JPS58600B2 - fluid control element - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluid control element that utilizes a control fluid such as atmospheric air to introduce a controlled fluid into the flow of a main fluid.

In a fully automatic water softener, the ion exchange resin is regenerated at a predetermined regeneration cycle, but this is mainly done at night when the water softener is not in use.

Since this regeneration instruction is given by a timer, it is necessary to check whether or not the ion exchange resin is being regenerated before starting the water softening process again.

Conventionally, this water test was performed by opening a valve and letting a considerable amount of water flow out, then drawing the water and dropping an indicator into the tank.

This makes water testing time-consuming and troublesome.

Therefore, a transparent autopsy tube is connected downstream of the valve, and an orifice communicating with the indicator container is provided between the autopsy tube and the valve, and when the valve is opened to allow water to flow through the autopsy tube,
The idea was to introduce an indicator using the defuser effect of running water and identify the reaction caused by the indicator in the area of the autopsy tube.

However, with this method, water can only be tested accurately after a considerable amount of water has been drained, and the indicator is wasted during this period.

Therefore, a valve must be separately installed between the indicator container and the orifice to prevent the indicator from being discharged into the flowing water until the water is tested.

Also, if you forget to close the valve for flowing water, there is a risk that all the indicator will flow out wasted.

The above indicators are relatively expensive, so from the user's point of view,
The benefits of automation are outweighed by the damage caused by operational errors.

This invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and allows for easy and accurate introduction of a fluid to be controlled such as an indicator into the main fluid without substantially changing the flow state of the main fluid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid control element that can control water accurately and quickly and has a simple structure.

In this case, the controlled fluid (gas or liquid with relatively high specific gravity) is introduced into or shut off from the main fluid by using another fluid such as air (gas or liquid with relatively low specific gravity can also be used) without using a valve or the like. is introduced into the main stream.

To cut off the introduction of control fluid such as air,
For example, a means of blocking the inlet of an air introduction passage with a finger (or a valve structure that can be opened easily) is used.

Therefore, when the coroner leaves the scene, the air introduction path is automatically opened and the introduction of the controlled liquid is cut off.
Even if the flow of the main liquid is not interrupted, the controlled liquid, such as the indicator, is completely exposed to loss.

It is expected that such a fluid control element can be used in many fields.

For example, it can be used to introduce a required amount of liquid detergent at the same time as water is poured into a washing machine, or to introduce a highly toxic liquid into the main fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on an illustrated embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a water test reservoir means for a water softener.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a water conduit pipe communicating with the outlet of the water softener, which extends upward through an on-off valve 2 and is bent horizontally midway.

A fluid control element 3 according to the present invention is interposed in the horizontal portion of the water conduit 1, and the end of the water conduit 1 passing through the horizontal portion is connected to a downward vent 4.

A transparent autopsy tube 5 having a bent part in the middle is connected to the vent 4, and the lower end of the autopsy tube 5 communicates with a drain pipe 7 via a vent 6.

The fluid control element 3 is provided with a constricted portion 9 in its main liquid flow path 8, and a first orifice 10 communicating with the atmosphere is provided above the constricted portion 9, corresponding to the constricted portion 9. .

A cylindrical air introduction passage 11 communicates with the orifice 10, and an air opening 12 that opens to the atmosphere at an appropriate height is provided in the air introduction passage 11 to project laterally. .

An adjusting screw 13 is screwed into the air introduction passage 11 from above, and the gap between the annular seat 14 provided in the air introduction passage 11 and the tip of the screw 13 can be adjusted by tightening the screw 13. This restricts the effective cross-sectional area of air flow.

This space is interposed between the orifice 10 and the air opening 12.

Further, a second orifice 15 is communicated below the throttle portion 9 in the flow path 8, and the orifice 15 is formed in a cylindrical connector 16, and the connector 16 includes an indicator, etc. A container 17 containing a liquid to be controlled is removably fitted therein.

When the on-off valve 2 is opened and the water to be checked flows into the fluid control element 3, at the throttle part 9,
The flow rate of the water increases significantly, and the atmosphere is introduced into the flow passage 8 via the air opening 12, the air introduction passage 11 and the first orifice 10, increasing the static pressure there.

Therefore, the suction force in the throttle portion 9 is weakened, so as long as the first orifice 10 is communicated with the atmosphere,
Even if the container 17 is connected to the flow path 8 through the second orifice 15, the controlled liquid therein will not flow out into the water.

