WO2019187470A1

WO2019187470A1 - Valve device

Info

Publication number: WO2019187470A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/000186
Authority: WO
Inventors: 尚史小里; 清水　晃治
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｌｉｘｉｌ
Priority date: 2018-03-29
Filing date: 2019-01-08
Publication date: 2019-10-03
Also published as: JP2019173512A

Abstract

A valve device (100) is provided with a temperature adjustment section (40) which adjusts discharge water temperature, a flow rate adjustment section (42) which adjusts a discharge water flow rate, and a hot water-side flow passage (11) and a cold water-side flow passage (12), to which hot water and cold water are respectively supplied from the faucet body side. The temperature adjustment section (40) is provided with: a temperature adjustment valve (41) which is disposed so as to be movable in a predetermined axial direction, and which adjusts the degrees of opening of the hot water-side flow passage (11) and the cold water-side flow passage (12); a biasing spring (43) which biases the temperature adjustment valve (41) downward in the axial direction; a temperature sensing spring (44) which biases the temperature adjustment valve (41) upward in the axial direction; and a forward/backward movement member (46) which is disposed to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction and which moves the temperature adjustment valve (41) through the biasing spring (43).

Description

Valve device

The present invention relates to a valve device.

Conventionally, there has been known a valve device in which a diaphragm valve is built in a housing and the flow rate can be adjusted by rotating a flow rate operation unit around the central axis of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-70340 A

In the valve device using the diaphragm valve as described above, a temperature control operation that forms a hot water side passage and a water side passage that are supplied with hot water and water from the faucet body side to the housing and rotates together with the housing. If the part is provided, the opening area of each opening of the hot water side passage and the water side passage changes by rotating the temperature control operation part, and the mixing ratio of hot water and water changes, The water discharge temperature can be adjusted.

However, in the case of such a valve device, for example, when the hot water supply pressure or the water supply pressure changes during use, the mixing ratio of hot water and water changes, and water discharge at a set temperature can be performed stably. It may not be possible.

This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The place made into the objective is providing the valve apparatus which can stabilize water discharge temperature in the valve apparatus provided with a flow volume adjustment function and a temperature adjustment function. It is in.

In order to solve the above problems, a valve device according to an aspect of the present invention is a valve device provided in a faucet body, a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts a water discharge temperature, a flow rate control unit that controls a water discharge flow rate, A hot water side passage and a water side passage which are supplied with hot water and water from the faucet body side, respectively. The temperature adjustment unit is arranged to be movable in a predetermined axial direction, and is provided with a temperature adjustment valve for adjusting the opening degree of the hot water passage and the water passage, and a temperature adjustment valve on one side in the axial direction. A biasing member for biasing, a temperature sensing member for biasing the temperature control valve toward the other side in the axial direction, and a forward / backward member arranged to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction and moving the temperature control valve via the bias member. .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a valve device capable of stabilizing the water discharge temperature in a valve device having a flow rate adjusting function and a temperature adjusting function.

It is a perspective view of the valve apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the valve apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the valve apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the valve device shown in FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components and members shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. In addition, in the drawings, some of the members that are not important for describing the embodiment are omitted. In addition, in the present specification, when terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside” are used, It means the direction in the posture shown in the drawing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the valve device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the valve device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The valve device 100 according to this embodiment is a so-called “valve cartridge”, and is used by being attached to a faucet body (not shown). The valve device 100 includes a housing 10, a control shaft 36, a flow rate operation unit 50, and a push button 51. When the valve device 100 is attached to the faucet body, a temperature adjustment handle (not shown) is connected to the control shaft 36, and a flow rate adjustment handle (not shown) is connected to the flow rate control unit 50. The push button 51 is connected to a push button (not shown).

The housing 10 has a hot water side passage 11 and a water side passage 12 on the side surface in the lower part, and a hot water supply port and a water supply port provided on the faucet body side at the opening of each passage (see FIG. Not shown) is connected.

The housing 10 is a cylindrical body. The control shaft 36 is provided coaxially with the central axis of the housing 10. The operation of rotating the control shaft 36 moves the temperature control valve provided in the housing 10 in the vertical direction as will be described later, and the opening degree of the hot water side passage 11 and the opening degree of the water side passage 12 are changed. Change. Thereby, since the quantity of the hot water and water which flow in from opening part 11a, 12a changes, the discharged water temperature can be adjusted.

