JPH06332545A - Hot/cold water mixture controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a pleasant beat shower by controlling the amplitude and the frequency. CONSTITUTION:A hot water supply machine 2 supplies hot water of a high temperature. A control valve 3 mixes the hot water with cold water in a prescribed ratio. A temperature control part 4 performs a feedback arithmetic operation and the control for the mixing ratio of the valve 3 so that the temperature detected by a thermistor 5 is equal to the temperatures (30 deg.-45 deg.C) set by a temperature setting part 6. A flow control valve 7 gives a prescribed pressure loss to the hot water mixed with the cold water at a proper temperature. A flow rate control part 8 performs a feedforward arithmetic operation and controls the flow path area in accordance with the flow rate set by a set flow rate selecting part 9. The part 9 selects a fixed flow rate setting part 10 which outputs a fixed set flow rate and a beat flow rate setting part 11 which periodically changes the set flow rate in accordance with a operation and outputs the selected part. Therefore, a user can set the frequency of a beat shower by an operation in addition to the normal shower for choice of showers.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a faucet apparatus for use in a bath, a shower or a washroom, and more particularly to a hot water supply device capable of electrically controlling temperature control and flow control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows an example of a hot water supply apparatus using a conventional technique. The water pipe 1 supplies high-pressure tap water (5 ° C. to 25 ° C.) to the water heater 2 and the temperature control valve 3, and the water heater 2 raises the temperature of the tap water and causes the temperature control valve 3 to obtain high temperature hot water (55 ° C. to 85 ° C.). C)).

The temperature control valve 3 mixes hot and cold water at a predetermined ratio, and the temperature control unit 4 makes the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 5 equal to the set temperature (30 ° C. to 45 ° C.) of the temperature setting unit 6. The mixing ratio of the temperature control valve 3 is calculated by a feed bag and controlled.

The flow control valve 7 gives a predetermined pressure loss to the hot water mixed at an appropriate temperature, and the flow rate control unit 8 controls the flow passage area by performing feedforward calculation according to the set flow rate of the set flow rate selection unit 9.

The set flow rate selecting section 9 selectively outputs a fixed flow rate setting section 10 for outputting a constant set flow rate and a beat flow rate setting section 11 for periodically changing the set flow rate in response to an operation. As a result, the user can select a comfortable and exciting beat shower in addition to the normal shower by the flow cycle, and can enjoy a variety of shower life.

Details of temperature control are shown in FIG. The temperature control valve 3 includes a temperature control valve main body 25, a temperature control valve movable part 26 that determines hot water flow passage areas that are in inverse proportion to each other, and a temperature control valve movable part 2
6 is composed of a spring portion 27 for pushing the water to the fully open side with a predetermined force, and the temperature control valve movable portion 26 is coaxially connected to the plunger portion 28, and the force is proportional to the energizing current I1 of the temperature control solenoid 29. The temperature control valve movable part 26 is pushed to the fully open side of the hot water.

Therefore, the relationship between the temperature T1 detected by the thermistor 5 (that is, the temperature of the mixed hot water) and the energizing current I1 becomes proportional as shown in FIG. 6, and the temperature control circuit 24 outputs the energizing current I1 in accordance with a predetermined control rule. Becomes

In FIG. 6, T3 is the temperature of the supplied hot water, T4 is the temperature of the supplied hot water, and the temperature of the mixed hot water has the characteristic that these are asymptotic lines. When there is a pressure difference between hot and cold water, there is a leak from a higher pressure to a lower pressure. For example, when the water is higher, the supplied hot water temperature and the T3 detection temperature T1 will not be the same no matter how large the current may be.

Further, since the temperature control valve movable portion 21 is affected by the fluid force during tapping, for example, when the pressure on the water side is high,
A large flow rate has the characteristic that the energizing current I1 can be small even at the same temperature.

The regulation of the temperature control circuit 25 is shown in FIG. Here, the temperature adjustment control circuit 25 performs feed-bag control for changing the energizing current T1 to the fully open side of the water when the detected temperature T1 is higher than the set temperature T4, and to the fully open side of the hot water otherwise, and the change amount I1 of the current. Is the temperature deviation, that is, the installation temperature T4
And a value proportional to the difference between the detected temperature T1. However, in order to stabilize the control in the vicinity of the set temperature, a dead zone A where the energizing current I1 is not changed is provided.

