JPH11212652A - Flow controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the control accuracy of a flow rate, to attain output reduction and miniaturization by lowering the pump-up level of a pump to be used for flow control while effectively using the supply pressure of tapped water, and to expand a flow control range concerning a flow controller for the sanitary cleaning device of a water supply directly tapped system. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a flow control means 3 for controlling constant the flow provided on a supply conduit, waste water conduit 8 branched from this supply conduit 1, and main conduit 6 having the flow controllable pump, and by providing the waste water conduit with a pressure feedback valve for changing the aperture of the valve corresponding to the discharge pressure of the pump, the ability specification of the pump 5 is reduced so that accuracy in flow control can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flow control device and a sanitary washing device provided with the flow control device for directly cleaning a human body, which is directly connected to a generally supplied water supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional flow control device of a sanitary washing device used directly connected to a water supply will be described with reference to FIG. From the main pipe of the water supply (not shown), check valve 31, pressure reducing valve 32,
The flow rate of the water flowing through the water stop valve 33 is controlled by the flow rate control means 34. The water flowing out of the flow rate control means 34 becomes hot water in the hot water tank 35 and jets out from the nozzle 36.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional sanitary washing apparatus has the following problems.

When only the original pressure of the water supply can be used in the flow control of the direct water supply system, the discharge amount from the nozzle 36 may be insufficient in an area where the supply pressure of the water supply is low. In an area where the supply pressure of the water supply is high, the flow rate control means 34 is required to have a highly accurate flow rate control function in order to control the flow rate to a predetermined value.

[0005] When the source pressure of the water supply is insufficient, there is a method of using a positive displacement pump for the flow rate control means 34 in the above-mentioned conventional configuration. When the positive displacement pump is used as the flow control means 34, there are the following problems.

If the range of the discharge flow rate of the nozzle 36 is 1 L / min to 0.4 L / min, and the pressure loss of 1 L / min at the maximum flow rate of the nozzle is set at 1 kg / cm ² , the flow rate is 0.4 L / min at the minimum flow rate.
Has a pressure loss of 0.2 kg / cm ² . When a positive displacement pump is used as the flow control means 34, the original pressure of the water acts on the suction side of the pump, but the nozzle 3 near the maximum flow rate.
Since the pressure loss of No. 6 is close to 1 kg / cm ² which is the original pressure of ordinary water supply, the flow rate can be easily controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the pump. On the other hand, near the minimum flow rate, the nozzle 3
The pressure loss of 6 is ゜ 0.2 kg / cm ^2, and a considerably large reverse pressure acts on the pump. In the case of a positive displacement pump, the pump rotates due to this pressure, and it cannot be throttled to a predetermined flow rate. There was a problem that.

In order to improve the controllability of the flow rate at the minimum flow rate, when the pressure reduction amount of the pressure reducing valve 32 is increased and the pressure is reduced to about 0.2 kg / cm ² at the inlet of the pump at the minimum flow rate, the maximum flow rate is reduced. Has a problem that the pressure loss is as large as 5 kg / cm ² and the load on the pump is increased.

The present invention relates to a flow control device for a sanitary washing device directly connected to a water supply system.
It is an object of the present invention to effectively use the supply pressure of the water supply, reduce the head of a pump used for flow rate control, achieve a low output and a small size, and expand a flow rate adjustment range.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, a flow control means for controlling a flow rate to be constant is provided in a supply flow path having a pressure source. A waste water passage is provided between the passage and the pump, and a pressure feedback valve for adjusting the amount of water discharged from the waste water passage according to the discharge pressure of the nozzle is provided in the waste water passage. is there.

When the number of rotations of the pump is low and the amount of hot water discharged from the nozzle is small, the discharge pressure of the pump is low, the pressure feedback valve is almost open, and the escape water flow path is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure. Since the suction pressure is also substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure, the discharge flow rate from the nozzle can be reduced to the set value only by the rotation speed of the pump. When the rotation speed of the pump increases and the discharge pressure of the pump increases, the relief water flow path is restricted by the pressure feedback valve, but the supply flow path side operates to maintain a constant flow rate by the flow rate control means. The supply pressure of the water works so as to flow a predetermined flow rate, and the pump load is reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to realize a lower output and a smaller size of the pump while securing the adjustment range and accuracy of the flow rate.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is embodied by the embodiments described in the claims, and the embodiments will be described below.

A flow control means provided in a supply flow path having a pressure source for controlling a flow rate to be constant; a waste water flow path branched from the supply flow path; and a main flow path having a flow controllable pump. A flow control device provided with a pressure feedback valve for changing an opening degree of the valve in accordance with a discharge pressure of the pump in the waste water flow path.

