JPH08166082A - Cold water/hot water switching valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To feed only the warm water of appropriate temperature by connecting the flow passage to a drain side when the water temperature is below the transformation point of a first shape memory alloy or above the transformation point of a second shape memory which is higher than the former transformation point. CONSTITUTION: When cold water whose temperature is below the transformation point of a shape memory alloy spring 17 at 30-40 deg.C is fed, a valve disk 13 is pressed upward by a bias spring 18, an inlet port of a communicating passage 8a is closed, a cold water drain 12c is opened, and the cold water is discharged from a discharge port 9c. When warm/hot water whose temperature is above the transformation point flows in, the shape of the spring 17 is returned, the valve disk 13 is moved downward by the spring 17 to close a cold water drain 12c and open the communicating passage 8a, and warm/hot water flows into a downstream side flow passage 12b to be brought into contact with a shape memory alloy spring 19. The spring 19 is transformed when the temperature of the warm/hot water is above the transformation point of the spring 19 at 35-45 deg.C to discharge the hot water from a discharge port 9c. When the temperature of the warm or hot water is below the transformation point of the spring 19, a valve disk 14 closes a drain port 12e by a bias spring 20 and opens the downstream side flow passage 12b. Only warm water of appropriate temperature is fed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cold / hot water switching valve which always discharges only hot water in a constant temperature range from a shower or toilet cleaning nozzle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, even if a faucet is opened to discharge hot water from a shower or toilet cleaning nozzle, the water remaining in a supply path first flows out, so that hot water in an appropriate temperature state is supplied. There is a delay before. In addition, it was necessary to confirm whether or not the water temperature reached an appropriate temperature, whether it was hot water, or the like, by directly touching the effluent water with a hand or the like.

However, when using a washing nozzle for a shower or toilet, it is troublesome for the user to directly check the spilled water by directly touching the spilled water with his / her hand, and suddenly cold water or hot water is discharged. However, there is a problem that not only the user feels uncomfortable but also that the user cannot use the product with peace of mind.

As means for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-64359 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-38776 disclose switching valves for cutting cold water using a shape memory alloy spring. There is.

In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-10858, hot water cutting using a shape memory alloy spring is also used in order to prevent the filter of the water purifier from being damaged by the flow of hot water to the water purifier side. A switching valve for use is disclosed.

[0006]

However, conventionally, this type of switching valve is intended to cut only one of cold water and hot water, so that it is neither cold water nor hot water, and only hot water of suitable temperature is used. I couldn't get it out.

Further, it is conceivable that a cold water cutting valve and a hot water cutting valve are respectively provided in the supply path to take out only hot water having an appropriate temperature, but not only the structure is complicated but also the number of parts is increased. There was a problem that the cost increased due to the increase.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to use one valve to cut cold water and hot water, and to supply only hot water in an appropriate temperature state from the hot water outlet, so that it can be used comfortably and at ease. Another object of the present invention is to provide a cold / hot water switching valve that can be manufactured, has a small number of parts, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention detects the cold water and the hot water by interposing a water supply path for introducing water supplied from a mixing faucet into a hot water outlet. A hot / cold water switching valve for switching and connecting the water to the hot water outlet side and the drain side, a first shape memory alloy spring having a transformation point of 30 to 40 ° C. and a bias spring in a flow passage in the valve body. When the cold water below the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring is supplied, the flow path is connected to the drain side, and hot water or heat above the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring is operated. A first valve body that connects the flow path to the hot water outlet side when water is supplied;
The second shape memory alloy spring having a transformation point of 35 to 45 ° C. operates in balance with the bias spring, and when hot water having a transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring or higher is supplied, the flow passage is provided on the drain side. And a second valve body that connects the flow path to the hot water outlet side when hot or cold water below the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring is supplied. .

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first valve body and the second valve body are cylindrical bodies each having a closed front end and an open rear end. Also, the second shape memory alloy spring is attached to the outer periphery on the tip end side of the tubular body, and the bias spring is attached to the inner periphery of the rear end portion of the tubular body.

[0011]

According to the cold / hot water switching valve of the present invention, when hot water of an appropriate temperature flows from the mixed water faucet, the first shape memory alloy spring for operating the first valve body is transformed and the flow path from the mixed water faucet is changed. To the hot water outlet side, and the second shape memory alloy spring that operates the second valve element does not reach the transformation point, and this second valve element causes the flow path from the mixing faucet by the biasing force of the bias spring. Maintain the connection to the hot water outlet side. Therefore, warm water of an appropriate temperature flows out from the warm water outlet.

When cold water below the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring, which is set between 30 and 40 ° C., flows into the valve body, the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring that operates the first valve body is changed. This first valve body connects the flow path from the mixing faucet to the drain side by the biasing force of the bias spring. Therefore, the cold water is discharged from the drain.

Further, when hot water having a temperature above the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring, which is set between 35 and 45 ° C., is supplied from the mixing faucet, the second shape memory alloy for operating the second valve body. The spring transforms and connects the flow path from the mixed faucet to the drain side. Therefore, the hot water is discharged from the drain.