The flow rate control unit 50 is rotatably provided around the central axis of the housing 10 (that is, around the control shaft 36). As will be described later, the main valve 34 provided in the housing 10 is operated by the rotation operation of the flow rate operation unit 50 to adjust the flow rate. The valve device 100 adjusts the water discharge temperature by the rotation operation of the control shaft 36 and the water discharge flow rate by the rotation operation of the flow rate operation unit 50, and discharges water from the water discharge port 13 a provided below the housing 10. Further, the valve device 100 can be switched between a water discharge state and a water stop state by a pressing operation of the push button 51 provided on the upper portion thereof. As described above, the valve device 100 according to the present embodiment includes the two water discharge flow rate control means including the flow rate operation unit 50 and the push button 51.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the valve device 100 shown in FIG. The housing 10 has a cylindrical shape, and a water discharge channel 13 is formed at a lower portion. A lower end portion of the water discharge channel 13 serves as a water discharge port 13a. A hot water side passage 11 and a water side passage 12 are formed on the lower side surface of the housing 10. The hot water side flow path 11 and the water side flow path 12 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the water side flow path 12 is disposed on the lower side (that is, the water discharge port 13a side), and the upper side. The hot water side passage 11 is disposed in the middle. A hot water supply port (not shown) provided on the faucet body side is connected to the hot water side passage 11 to supply hot water. A water supply port (not shown) provided on the faucet body side is connected to the water-side passage 12 to supply water.

The valve device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a temperature adjusting unit 40 for adjusting the water discharge temperature and a flow rate adjusting unit 42 for adjusting the water discharge flow rate in the housing 10.

First, the temperature control unit 40 will be described. The temperature adjustment unit 40 includes a control shaft 36, a temperature control valve 41, a bias spring 43, a temperature sensitive spring 44, a cylindrical member 45, an advance / retreat member 46, and an inflow chamber forming member 47.

The cylindrical member 45 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the housing 10. The flow path in the cylindrical member 45 communicates with the water discharge path 13. The control shaft 36 is a rod-like body arranged coaxially with the central axis of the housing 10. The upper end portion of the control shaft 36 protrudes from the push button 51, and the lower end portion of the control shaft 36 is rotationally restricted by the cylindrical member 45 and can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical member 45. 45. That is, when the control shaft 36 is rotated, the cylindrical member 45 is also rotated. However, even if the control shaft 36 is moved in the axial direction, the cylindrical member 45 is not moved in the axial direction.

A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 45. The advance / retreat member 46 is a cylindrical member having an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface. The advance / retreat member 46 is externally inserted into the cylindrical member 45 such that the female screw is engaged with the male screw of the cylindrical member 45. When the control shaft 36 is rotated, the cylindrical member 45 rotates with the rotation of the control shaft 36, and the advance / retreat member 46 moves forward and backward in the axial direction by the rotation of the cylindrical member 45.

The temperature control valve 41 is a substantially cylindrical member, and is extrapolated to the cylindrical member 45 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The temperature control valve 41 has a function of adjusting the opening degree of the hot water side passage 11 and the water side passage 12. The temperature control valve 41 is disposed between the hot water passage 11 and the water passage 12 in the axial direction. As can be seen from FIG. 4, when the temperature control valve 41 moves downward, the opening degree of the hot water side passage 11 becomes larger and the opening degree of the water side passage 12 becomes smaller. On the other hand, when the temperature control valve 41 moves upward, the opening degree of the hot water side passage 11 becomes smaller and the opening degree of the water side passage 12 becomes larger. When the opening degree of the hot water side passage 11 and the water side passage 12 changes, the mixing ratio of hot water and water changes, so that the water discharge temperature can be adjusted. The temperature control valve 41 has a flow path 41c between the inner wall portion 41a and the outer wall portion 41b.

The inflow chamber forming member 47 is a cylindrical member and is disposed above the temperature control valve 41 so as to surround the cylindrical member 45. An inflow chamber 48 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the inflow chamber forming member 47 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 45. The inflow chamber 48 communicates with the hot water side passage 11 and the water side passage 12. Hot water supplied to the hot water side passage 11 flows into the inflow chamber 48. The water supplied to the water side passage 12 flows into the inflow chamber 48 through the passage 41c of the temperature control valve 41. Accordingly, hot water and water are mixed in the inflow chamber 48. The mixed water mixed in the inflow chamber 48 flows into the water discharge channel 13 through a flow rate adjusting unit 42 described later, and is discharged from the water discharge port 13a.