Further, the flow control means is a flow control device provided with a constant flow valve.

The pressure feedback valve provided in the waste water flow passage changes the opening degree of the valve according to the discharge pressure of the pump, so that an appropriate suction pressure can be applied to the suction side of the pump.

The pressure feedback valve has a pressure port connected to a pressure introduction flow path communicating with the discharge side of the pump, a pressure chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, and a valve chamber.
The pressure chamber communicates with the pressure port, and the valve chamber is provided with an inflow port connected to a waste water flow path, a valve body forming a part of the diaphragm, and a position facing the valve body. The flow control device has a seat, and further has an outlet that flows out from the inner peripheral surface of the valve seat to the waste water flow path, and a spring that elastically supports the diaphragm.

Further, a predetermined flow rate flows through the waste water flow path when the pressure feedback valve is closed.

Since a predetermined flow rate can be ensured even when the pressure feedback valve is closed, a minimum flow rate of the waste water can be ensured, and the operation stability of the flow rate control can be improved.

The pressure feedback valve has a pressure port connected to a pressure introduction flow passage communicating with the discharge side of the pump, a pressure chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, and a valve chamber.
The pressure chamber communicates with the pressure port, and the valve chamber has an inflow port connected to a waste water flow path, a valve element provided in the diaphragm, and a valve seat provided in a position facing the valve element. And a spring configured to elastically support the diaphragm and an outlet that flows out from the inner peripheral surface of the valve seat to the waste water flow path, and that the valve seat is provided with a notch.

Further, the pressure feedback valve has a pressure port connected to a pressure introduction flow passage communicating with a discharge side of the pump, a pressure chamber partitioned by a partition plate having a predetermined bending rigidity, and a valve chamber. The pressure chamber communicates with the pressure port, and the valve chamber has an inflow port connected to a waste water flow path and a valve seat provided at a position facing the partition plate. And an outlet that flows out from the peripheral surface to the waste water flow path.

Since the partition plate having a predetermined bending stiffness is used as the valve driving mechanism, the structure can be simplified.

Further, a constant flow valve provided in a supply flow path having a pressure source, a waste water flow path branched from the supply flow path, and a main flow path having a pump whose flow rate can be controlled are provided. A pressure feedback valve for changing the opening degree of the valve in accordance with the discharge pressure of the pump, a rotation speed detecting unit provided on the pump, and a rotation speed of the pump based on a signal from the rotation speed detecting unit. Is a flow control device provided with a rotation speed control unit for controlling the flow rate.

Since the pump flow rate can be controlled by detecting the rotation speed of the pump, the flow rate can be accurately controlled.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a system flow diagram of a flow control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve used in the flow control device, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the pressure feedback valve.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a supply flow path, in which a strainer 2 is provided at the forefront, and an inlet side of the strainer 2 is a pressure source (not shown, supposed to be a public water supply supplied to a general household). ) And connected. The strainer 2 is further connected to the constant flow valve 3 as flow control means having a function of keeping the flow constant even when the original pressure of the pressure source fluctuates. The constant flow valve 3 is further connected to a water stop valve 4,
It branches into a main flow path 6 leading to the pump 5 and a waste water flow path 8 having a pressure feedback valve 7 that changes the opening degree of the valve according to the discharge pressure of the pump 5. The pump 5 is driven by, for example, a DC motor, and the flow rate can be adjusted by controlling the number of revolutions. Further, as the type of pump, a positive displacement pump is desirable from the viewpoint of flow control. The main flow path 6 has a hot water tank 9 on the outlet side of the pump 5, and the outlet side of the hot water tank 9 is connected to a nozzle 11 for anal cleaning and a nozzle 12 for female local cleaning via a switching valve 10. I have. A pressure introduction channel 14 is connected to the pressure port 13 of the pressure feedback valve 7 so that the pressure on the discharge side of the pump 5 acts.

The pressure feedback valve 7 is connected to the diaphragm 1
5 has a pressure chamber 16 and a valve chamber 17.
The pressure chamber 16 communicates with a pressure port 13 that is connected to a pressure introduction flow path 14 that communicates with the discharge side of the pump 5. Valve room 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a valve body 19 provided integrally with an inflow port 18 connected to the waste water flow path 8 and the diaphragm 15, and a valve body 1
9 having a valve seat 20 provided at a position opposed to the outlet 9, and an outlet 21 flowing out from the inner peripheral surface of the valve seat 20 to the waste water flow path 7.
And a spring 22 for elastically supporting the diaphragm 15 are arranged.

