JPH0634650Y2 - Water faucet power generation and flow rate detection device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a faucet power generation and flow rate detection device, and more particularly to a faucet power generation and flow rate detection device improved to accurately detect a flow rate.

[Prior Art] For a faucet such as a fixed water stopcock that needs to detect the amount of water discharged, an impeller is provided in the flow path of this faucet, and a generator is connected to this impeller to output power from the generator. It is known to count the number of waves. In addition, in a faucet having an electric circuit such as an automatic faucet, it is also known to charge a battery with the output of the generator in order to cover the power consumption of the circuit.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] When the output of the generator is used for flow rate detection and also as the power source for the load circuit, the impeller rotates while the generator is under load, and Free rotation is suppressed, and the error in the detected flow rate increases.

[Means for Solving the Problem] A faucet power generation and flow rate detecting device of the present invention includes a valve for opening and closing a passage of a faucet, and the passage provided when the valve is opened. An impeller driven by a fluid flowing therein, a generator that transmits the driving force of the impeller to generate electric power, and detects the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow path in association with the rotational speed of the impeller. Flow rate measuring means, valve control means for closing the valve when the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means reaches a predetermined value, and being charged by the output of the generator,
In a power generation and flow rate detection device for a faucet, comprising a power storage means for supplying power to the valve control means, the flow rate detection means, a measurement period for measuring a flow rate from a detection value corresponding to the rotational speed of the impeller, And a pause period during which the measurement is paused, the flow rate is estimated based on the measurement value measured during the measurement period during the pause period, and the flow rate is detected by the measurement value and the estimated value. Switching means is provided for electrically connecting the generator and the storage means during the period and for disconnecting the generator and the storage means during the measurement period.

[Operation] In the faucet power generation and flow rate detection device of the present invention, since the flow rate is detected by disconnecting the load circuit and allowing the impeller to rotate freely, the accuracy of the detected flow rate becomes high.

Embodiments Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power generation and flow rate detection device for a faucet, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram, FIG. 3 is a flow chart, FIG. 4 is a timing chart, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the faucet body. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.

First, the configuration of the faucet body 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 2 is a faucet shell, which includes an inflow port 3, an outflow port 4, and a flow path 5 connecting these. A main valve 6 and a generator 7 are provided in the middle of the flow path 5.

The main valve 6 is composed of a diaphragm, can be seated on a cylindrical valve seat 8 provided on the shell 2, and is biased in the seating direction by a spring 9. A peripheral portion of the main valve 6 is sandwiched between a shell 10 and a cap 10 screwed to the shell 2. In the shell body 2 and the cap 10, a passage 1 that connects a main chamber 11 between the main valve 6 and the cap 10 to a flow path 5a upstream of the main valve 6.
2,13 are drilled. The main chamber 11 is communicated with the sub chamber 16 via the cap 10 and the other passages 14 and 15 formed in the shell 2, and the sub chamber 16 is further passed from the main valve 6 via another passage 17. Is also connected to the flow path 5b on the downstream side.

A movable core 18 is provided in the sub chamber 16 so that the movable core 18 can be seated on the opening surface of the passage 17 to close the passage 17. Movable core 18
Has a cylindrical shape, the front end surface of which can be brought into close contact with the open end surface of the passage 17, and the rear end surface thereof faces the fixed core 19 with a slight gap.

The fixed core 19 is fixedly installed in a coil 20, and the coil 20 is fixed to the shell body 2 via a yoke 21, a first ring 22, an annular magnet 23, and a second ring 24. The annular magnet 23 is magnetized in the plate thickness direction. Coil 20, rings 22, 24,
A cylindrical cylinder 25 is provided so as to pass through the inner hole of the annular magnet 23, and the fixed core 19 is inserted therein and the movable core 18 is inserted movably in the axial direction thereof. . A compression coil spring 27 is interposed between the movable core 18 and the fixed core 19 to urge the movable core 18 in the seating direction.