The bias spring 43 is externally inserted into the cylindrical member 45 so as to urge the temperature control valve 41 toward the lower end side in the axial direction. The upper end of the bias spring 43 is in contact with the lower end of the advance / retreat member 46, and the lower end of the bias spring 43 is in contact with the upper end of the temperature control valve 41.

The temperature-sensitive spring 44 is a spring whose urging force changes depending on the temperature, and for example, a shape memory alloy spring (SMA (shape-memory-alloy) spring) can be used. The temperature sensitive spring 44 is provided in the water discharge passage 13 formed in the lower part of the housing 10 so as to urge the temperature control valve 41 toward the upper end side in the axial direction. The upper end portion of the temperature sensitive spring 44 is in contact with the lower end portion of the temperature control valve 41, and the lower end portion of the temperature sensitive spring 44 is in contact with the bottom surface 10 a of the housing 10. The temperature sensitive spring 44 has a characteristic that the urging force increases as the temperature increases, and the urging force decreases as the temperature decreases.

As described above, since the biasing force of the bias spring 43 and the biasing force of the temperature sensing spring 44 act on the temperature control valve 41 in opposite directions, the temperature control valve 41 has the biasing force and sense of the bias spring 43. The position in the axial direction is controlled by the balance with the urging force of the temperature spring 44.

As described above, the advance / retreat member 46 advances / retreats in the axial direction by the rotation operation of the control shaft 36. By the advance / retreat movement of the advance / retreat member 46, the temperature control valve 41 can be moved in the axial direction via the bias spring 43, and the discharge temperature can be set to a desired temperature. When the temperature of the mixed water flowing through the water discharge passage 13 becomes higher than the set temperature, the urging force of the temperature-sensitive spring 44 becomes large, so that the temperature control valve 41 moves upward in the axial direction. As a result, the opening degree of the hot water passage 11 becomes smaller and the opening degree of the water passage 12 becomes larger, the amount of inflow of hot water is reduced and the amount of inflow of water is increased. And return to the set temperature. On the other hand, when the temperature of the mixed water flowing through the water discharge passage 13 is lower than the set temperature, the urging force of the temperature-sensitive spring 44 is reduced, so that the temperature control valve 41 moves downward in the axial direction. As a result, the opening degree of the hot water passage channel 11 is increased and the opening degree of the water side passage channel 12 is decreased so that the inflow amount of hot water is increased and the inflow amount of water is decreased. And return to the set temperature. Thus, according to the temperature control unit 40, the water discharge temperature can be set to a desired temperature, and the water discharge temperature can be stabilized at the set temperature.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a temperature-sensitive spring 44 is disposed in the vicinity of the water discharge port 13a. Thus, by providing the temperature-sensitive spring 44 at a location closest to the user, the actual water discharge temperature can be made closer to the set temperature desired by the user. In the present embodiment, the temperature-sensitive spring 44 is disposed in the vicinity of the water discharge port 13a. However, if the temperature-sensitive spring 44 is disposed downstream of the flow rate adjusting unit 42, the temperature sensitive spring 44 is disposed upstream of the flow rate adjusting unit 42. Since the temperature-sensitive spring 44 is disposed closer to the user than in the case where the water discharge temperature is higher, it is preferable in that a water discharge temperature close to the set temperature is obtained.

Next, the flow rate adjustment unit 42 will be described. The flow rate adjusting unit 42 includes a main valve 34, a valve seat forming member 37, a flow rate operating unit 50, a bearing unit 60, and an inner lid 24. The valve seat forming member 37 is disposed above the inflow chamber forming member 47 and provides a main valve seat 37a on which the main valve 34 is seated.

The main valve 34 is provided between the inflow chamber 48 and the water discharge channel 13, that is, on the main water channel. The main valve 34 is a diaphragm type valve, and includes a hard main valve main body 64 formed of a resin material or the like, and a diaphragm film 66 formed of an elastic material such as rubber. These have a substantially disk-shaped predetermined shape. The main valve body 64 has an annular projecting portion 64a projecting downward, and the projecting portion 64a is fixed to the diaphragm film 66 in a state of being inserted through a through hole 66a formed in the diaphragm film 66.

The outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm film 66 is fixed to the housing 10, whereby the main valve 34 is fixed to the housing 10. The central portion of the diaphragm membrane 66, which is an elastic body, and the main valve body 64 fixed thereto move in the vertical direction with the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm membrane 66 being fixed to the housing 10 due to pressure fluctuations. By this movement, the distance between the main valve 34 and the main valve seat 37a changes, and the main water channel opens and closes. Specifically, the main water passage is closed when the main valve 34 is seated on the main valve seat 37a, and the main water passage is opened when the main valve 34 is separated from the main valve seat 37a. Further, the opening degree changes according to the distance between the main valve 34 and the main valve seat 37a, and the flow rate of water flowing through the main water channel, that is, the discharged water flow rate changes.

An inner lid 24 is provided in the housing 10 so as to cover the main valve 34. The inner lid 24 is dish-shaped and defines a back pressure chamber 68 between the back side of the main valve 34 (the side opposite to the inflow chamber 48).

The main valve body 64 is formed with a first through hole (not shown) that allows the back pressure chamber 68 and the inflow chamber 48 to communicate with each other. The first through hole guides water in the inflow chamber 48 to the back pressure chamber 68 and increases the pressure in the back pressure chamber 68.

Further, the main valve body 64 is formed with a second through hole 64b that penetrates the center in the vertical direction and communicates the back pressure chamber 68 and the outflow water passage 62. The control shaft 36 described above is inserted into the second through hole 64b. An annular gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the control shaft 36 and the second through hole 64b. This gap constitutes a pilot water channel 70 that draws water in the back pressure chamber 68 into the water discharge channel 13 and reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber 68.

The main valve body 64 has an annular convex portion 64 c that protrudes upward and surrounds the control shaft 36. The convex portion 64 c holds the O-ring 72. In the closed state, the back pressure chamber 68 and the pilot water channel 70 are blocked by the control shaft 36 and the O-ring 72. In the valve open state, the recess 36a formed in the control shaft 36 faces the O-ring 8 in the radial direction, and a minute gap is formed between them. That is, the back pressure chamber 68 and the pilot water channel 70 are not interrupted by the control shaft 36 and the O-ring 72 and communicate with each other.

The control shaft 36 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 60. The bearing portion 60 has a disk shape and is provided above the inner lid 24. The bearing portion 60 has a guide plate 60a extending in the axial direction at an axial target position in the center portion.

The flow rate operation unit 50 is cylindrical and is inserted into the housing 10 and supported rotatably. The flow rate operation unit 50 includes a push button 51, a drive unit 52, and a cam unit 53. The push button 51 has a cylindrical shape, is fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the flow rate operation unit 50, and is rotationally restricted by the flow rate operation unit 50. The drive unit 52 has a cylindrical shape and is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the push button 51, and the flow rate operation unit 50 is restricted from rotating and moving in the axial direction.

A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the drive section 52, and a movable section 35 is formed at the end of the control shaft 36. The movable section 35 is formed with a male thread that engages with the female thread. The movable portion 35 comes into contact with the guide plate 60 a of the bearing portion 60 and is rotationally restrained. The male screw portion is screwed into the female screw of the drive portion 52, and moves linearly in the axial direction by the rotation of the drive portion 52.

When the flow rate operation unit 50 is rotated, the movable unit 35 moves linearly and the control shaft 36 moves in the axial direction. When the clearance between the recess 36a of the control shaft 36 and the O-ring 72 increases due to the movement of the control shaft 36, a large amount of pilot flow is generated from the back pressure chamber 68 to the pilot water channel 70, and the pressure in the back pressure chamber 68 decreases. The main valve 34 is separated from the main valve seat 37a. The main valve 34 stops at a position where the pressure on the inflow chamber 48 and the discharge channel 13 side and the pressure on the back pressure chamber 68 side are balanced. The gap between the recess 36a of the control shaft 36 and the O-ring 72 is reduced, and the position of the main valve 34 is determined by suppressing the flow rate of the pilot flow. Thus, the position of the main valve 34 can be controlled by the rotation operation of the flow rate operation unit 50 to adjust the water discharge flow rate.

In the valve device 100, when the push button 51 is pressed and pushed in, the water stops without water discharge. The cam portion 53 includes a cam 53a, a driven cam 53b, and a switching cam 53c formed on the inner surface of the flow rate operation portion 50. The cam 53a has a water stop position for pushing the control shaft 36 toward the water discharge passage 13 to stop water, and a water discharge position for drawing the control shaft 36 from the water stop position and discharging water. When the cam 53a is set to the water stop position, the main valve 34 is closed, and when the cam 53a is set to the water discharge position, the main valve 34 is opened. The driven cam 53b provided on the push button 51 side is pressed against the cam 53a by a restoring force of a spring or the like, and moves from the water discharge position of the cam 53a to the water stop position by an operation of pressing the push button 51. The position of the driven cam 53b is switched by the switching cam 53c by the operation of further pushing the push button 51, and moves from the water stop position to the water discharge position.

