JPS6210345A - Water supply control system for service water - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention particularly relates to a water supply control system suitable for use in a water faucet that can automatically control water supply time and/or time.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, water faucets have been opened and closed using mechanical means such as turning a cock by hand.

However, such manual operations are not only extremely troublesome to operate, but also take time to supply and stop water, making it difficult to conserve water and not being sanitary.

Therefore, in recent years, valves constructed using electromagnetic valves have been proposed. This type of solenoid valve type valve uses power from the power line to excite a solenoid coil, which drives a diaphragm valve, and can supply or stop water simply by turning the electrical switch ON and OFF. can.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the conventional solenoid valve type shutoff valve has the following problems.

First, because it is directly assembled and integrated into an existing water faucet, it cannot be replaced with a general manual operation type, and moreover, it cannot be used when multiple water faucets are installed. It is necessary to install each according to the number of pieces, which is not economical.

Second, it only has the function of supplying and shutting off water, and lacks expandability. Therefore, the reality is that it is not possible to automatically supply or stop water based on, for example, designation of water supply time or automatic metering, and the usability is very limited.

Therefore, the present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned problems and provide a water supply control system for water supply that is excellent in economy, versatility, and expandability.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention particularly relates to a water supply control system for water supply using a processing device such as a microcomputer, and is characterized by having a water channel W inside as shown in the drawing. A faucet body part 2 that can be attached and detached to a water faucet nozzle N, an electromagnetic water supply valve part 3 that opens and closes the waterway W, and a timer function that specifies the time and/or time to drive and control the electromagnetic water supply valve part 3. The point is that the control unit 5 is configured to include a control section 5 having a control section 5.

(effect) Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained.

First, since the control unit 5 has a timer function, it specifies, for example, the water supply start time when the waterway W is opened, and the water supply stop time when the waterway W is closed after water supply has been continued for a certain period of time from that time, and the electromagnetic If the control unit 5 controls the water supply valve unit 3 to open and close, it is possible to automatically supply a constant amount of water at a reserved predetermined time. In addition,
Using such a timer function, various controls such as repeated water supply every hour of every day can be performed.

(Example) Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

First, the overall configuration will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a front view of the controller and faucet body unit, Figure 2 is a side view of the faucet body unit, and Figure 3 is a front view of the controller and faucet body unit.
The figure is a vertical sectional side view of a faucet body unit equipped with an electromagnetic water supply valve unit and a sensor unit 7), and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1 showing the sensor unit.

First, the configuration of the faucet body unit will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the faucet body unit indicated by the reference numeral 10, 12 is a so-called pilot type electromagnetic water supply valve unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a valve unit), which is attached to the back of the faucet body 11. Further, 13 is a sensor unit disposed in the waterway W downstream from the valve unit 12.

The faucet body 11 has a main body 11a, which has a water supply port 8 at the top and a water discharge port (nozzle) 9 at the bottom. This water supply port 8 is connected to the valve unit 12
The valve body portion 12a communicates with the water supply chamber T facing the water supply chamber T.
The tip of the cylindrical valve seat portion 14 is provided inside the valve body portion 12a so as to face the valve body portion 12a. An intermediate waterway 15 extending approximately horizontally is formed inside the valve seat portion 14, and the intermediate waterway 15 is connected to the water turbine chamber R.
It communicates with the water outlet 9 via.

On the other hand, a threaded portion 18 is formed on the upper outer periphery of the main body 11a, and a flange 20 is attached to the threaded portion 18 by a nut 19. Furthermore, fixing screws 21 are screwed inward from a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the flange 20, thereby tightening and fixing an existing water faucet nozzle N or the like inserted into the flange 20.

At this time, the tip of the existing faucet nozzle N is press-fitted into the rubber packing 23, the nut 19 is rotated and tightened, and the packing 23 is pressed against the upper end of the main body 11a to seal the waterway. In addition, 24 is a filter for removing dust attached to the water supply port 8, and 25 is an outer cover.

