the temperature of the hot water poured from the shower nozzle 6, leading to accidents such as rashes and incontinence.

Therefore, a mixing device used for bathing a patient who requires assistance is required to be able to quickly respond to fluctuations in water temperature and supply a stable and appropriate temperature. In particular, the current state of the hot water supply situation is not good, as there is a limit to the capacity of the boiler, which causes extreme fluctuations in temperature and pressure.

The mixing device of the present invention not only senses the temperature of the mixed hot water, which has been conventionally done, but also senses the pressure of the hot water, and can suppress temperature fluctuations and quickly respond to fluctuations in the temperature and pressure of the supply source. Since the temperature converges to the set temperature, it is extremely convenient for use in bathing sick people who require assistance. Therefore, the mixing device of the present invention is used exclusively in medical bathtub devices. (Leaving space below) Table 2 Numerical table with temperature difference and degree of area belonging as a matrix Table created from +15℃ to -15℃ every 1℃ Table 3 Numerical table with pressure and area degree of belonging as 71 to risk 0.5kg/, ffl to 3.5kg/cJ 00 Table 4 A numerical table with a matrix of the rotation angle and direction of the hot water layer valve and the degree of belonging to the area. Created every other degree from -120 degrees to +120 degrees (some parts omitted). + is Table 5 A numerical table that is a matrix of the rotation angle and direction of water valves and the degree of area belonging.Create every other degree from -120 degrees to +120 degrees (some parts are omitted). 10 indicates the angle to the right, - indicates the left direction Table 6 A numerical table that is a matrix of the rotation angle and direction of the hot water layer valve and the degree of belonging to the area when the numerical value of the operation instruction is entered from the condition section. -120 degrees to +120 degrees Table 7 A numerical table that is a matrix of the rotation angle and direction of the water valve and the degree of belonging when the numerical value of the operation instruction is input from the condition section. Table 8 from -120 degrees to +120 degrees A numerical table that indicates the rotation angle and direction for moving the hot water layer valve. -120
Numerical table-12 indicating the rotation angle and direction of the 9th surface water valve from degrees to +120 degrees
Creation from 0 degrees to +120 degrees every other degree Effects of the Invention The present invention first creates a set of ambiguous temperature information about the temperature of the mixed hot water made by mixing water and hot water and ambiguous pressure information about the pressure of the hot water. ,
The hot water pressure fluctuation range and the rotation angle range of the hot water layer valve and water valve are created in advance for each region, and then input values related to actual measurements are created for each region. After obtaining a set of multiple temporary output values by comparing them with the ambiguous set, a final value is obtained by performing operations on the sets of output values.

The effects of this method of obtaining the final value and its configuration are: First, there are only multiple simple control equations, and the final output value is obtained from multiple temporary output groups, so the calculation speed is fast;
Also, since the time from obtaining the input value to producing the output value is short, as a result, the time to reach the set temperature is short, and overshoot does not occur because the numerical value does not closely follow fluctuations. , an output value that converges smoothly is obtained.

Second, even if there are fluctuations in the temperature of the supplied water, the temperature of the hot water being supplied, or the hot water supply pressure, an output is produced to correct the fluctuations in a short period of time, so the hot water temperature that appears as a phenomenon can be output. There is very little fluctuation in the mixed water temperature due to changes in hot water pressure or hot water temperature, and the time for deviation from the set temperature is also short.

Second, since the time required for the mixed water to reach the set temperature is short,
This saves hot water and water by reducing the amount of time spent discharging hot water that cannot be used in showers, etc.

Fourthly, it has the effect described in -1-, so if it is used to bathe a sick person who requires assistance, it can avoid dangerous situations such as the helper pouring too hot water on the sick person, or situations that cause discomfort. It is very convenient to wash and bathe safely and with peace of mind.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] The attached drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 1 showing the piping system and electrical configuration, Fig. 2 a block diagram showing the functions of the microcomputer, and Fig. 3. is a sectional view of the valve, Figure 4 is a flowchart, Figure 5 is an input membership function graph showing the relationship between the difference between the set temperature and mixed hot water temperature and the area membership, and Figure 6 is the hot water pressure and area. Figure 7 is a function graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle and direction of the groove valve and the degree of area membership, Figure 8 is the rotation of the water valve. A function graph of angle, direction, and degree of belonging to area. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the output of hot water combined into one group. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the output of water output combined into one group. It shows her husband is gone. ” - Hot water pipe, 2 Gutter valve, 3 Mixer, 5 Water valve,
10 Wenzhou motor, 11 Water motor 12・Pressure sensor, 14・Temperature sensor, i 5-Control unit, 19・Temperature setting device, 22・Motor control circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] A hot water motor 10 that opens and closes a hot water valve 2 connected to a hot water pipe 1 that receives hot water, a water motor 11 that opens and closes a water valve 5 that receives water, and an outlet of the hot water valve 2. a mixer 3 that mixes hot water and water obtained from the outlet of the water valve 5;
A temperature sensor 14 that measures the temperature of the hot water inside, a hot water pressure sensor 12 installed in the hot water pipe 1 that measures the pressure of hot water, a temperature setting device 19 that arbitrarily sets the temperature of the mixed hot water, and settings of the temperature setting device 19. A control section 15 operates according to fuzzy theory by obtaining temperature information, temperature information from a temperature sensor 14, and hot water pressure information from a hot water pressure sensor 12, and an output from the control section 15 is applied to control the hot water motor 10 and the water motor 11. A mixing device that controls the temperature of mixed hot water by rotating a hot water valve 2 and a water valve 5 connected to a hot water motor 10 and a water motor 11.