FIG. 8 shows details of the flow rate control. The flow control valve 7 includes a flow control valve main body 30, a flow control valve movable part 31 that determines the flow passage area of the mixed hot water, and a spring part 32 that pushes the flow control movable part 31 in a fully closed direction with a predetermined force. Further, the flow control valve movable part 31 is coaxially connected to the plunger part 33, and pulls the flow control valve movable part 31 toward the fully open side with a force proportional to the energizing current I2 of the flow rate control solenoid 34.

Therefore, the relationship between the flow rate of the mixed hot water and the energizing current I2 becomes proportional as shown in FIG.
Will output the take-over energizing current I2 according to a predetermined control rule.

Further, in FIG. 9, Q2 is the maximum flow rate, which reaches a high flow rate in proportion to the primary pressure.

FIG. 10 shows the output of the set flow rate selection / selection unit 9. Q2 is an output when the fixed flow rate setting unit 10 is selected, and Q3 is an output when the beat flow rate setting unit 11 is selected.

The flow rate control circuit 35 is feed forward control, and stable tapping characteristics without hunting and the like seen in feed bag control can be obtained. Further, by using the solenoid, the flow rate immediately follows the change in the energizing current I2.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the stability of the flow rate also brings a good result to the stability of the heated water temperature, so that the user obtains stable temperature and flow rate when the flow rate setting unit 10 is selected. Moreover, when the beat flow rate setting unit 11 is selected, a comfortable and exciting beat shower can be obtained with a sharp change in flow rate.

[0017]

However, if the selection is switched from the high flow rate normal shower to the beat shower, the average hot water flow rate is reduced, and conversely the stimulation feeling is reduced. A user who wishes to change to a more stimulating shower will be disappointed and his comfort life will be impaired.

Further, when the selection from the low-flow rate normal shower to the beat shower is switched, the stimulating sensation suddenly increases, which sometimes gives the user discomfort or wonder.

Further, there is a problem that the temperature control balance is lost due to the rapid change of the flow rate and the discharge state, and an overshoot or an undershoot occurs at the transition of the start or end of the beat shower.

The present invention is to solve the above problems,
The purpose is to provide a comfortable beat shower by controlling the amplitude and frequency during the beat shower with a simple configuration.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above object, the hot and cold water mixing control device of the present invention comprises a water supply means, a heating means downstream of the water supply means for heating tap water into high-temperature hot water, and the water supply means. Means and a temperature control valve downstream of the heating means for mixing tap water and high-temperature hot water at a predetermined mixing ratio; hot water temperature detection means downstream of the temperature control valve for detecting the mixed hot water temperature; A temperature setting means for outputting a set temperature in accordance with a user's operation, and a mixing ratio of the temperature control valve so that the mixed hot water temperature output by the hot water temperature detecting means and the set temperature output by the temperature setting means become equal. A temperature control section for electrically varying the flow rate, a flow control valve downstream of the temperature detection means for varying the flow passage area to provide a predetermined fluid resistance, and a constant flow rate set according to a user's operation. Fixed flow rate setting means and oscillation to set the flow rate that changes periodically Quantity setting means, set flow rate selecting means for selecting the output of the fixed flow rate setting means or the oscillation flow rate setting means by a user operation, and the flow passage area of the flow control valve is electrically adjusted according to the output of the flow rate selecting means. From the variable flow rate control means, the amplitude setting means for setting a predetermined amplitude in the oscillation flow rate setting means, and the frequency setting means for setting the frequency proportional to the output of the fixed flow rate setting means in the oscillation flow rate setting means. Become.

[0022]

The temperature control valve mixes high-temperature hot water heated by the water heater to an appropriate temperature, and the temperature control means calculates the feed bag according to a predetermined control rule so that the values of the temperature setting means and the hot water temperature detecting means become equal to each other. The mixing ratio of the temperature control valve is controlled.