As a result, the hot water outlet has 30 to 40
Only hot water having a temperature equal to or higher than the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring, which is set between 35 ° C., and lower than or equal to the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring, which is set between 35 and 45 ° C. Cold water below the transformation point of the shape memory alloy spring and hot water above the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring will be discharged from the drain.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first valve body and the second valve body are cylindrical bodies each having a closed front end and an open rear end, and each of the first shape memory alloy spring and the second shape memory alloy spring. However, when the bias spring is mounted on the outer periphery of the front end side of the cylinder and the bias spring is mounted on the inner periphery of the rear end of the cylinder, the installation space for the first valve body and the second valve body can be reduced. At the same time, the water supplied from the mixed faucet easily comes into contact with the first shape memory alloy spring and the second shape memory alloy spring, so that the responsiveness to cold / hot water can be improved.

[0016]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of a cold / hot water switching valve according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 5 is a mixing faucet, in which hot water H and cold water C are appropriately mixed, and a currant 3 and a shower 4 which is an example of a hot water outlet are provided via a three-way valve 2.
And, it can be freely communicated with. Then, in the middle of the supply path 5 that connects the three-way valve 2 and the shower 4,
A cold / hot water switching valve 6 according to the present invention is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lid 8 is mounted on the central upper portion of a valve body 7 of the cold / hot water switching valve 6, and a drain member 9 is provided at a position facing the lid 8.
Is mounted and is sealed in a predetermined manner via a sealing member such as an O-ring (not shown). A cap nut 10 is provided at the inlet of the valve body 7, and a mounting nut 11 is provided at the outlet of the valve body 7.

Further, on the inflow side and the outflow side of the valve body 7, an upstream side flow path 12a communicating with the supply path 5 is provided.
And a downstream side flow path 12b are formed respectively, and both flow paths 12a and 12b are communicated with each other via a communication path 8a formed in the lid 8.

The upstream side flow passage 12 of the valve body 7 is also provided.
a and the inlet of the communication passage 8a, the first valve body 13 is interposed, while the second valve body 14 is interposed between the outlet of the communication passage 8a and the downstream flow passage 12b. Has been done.

The first valve body 13 and the second valve body 14 have the same shape, and the description will be made by giving common reference numerals to respective parts with reference to FIG. Guide fins 15a and 15b are formed on the outer periphery and the front end of the cylindrical body 15 with the rear end opened, and packings 16a and 16b are attached to the front neck and the rear end of the cylindrical body 15, respectively. There is. Further, the inner circumference 15c of the cylindrical body 15 has a stepped portion on the way to increase its diameter and opens at the rear end surface of the cylindrical body 15.

A guide fin 15b formed on the tip of the first valve body 13 is inserted and supported on the upstream side of the communication passage 8a, while a guide fin 15a formed on the outer periphery of the rear portion is formed on the side facing the communication passage 8a. Cold water drain 12c
Is supported through. Further, the guide fin 15a and the communication passage 8a on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 15 of the first valve body 13 are provided.
The first shape memory alloy spring 17 having a transformation point of 30 to 40 ° C. is interposed between the inflow port and the step portion formed in the middle of the inner circumference 15c and the cold water drain 12c. A bias spring 18 is interposed between the drain member 9 and a step portion formed on the inflow side of the cold water drain 9a.

The bias spring 18 constantly urges the first valve body 13 toward the inlet of the communication passage 8a, but when the first shape memory alloy spring 17 reaches the transformation point, the first shape memory alloy. The spring 17 returns to its original shape and its biasing force exceeds the biasing force of the bias spring 18, so that the first valve body 13 moves to the cold water drain 9a side.

Further, a guide fin 15a formed on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the second valve body 14 is inserted into and supported by the downstream side flow passage 12b, and a guide fin 15b formed on the tip is a drain port which opens to the hot water drain 12d. 12e is inserted and supported. Further, the cylindrical body 15 of the second valve body 14
The guide fin 15a on the outer periphery and the drain port 1
The second shape memory alloy spring 19 having a transformation point of 35 to 45 ° C. is interposed between the outer periphery of 2e and the step portion formed in the middle of the inner periphery 15c and the step formed on the mounting nut 11. A bias spring 20 is interposed between the parts and the parts.

The bias spring 20 constantly urges the second valve body 14 toward the drain port 12e, but when the second shape memory alloy spring 19 reaches the transformation point, the second shape memory alloy spring 19 is activated. Since the shape is restored and the biasing force thereof exceeds the bias spring 20, the second valve body 13 is attached to the mounting nut 11.
Move in the direction. The hot water drain 12d merges with the hot water drain 9b formed on the drain member 9 and communicates with the discharge port 9c.