When the coil 20 is not energized when the movable core 18 is in the valve closed state as shown in the figure, the magnetic flux from the annular magnet 23 causes the second ring 24, the movable core 18, the fixed core 19, the yoke 21,
It flows in the order of the first ring 22, and returns to the annular magnet 23. As a result, a suction force acts between the movable core 18 and the fixed core 19.
However, since the distance between the fixed core 19 and the movable core 18 is large, the attraction force between the cores 18 and 19 is weak, and the biasing force of the spring 27 exceeds the magnetic attraction force.
Keeps the valve closed.

When a current is applied to the coil 20 in a direction in which a magnetic flux in the same direction as the magnetic flux is generated in the valve closed state shown in the figure (hereinafter, this current direction is referred to as a positive direction), the magnetic attraction force by the annular magnet 23 increases. The movable core 18 overcomes the biasing force of the spring 27 and approaches the fixed core 19. And once movable core 18
When the magnetic core 18 starts to approach the fixed core 19, the gap between the cores 18 and 19 becomes smaller, the magnetic flux and the magnetic attraction force increase more and more, and the movable core 18 approaches the fixed core 19 and is firmly attracted and held. The valve is opened.

Even if the coil 20 is de-energized when the valve is opened, the gap between the cores 18 and 19 is small, so the annular magnet 2
Even if only the magnetic attraction by the magnetic flux of 3, core 19 is core 1.
The force to attract 8 exceeds the urging force of the spring 27, and the movable core 18
Keeps the valve open.

When the coil 20 is energized with a current in the direction opposite to the forward direction in this valve open state, a magnetic flux in the direction opposite to the magnetic flux from the annular magnet 23 is generated in the fixed core 19, and as a result, the urging force of the spring 27 is exerted. Becomes greater than the magnetic attraction force, the movable core 18 is separated from the fixed core 19, and the valve is closed as shown.

When the movable core 18 is closed and the main valve 6 is seated on the valve seat 8, the flow passage 5a upstream of the main valve 6 communicates with the main chamber 11, and the main chamber 11 and the passage 17 are connected to each other. It is in the cutoff state. For this reason,
The water pressure in the upstream flow passage 5a and the water pressure in the main chamber 11 become equal,
The force due to the water pressure, which is the difference between the biasing force of 11 and the pressure receiving area, acts and the state where the main valve 6 is seated on the valve seat 8 continues.

In this state, when the movable core 18 moves by applying a forward current to the coil 20, the passages 14 and 15 and the sub chamber 1
6, the passage 17 communicates, and the inside of the main chamber 11 communicates with the flow path 5b on the downstream side of the main valve 6. Then, the water in the main chamber 11 will pass through the passage 1
4,15, sub-chamber 16, through the passage 17 to the downstream flow path 5b,
The main valve 6 separates from the valve seat 8 due to the water pressure in the upstream passage 5a,
Water will pass. This water flow state is as described above for the coil 20.
It continues even if the power supply to is stopped.

In this water-flowing state, when a current in the opposite direction is applied to the coil 20, the movable core 18 closes. Then, passage 12,1
The water gradually flows into the main chamber 11 through the valve 3, the valve body 6 gradually approaches the valve seat 8, and finally sits down to the water stop state.

Next, the configuration of the generator 7 will be described.

Reference numeral 30 is a Francis type impeller, and includes a shell 2 and the shell 2.
A shaft 32 rotatably held between the cap 31 and a cap 31 screwed to the blade 32; a blade installation plate 33 on a circular plate fixed to the shaft 32; and a blade 34 provided on the blade installation plate 33. There is. Reference numerals 35 and 36 indicate bearings. A magnet 37 is provided on the impeller 30, and the magnet 37 is magnetized with N and S alternately in the circumferential direction of the impeller 30. A coil 38 is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the magnet 37. Reference numeral 39 is a coil bobbin, and reference numeral 40 is a yoke. Magnet 37 when the impeller 30 rotates
The flow of magnetic flux transmitted from the yoke 40 to the yoke 40 changes, and a current flows in the coil 38 in a direction to prevent this change.