Next, the operation and function will be described. Since the inlet side of the strainer 2 is connected to a pressure source (assuming public water supply), a pressure of about 1 kg / cm ² normally acts. The water filtered by the strainer 2 is controlled by a constant flow valve 3 so as not to exceed a predetermined flow rate. When the closing valve 4 is opened, the water branches and flows into the main flow path 6 and the waste water flow path 8. When the pump 5 is set to a predetermined rotation speed, the pressure increases on the discharge side of the pump 5 according to the load, and this acts on the pressure feedback valve 7 through the pressure introduction flow path 14 and the pressure port 13.

If the water stop valve 4 is opened in a state where the pump 5 does not rotate, the discharge pressure of the pump 5 does not act on the pressure chamber 16, so that the valve body 1 formed integrally with the diaphragm 15 is formed.
9 is in a state pushed up by the spring 22. In this state, the pressure loss of the pressure feedback valve 7 can be ignored, and almost all of the water supplied from the pressure source is discarded and flows into the water flow path 8.
When the pump 5 rotates and the discharge pressure acts on the pressure chamber 16, the valve body 19 integrally formed with the diaphragm 15 is moved to the valve seat 20.
And the pressure loss of the pressure feedback valve 7 increases, and the pressure corresponding to this pressure loss acts on the suction side of the pump 5.

The operation of the pressure feedback valve 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The load characteristic on the discharge side of the pump 5 in the main flow path 6 changes from A to a predetermined load point B when the rotation speed of the pump 5 is zero. One-way water flow path 7
When the pump 5 in the main flow path 6 reaches a predetermined load point B starting from a point C where the flow rate at the rated value of the constant flow valve 3 and the pressure loss are almost zero, the pressure of the pump 5 The point D is set to be approximately half the pressure at the load point B. When the degree of opening of the pressure feedback valve 7 in the waste water flow path 8 decreases, the original water pressure corresponding to the pressure loss of the pressure feedback valve 7 acts on the suction side of the pump 5. Therefore, the actual load of the pump 5 is a load curve A-E in which the assist component acting on the suction side is offset. Load of pump 5 such as sanitary washing device is 1kg
In the case of about / cm ² , assuming that the original pressure of general water supply is about the same as 1 kg / cm ² , it is sufficiently possible to apply about half of the original pressure of water supply to the suction side of the pump 5. Yes,
The capacity specification of the pump 5 can be halved.

FIG. 4 shows a change in flow rate characteristics due to variations in pump accuracy when the pump rotation speed is fixed. In a positive displacement pump, as the pump differential pressure increases, the variation in flow characteristics due to the magnitude of the clearance inside the pump increases. Therefore, when using a positive displacement pump for the purpose of flow control, it is desirable to use the pump at a pressure as low as possible. In this embodiment, the load pressure of the pump can be reduced, so that the accuracy of flow control can be improved.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve 7A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Example 1
The difference is that a notch 23 is provided in a part of the valve seat 20 so that the pressure feedback valve 7A is not fully closed even when the valve body 19 and the valve seat 20 are in close contact with each other.

The components having the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have the same configuration, and the description is omitted. Next, the operation and action will be described. When the valve body 19 and the valve seat 20 are discarded and the flow rate of the water is large, there is no difference from the operation in the first embodiment. Approaching the valve seat 20, the gap between the valve body 19 and the valve seat 20 becomes narrower, the flow velocity of the water passing therethrough increases, the pressure is reduced by the Hernoy's theorem, and the valve body 19 is drawn to the valve seat 20. It can also occur when they come into close contact. Even in this case, since the notch 23 is provided in the valve seat 20, the pressure feedback valve 7A does not close. In the sanitary washing device directly connected to the water supply,
The minimum value of the waste water flow rate is determined, and the notch 23 provided in the valve seat 20 can be set to satisfy this condition.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve 7B according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Example 1
The difference is that the diaphragm 15 and the spring 22 are replaced by a partition plate 24 having a predetermined bending rigidity. As the material of the partition plate 24, a resin material may be used as well as a metal-based material to be integrally molded with the main body.

The components having the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have the same configuration, and the description is omitted. Next, the operation and action will be described. The operation is the same as that shown in the first embodiment,
As compared with the diaphragm 15 and the spring 21 shown in the first embodiment, the configuration is simple, the assembly is easy,
The cost can be reduced and the reliability can be improved.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve 7C according to another embodiment of the third embodiment. The difference from the previous embodiment is that a fold 25 is provided on the outer periphery of the partition plate 24. When a metal-based material is selected as the material of the partition plate 24, it can be formed by press working, and when a resin material is selected, it can be formed by injection molding. It is easy to set the operating conditions of the feedback valve 7C.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram of a flow control device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that the pump 5 is provided with a rotation speed detection unit 26 and a rotation speed control unit 27 for controlling the rotation speed of the pump 5 based on the rotation speed signal.