Note that by using such a faucet body 10, it is possible to control water supply and water stoppage in an existing faucet, but the flow rate can be adjusted to a desired flow rate in advance by turning the cock of the existing faucet, etc. Bye. Further, a means for adjusting the flow rate may be separately provided within the main body 11a if necessary.

Next, the configuration of the valve unit 12 will be explained.

The valve unit 12 includes a valve body portion 12a and a solenoid portion 30 that drives the valve body 12a.

The valve body portion 12a is made up of a rubber diaphragm 31 that partitions the water supply chamber T, and a synthetic resin diaphragm plate 32 stacked on the rear surface of the diaphragm 31. diaphragm 3
The peripheral edge 31a of the armature guide 55 is clamped to the main body 11a by the back pressure chamber forming portion 38 of the armature guide 55.

The diaphragm plate 32 is integrated with a valve seat shaft portion 33 provided at the center and a communication shaft portion 34 provided within the other plane by penetrating and engaging the diaphragm 31.

A discharge hole 35 is formed in the valve seat shaft portion 33, and a communication hole 36 is formed in the communication shaft portion 34'.

On the other hand, the armature guide 55 includes a cylindrical guide portion 37 and the back pressure chamber forming portion 38 provided in a radial direction from the front edge of the guide portion 37. This forms a back pressure chamber S surrounded by the armature guide 55, particularly the back pressure chamber forming portion 38 and the valve body portion 12a. Armachia Guide 55
is held by a front yoke portion 39 in the form of a steel plate ring, and this front yoke portion 39 is fixed to the main body 11a with screws or the like.

Further, a solenoid coil 56 is provided on the outer circumference of the guide portion 37.
A bobbin 40 wound with is inserted thereinto, and further surrounded by a cylindrical rear yoke portion 41 having a rear end surface portion.

The front end of the rear yoke part 41 is integrally and continuously formed with the front yoke part 39. Note that a rear auxiliary pole 43 formed by integrating a cylindrical portion and a ring portion is provided from the rear end surface of the bobbin 40 to the rear inner circumferential surface of the bobbin 40, and from the front end surface of the front yoke portion 39 to the front inner circumferential surface of the bobbin 40. A front auxiliary pole 44, which is also formed by integrating a cylindrical portion and a ring portion, is interposed at the portion leading to the front auxiliary pole 44, which also serves to reinforce a part of the magnetic circuit and the end portion of the armature guide 55.

On the other hand, this guide 55 is inside the armature guide 55.
A rod-shaped fixed core 57 made of stainless steel (magnetic material) and having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter is inserted. Fixed core 57
The rear end portion is integrally formed as a small-diameter cylindrical shaft portion 57a, and a concave groove 45 along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface, and an O-ring 46 is fitted into the concave groove 45 for sealing. Thereby, the watertightness between the fixed core 57 and the armature guide 55 becomes sufficient. On the other hand, the rear end surface portion 55a of the guide 55 has a hole 58 having approximately the same diameter as the cylinder shaft portion 57a, and the rear yoke portion 41 also has a hole 47 formed therein. Therefore, the cylinder shaft portion 57
a indicates each hole 58.47 from the inside of the armature guide 55.
If the cork 59, armature guide 55,
The fixed core 57 is integrated.

Furthermore, an armature 60 is inserted in front of the fixed core 57 in the armature guide 55. This Armatia 60
is formed into a bar made of stainless steel (magnetic material) with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the armature guide 55, so that it can freely slide inside the armature guide 55. A resin sheet 48 is embedded in the front end of the armature 60 by caulking, and by exposing the front surface of the sheet 48, it functions as a valve for opening and closing the discharge hole 35 of the diaphragm plate 32.