Next, the operation of the cold / hot water switching valve 6 will be described. When cold water below the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring 17, which is set between 30 and 40 ° C., is supplied from the mixed faucet 1 to the shower 4 side through the three-way valve 2, the inside of the cold / hot water switching valve 6 The first shape memory alloy spring 17 for switching the first valve body 13 provided in the above does not reach the transformation point, and the first valve body 13 receives the biasing force of the bias spring 18,
A communication passage 8a, which is pressed upward in FIG. 1 and has a packing 16a attached to the distal neck portion of the first valve body 13, formed in the lid body 8.
And the cold water drain 12c is opened at the same time. As a result, the cold water is discharged from the upstream flow passage 12a of the valve body 7 through the cold water drain 12c and the cold water drain 9a formed in the drain member 9 from the discharge port 9c.

On the other hand, when hot water having a temperature above the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring 17 determined between 30 and 40 ° C. flows into the valve body 7, the first shape memory alloy spring 17 returns to its shape. The first valve body 13 is the first shape memory alloy spring 1
7, the urging force of the bias spring 18 is resisted, and the urging force moves to the lower side in FIG. 1 to close the cold water drain 12c and simultaneously open the communication passage 8a. As a result, the hot water flows into the downstream flow passage 12b through the communication passage 8a, and the second shape memory alloy spring 19 for switching the second valve body 14 provided at the inlet of the downstream flow passage 12b. The hot water is detected by touching.

When the hot water is hot water having a temperature above the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy 19 determined between 35 and 45 ° C., the second shape memory alloy spring 19 transforms and the second valve body 1
Reference numeral 4 slides to the right in FIG. 1 against the biasing force of the bias spring 20 to close the downstream side flow passage 12b and simultaneously open the drain port 12e on the front end side. As a result, the hot water is discharged from the drain port 12e through the hot water drains 12d and 9b and the discharge port 9c.

When the temperature of the hot water flowing into the communication passage 8a is equal to or higher than the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy 19 which is set between 35 and 45 ° C., the second shape memory alloy spring 19 is formed. Does not reach the transformation point, the second valve body 14 receives the biasing force of the bias spring 20 and slides to the left side in FIG. 1 to close the drain port 12e, and at the same time, the downstream flow path 1
Open 2b.

As a result, the temperature is equal to or higher than the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring 17 which is set between 30 and 40 ° C., and 35
Only the hot water below the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy 19 which is set between ~ 45 ° C is supplied to the shower 4, and cold water or hot water can be suddenly discharged from the shower 4. It's safe and comfortable to use.

Further, in this embodiment, since the valve bodies 13 and 14 are made common and both valve bodies 13 and 14 are built in one valve body 7, the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing is performed at low cost. It is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the second valve body 14 is provided in the upstream flow passage 12a and the first valve body 13 is provided in the downstream flow passage 12b. May be. However, in that case, it is necessary to reverse the directions of the respective valve bodies and reverse the arrangement of the shape memory alloy spring and the bias spring.

The hot water outlet is not limited to the shower, but can be used for various things such as a toilet cleaning nozzle.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A valve body that cuts cold water and a valve body that cuts hot water are provided in one valve body, so this valve body can be installed in the supply path of the mixed water, and the optimum temperature can always be obtained from the hot water outlet. It becomes possible to take out only the hot water, and the user can use the hot water comfortably and at ease. In addition, since one valve body can cut cold water and hot water, the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing cost is low compared to the case of using both the cold water cutting valve and the hot water cutting valve. It is possible to achieve excellent effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a cold / hot water switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a half cross-sectional side view of a first valve body and a second valve body provided in the cold / hot water switching valve.

FIG. 3 is a left front view of FIG.

4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the cold / hot water switching valve is provided in a supply path between a mixing faucet and a shower.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Mixing faucet 4 Hot water outlet 5 Supply route 6 Cold / hot water switching valve 7 Valve body 8a, 12a, 12b Flow path 9a Cold water drain 9b Hot water drain 9c Discharge port 12c Cold water drain 12d Hot water drain 13 First valve body 14th Two valve body 17 First shape memory alloy spring 19 Second shape memory alloy spring 18, 20 Bias spring

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A water supply route for introducing water supplied from a mixed tap into a hot water outlet, detects cold water and hot water, and switches the water between the hot water outlet side and the drain side. In a cold / hot water switching valve to be connected, a transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring operates by a balance between a first shape memory alloy spring having a transformation point of 30 to 40 ° C. and a bias spring in a flow passage in the valve body. When cold water below the point is supplied, the flow path is connected to the drain side, and when hot water or hot water above the transformation point of the first shape memory alloy spring is supplied, the flow path is connected to the hot water outlet side. Is operated by the balance between the first valve body connected to the second shape memory alloy spring having a transformation point of 35 to 45 ° C. and the bias spring, and hot water having a temperature above the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring is supplied. Connect the flow path to the drain side when Next, when the hot water or the cold water below the transformation point of the second shape memory alloy spring is supplied, the cold heat is characterized by interposing a second valve body that connects the flow path to the hot water outlet side. Water switching valve. 2. The first valve body and the second valve body are cylindrical bodies each having a closed front end and an open rear end, wherein the first shape memory alloy spring and the second shape memory alloy spring are , Is attached to the outer circumference of the distal end side of the cylindrical body, the bias spring,
The cold / hot water switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the cold / hot water switching valve is mounted on an inner circumference of a rear end portion of the cylindrical body.