Then, if necessary, if the air opening 12 is closed with a finger, the introduction of air through the orifice 10 is cut off, thereby significantly lowering the static pressure in the constricted portion 9.

Therefore, the suction force at the constriction portion 9 is strengthened, and the container 1
An indicator or the like is introduced into the flow path 8 from 7 through the orifice 15.

The introduced indicator immediately dissolves in the water in the flow path 8 and exhibits a predetermined reaction color depending on its properties.

This is observed through fluoroscopy during the process of passing through the autopsy tube 5.

In particular, since the autopsy tube 5 has a bent part in the middle, it is convenient for autopsy from above, and the indicator can be partially stopped at this point by shutting off the on-off valve 2 and closing the air opening 12. The reaction state can be clearly observed.

When the forefinger is removed from the air opening 12, the air opening 12 is opened, air is introduced again, and the outflow of the indicator is stopped.

When this water test is completed, the inside is washed with running water containing bubbles caused by the introduced air, and then the on-off valve 2 is closed.

In this case, the flow rate of the water in the throttle section 9 and the opening diameter of each orifice must be selected.

However, the resistance to the introduction of the control fluid such as air is very small, while the resistance to the outflow of the controlled fluid such as liquid from the container 17 is selected to be considerably large, so that there is a difference in the opening diameter of the orifice. However, normally, when a control fluid, such as air, is introduced, no outflow of fluid from the container 17 via the second orifice 15 occurs.

Anyway, the opening diameter of these orifices etc. is the main fluid,
These are specifically set at the design stage depending on the type of fluid to be controlled and the type of fluid to be controlled.

In addition, in this embodiment, when air flows through the transparent autopsy tube 5 in the form of bubbles through the flow path 8, the inside of the autopsy tube 5 is cleaned, so that the inner surface of the autopsy tube 5 is not contaminated with indicators, limescale, etc. Not contaminated.

As described above, according to the fluid control element of the present invention, the first orifice communicating with the control fluid such as the atmosphere is provided corresponding to the constriction portion provided in the flow path through which the main fluid flows, and the Since the second orifice is provided in the constricted portion adjacent to the first orifice and communicates with the container of the controlled fluid, the structure is extremely simple and easy to manufacture, and the main flow The fluid to be controlled, such as an indicator, can be accurately and quickly tested in the main fluid without changing the flow state of the fluid.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the present invention using a water test circuit for a water softener, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of the same essential parts.・ 1... Water pipe, 2... Open/close valve, 3
...Fluid control element, 4...Vent, 5
... autopsy tube, 6 ... vent, 7 ...
...Drain pipe, 8...Flow path, 9...
・Aperture part, 10... Orifice, 11...
... Air introduction passage, 12 ... Air opening, 13
...Screw, 14...Annular seat, 15...
... Orifice, 16 ... Connection tool, 17.
·····container.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A constricted portion is provided in the flow path of the main fluid, a first orifice communicating with a control fluid such as the atmosphere is provided corresponding to the constricted portion, and the constricted portion is provided adjacent to the orifice. a second orifice in communication with a container of the controlled fluid, the first and second orifices having dimensions of:
When a control fluid such as air is introduced into the flow path through the first orifice by the differential user action caused by the flow of the main fluid, the controlled fluid is not introduced into the flow path through the second orifice. Further, by blocking the flow of the control fluid such as air in the first orifice, the controlled fluid is introduced into the flow path via the second orifice by the differential user action. A fluid control element characterized by: 2. The fluid control element according to claim 1, characterized in that an on-off valve is provided upstream of the constricted portion of the flow path of the main fluid. 3. There is an introduction passage for a control fluid such as air above the first orifice, and the introduction passage for the control fluid such as air is long enough to prevent the main fluid from flowing out from the flow passage. Claim 1, characterized in that the second orifice and the container for the controlled fluid are provided with a connection mechanism for detachably connecting the second orifice and the container for the controlled fluid. Fluid control element listed in section. 4. The fluid control element according to claim 1, wherein a transparent region that can be seen from the outside is installed in the flow path of the main fluid downstream of the throttle portion. 5. The fluid control element according to claim 3, wherein a mechanism for adjusting the substantial opening cross-sectional area of the first orifice is provided in the control fluid introduction passage such as air.