On the other hand, the rear end surface of the armature 60 and the front end surface of the fixed core 57 become contact surfaces 60a and 57a during suction, respectively, but the contact surface 57a of the fixed core 57 is concave, and the other armature 60
The contact surfaces 60a of the two are each formed with a convex tapered surface, and fit into each other during suction. This makes it possible to substantially expand the adsorption area. Furthermore, a recess 49.50 is formed in the center of each contact surface 57a, 60a, and a coil spring 51 serving as a biasing means is compressed between each recess 49.50.

The solenoid section 30 having the above configuration is covered by a cover 52.

Next, the operation of the valve unit 12 will be explained.

First, when the solenoid coil 56 is not energized, the armature 60 and the valve body 12 are
a is displaced forward, and the diaphragm 31 is connected to the cylindrical valve seat portion 14.
is in pressure contact with. Further, the water supplied to the water supply port 8 fills the water supply chamber T and also fills the back pressure chamber S through the insertion hole 36, so that the pressures in the back pressure chamber S and the water supply chamber T become equal. As a result, back pressure is applied to the diaphragm plate 32, bringing the diaphragm 31 into pressure contact with the cylindrical valve seat 14, resulting in a water-stop state.

On the other hand, the solenoid coil 56 has, for example, a 4V
(or a battery) and excite it, the front yoke part 39 →
A magnetic circuit is constituted by the path of front auxiliary pole 44 -> armachia 60 -> fixed core 57 - rear yoke part 41 (rear auxiliary pole 43 ) - front cork part 39 .

Note that the fixed core 57 and the rear yoke portion 41 are completely magnetically connected in advance. On the other hand, inside the solenoid coil 56, the contact surfaces of the fixed core 57 and the armature 60 serve as magnetic poles and face each other across the gap G. Therefore, during excitation, a strong attractive force acts between the contact surfaces 57a and 60a. , the armature 60 is attracted to the fixed core 57. As a result, the position of the armature 60 opens the discharge hole 35 of the diaphragm plate 32, and the water in the back pressure chamber T is discharged from the discharge hole 35 to the intermediate waterway 15. As a result, the water pressure in the back pressure chamber T becomes lower than the water pressure in the water supply chamber T, and the water pressure in the water supply chamber T displaces the valve body portion 12a rearward, causing water to flow out from the water supply chamber T to the intermediate waterway 15.

In other words, water is being supplied.

In this embodiment, the fixed core 57 and the rear yoke portion 41 pass through the armature guide 55 and are integrally coupled. Therefore, although in the past, no holes or the like could be formed in the armature guide 55 due to the need for watertightness, the present configuration can sufficiently maintain high watertightness.

Furthermore, by configuring the valve unit 12 in this manner, a strong suction force in the axial direction is obtained by the fixed core. Therefore, the water supply valve can be sufficiently driven by batteries or batteries, resulting in power saving (the structure of the example has a suction power of 3.6 W/h and a holding power of approximately 0.2 W/h).
Furthermore, it can be made smaller and more compact, and can also be used during power outages. Furthermore, it is extremely easy to attach and remove the faucet in any place, including the garden, which has been considered difficult in the past.

Further, a water supply switch 70 and a water stop switch 71 are arranged on the front surface of the faucet body 11. Each switch is a touch switch that turns on with a slight pressing force.

Next, the configuration of the sensor unit 13 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 4, the unit 13 includes a rotatable water wheel 80 disposed in a water wheel chamber R, a multipolar magnet rotor 81 that rotates integrally with the water wheel 80, and a rotary magnet rotor 81 facing the magnet rotor 81. It consists of a Hall element 82 arranged. The water turbine 80 and the magnet roller 81 are coaxially supported by a support shaft 83, and this support shaft 83 is supported by the side wall of the water turbine chamber R. As a result, water flows from the intermediate waterway 15 through the water turbine chamber R to the water outlet 9, causing the water turbine 80 to rotate. The water wheel 80 rotates approximately in proportion to the speed of the water flow, so that the magnet rotor 81 that rotates integrally induces an electromotive force in the Hall element 82, and the output side of the Hall element 82 has the rotational speed of the rotor 81, In other words, a pulse signal with a frequency approximately proportional to the water flow rate is obtained. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately measure the water supply amount without being affected by water pressure fluctuations and water supply time.

