JPH04205405A - Device for mixing hot and cold water - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow mixed hot water temperature to smoothly reach a set temperature and to shorten a time required from the start of hot water discharge up to the set temperature by rapidly driving a temperature control valve only for a certain fixed time after ending the removal of dead water at the time of starting hot water discharge in the case of using this hot/cold water mixing device at a low flow rate. CONSTITUTION:When dead water in a pipe has been completely removed at the time of starting hot water discharge, hot water from a heat source 18 is supplied to a temperature control valve 2, and since the temperature of hot water to be mixed by the valve 2 is suddenly changed, a temperate control valve driving part 5 is driven only in the water side full open direction by the 1st control means 11 to prevent the temperature of mixing hot water from being overshot. When temperature variation per unit time is reduced less than a certain fixed value during the control of the 1st control means 11, a control part 10 switches the 1st control means 11 to the 2nd control means 12 and rapidly drives a temperature control valve driving part 5 to control the valve 2 only for a time set up by a timer part 14. Consequently the undershooting of the mixed hot water temperature due to the delay of a control system or overrunning to the water side full open direction can be prevented and the mixed hot water temperature can quickly be brought to the set temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water mixing device that mixes hot water from a heat source and tap water to a constant temperature, and particularly to a hot water mixing device that is applied to kitchen cabinets and washstands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, there has been a demand for hot water mixing devices to smoothly reach a set temperature after the start of hot water dispensing even when used with a low amount of water.

Conventionally, this type of hot water mixing device has generally had a configuration as shown in FIG. The configuration will be explained below.

As shown in the figure, a control unit 1 controls a temperature control valve (hereinafter referred to as a temperature control valve) 2 to adjust the temperature of hot water for mixing hot water from a heat source and tap water to a temperature set in a mixed hot water temperature setting unit 3. So that
The drive level of the temperature control valve drive unit (hereinafter referred to as temperature control valve drive unit) 5 is set based on the deviation between the detected temperature from the mixed water temperature detection unit 4 and the set temperature in the mixed water temperature setting unit 3, and the temperature is adjusted. valve 2
The mixing ratio of hot water and water is feedback-controlled in the range from the water side fully open position to the hot water side fully open position. In addition, the control unit 1 operates the on-off valve 7 in response to an instruction to start or stop hot water dispensing from the hot water dispensing instruction unit 6.
By opening and closing the on-off valve 7, the hot water mixed with the temperature control valve 2 can be dispensed or stopped.

In the above configuration, at the start of hot water dispensing, cold water (hereinafter referred to as dead water) remains in the piping to which hot water is supplied from the heat source, and the temperature control valve drive unit 5 moves the temperature control valve 2 to the hot water side. The temperature control valve 2 continues to be driven in the direction of the fully open position, and eventually stops at the fully open position on the hot water side. After that, when the dead water is removed and the hot water from the heat source is supplied to the temperature control valve 2, the temperature of the mixed hot water changes rapidly, and with normal feed hack control, the overshoot of the hot water temperature becomes large, so the control section l /! The temperature control valve 2 is controlled by the first control means 8 which drives the A control valve drive unit 5 only in the direction of fully opening the water side, and when the amount of change in the mixed water temperature per unit time becomes less than a certain value, the temperature is controlled. The temperature control valve 2 is controlled by a second control means 9 that sets the drive level of the valve drive unit 5 to a low level.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention These conventional hot water mixing devices have the following drawbacks when used in kitchens and bathroom vanities.

(1) When used at a low flow rate such as in a sink or washstand, the second control means 9, which is a normal feed control, is equipped with a temperature control valve to prevent overshoot and hunting in normal conditions. It is necessary to drive the drive unit 5 at low speed. As a result, when the first control means 8 shifts to the second control means 9 after removing dead water, the mixed hot water As shown in Figure 6, the water temperature does not change smoothly due to undershoot before it reaches the set temperature, and it takes a long time to reach the set temperature, making it very difficult to use. It was getting worse.

