JPH11107339A - Water feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent delivery of only cold water or hot water in a water feeding device which delivers cold water and hot water by mixing them. SOLUTION: An electric connection condition between a water feeding valve 200, 300 and a controller 500 is determined by a solenoid valve voltage monitoring part 505 based on if a dielectric inverse current exists or not after actuation of a solenoid valve 203, 303. When it is determined that either one of the water feeding valves 200, 300 is not electrically connected to the controller 500, a closing signal is inputted to the solenoid valve of the other water feeding valve, and delivery of water from a cock 100 is not performed. As a result, quick delivery of only cold water or hot water from the cock 100 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply device for mixing cold water and hot water supplied by opening and closing a solenoid valve to discharge water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a water supply device for supplying water by mixing cold water and hot water, a water supply device as shown in FIG. 1 is known. A water faucet 100 attached to the sink 101 is connected to a cold water pipe 110 for supplying cold water and a hot water pipe 120 for supplying hot water, and mixes and discharges cold water and hot water so as to have an appropriate temperature. Water supply valves 200 and 300 and water stop valves 400 and 450 are connected to the cold water pipe 110 and the hot water pipe 120, respectively. Water supply valve 2
The valves 00 and 300 are opened and closed in accordance with the operation state of the foot switch 600 electrically connected via the controller 500, and supply or stop water to the faucet 100 is performed.

[0003]

However, for example, when the wiring connecting the controller 500 and the water supply valves 200 and 300 is disconnected or the connection is forgotten, the water supply valve 200,
If one of the controllers 300 is not electrically connected to the controller 500, the temperature of the water discharged from the faucet 100 cannot be set to an appropriate temperature, which causes a problem that the user feels uncomfortable. Was.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a water supply device which can prevent a user from feeling uncomfortable and can make a user recognize that the water supply device is broken. It is intended to be provided.

[0005]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, either one of the first water supply valve or the second water supply valve and the valve control means are determined by the connection state determining means. If it is determined that is not electrically connected,
Since the closing signal is given to the other water supply valve by the valve control means, only the cold water or the hot water is not suddenly discharged from the faucet, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable. Further, since water is not discharged from the faucet even though the operation switch is on, the user can easily recognize the failure of the faucet device.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, after judging an electrical connection state between the first water supply valve connected to the cold water pipe and the valve control means, the first water supply valve connected to the hot water pipe is determined. The electrical connection between the valve and the valve control means, it is possible to prevent only the hot water from being rapidly discharged from the faucet, and to prevent the user from being burned accidentally. it can.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
The faucet 100 attached to the sink 101 is the sink 1
The on / off state is switched by the user performing an operation such as stepping on / off of the footboard unit provided on the lower portion of the footswitch 600. Although not shown, a contact switch is provided inside the foot switch 600, and is turned on when the user steps on the tread portion, and is turned off when the user releases the tread portion. The controller 500 includes a first water supply valve 200, a second water supply valve 300, and a foot switch 6
00 and a connector (not shown), and are electrically connected. The controller 5
Reference numeral 00 denotes valve control means for controlling the operation of the water supply valves 200 and 300.

The first water supply valve 200 for supplying or stopping water to the faucet 100 by opening and closing the valve is mainly composed of a nut 20.
4 comprises a diaphragm-type main valve 207, a solenoid valve 203, and a manual valve 225 provided in the middle of a water channel formed inside the body 201 connected to the cold water distribution pipe 110. Body 201 has inlet 205, outlet 2
28, and a water channel is formed therein. Main valve 207 sandwiched between bodies 201 and 202
, A diaphragm frame 208 is fixedly provided by a diaphragm holder 209. The main valve 207 can be seated on a valve seat 210 and is urged by a spring 211 in a seating direction. Main room 212 and sub room 215
Is formed by the main valve 207, but is communicated with the water channel on the inflow port 205 side by a communication path 213 formed in the diamond frame plate 208. The sub chamber 215 is connected to the solenoid valve 2 through a passage 214 formed in the body 202.
03 is communicated with the second chamber 206 in which is disposed.

The solenoid valve 203 is a valve that opens and closes when a coil described later is energized, and has the following structure. The second chamber 206 has a cylindrical plunger 2
17 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction, and the opening of the bypass passage 216 communicating with the downstream water passage of the main valve 207 by the tip end surface of the plunger 217 can be closed. Further, a fixed core 218 fixed in the coil 219 is disposed to face the rear end side of the plunger 217. A spring 224 is provided between the plunger 217 and the fixed core 218.
Is urged in a direction in which it can be seated and pointed at the opening of the bypass passage 216. The coil 219 is fixed to the body 202 via a yoke 220, a first ring 222, an annular magnet 221 magnetized in the thickness direction, and a second ring 223.