Next, the configuration of the controller connected to the faucet body unit 10 will be explained. The controller indicated by reference numeral 90 in the figure is equipped with a computer function, and has a faucet body unit 1.
The connection to 0 is made via cord 91. This controller 90 uses the water supply and water stop switches 70 and 71, and the output of the Hall element 82 as input data, and
A drive control signal is given to the valve unit 12 to control switching to water supply or water stop mode.

The controller 90 has a built-in power source using a 4V battery or a battery. Note that if necessary, an AC/DC adapter can also be used to use a commercial power source. The controller 90 has a keyboard 93 and an LCD display 9 on a front panel 92.
4 and LBD 95 for displaying status, etc., and internally includes C
It has a built-in microcomputer (hardware) that executes various processes and stores data using SROM, RAM, etc., and also has various control programs and a timer function that specifies the time and/or time according to the present invention. software is stored in memory.

Next, a specific control example will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of automatic water supply control using the timer function in the controller;
The figure is a flowchart showing an example of automatic water supply amount control.

The automatic water supply control using the timer function will be explained below.

[Water supply control using timer function]

By operating the controller 90t, water supply control can be performed using a timer function, and for example, water can be supplied at a certain time every day by a certain amount of water, which has been measured and set in the above-mentioned manner.

This fixed amount can be set by measuring the flow rate (for example, Xi', etc.) by the sensor unit 13 as described above, or can be set by a specified time (for example, 20 minutes, etc.).

Incidentally, FIG. 5 shows various functions of the controller 90 when using the timer function, and an outline will be described below.

(Steps 150, 151)... Set the timer time start time using a combination of the TMR key and other keys, and also set the data on the amount of water to be supplied at that time.

With the above set, a certain amount of water is supplied at a certain time every day,
Stop the water.

(Steps 152 and 153) . . . Time measurement of water supply amount (water supply time) when water is supplied at a desired time is performed by the combination of the TIM key and the pond key, and its data is set.

(Steps 154, 155)...The data set (stored) in memory n is displayed.

(Steps 156, 157) ...Water is supplied based on the flow rate measurement data set in memory n.

In other words, the specified amount in step 151 is changed to the flow rate (
sensor unit).

(Steps 158 to 161)... Change the data set in memory n and change the display of the current time.

(Steps 162 and 163) ... Water is supplied according to the time data set in memory n. In other words, the specified amount in step 151 can be specified in terms of time.

By operating the combination of the lot number keys, you can specify every other day or the number of times water will be supplied. It also has a function to display the remaining water supply time when water is supplied.

The embodiments using the timer function have been described above, but since the present invention is controlled using the controller 90 having a microcomputer function, the timer function and various other functions can be combined, and furthermore, the controller 90 (not including the timer function) can be used for control. ) and other functions can be used to perform various controls, examples of which are given below.

First, water supply control using a touch switch and water supply amount control using flow rate measurement will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(A) and CB).

[Water supply control using touch switch]

Water can be turned on and off by manually operating the touch switch. In other words, the water supply switch 7
Water can be supplied by turning on the water stop switch 71, and water can be stopped by turning on the water cutoff switch 71. The above procedure is shown in steps 10.01 and 110 to 113.

Note that step 113 is an interval timer for preventing malfunction, and the interval time is 25 m5ec.

[Water supply amount control by flow rate measurement]

This water supply amount control measures a preset water supply amount, e.g. It can be used when

Note that this amount of water supply can be stored and set in the memory as data X, and in combination with a timer function described later, the amount of water supply can be supplied at any time.

The specific procedure based on FIG. 6 will be described below.

(Step 100)...The water supply switch 70 is OFF.

(Step 120)...Data X, which is a predetermined water supply amount, is set in memory n in advance. Note that this data X may be arbitrary data set through actual measurements, or may be data arbitrarily input numerical values.