A vortex chamber 41 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the blade 33, and water from the main valve 6 side flows from the vortex chamber 41 toward the blade 40 and reaches the outlet 4.

Next, the circuit configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The output of the generator 7 is full-wave rectified by the full-wave rectifier 50, and then the switching element.
A storage battery (a nickel-cadmium battery in this embodiment, hereinafter abbreviated as Nicd) 52 is input via 51. The positive terminal of the dry cell 54 is connected to the positive terminal of the Nicd 52 through the diode 53. The output of the generator 7 is input to an input port (hereinafter, referred to as I port) 57 of a microcomputer (hereinafter, abbreviated as microcomputer) 56 via a waveform shaping circuit 55 that makes the waveform rectangular. An output port (hereinafter referred to as O port) 58 of the microcomputer 56 outputs a control signal to the switch element 51.

The positive terminal output of Nicd52 and dry cell 54 is PNP transistor 5
These transistors 59,60 are connected to the emitters of 9,60.
Is connected to the collectors of NPN transistors 61 and 62 and the terminal of the coil 20. Transistor 59,6
Driver circuits 63 and 64 are connected to the base of 0 and the bases of the transistors 60 and 62, respectively, and control signals are output from the O ports 65 and 66 of the microcomputer 56 to these driver circuits 63 and 64.

Reference numeral 67 is a water discharge / water stop switch, which is connected to the battery positive terminal via a resistor 68. The switch 67 and the resistor 68 are connected to the I port 69 of the microcomputer 56.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the water faucet power generation and flow rate detection device of this embodiment will be described.

The output of the generator driven by the impeller is charged into a battery as a load through the load disconnecting means, and the water discharge / water stopping means can be driven by the power supply from the battery. The output of the generator is input to the flow rate detecting means, and when the flow rate is detected, a signal is output to the load disconnecting means to disconnect the load (battery) from the generator. Water discharge is started by operating a water discharge switch (hereinafter, may be referred to as a water discharge / water stop switch or simply a switch), and the flow rate is detected. Water is stopped when the integrated flow rate reaches a predetermined amount.

Next, the operation of the above circuit, the flowchart and the operation time chart will be described with reference to FIGS.
After reading the water discharge data (the set total flow rate) in step 71, the process proceeds to step 72, and it is determined whether or not the water discharge / water stop switch 67 is operated to discharge water. When the switch 67 is pressed once, the contact of the switch 67 is closed, the level of the I port 69 becomes L, and the water discharge signal is input to the microcomputer 56. Then, the process proceeds to step 73, and the transistors 59 and 62 are first turned on by the signals from the O ports 65 and 66. As a result, a current is applied to the coil 20 in the positive direction for a predetermined time, the movable core 18 is opened, and water discharge is started (state t ₁ in FIG. 4). Generator 7 simultaneously with the start of water discharge
Starts to output. Then, first, the signal from the O port 58 opens the contact of the switch element 51 to disconnect the load (Nicd52) from the generator 7 (step 74). In this state, T ₁
Generator output as a square wave pulse signal for I seconds only
It is read from 57 to the microcomputer 56 (steps 75 to 77).
During ₁ second of T, the cout pulse wave is converted into a flow rate and the total flow rate is integrated (steps 78 and 79). When the total flow rate does not reach the set amount, the load is connected (step 81. Fourth
The state at t _{2 in} the figure. ) Charge the Nicd52. Then, after T ₂ seconds have elapsed (step 82), the process returns to step 74. Then
As shown at the timings t ₃ and t _{4 in} FIG. ₃ , the load is disconnected for T ₁ seconds, the flow rate is detected, the total flow rate is integrated, and the total flow rate is compared with the set amount, as described above. It should be noted, of t ₂ ~t ₃
The flow rate during the non-measurement time period of T ₂ seconds is, for example, the previous time (between t _{1 and} t ₂ )
It is estimated from the average value of the flow rate of and the flow rate of this time (between t ₃ and t ₄ ) and included in the total flow rate. (Of course, between t ₁ and t ₂ or t ₃
It may be presumed that the water was spouted between t _{2 and} t ₃ at the flow rate during t ₄ . ) If the total flow rate does not reach the set value, charge the Nicd52 for T ₂ seconds (timing t _{4 to} t ₅ ), and then repeat step 74.
In return, carry out integration of flow rate (t ₅ ~t ₆₎ disconnect the load. When the accumulated total flow rate reaches the set amount, the process proceeds from step 80 to step 83, the contact of the switch element 51 is closed by the signal from the O port 58 to connect the generator 7 and the Nicd 52, and then to step 84. Then, the driver circuits 63 and 64 turn on the transistors 60 and 61 for a predetermined time by the signals from the O ports 65 and 66. As a result, a reverse current is applied to the coil 20 to close the movable coil 18 and stop the water (timing t ₆ ). Then, the process returns to step 72.