Reference numeral 225 denotes a manual valve, which is located in the middle of the water channel so that the tip 225a is located at a position facing the main valve 207.
It is screwed to the body 226 attached to the body 201 by the ring 227, and when the solenoid valve 203 does not operate for some reason or when the on-off valve by the faucet 100 is required, the water supply to the faucet 100 / This is a valve to switch the water stop.

The second water supply valve 300 is connected to the first water supply valve 20.
It has the same structure as 0, and the description is omitted. Controller 500 for controlling operation of water supply valves 200 and 300
Is a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) that is connected to a power supply 501 and provides an open / close signal to the solenoid valves 203 and 303 based on the operation state of the foot switch 600.
502, a voltage monitoring unit 503 for monitoring the voltage of the microcomputer 502, an electromagnetic valve 203 according to an open / close signal from the microcomputer 502, and an electromagnetic valve 303 of the second water supply valve 300.
And a solenoid valve driving unit 504 for driving the solenoid valves 203 and 3 based on the voltages at the output terminals of the solenoid valves 203 and 303.
03 has a solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 (connection state determination means in the claims) for determining whether or not the electronic control unit 03 is electrically connected to the controller 500. Further, the water supply device A includes a water temperature adjusting means (not shown) for mixing the cold water supplied from the cold water pipe 110 and the hot water supplied from the hot water pipe 120 so that the water temperature desired by the user is obtained. .

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the first water supply valve 200 will be described. When the plunger 217 is closed and the main valve 207 is seated on the valve seat, the main chamber 212 and the sub chamber 215 communicate with each other through the communication path and the main chamber 212 through the communication path 213, The water pressure on the chamber 212 side is equal to the water pressure on the sub chamber 215 side. Therefore, the urging force of the spring 211 and the main chamber 21
The state where the main valve 207 is closed is maintained by the surface pressure difference between the second side and the sub chamber 215 side, and the water is stopped.

When a positive current is applied to the coil 219 in this state, a magnetic force is generated, and the plunger 217
Is attracted to the fixed coil 219 side and the bypass passage 21
The opening 6 is open. Sub chamber 215, passage 214, second chamber 2
06, the bypass passage 216 communicates, and the sub-chamber 215 and the downstream water passage of the main valve 207 communicate with each other, so that the water pressure on the sub-chamber 215 side becomes lower than the water pressure on the main chamber 212 side.
As a result, the main valve 207 is separated from the valve seat 210, and the water supply is performed.

Note that even if the energization of the coil 219 is stopped when the plunger 217 is sucked and the opening of the bypass passage 216 is open, the gap between the plunger 217 and the fixed core 218 is small, The attraction force of the plunger 217 by the magnetic force of the magnet 221 is larger than the urging force of the spring 224. Therefore, the plunger 217 remains sucked, and the state where the opening of the bypass passage 216 is open is maintained.

When a current in the opposite direction is applied to the coil 219 in a state where water is supplied, a magnetic force is generated in the opposite direction, and the plunger 217 is moved in the direction to close the opening of the bypass passage 216 by the urging force of the spring 224. And move.
The state of communication between the sub-chamber 215 and the downstream water passage of the main valve 207 is released, and the water pressure of the main chamber 212 and the water pressure of the sub-chamber 215 again become equal. As a result, the main valve 207 is again seated on the valve seat 210, the main valve 207 is closed, and the water is stopped.

As described above, the first water supply valve 200 is opened and closed by applying a forward / reverse current to the coil 219, that is, by giving an open / close signal to the solenoid valve 203.
Water supply / water stop is switched. An open / close signal for the solenoid valve 203 is given by the user operating the foot switch 600. When the user steps on the foot switch 600 and turns on the foot switch 600, the solenoid valve 20
3 is given an open signal. When the solenoid valve 203 opens, the main valve 207 opens and the first water supply valve 200 opens. When the user releases the foot switch 600, a close signal is given to the solenoid valve 203, the main valve 207 is closed,
Water is stopped. The operation of the second water supply valve 300 operates in the same manner as the operation of the first water supply valve 200, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the water supply valves 200 and 300 are electrically connected to the controller 500 and the solenoid valves 203 and 303 are opened or closed by an open / close signal, the output terminals of the solenoid valves 203 and 303 are connected to the output terminals. An induced back electromotive force is generated, and the voltage changes. In the present invention, the water supply valves 200, 30 are determined based on the presence or absence of the induced back electromotive force after the open / close signal is given.
0 and the controller 500 are electrically connected by the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505, and the water supply valves 200 and 30 are determined.
0 operation is switched. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 1, the foot switch 600
Is turned on, an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 203, and the solenoid valve 203 opens in the following step 2. Subsequently, when the generation of the induced back electromotive force is detected from the output terminal of the solenoid valve 203 by the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 in Step 3, it is determined that the controller 500 and the first water supply valve 200 are electrically connected. It is determined, and the process proceeds to Step 4. If the generation of the induced back electromotive force is not detected in step 3, it is determined that the controller 500 and the first water supply valve 200 are not electrically connected, and the process returns to step 1.