(Step 121)... Data X in memory n is set as comparison data.

(Step E22)...The valve unit 12 is thereby opened.

(Step 123)... Transition to water supply state, water wheel 80
By rotating, a detection signal proportional to the flow rate is output to the Hall element 82. Furthermore, this detection signal enables interrupts.

"Interrupt" (step 140)...The number of pulses of the detection signal (pulse signal) is counted up.

(Step 141)...The count number is displayed on the LCD display 94.

(Steps 142, 143) . . . The count number based on the actual water supply amount, that is, the detection data, is compared with the comparison data (data X), and when the two match, the valve unit 12 is closed and the water is stopped.

(Step 144)...The stop flag is set and interrupts are prohibited.

(Steps 124, 125, 126, 127)...
- If the water cutoff switch 71 is turned on even during interrupt processing, the valve unit 12 closes and interrupts of the output signal of the Hall element 82 are prohibited. Incidentally, even if the water stop switch 71 is not turned on, the interruption is prohibited by setting the stop flag.

(Step 128)...If there is no stop flag, 2
Water stop switch 7 with 511Isec interval timer
It monitors whether or not 1 is turned on.

(Steps 129, 130, 131) ...By disabling the above-mentioned interrupts, the counters, etc. are cleared, and the LC
The display on the D display 94 is also changed to a normal display such as the time. Then, it is initialized via an interval timer of 25m5ec.

The water supply amount control based on the above-described flow rate measurement, together with the water supply control based on the timer function, can supply a constant amount of water supply at a predetermined time based on the above-mentioned flow rate measurement.

Next, wireless remote control and water supply control using a foot switch will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[Wireless remote control]

Figures 7 to 9 show examples of wireless remote control, where Figure 7 is an overall system configuration diagram, Figure 8 is a block circuit diagram of a transmitter, and Figure 9 is a block circuit diagram of a receiver. .

First, the overall system configuration will be explained.

In FIG. 7, faucet body units 10 are installed at a plurality of installation locations such as a bathroom faucet, a garden faucet, etc. in a general household, and a controller 90 is also connected to each faucet body unit. The figure illustrates a plurality of controllers 90, 90a installed in this manner.

On the other hand, a receiver 171 is connected to each controller 90.90a. In particular, the controller 90 at the abutment has code 1.
Although it is directly connected with 72, the controller 90a after the second entrance
can be connected using, for example, a connector 173 and an extension cable 174. On the other hand, the transmitter 175 is, for example, configured as a separate portable device, and the controller 90.90a is controlled by operating the transmitter 175. The above is the schematic configuration of the wireless remote control system 170.

In addition, the above-mentioned transmission t8175 includes a channel select switch 176, a control circuit 177, a transmission circuit 1 as shown in FIG.
Consists of 78. Furthermore, the receiver 171 includes the receiving circuit 1
70, a signal decoding circuit 180, and a channel select switch 181, and the signal decoding circuit 180 is connected to the controller 90.90a.

Next, by selecting the channel select switch 176 in the 9 transmitter 1.75, which describes the operation and function of the system 170 configured in this way, which faucet body unit is to be controlled is selected. In other words,
Each of the plurality of faucet body units (or controllers) is assigned an absolute address, and the switch 176 selects the address bit code corresponding to this address. The selected bit code becomes selection information and is applied to the control circuit 177. The control circuit sends the selection information and 20-bit data to the transmission circuit 178, including control information on what kind of control is to be performed on the selected faucet side, as well as necessary data such as call data and end data. send. Then, this 20-bit data is modulated by a required carrier wave in the transmitting circuit 178, and is sent out from the antenna 182 as a radio wave. It should be noted that such a transmitter 175 includes the above-described timer function as well as a memory calling function, and enables automatic remote control (unmanned remote control).