In addition, the valve device 100 according to the embodiment can stop the water by closing the main valve 34 according to the axial position of the control shaft 36 even when the cam portion 53 is in the water discharge position. Further, the valve device 100 may perform water discharge and water stop only by rotating the flow rate operation unit 50 without providing the push button 51. Alternatively, the valve device 100 may perform water discharge and water stop only by pressing the push button 51 without providing the flow rate operation unit 50.

The description has been given above based on the embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments are illustrative, and that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the present invention, and that such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the present invention. It is a place. Accordingly, the description and drawings herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

From the above description, the following invention is recognized.

A valve device according to an aspect of the present invention is a valve device provided in a faucet body, and includes a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts a water discharge temperature, a flow rate control unit that controls a water discharge flow rate, and hot water and water from the faucet body side. Are respectively provided with a hot water side passage and a water side passage. The temperature adjustment unit is arranged to be movable in a predetermined axial direction, and is provided with a temperature adjustment valve for adjusting the opening degree of the hot water passage and the water passage, and a temperature adjustment valve on one side in the axial direction. A biasing member for biasing, a temperature sensing member for biasing the temperature control valve toward the other side in the axial direction, and a forward / backward member arranged to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction and moving the temperature control valve via the bias member. .

According to this aspect, both the flow rate adjustment function and the temperature adjustment function can be realized, and the water discharge temperature can be stabilized. The temperature sensitive member may be, for example, a shape memory alloy spring or a wax element.

The flow rate control unit may include a flow rate operation unit that is rotationally operated, and a main valve that adjusts the water discharge flow rate by changing the opening degree by the rotational operation of the flow rate operation unit.

The flow controller controls the pushbutton and open / close switching that closes the main valve that adjusts the water discharge flow rate when the pushbutton is pushed in and closes the main valve when the pushbutton is released. And a mechanism.

The temperature sensitive member may be disposed downstream of the flow rate control unit. For example, the temperature sensitive member may be disposed near the water outlet of the valve device. In this case, the actual water discharge temperature can be brought closer to the set temperature desired by the user.

10 housing, 11 hot water passage, 12 water passage, 13 water outlet, 24 inner lid, 34 main valve, 35 movable part, 36 control shaft, 37 valve seat forming member, 40 temperature adjusting part, 41 temperature Valve adjustment, 42 Flow rate adjustment part, 45 Cylindrical member, 46 Advancement / retraction member, 47 Inflow chamber forming member, 48 Inflow chamber, 50 Flow rate operation part, 51 Push button, 52 Drive part, 53 Cam part, 60 Bearing part, 62 Outflow water channel 64 Main valve body, 66 Diaphragm membrane, 68 Back pressure chamber, 70 Pilot water channel, 72 O-ring, 100 valve device.

The present invention can be used for a valve device provided in a faucet.

Claims

A valve device provided in the faucet body,
A temperature control unit for adjusting the water discharge temperature;
A flow rate control unit for controlling the water discharge flow rate,
A hot water side passage and a water side passage, to which hot water and water are respectively supplied from the faucet body side,
With
The temperature control unit is
A temperature regulating valve that is arranged to be movable in a predetermined axial direction and adjusts the opening degree of the hot water side passage and the water side passage;
A bias member that urges the temperature control valve in one axial direction;
A temperature sensitive member for biasing the temperature regulating valve toward the other side in the axial direction;
An advancing / retreating member arranged to be movable back and forth in the axial direction and moving the temperature control valve via the bias member;
A valve device comprising:
The flow rate controller
A flow control unit to be rotated,
A main valve that adjusts the water discharge flow rate by changing the opening by the rotation operation of the flow rate operation unit;
The valve device according to claim 1, comprising:
The flow rate controller
A push button,
An open / close switching mechanism that closes the main valve that adjusts the water discharge flow rate when the push button is pushed, and that opens the main valve when the push button is released; and
The valve device according to claim 1, further comprising:
The valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature-sensitive member is disposed downstream of the flow rate control unit.