(2) When an instant hot water dispenser or the like is used as a heat source, the temperature of the hot water supplied to the temperature control valve 2 changes at the start of hot water dispensing, so when the first control means 8 switches to the second control means 9. If the temperature control valve drive unit 5 is driven at a low speed to control the temperature control valve 2, problems such as undershooting occurs before the mixed water temperature reaches the set temperature, and it takes a long time to reach the set temperature. was occurring.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and even when used at a low flow rate such as in a kitchen or a bathroom vanity, the mixed water temperature smoothly reaches the set temperature at the start of hot water dispensing, and the temperature can be set after the hot water starts dispensing. The aim is to improve usability by shortening the time it takes to reach temperature.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention provides a temperature control valve that mixes hot water from a heat source and tap water to a preset temperature, and a temperature control valve that fully opens the water side of the temperature control valve. a temperature control valve drive unit that varies the mixing ratio of hot water and water in a range from the hot water side fully open position to a full open position on the hot water side; an on-off valve that turns on or off the mixed hot water mixed by the temperature control valve; a mixed hot water temperature setting section for setting the temperature of the mixed hot water, a mixed hot water temperature detecting section for detecting the temperature of the mixed hot water, a hot water supply instruction section for instructing hot water to be discharged or stopped from the on-off valve, and a mixed hot water temperature setting section for determining the temperature of the mixed hot water. a control section that sets a drive level of the temperature control valve drive section according to a deviation between a set temperature of the water and a temperature detected from the mixed hot water temperature detection section; a first control means that drives the drive section only in the water side fully open direction; a timer section that starts when the control by the first control means ends after the start of hot water dispensing and counts a certain period of time; and a timer section that counts the time of the timer section. a second control means that sets the drive level of the temperature control valve drive unit to a high level during counting, and a third control unit that sets a drive level of the temperature control valve drive unit to a low level after the timer unit finishes counting time. The solution to the problem is to include a control means.

Effect of the present invention By using the above-mentioned problem solving means, at the start of hot water dispensing, when transitioning from the first control means to normal feedbank control after removing dead water, the temperature control valve is controlled at high speed by the second control means for a certain period of time. The hot water mixed by the temperature control valve can reach the set temperature smoothly and quickly by feedback control, and then the third control means controls the temperature control valve to stabilize the mixed water temperature.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that components having the same configuration as those of the conventional example are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the control section 10 includes a first control means 11, a second control means 12, a third control means 13, and a timer section 14, and the first control means 11 controls the temperature control valve. Part 5
Feedback control is performed by driving only in the water side fully open direction. The second control means 12 and the third control means 13 perform feedback control by controlling the mixing ratio of hot water and water in the temperature control valve 2 in the range from the water side fully open position to the hot water side fully open position. The means 12 drives the temperature control valve drive section 5 at high speed, and the third control means 13 drives the temperature control valve drive section 5 at low speed. Further, the timer section 14 sets a time period for controlling the temperature control valve 2 by the second control means 12 .

Further, the temperature control valve 2 is connected to a valve shaft 15 as shown in FIG.
By moving left and right, the opening degrees of the hot water side valve 16 and the water side valve 17 are varied, and the mixing ratio of hot water from the heat source and tap water is controlled.

To explain the operation in the above configuration, first, when the hot water supply is stopped, the position of the temperature control valve 2 is in the range from the water side fully open position to the hot water side fully open position. Next, when hot water is started to be tapped by the hot water tap instruction section 6, the third control means 13 controls the mixture ratio of the temperature control valve 2 by driving the temperature control valve drive section 5, but when hot water starts to be tapped, the inside of the piping is controlled. Until the dead water is removed, the temperature control valve drive section 5 continues to drive the temperature control valve 2 in the hot water side fully open direction, and eventually the temperature control valve 2 stops at the hot water side fully open position. After that, when the dead water is completely removed, hot water from the heat source 18 is supplied to the temperature control valve 2, and since the temperature of the hot water mixed by the temperature control valve 2 changes rapidly, the first control means 11 controls the The temperature control valve drive unit 5 is driven only in the side full-open direction to prevent overshoot of the mixed water temperature. Next, if the amount of temperature change per unit time becomes less than a certain value during the control by the first control means 11, the control section 11
0 switches to the second control means 12 and drives the temperature regulating valve drive section 5 at high speed to control the temperature regulating valve 21 for the time set by the timer section 14. This prevents undershoot of the mixed hot water temperature due to delays in the control system or overrun in the direction of fully opening the water side, and allows the set temperature to be reached quickly. Timer part 1
4, after a certain period of time has elapsed, in order to prevent overshoot and hunting, the temperature control valve 2 is controlled by the third control means 13, which drives the temperature control valve drive unit 5 at a low speed, to stabilize the mixed water temperature.