The flow control valve provides pressure loss so that the flow rate of the mixed hot water becomes a flow rate suitable for taking a shower. The flow rate control means controls the flow passage area by performing a feedforward calculation according to the set flow rate. The set flow rate selecting means selects the set flow rate to be output by either the fixed flow rate setting means or the oscillation flow rate setting means in accordance with the operation by the user. The fixed flow rate setting means holds and outputs a set flow rate which can be changed according to a user's operation.

The amplitude setting means holds and outputs the amplitude of the treatment and performs fade-in control to gradually increase the amplitude when the oscillation flow rate setting means is selected, and when the fixed flow rate setting means is selected. Fade-out control is performed to gradually reduce the amplitude.

The frequency setting means determines and outputs the frequency in proportion to the output of the fixed flow rate setting means.

[0026]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a hot and cold water mixing control apparatus using the present invention. The water pipe 1 is high-pressure tap water (5 ° C to 25 ° C).
C) is supplied to the water heater 2 and the temperature control valve 3, and the water heater 2 raises the temperature of the tap water and supplies the temperature control valve 3 with hot water (55 ° C. to 85 ° C.).

The temperature control valve 3 mixes hot and cold water at a predetermined ratio, and the temperature control unit 4 makes the detected temperature detected by the thermistor 5 equal to the set temperature of the temperature setting unit 6 (30 ° C to 45 ° C). The mixing ratio of the temperature control valve 3 is calculated by a feed bag and controlled.

The flow control valve 7 gives a predetermined pressure loss to the hot water mixed at an appropriate temperature, and the flow rate control unit 8 controls the flow passage area by performing feedforward calculation according to the set flow rate of the set flow rate selection unit 9.

The set flow rate selecting section 9 selectively outputs a fixed flow rate setting section 10 for outputting a constant set flow rate and a beat flow rate setting section 11 for periodically changing the set flow rate according to an operation. As a result, the user can select a comfortable and stimulating beat shower in addition to the normal shower by the flow cycle, and can enjoy a variety of shower lives (the same as the conventional example).

First, the fixed flow rate setting unit 10 inputs an operation for changing the set flow rate from the user, adds the set flow rate when there is an instruction of "more", and sets it when there is an instruction of "less". Subtract the flow rate. Next, the set flow rate selecting unit 9 for selecting the set flow rate selects either the fixed flow rate setting unit 10 or the beat flow rate setting unit 11 according to the operation from the user, and when the fixed flow rate setting unit 10 is selected, the setting is performed. The determined constant flow rate is output to the flow rate control unit 8.

When the beat flow rate setting unit 11 is selected, the frequency setting unit 12 converts the output of the fixed flow rate setting unit 10 into the beat shower frequency based on the table shown in FIG. As a result, if "more" is instructed during use of the beat shower, the number of rises in the flow rate per unit time (that is, the opportunity to receive water hammer) is increased, and the stimulating feeling is strengthened. Conversely, if "less" is instructed, the irritating feeling is weakened. Become.

The details of the amplitude setting section 13 are shown in FIG. 3, and at the same time, the waveform output from the beat flow rate setting section 11 is shown in FIG.
The amplitude holding unit 14 holds the predetermined amplitude B1 and outputs it to the beat flow rate setting unit 11. At this time, the set flow rate selection unit 9 is switched to the beat flow rate setting unit 11, and at the same time, the feed-in timer 15 is activated and overflows after t1. The fade-in control unit 16 obtains the amplitude B2 proportional to the current value t2 of the fade-in timer 15 from the following formula.

B2 = (t2 / t1) × B1 Similarly, when the set flow rate selection unit 9 switches to the fixed flow rate setting unit 10, the fade-out timer 17 is activated and overflows after t3. The flow rate selection delay unit 19 performs a delay operation in which the output of the beat flow rate setting unit is valid until the fade-out process of the beat shower needs to be valid and the value of the fade-out timer 17 reaches t3. The fade-out control unit 18 obtains the amplitude B3 proportional to the current value t4 of the fade-out timer 17 by the following formula.