In step 4, an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 303, and the solenoid valve 303 opens. Subsequently, in step 5, the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 controls the solenoid valve 3
When the generation of the induced back electromotive force is detected from the output terminal 03, it is determined that the controller 500 and the first water supply valve 200 are electrically connected, and the process proceeds to Step 6. At this time, since the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 300 are both opened, the cold water and the hot water mixed so that the water temperature desired by the user is mixed, and the faucet 100 is mixed.
It is spouted from.

In step 6, when the foot switch 600 is again depressed and turned on, the process proceeds to step 7. In step 7, a close signal is given to the solenoid valve 303,
The solenoid valve 303 is closed. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 8, and when a close signal is sent to the solenoid valve 203, the solenoid valve 203
Is closed. At this time, since the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 300 are both closed, the faucet 100 is in a water stopped state.

In step 5, the generation of the induced back electromotive force from the output terminal of the solenoid valve 303 is not detected by the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505, and the controller 500 and the first water supply valve 200 are electrically connected. If it is determined that there is no such signal, the process proceeds to step 8, where a close signal is sent to the solenoid valve 203 opened in step 2, and the solenoid valve 203 closes. Therefore, although the first water supply valve 200 is opened once, it is closed in a short time.
The cold water supplied from 10 is not rapidly discharged from faucet 100.

Hereinafter, the controller 500 and each water supply valve 20 will be described.
The operation of the water supply device A according to the electrical connection state with 0 and 300 will be described. First, referring to FIG.
The operation when 0 and 300 are electrically connected to the controller 500 will be described. Foot switch 600
Is depressed and turned on, first, an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 203. When the solenoid valve 203 is opened by this opening signal, an induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal of the solenoid valve 203. When an induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal of the solenoid valve 203, the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 causes the first water supply valve 20 to operate.
It is determined that 0 and the controller 500 are electrically connected, and subsequently, an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 303.
When the solenoid valve 303 is opened by this opening signal, an induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal of the solenoid valve 303. Solenoid valve 3
When an induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal 03, the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 determines that the second water supply valve 300 and the controller 500 are electrically connected.

At this time, the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 3
00 is in the open state, so that cold water and hot water mixed to have an appropriate temperature by the water temperature adjusting means are connected to the faucet 100.
It is spouted from. Until the foot switch 600 is depressed again by the user and turned on, the water spouting from the faucet 100 is continuously performed. Foot switch 60 depending on the user
When 0 is depressed again, first, a close signal is given to the solenoid valve 303, and the solenoid valve 303 closes. Subsequently, the solenoid valve 20
3 is given a close signal, and the solenoid valve 203 closes. As a result, the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 300 are both closed, and the discharge of water from the faucet 100 is stopped.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the first water supply valve 200 is not electrically connected to the controller 500 due to disconnection or the like, and only the second water supply valve 300 is connected to the controller 50.
The operation when electrically connected to 0 will be described. When the foot switch 600 is depressed and turned on, first, an opening signal is given to the solenoid valve 203. However, the solenoid valve 203 does not open because the first water supply valve 200 is not electrically connected to the controller 500. Therefore, no induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal of the solenoid valve 203, and the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 determines that the first water supply valve 200 and the controller 500 are not electrically connected. When it is determined that the first water supply valve 200 and the controller 500 are not electrically connected, no opening signal is given to the solenoid valve 303, and the solenoid valve 303 does not open. As a result, since the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 300 are both closed, water is not discharged from the faucet 100.

Further, referring to FIG. 7, the second water supply valve 300 is not electrically connected to the controller 500 due to disconnection or the like, and only the first water supply valve 200 is connected to the controller 50.
The operation of the water supply device A when electrically connected to 0 will be described. When the foot switch 600 is turned on and an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 203, the solenoid valve 203 is opened. When the solenoid valve 203 is opened, an induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal of the solenoid valve 203, and the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 5
At 05, it is determined that the first water supply valve 200 and the controller 500 are electrically connected, and an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 303.