To explain this based on the diagram of the hot water temperature change in FIG. 3, the mixed hot water temperature remains at a certain constant temperature during the time A from the start of hot water tap until the dead water is removed.

When the dead water is removed, the temperature of the mixed hot water changes rapidly at time B, but overshoot is suppressed by the first control means 11. Next, when the temperature change of the mixed water becomes small, the second control means 12 causes the mixed water temperature to smoothly change toward the set temperature at time C. After the time C has elapsed, the third control means 13 causes the mixed water temperature to reach the set temperature without overshooting, and the temperature becomes stable. As a result, the time from the start of hot water until the mixed water temperature reaches the set temperature can be significantly shortened compared to conventional systems.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Components having the same configuration as those of the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the instant water heater 19 is installed between the heat source 18 and the temperature control valve 2 at a position close to the temperature control valve 2, and heats the dead water in the pipe between the heat source 18 and the temperature control valve 2. This is how it was done.

When the instant water heater 19 is used between the temperature control valve 2 and the heat source 18 in this way, a small amount of heated water in the instant water heater 19 and dead water in the pipes are supplied to the temperature control valve 2 at the start of hot water dispensing. Although the temperature fluctuation of the hot water is large, the same results as in the above embodiments are obtained, and the hot water tapping characteristics at the start of hot water taping are extremely good.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, the temperature control valve driving section is controlled in accordance with the deviation between the set temperature from the mixed hot water temperature setting section and the detected temperature from the mixed hot water temperature detection section. The control unit that sets the drive level includes a first control unit that drives the temperature control valve drive unit only in the direction of fully opening the water side, and a control unit that starts when the control by the first control unit ends after the start of hot water dispensing. a timer unit that counts a certain period of time; a second control unit that sets the driving level of the temperature control valve drive unit to a high level while the timer unit is counting the time; and a third control means for setting the drive level of the valve drive unit to a low level.
When used at low flow rates, such as in kitchens and bathroom vanities,
At the start of hot water dispensing, the temperature control valve can be driven at high speed for a certain period of time after dead water has finished flowing, and the mixed water temperature can smoothly reach the set temperature without undershooting or overshooting, and when hot water starts dispensing. The time it takes to reach the set temperature is shortened, making it possible to provide a hot water mixing device that is extremely easy to use for the user.

In addition, even if the temperature of hot water supplied from the heat source fluctuates at the start of hot water dispensing using an instant hot water dispenser, etc., the mixed water temperature will not undershoot or overshoot, and will reach the set temperature smoothly and quickly. It is possible to provide a hot water mixing device that is extremely easy to use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hot water mixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a temperature control valve of the hot water mixing device, and FIG.
4 is a block diagram of a hot water mixing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional hot water mixing device. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing changes in the temperature of mixed hot water in the hot water mixing device. 2... Temperature control valve, 3... Mixed water temperature setting section, 4... Mixed water temperature detection section, 5...
Temperature control valve drive unit, 6... Hot water output instruction unit, 7...
...Opening/closing valve, lO... Control section, 11...
...First control means, 12...Second control means, 13...Third control means, 14...
・Timer part. 2nd tA Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] A temperature control valve that mixes hot water from a heat source and tap water to a preset temperature, and a variable mixing ratio of hot water and water in a range from a fully open position on the water side to a fully open position on the hot water side of the temperature control valve. a temperature control valve drive unit for controlling the temperature control valve, an on-off valve for discharging or stopping the mixed hot water mixed by the temperature control valve, a mixed hot water temperature setting unit for setting the temperature of the mixed hot water, and a temperature control unit for detecting the temperature of the mixed hot water. a mixed hot water temperature detection section, a hot water supply instruction section that instructs hot water to be discharged or stopped from the on-off valve, and a deviation between the set temperature from the mixed hot water temperature setting section and the detected temperature from the mixed hot water temperature detection section; a control unit that sets the drive level of the temperature control valve drive unit according to the temperature control unit, and the control unit includes a first control unit that drives the temperature control valve drive unit only in the water side fully open direction; a timer unit that starts when the control by the first control unit ends and counts a certain period of time; and a second control unit that sets the drive level of the temperature control valve drive unit to a high level while the timer unit is counting the time. and,
A hot water mixing device comprising: a third control means that sets a drive level of the temperature control valve drive section to a low level after the time counter of the timer section ends.