B3 = B1− (t4 / t3) × B1 The amplitude selector 20 selects the amplitude B2 when the fade-in timer 15 is less than t1, and the fade-out timer 17
Is less than t3, the amplitude B3 is selected, otherwise the amplitude B1 is selected and output to the set flow rate selection unit 9.

[0035]

As described above, according to the hot and cold water mixing control apparatus of the present invention as described in the embodiments, the frequency of the beat shower can be set by operation, and various beat showers can be performed. In addition, since the flow rate setting and the beat frequency are in a proportional relationship, the bodily sensation of stimulation when a constant flow rate and the beat frequency are the same.

On the other hand, since the set amplitude gradually changes at the time of switching between the constant flow rate and the beat, the balance of the temperature control will not be lost due to a sudden pressure change when the beat is started. Also, since the set amplitude gradually changes when the constant flow rate and the beat are switched, the user can gradually get accustomed to the beat stimulation, and there is no transient discomfort.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a hot and cold water mixing controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram of the frequency setting means of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an output waveform diagram in the oscillation flow rate setting unit of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a hot and cold water mixing control device according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a conventional temperature control valve and temperature control means.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the energizing amount of the temperature control valve and the temperature of the mixed hot water according to the conventional technique.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a control regulation of a temperature control means according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a flow control valve and a flow control means according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a biasing amount of a flow control valve and a mixed hot water amount according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 10 is an output waveform diagram of a set flow rate selecting unit according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Water Supply Means 2 Water Heater 3 Temperature Control Valve 4 Temperature Control Section 5 Thermistor 6 Temperature Setting Section 7 Flow Control Valve 8 Flow Control Section 9 Set Flow Selection Section 10 Fixed Flow Setting Section 11 Beat Flow Setting Section 12 Frequency Setting Section 13 Amplitude Setting Department

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A water supply means, a heating means downstream of the water supply means for heating tap water to produce high-temperature hot water, and a water supply means and a downstream portion of the heating means for supplying tap water and high-temperature hot water to a predetermined temperature. A temperature control valve for mixing at a mixing ratio, a hot water temperature detection means downstream of the temperature control valve for detecting a mixed hot water temperature, a temperature setting means for outputting a set temperature according to a user's operation, A temperature control unit for electrically varying the mixing ratio of the temperature control valve so that the mixed hot water temperature output by the hot water temperature detecting unit and the set temperature output by the temperature setting unit are equalized, and a temperature control unit is provided downstream of the temperature detecting unit. There is a flow control valve that changes the flow passage area to give a predetermined fluid resistance, a fixed flow rate setting means that sets a constant flow rate according to the user's operation, and an oscillating flow rate setting that sets a periodically changing flow rate. Means and output of the fixed flow rate setting means or the oscillation flow rate setting means Set flow rate selection means selected by a user's operation, flow rate control means for electrically varying the flow passage area of the flow control valve according to the output of the flow rate selection means, and a predetermined amplitude for the oscillation flow rate setting means. A hot and cold water mixing control device comprising an amplitude setting means for setting the frequency and a frequency setting means for setting a frequency proportional to the output of the fixed flow rate setting means in the oscillating flow rate setting means. 2. The amplitude setting means includes a fixed amplitude setting part for holding a fixed amplitude, and a first timing means for starting at the same time when the output of the set flow rate selecting means is switched to the oscillation flow rate setting means and overflowing after a predetermined time. , A second time measuring means which is activated at the same time when the output of the set flow rate selecting means is switched to the fixed flow rate setting means and overflows after a predetermined time, and an output of the set flow rate selecting means while the second time measuring means is timing. A flow rate selection delay means serving as an oscillating flow rate setting means, a fade-in control section for gradually increasing the amplitude in proportion to the output of the first timing means, and a gradual increase in inverse proportion to the output of the second timing means. A fade-out control unit that reduces the amplitude, and an output of the fade-in control unit that is selected by the first timing means during timing, and is fixed after the first timer overflows. 2. The hot and cold water mixing control device according to claim 1, further comprising an amplitude selecting section for selecting an output of the amplitude setting section, and for selecting an output of the fade-out control section while the second timing means is measuring the time and outputting the output to the set flow rate selecting section. .