The components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same configuration, and the description is omitted. Next, the operation and action will be described. In the flow control device according to the present invention, since the pressure load of the pump 5 is reduced, the flow variation among the individual pumps is reduced as described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, in a flow control device that does not use the main water pressure, the load of the pump is equal to the load of the nozzle, so that the difference between the load of the pump at the time of the small flow and the load of the pump at the time of the large flow is large. The difference between the load of the pump at the time of the flow rate and the load of the pump at the time of the large flow rate becomes small. Therefore, the amount of change in the supply voltage to the pump corresponding to this flow rate change is smaller in the present invention, and in order to increase the accuracy of the relative flow rate change, the pump speed control by the pump speed detection shown in the present embodiment is performed. Is desirable.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, a flow rate control means provided in a supply flow path for controlling a flow rate to be constant, and a main flow path having a waste water flow path and a pump branched from the supply flow path are provided. Since the pressure feedback valve for controlling the flow rate of the waste water flow path according to the pressure on the discharge side of the pump is provided in the waste water flow path, the load on the pump can be reduced while maintaining the flow rate control accuracy.

Further, since the pressure feedback valve is configured such that a predetermined flow rate flows through the waste water flow path when the valve is closed, it is possible to increase the stability of flow control while ensuring the minimum flow rate of the waste water.

Furthermore, since the valve drive section is constituted by the partition plate having a predetermined bending rigidity, the structure can be simplified and the reliability can be improved.

Further, since a pump rotation speed detector is provided and the rotation speed can be accurately controlled, the accuracy of flow rate control can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system flow path configuration diagram of a flow control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve of the flow control device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of characteristics of a positive displacement pump used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure feedback valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the pressure feedback valve according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a system flow path configuration diagram of a flow control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a system flow path configuration diagram of a conventional flow control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 supply flow path 3 constant flow valve (flow control means) 5 pump 6 main flow path 7, 7A, 7B, 7C pressure feedback valve 8 waste water flow path 13 pressure port 15 diaphragm 16 pressure chamber 17 valve chamber 18 inlet 19 valve body 20 Valve seat 21 Outflow port 22 Spring 23 Notch 24 Partition plate 25 Fold 26 Rotation detector 27 Rotation controller

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A flow rate control means provided in a supply flow path having a pressure source and controlling a flow rate to be constant, a waste water flow path branched from the supply flow path, and a main flow path having a flow rate controllable pump. And a pressure feedback valve for changing a valve opening in accordance with a discharge pressure of the pump in the waste water flow path. 2. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein a constant flow valve is provided as the flow control means. 3. The pressure feedback valve has a pressure port connected to a pressure introduction flow passage communicating with a discharge side of a pump, a pressure chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, and a valve chamber. And an inflow port connected to the waste water flow path in the valve chamber, a valve body constituting a part of the diaphragm, a valve seat provided at a position facing the valve body, and the valve The flow control device according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet that flows out from the inner peripheral surface of the seat to the waste water flow path, and a spring that elastically supports the diaphragm. 4. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined flow rate flows through the waste water flow path when the pressure feedback valve is closed. 5. A pressure feedback valve having a pressure port connected to a pressure introduction flow passage communicating with a discharge side of a pump, a pressure chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, and a valve chamber, wherein the pressure chamber is connected to the pressure port. And the valve chamber has an inflow port connected to a waste water flow path, a valve body provided in the diaphragm, and a valve seat provided at a position facing the valve body, and further comprising the valve seat. 5. The flow control device according to claim 4, wherein the flow control device comprises an outlet that flows out from the inner peripheral surface to the waste water flow path and a spring that elastically supports the diaphragm, and a cutout is provided in the valve seat. 6. 6. A pressure feedback valve having a pressure port connected to a pressure introduction flow passage communicating with a discharge side of a pump, a pressure chamber partitioned by a partition plate having a predetermined bending rigidity, and a valve chamber. The pressure chamber communicates with the pressure port, and the valve chamber has an inflow port connected to a waste water flow path and a valve seat provided at a position facing the partition plate. The flow control device according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet that flows out of the peripheral surface into the waste water flow path. 7. A wastewater flow system comprising: a constant flow valve provided in a supply flow path having a pressure source; a waste water flow path branched from the supply flow path; and a main flow path having a flow controllable pump. A pressure feedback valve for changing the opening degree of the valve in accordance with the discharge pressure of the pump, a rotation speed detecting unit provided on the pump, and a rotation speed of the pump based on a signal from the rotation speed detecting unit. Flow control device provided with a rotation speed control unit for controlling the flow rate.