In this way, by disconnecting the load (Nicd) at the time of flow rate detection, the generator 7 rotates in a manner that accurately corresponds to the flow rate, and therefore the detected flow rate becomes a highly accurate value.

Although not shown, when the water discharge / water stop switch 67 is pressed during the water discharge, the program is configured to stop the water discharge even if the total flow rate does not reach the set amount.

In the above embodiment, when the Nicd discharge voltage drops below a predetermined value, power is supplied from the dry cell 53.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, immediately after the load is disconnected, the generator 7 is in a transient state in which the number of revolutions exactly corresponds to the flow rate. Therefore, in the present invention, the flow rate may be detected for only b seconds after the predetermined time a when the load is disconnected and the number of revolutions of the generator 7 accurately corresponds to the flow rate.

[Effects] As described above, the faucet power generation and flow rate detection device of the present invention can detect the flow rate with extremely high accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment apparatus, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram, FIG. 3 is a flowchart, FIG. 4 is a timing chart,
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the faucet body, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing another embodiment. 1 ... faucet body, 2 ... shell, 5,5a, 5b ... flow path, 6 ... main valve, 7 ... generator, 18 ... movable core, 19 ... fixed core, 20 ... Coil, 23 ... Annular magnet, 30 ... Impeller, 32 ... Shaft, 33 ... Wing, 37 ... Magnet, 38 ... Coil, 51 ... Load disconnect switch, 52 ... Load (Nicd), 59 to 62 …… Transistor, 67 …… Water discharge / water stop switch.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Etsushi Yamada 1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya city, Aichi Prefecture, Nihon Denso Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Kimiaki Yamaguchi 1-1-cho, Showa town, Kariya city, Aichi Within the corporation

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A valve for opening and closing a passage of a water faucet, an impeller provided in the passage and driven by a fluid flowing in the passage when the valve is opened, and a drive for the impeller. A generator that transmits power to generate electric power, a flow rate measuring unit that detects the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow path in accordance with the rotational speed of the impeller, and a flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting unit has a predetermined value. In the water faucet power generation and flow rate detection device, the valve control means for closing the valve when it reaches, and the power storage means for charging by the output of the generator and supplying power to the valve control means, The flow rate detection means has a measurement period for measuring the flow rate from the detected value corresponding to the rotational speed of the impeller, and a rest period for suspending the measurement, and during the rest period, the measured value is measured during the measurement period. The flow rate is estimated based on the measured value and the estimated value. And a switching means for electrically connecting the generator and the storage means during the rest period and for disconnecting the generator and the storage means during the measurement period. Water faucet power generation and flow rate detection device.