On the other hand, in the receiver 171, the antenna 183 and the receiving circuit 1
At 79, the radio wave from the transmitter 175 is received, and the signal decoding circuit 180 determines whether or not its own controller has been selected. If it has not been selected, no signal is sent to the controller. However, if it is selected, the demodulated control information is sent to the controller, and the electromagnetic water valve section is controlled according to the control information. Note that whether or not it is selected is determined by whether or not the address number set in the channel select switch 181 built in the receiver 171 matches the number of selection information selected by the transmitter 175.

In this manner, in remote control, any one of the plurality of receivers 171 can be selected by operating one transmitter 175, and the functions of the controller 90 can be directly utilized. As a result, a great water saving effect can be obtained in gardening and other applications.

In addition, in FIG. 7 (the same applies to FIG. 10), the water discharge port 9a of the faucet body unit 10 is of a type that can be switched between shower water discharge and straight water discharge by rotating the lever 184 left and right.

[Water supply control using foot switch]

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram for controlling water supply using a foot switch.

First, a controller 191 is connected to the faucet body unit 10 via a cord 190. Further, a foot switch 193 placed on the floor is connected to the controller 191 via a cord 192, and an AC/DC adapter 194 for converting 100V commercial power to DC is also connected. Note that, of course, a battery or a battery may be built into the controller 191 instead of the adapter 194.

Therefore, water supply can be controlled by stepping on the foot switch 193 with the foot F. For example, if the selector switch 195 provided in the controller 191 is switched to the A side, the water supply state is entered by stepping on the foot switch 193, and the foot switch 193 is pressed again. By stepping on it, the water stops. On the other hand,
If the selector switch 195 is switched to the B side, water will be supplied only while the foot switch 193 is depressed. Note that the controller 191 that performs such functions can be easily configured by combining J- with a flip-flop, a transistor, and the like.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

For example, desired control can be performed in combination with other sensors, such as a temperature/humidity sensor. Further, the control example is not limited to the example, and control can be performed according to an arbitrary program. Furthermore, the control section may be a combination of a microcomputer and other electrical circuits having the same function. Other changes may be made in the detailed structure, shape, arrangement, and control procedure without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Note that the present invention can perform liquid supply control not only for water supply but also for other arbitrary fluids.

(Effect of the invention) As described above, the water supply control system for tap water according to the present invention has the following features:
A faucet body part that has a water channel inside and is detachable from a water faucet nozzle, an electromagnetic water supply valve part that opens and closes the water channel, and a timer function that specifies the time and/or time to drive and control the electromagnetic water supply valve part. The control section has the following advantages.

■It can be attached to and detached from existing water faucets, and can be installed and removed very easily without requiring a plumbing specialist to install or remove it. In addition, it can be attached to and detached from any water faucet as needed, making it highly versatile.

■It is possible to automatically supply a certain amount of water at a desired time, making it possible to easily and reliably reserve water supply.
It is economical based on its water-saving effect, and is also convenient and expandable, dramatically improving usability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a front view of a controller and a faucet body unit, FIG. 2 is a side view of a faucet body unit, and FIG. 3 is a faucet equipped with an electromagnetic water supply valve unit and a sensor unit. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 1 showing the sensor unit, Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of water supply control using the timer function in the controller, and Fig. 6 is an automatic water supply amount. A flowchart diagram showing an example of control, FIG. 7 is an overall system configuration diagram for wireless remote control, FIG. 8 is a block circuit diagram of a transmitter, FIG. 9 is a block circuit diagram of a receiver, and FIG. The figure is a system configuration diagram that controls water supply using a foot switch. In the drawings, 2...faucet body part, 3...electromagnetic water supply valve part, 5...control part, W...water channel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water supply control system for water supply comprising the following parts. (a) a faucet body having a water channel inside and detachable from a water faucet nozzle; (b) an electromagnetic water supply valve for opening and closing the water channel; (c) a time for driving and controlling the electromagnetic water supply valve; or) a control section having a timer function for specifying time; 2. The water supply control system for tap water according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic water supply valve section is a pilot type electromagnetic water supply valve.