JPS6144062Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention uses a combination of a shape memory alloy and a coil spring to automatically adjust the mixing ratio of hot water and cold water to obtain a constant amount of hot water. This relates to a hot water mixing faucet.

Conventionally, this type of automatic temperature-adjusting hot water mixer faucet used, for example, one using bimetal (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-43258), as well as one that sensitively reacts to temperature changes, as shown in Figure 6. An element A is provided in the mixing chamber B, and the element A is provided with a rod a' that can be moved in and out depending on temperature at one end of a container a into which a liquid or gas whose volume changes by being charged is installed in the mixing chamber B. By causing the entry and exit of the rod a' of the element A to act on the valve body D, which is slidable within the valve chamber c, via the valve stem d, the hot water hole E or the cold water hole F, which is provided through the valve chamber C, is opened. It is known that the desired amount of hot water can be obtained by adjusting the opening amount.

However, in the former type, which uses bimetal, due to its structure, both valve bodies, which are suspended facing the hot water hole and the cold water hole, lack stability, and the valve cannot be opened by the water pressure passing through both holes. Strictly speaking, it is difficult to always obtain a predetermined water temperature because the amount changes slightly, and the latter element method requires advanced shaft sealing and the surface of the container to improve sensitivity. Difficulties were found in the production aspects such as processing.

On the other hand, in recent years attempts have been made to use shape memory alloys in some high-temperature, high-pressure control valves for internal combustion engines, etc., but in general, shape memory alloys have poor temperature performance even with slight changes in their components. significantly different,
It is necessary to control this so that it expands and contracts at a constant temperature, and also when the temperature rises and falls,
Since the so-called temperature hysteresis, which causes the characteristic curves to differ, is noticeable, there is a problem in that error movements are likely to occur.

In view of these circumstances, the present invention prevents the temperature hysteresis characteristic of shape memory alloys by combining a shape memory alloy formed into a coil shape with a constant pitch and a coil spring, and at the same time prevents the temperature hysteresis characteristic of shape memory alloys. To provide a hot water mixer faucet that quickly adjusts the opening amount of hot water or cold water holes in accordance with the temperature deformation of a memory alloy, eliminates temperature irregularities in the supplied water, and always provides hot water at a constant temperature. This is the purpose.

Hereinafter, the structure will be explained in more detail based on Figures 1 and 2. In the figure, 1 is a stopper housing, with one side being a valve chamber I and the other side being a mixing chamber B through a partition plate 2. A cold water hole C and a hot water hole D are provided in the valve chamber A, and a water discharge hole H is provided in the mixing chamber B.

Further, 3 is a knob that is screwed and fitted into the other side of the faucet housing 1, and 4 is a valve shaft that can freely slide through the partition plate 2, and the cold water hole is provided at the end on the valve chamber side. A valve body 5 capable of opening and closing each opening is mounted across C and hot water hole D, while the mixing chamber side end of the valve shaft 4 is loosely fitted into the hollow part 3' of the knob 3. It is.

Further, a seat plate 6 is provided at the intermediate portion of the valve shaft 4 in the mixing chamber, and a shape memory alloy made of a shape memory alloy described below is provided between the seat plate 6 and the partition plate 2 over its entire length. Coil 7 with pitches at regular intervals
In addition, a coil spring 8 is fitted between the seat plate 6 and the knob 3.

In addition, in the figure, 9, 9, . . . indicate water passage holes provided through the partition plate 2, the valve body 5, and the seat plate 6, and 10 indicates a hot water supply valve provided on the hot water hole side.

The coil 7 is a so-called coiled shape memory alloy made of, for example, a titanium-nickel alloy or a copper-zinc-aluminum alloy as a base material.
Although it does not have elasticity like a normal coil spring, if it is set to a certain shape (in this case, length) under a certain temperature, it will not be elastic even if the shape is physically changed under other temperatures. It has the characteristic that by applying a setting temperature of

However, general shape memory alloys are said to produce a difference in the amount of deformation (so-called hysteresis) when the temperature rises and falls, and this causes an error in adjusting the hot water temperature. In the mixer faucet,
Even in such a case, by using a spring in combination, the above-mentioned hysteresis can be reliably absorbed by the elasticity of the spring.

To describe the operating principle of the mixing faucet of the present invention according to the above configuration, first, the coil 7 set at a constant temperature is shortened by a certain amount, and the valve body 5 opens the hot water hole. After setting the cold water hole C to be balanced with the coil spring 8 at the closed position (see FIG. 1), the hot water supply valve 10 is opened to introduce hot water into the mixing chamber. Due to the heat generated at this time, the coil 7 exerts a shape restoring force corresponding to the set temperature in addition to its own coefficient of expansion, and tries to quickly expand to its original length. Through this, the coil spring 8 is elastically contracted, and the valve shaft 4 is pushed in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

Along with this, the valve body 5 simultaneously opens the cold water hole C and constricts the hot water hole D, so that the water temperature in the mixing chamber gradually decreases, and the tension of the coil 7 and the elasticity of the coil spring 8 are reduced. A constant amount of hot water is supplied at the time of equilibrium.

However, since the technical gist of the mixing faucet of the present application is to obtain a constant mixing ratio by reacting the hot water temperature in the mixing chamber with the coil 7, the design requires that the cold water holes and hot water Conditions include the inner diameter of the hole, the shape restoring force of the coil, and the elasticity of the spring.

Next, Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the mixed faucet of the present invention, in which the cold water hole C and the hot water hole D are provided in close proximity to each other in the valve chamber, and the valve body is in contact with the partition wall thereof. By making the openings of the cold water hole C and the hot water hole D freely reciprocable, hot water and cold water are alternately supplied into the mixing chamber.

In the embodiment described above, in order to change the temperature at which hot water is taken out, the pressure of the coil spring 8 relative to the coil 7 may be changed by rotating the knob 3.

That is, depending on the strength of the pressure of the coil spring 8, the characteristics of the coil 7 change as shown in the curve shown in the graph of FIG. If you tighten knob 3 and get the characteristic of the curve,
Equilibrium occurs at point B, resulting in a high water temperature.

As mentioned above, the mixed faucet of the present invention uses a coiled shape memory alloy of a certain pitch in combination with a spring to eliminate the above-mentioned hysteresis inherent in the shape memory alloy, while at the same time having a structure in which the shape memory alloy comes into direct contact with hot water. Compared to conventional mixing faucets of this type, the reaction is more accurate and temperature unevenness is less likely to occur, as well as having a simpler structure and being available at a lower price.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 and 2 are central longitudinal sectional views showing one embodiment of the mixing faucet of the present invention, and Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the center of other embodiments. Figures 2 and 4 show the state before hot water supply, and during hot water supply, respectively. Figure 5 is a graph showing changes in the characteristics of the shape memory alloy coil depending on the strength of the coil spring, and Figure 6 is a graph of the conventional shape memory alloy coil. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the central part of the element-type hot water mixing faucet. In addition, 1...stopper case, 2...partition plate, 3...knob,
4... Valve stem, 5... Valve body, 6... Seat plate, 7... Coil, 8... Coil spring, 9... Water hole,
10...Hot water valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The inside of the faucet casing is divided into a valve chamber and a mixing chamber by a partition plate, and a hot water hole and a cold water hole are provided in the valve chamber, and a water discharge hole is provided in the mixing chamber, while a water discharge hole is provided through the partition plate. A valve body is attached to the valve chamber side end of the valve stem which is slidably provided in the mixing chamber, and a coil having a constant pitch over the entire length is installed between the seat plate of the valve stem and the partition plate in the mixing chamber. An automatic temperature-adjusting hot water mixer faucet characterized by a shape-memory alloy and a coil spring fitted on the other side with adjustable pressure using a knob.