However, since the second water supply valve 300 is not electrically connected to the controller 500, the solenoid valve 303
Does not open, and no induced back electromotive force is generated at the output terminal of the solenoid valve 303. Therefore, the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 505 determines that the second water supply valve 300 and the controller 500 are not electrically connected, and gives a close signal to the solenoid valve 203 to close the solenoid valve 203. Therefore,
Both the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 300 are in a water-stop state, and the water discharge from the faucet 100 is not performed. In addition,
The first water supply valve 200 is once opened and then closed again. After a valve opening signal is given to the solenoid valve 203, the second water supply valve 300 and the controller 500 are electrically connected. It is determined that the connection is not established, and the time until the valve closing signal is given to the solenoid valve 203 is a very short time (for example, about 0.
1 second), and the cold water that has passed through the first water supply valve 200 does not reach the water outlet of the faucet 100. Therefore, in this case,
The water spouted from the spout of the faucet 100 is supplied to the first water supply valve 2.
Only the room temperature water staying in the section from 00 to the spout of the faucet 100 is discharged, and the cold water piping 1
The cold water supplied from 10 is not discharged from faucet 100.

As described above, the solenoid valve voltage monitoring unit 50
5, the first water supply valve 200 is determined based on the presence or absence of the induced back electromotive force.
And the state of electrical connection between the second water supply valve 300 and the controller 500 is determined, and one of the first water supply valve 200 and the second water supply valve 300 is electrically connected to the controller 500. If it is determined that there is no water, by providing a close signal to the solenoid valve of the other water supply valve, contrary to the user's will, suddenly, only cold water,
Alternatively, it is possible to prevent only the hot water from being spouted from the faucet 100, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable. Further, since the water is not discharged from the faucet 100 or only a small amount of room temperature water is discharged even though the foot switch 600 is turned on, the user can easily recognize the failure of the water supply device A. .

Further, in this embodiment, when the foot switch 600 is turned on, first, an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 203 of the first water supply valve 200 provided in the cold water pipe 110, and the first water supply valve 200 and the controller After determining the electrical connection state with the controller 500, an open signal is given to the solenoid valve 303 of the second water supply valve 300 provided in the hot water pipe 120, so that the first water supply valve 200 and the controller 500 are electrically connected. Even if only the second water supply valve 300 is electrically connected to the controller 500, it is possible to prevent sudden discharge of only hot water from the faucet 100. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent only hot water from being spouted from the faucet 100 and to prevent a user from being burned, and to enhance the safety of the water supply device A.

By the way, in the embodiment described above,
After the first water supply valve 200 provided in the cold water pipe 110 is opened, the second water supply valve 300 provided in the hot water pipe 120 is opened.
Although the water supply device A for opening the water supply valve has been described, the water supply valve provided for the cold water pipe may be opened after the water supply valve provided for the hot water pipe is opened. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an embodiment using a foot switch that turns on a contact switch by performing an operation such as stepping / releasing by a user as an operation switch has been described. A push-button switch or the like pressed by the user with a hand or the like may be used. Further, a switch for switching on / off according to the magnitude of the pressing force of the operation switch may be used. Further, a switch having an optical sensor which is turned on / off by a user's operation may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment using the contact type switch for switching the operation by the user directly touching the operation switch is shown as the operation switch. A light-emitting element may be provided, and a non-contact operation switch that operates by detecting a user's operation may be used. Thus, the method of the operation switch used in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a water supply valve used in the water supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control of a water supply device.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of various signals when the controller and each water supply valve are electrically connected.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of various signals when the first water supply valve and the controller are not electrically connected.

FIG. 7 is a time chart of various signals when the second water supply valve and the controller are not electrically connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 cold water piping, 120 hot water piping 200 first water supply valve 300 second water supply valve 500 controller 505 as valve control means electromagnetic valve voltage monitoring unit as connection state determination means 600 foot switch as operation switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cold water pipe for supplying cold water, a first water supply valve connected to the cold water pipe for supplying and stopping cold water, a hot water pipe for supplying hot water, and a hot water pipe connected to the hot water pipe. A second water supply valve for supplying water and stopping the water supply; hot water supplied from the hot water pipe via the second water supply valve, and cold water supplied from the cold water pipe via the first water supply valve. A faucet that mixes and discharges water at a temperature, and a valve control unit that is electrically connected to the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve and that provides an open / close signal to the second water supply valve and the first water supply valve. An operation switch for controlling the operation of the valve control means; a valve state control means; and a connection state determination means for determining a connection state between the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve. The first water supply valve or When it is determined that one of the second water supply valves is not electrically connected to the valve control means, a closing signal is given to the other water supply valve by the valve control means. apparatus. 2. The first water supply valve and the second water supply valve include a main valve that opens and closes the cold water pipe or the hot water pipe, and an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes when energized to open and close the main valve. The connection state determination means determines a connection state between the first water supply valve or the second water supply valve and the valve control means based on the presence or absence of an induced back electromotive force generated when the solenoid valve opens and closes. The method for controlling a water supply device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The connection state judging means judges a connection state between the valve control means and the first water supply valve, and then judges a connection state between the valve control means and the second water supply valve. The method for controlling a water supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: