WO2024043454A1

WO2024043454A1 - Recirculation valve

Info

Publication number: WO2024043454A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/007547
Authority: WO
Inventors: 안희수
Original assignee: 주식회사 경동나비엔
Priority date: 2022-08-26
Filing date: 2023-06-01
Publication date: 2024-02-29
Also published as: KR20240029133A

Abstract

A recirculation valve according to the present invention comprises: a hot water housing forming a hot water channel provided to allow hot water to flow therethrough; a direct water housing forming a direct water channel provided to allow direct water to flow therethrough; a recirculation housing forming a recirculation channel allowing hot water in the hot water channel to flow into the direct water channel; a hydraulic opening and closing body provided to close or open the recirculation channel; and a bimetal plate configured to be deformed according to the temperature of the hot water to open or close an inlet channel, which is part of the recirculation channel, wherein the recirculation housing includes an inlet case located upstream of the bimetal plate, and the inlet case includes a case body in which the inlet channel is formed, and a case locking protrusion configured to surround the inlet channel from the case body.

Description

recirculation valve

Cross-citation with related applications

This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0107238 filed on August 26, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are included as part of this specification.

Technology field

The present invention relates to a hot water recirculation valve.

In order to always supply hot water at a temperature above a certain temperature, a hot water recirculation system can be implemented. In the hot water recirculation system, even in a state where hot water is not discharged because hot water use is stopped, hot water discharged from the boiler can be returned to the boiler through a direct water pipe and reheated. As the hot water circulates so that this process is repeated, the hot water can maintain a predetermined temperature.

However, since direct water pipes are used to recirculate hot water, hot water must be prevented from flowing into the direct water pipes when direct water is used at the point of demand. Also, even when hot water is used at the point of demand, the hot water must be supplied to the point of demand and discharged rather than circulating.

Therefore, a recirculation valve that blocks hot water from circulating when direct water or hot water is used and circulates hot water when direct water or hot water is not used is needed in the hot water recirculation system.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an existing recirculation valve. As can be seen in the drawing, in a recirculation valve using an existing bimetal, a recirculation housing connects the flow path of direct or hot water flowing in one direction (upward in the drawing) to another direction orthogonal to one direction (left and right in the drawing). (RH) allows hot water to flow to the right and go into the direct water flow path to circulate. However, when hot water is recirculated, the hot water that was flowing upward changes direction to the right and flows, so the flow rate of hot water at each location in the recirculation housing (RH) varies along the vertical direction due to its inertia. Since the hot water that was flowing upward has changed its direction, a greater flow rate of hot water flows from the upper side than the lower side within the recirculation housing (RH), creating a pressure gradient on the bimetal plate (BP) disposed within the recirculation housing (RH). . Since a pressure gradient is formed in the bimetal plate (BP), abnormal operation or excessive noise may occur during operation of the bimetal plate (BP). Such abnormal operation or noise may become more severe if hot water flowing within the recirculation housing (RH) forms turbulence.

The present invention was developed to solve these problems, and provides a recirculation valve having a recirculation housing structure to reduce abnormal operation or noise during operation of the bimetal plate by reducing the pressure imbalance applied to the bimetal plate.

The recirculation valve according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hot water housing that is connected to a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water produced by heating raw water and forms a hot water passage through which hot water flows along a first reference direction; A direct water housing connected to a direct water supply pipe that supplies direct water, which is raw water, to form a direct water flow path provided to allow direct water to flow through the interior; a recirculation housing that communicates the hot water flow path and the direct water flow path to form a recirculation flow path formed along a second reference direction orthogonal to the first reference direction to flow hot water in the hot water flow path into the direct water flow path; A hydraulic opening and closing body provided in the direct water housing to close or open the recirculation passage; And a bimetal plate disposed inside the recirculation housing and deformed according to the temperature of the hot water to open and close an inlet flow path that is part of the recirculation flow path, wherein the recirculation housing includes the bimetal plate with respect to a second reference direction. It includes an inflow case located on the upstream side, wherein the inflow case includes a case body in which the inflow flow path is formed, and a case locking protrusion that protrudes from the case body to the opposite side of the second reference direction and surrounds the inflow flow path. do.

Accordingly, the pressure imbalance on the bimetal plate is reduced, and abnormal operations or noise during operation of the bimetal plate can be reduced.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an existing recirculation valve.

Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of a hot water recirculation system using a recirculation valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a recirculation valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a recirculation valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a view showing the recirculation housing and cover of the recirculation valve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a recirculation housing according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a recirculation housing of a recirculation valve according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through illustrative drawings. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Additionally, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions are judged to impede understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, sequence, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there is no need for another component between each component. It should be understood that may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected.”

Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of a hot water recirculation system (S) using a recirculation valve (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 2, the hot water recirculation system (S) using the recirculation valve (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a heat source (H), a recirculation valve (1), a hot water supply pipe (L1), and a direct water supply pipe (L2). ) and a recirculation pipe (L22).

The heat source (H) is a component that forms hot water by heating incoming raw water, either direct water or returned water. Therefore, a boiler including a heat exchanger that heats direct water using at least one of sensible heat and latent heat of combustion gas through combustion of fuel may be disposed as the heat source (H). However, if it is a device that can receive direct or returned water and heat it to form hot water and then export it, another device can be placed instead of the boiler and used as the heat source (H).

The heat source (H) operates when the temperature of the inflow water is below a certain temperature or the flow rate of the inflow water is above the operating flow rate, and can heat the inflow water to form hot water and discharge it. Therefore, the operation of the heat source (H) can be controlled by adjusting the flow rate. For this operation, a flow sensor (not shown) capable of measuring the flow rate may be placed on the heat source H, and a microprocessor, etc. may be used to operate the heat source H according to the electrical signal generated by the flow sensor. A configured control unit (not shown) may be further provided.

A recirculation pipe (L22) is connected to the heat source (H) so that direct water or returned water, which is raw water delivered from the direct water supply pipe (L2), can flow in. This direct water or returned water is used as raw water, and the raw water is heated by the heat source (H) and discharged as hot water. A hot water supply pipe (L1) is connected to the heat source (H), and hot water is discharged through the hot water supply pipe (L1).

The hot water supply pipe (L1) is a component that is connected to the heat source (H) and supplies hot water to the consumer (SD1). One end is connected to the heat source (H), and the other end passes through the recirculation valve (1) to reach the consumer (SD1). connected to Therefore, the hot water supply pipe (L1) serves to deliver hot water from the heat source (H) to the consumer (SD1). The hot water supply pipe (L1) comes out of the heat source (H) and passes through the recirculation valve (1) and is connected to the demand source (SD1), or is connected to the other demand source (SD2) through another hot water supply pipe (L11) branched from the hot water supply pipe (L1). By being directly connected, hot water can be supplied to each consumer (SD1) and other consumers (SD2).

The consumer (SD1) and other consumers (SD2) may be faucets that discharge hot water and direct water to the outside and can control the degree of discharge, as shown, but are not limited thereto.

The direct water supply pipe (L2) is a component that is connected to the direct water source and supplies direct water to each consumer (SD1). One end of the direct water supply pipe (L2) is connected to an external direct water source, which is a water source that supplies direct water, to receive and flow direct water, or to other demand sources (SD2) through other direct water supply pipes (L21) branched from the direct water supply pipe (L2). ) can be directly connected to supply direct water. As shown, the direct water supply pipe (L2) may pass through the recirculation valve (1) before being connected to the demand source (SD1).

The recirculation pipe (L22) is connected to the direct water supply pipe (L2) and flows direct water from the direct water source to the heat source (H) or delivers it to the direct water supply pipe (L2) through the recirculation passage formed in the housing of the recirculation valve (1), which will be described later. It is a component that flows the returned water to the heat source (H). Therefore, the recirculation pipe (L22) can connect the direct water source and the heat source (H) directly or indirectly, so that the direct water is delivered to the heat source (H). Additionally, it can be generated in the recirculation passage and delivered to the heat source (H) through the direct water supply pipe (L2). In other words, it is a component that delivers water to the heat source (H).

As shown, based on the direction in which direct water flows from the direct water supply pipe (L2), one end of the recirculation pipe (L22) is connected to a location in the direct water supply pipe (L2) located upstream from the point where the direct water supply pipe (L2) branches. , the other end of the recirculation pipe (L22) is connected to the heat source (H). Therefore, the returned water that flows in the direction opposite to the direction in which the direct water flows and returns to the one location, and the direct water that flows downstream from the direct water source and is delivered to the one location, will be delivered to the heat source (H) through the recirculation pipe (L22). You can.

In order for the recirculation pipe (L22) to deliver direct or returned water to the heat source (H), a pump (P) may be provided in the recirculation pipe (L22). The pump (P) pressurizes the direct water or returned water flowing in the recirculation pipe (L22) and transfers it to the heat source (H). Therefore, the pump (P) provides the power to circulate hot water in the entire hot water recirculation system (S).

The recirculation valve 1 is a component that determines whether or not hot water is recirculated in the hot water recirculation system (S) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recirculation valve (1) is connected to the hot water supply pipe (L1) and the direct water supply pipe (L2), and is provided with a recirculation passage that forms returned water by transferring hot water received from the hot water supply pipe (L1) to the direct water supply pipe (L2). . Therefore, the hot water recirculation system (S) operates as follows.

Direct water is provided from a direct water source to the direct water supply pipe (L2). Part of the direct water is provided to other consumers (SD2) through other direct water supply pipes (L21), or delivered to the consumer (SD1) through the direct water supply pipe (L2) and the recirculation valve (1). Another part of the direct water is delivered to the heat source (H) through the recirculation pipe (L22).

The heat source (H) heats direct water to form hot water and discharges it. Some of the hot water is discharged through the hot water supply pipe (L11) and provided to other consumers (SD2), or delivered to the consumer (SD1) through the hot water supply pipe (L1) and the recirculation valve (1). Another part of the hot water may be provided to the direct water supply pipe (L2) through the recirculation passage of the recirculation valve (1) and returned in a direction opposite to the direction in which the direct water flows along the direct water supply pipe (L2).

The water returned in the reverse direction along the direct water supply pipe (L2) flows to the heat source (H) through the recirculation pipe (L22). The heat source (H) heats the returned water again to form hot water, which is then discharged through the hot water supply pipe (L1).

While this recirculation process is taking place, the recirculation valve 1 controls the flow rate of the recirculated hot water.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the inlet case and cover of the recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 10, a hydraulic open/close body 20, and a bimetal plate 30.

Housing(10)

The housing 10 is a component that forms the exterior of the recirculation valve 1. The housing 10 includes a housing body with an open interior, and a front cover 15 and a rear cover 14 that cover some of the openings formed in the housing body. Additionally, the open interior of the housing 10 includes a hot water passage 110, a direct water passage 120, and a recirculation passage 130. The housing includes a hot water housing (11), a direct water housing (12), and a recirculation housing (13). The hot water housing 11, the direct water housing 12, and the recirculation housing 13 may be assembled together to form one housing 10, and as shown, the housing body is composed of the hot water housing 11 and the direct water housing 12. ) may be integrally formed, but the recirculation housing 13 may be combined therein.

The hot water housing 11 is a housing that forms a hot water flow path 110 by being connected to a hot water supply pipe (L1) for supplying hot water generated by heating raw water. The hot water passage 110 is a passage connecting two of the openings of the housing 10, and is connected to the hot water supply pipe (L1) for supplying hot water generated by heating raw water to the demand source (SD1), through the inside. Hot water flows. Therefore, the hot water passage 110 communicates with a part of the hot water supply pipe (L1) to receive hot water, and discharges hot water from the inside of the housing 10 through another part of the hot water supply pipe (L1). It includes a hot water discharge channel (112) that supplies hot water to the consumer (SD1). The hot water supply passage 111 and the hot water discharge passage 112 are each connected to different openings.

As shown, the hot water supply passage 111 and the hot water discharge passage 112 may be arranged to extend along the same straight line. The hot water passage 110 may be formed along the first reference direction D1. The hot water discharge passage 112 may be located on the first reference direction (D1) of the hot water supply passage 111, and hot water may flow along the first reference direction (D1) within the hot water passage 110. .

A front cover 15 may be disposed between the hot water supply passage 111 and the hot water discharge passage 112. The inside of the front cover 15 is open so that the hot water supply passage 111 and the hot water discharge passage 112 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the front cover 15 may form a part of the hot water passage 110. The front cover 15 is detachably coupled to the housing 10 to facilitate assembly and replacement of the bimetal plate 30, inlet case 131, and outlet case 132, which will be described later. The front cover O-ring 64, which maintains the watertightness of the front cover 15 and the housing 10 to prevent hot water from leaking from the front cover 15, may be disposed at the boundary between the front cover 15 and the housing body. . The front cover O-ring 64 may be formed of an elastic material.

The front cover 15 can be fastened to the housing body using the front fastener 71. The front fastener 71 may be a bolt or may be plural, and is coupled to a fastening hole formed in the housing body and a fastening hole formed in the front cover 15 to couple the front cover 15 and the front fastener 71. can do.

In the area where the front cover 15 is disposed, the recirculation passage 130 communicates with the hot water passage 110. Accordingly, a portion of the hot water provided through the hot water supply passage 111 is transferred to the hot water discharge passage 112, and the remaining portion flows into the recirculation passage 130 in the area where the front cover 15 is placed and can enter the recirculation process. there is.

The direct water housing 12 is a housing that forms a direct water passage 120 by being connected to a direct water supply pipe (L2) that supplies direct water, which is raw water. The direct water flow path 120 is connected to the direct water supply pipe (L2) for supplying raw water, direct water, to the consumer (SD1), and is a flow path through which direct water flows. The direct water passage 120 is a direct water supply passage 121 that supplies direct water to the inside of the housing 10 and discharges hot water flowing in along the recirculation passage 130, which will be described later, to the outside of the housing 10 for recirculation. And, it includes a direct water discharge passage 122 that discharges water directly to the outside of the housing 10. In addition, the direct water passage 120 is a direct water intermediate passage that connects the direct water supply passage 121 and the direct water discharge passage 122, communicates with the recirculation passage 130, and accommodates therein a hydraulic opening and closing body 20, which will be described later. Includes (123). Therefore, the direct water is transferred from the direct water supply channel 121 to the direct water discharge channel 122 through the direct water intermediate channel 123 and delivered to the consumer (SD1).

The direct water supply passage 121 and the direct water discharge passage 122 are spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the direct water intermediate passage 123 extends and communicate with the direct water intermediate passage 123. Therefore, they are arranged so as to cross each other, so that the direct water flowing in the direct water supply passage 121 does not pass through the direct water intermediate passage 123 or is not disturbed by the hydraulic opening and closing body 20 accommodated in the direct water intermediate passage 123. It is not delivered to the direct discharge channel (122). Direct water flowing in the direct water supply passage 121 is delivered to the direct water discharge passage 122 through the direct water intermediate passage 123.

As shown, the directions in which the direct water supply passage 121 and the direct water discharge passage 122 extend may not be aligned with each other. As shown, the direct water supply passage 121 and the direct water discharge passage 122 may be formed along the first reference direction D1. The direct intermediate flow path 123 may be formed along a second reference direction (D2) orthogonal to the first reference direction (D1). The direct water discharge passage 122 may be located on the first reference direction (D1) side of the direct water supply passage 121, and the direct water is located in the first reference direction (D1) and the second reference direction ( D2) and may flow in the order of the first reference direction (D1).

One end of the direct water intermediate passage 123 is in communication with the recirculation passage 130, and the other end may be closed by the rear cover 14. Therefore, hot water is delivered from the hot water passage 110 to the direct water intermediate passage 123 through the recirculation passage 130, and the hot water thus delivered naturally flows to the direct water supply passage 121, in a direction opposite to the direction in which the direct water flows. It flows in this direction and becomes returned water.

The rear cover 14 can be fastened to the housing body using a rear fastener 72. The rear fastener 72 may be a bolt or may be plural, and is coupled to a fastening hole formed in the housing body and a fastening hole formed in the rear cover 14 to couple the rear cover 14 and the rear fastener 72. can do.

In order to maintain the watertightness of the direct water intermediate passage 123, a rear cover O-ring 63 may be disposed at the boundary between the inner surface of the housing body constituting the direct water intermediate passage 123 and the rear cover 14. The rear cover O-ring 63 may be made of an elastic material.

The recirculation passage 130 is a passage that communicates the hot water passage 110 and the direct water passage 120 and allows hot water in the hot water passage 110 to flow into the direct water passage 120. The recirculation passage 130 may be formed by the recirculation housing 13. The recirculation passage 130 may be formed by opening the recirculation housing 13 along the second reference direction D2.

Hydraulic opener (20)

The hydraulic open/close body 20 is a component provided to close or open the recirculation passage 130. The hydraulic opening/closing body 20 can be accommodated in the direct water intermediate passage 123 and can move along the direction in which the direct water intermediate passage 123 extends. When direct water or hot water is used, the water pressure switch 20 moves to close the recirculation passage 130, and when direct water or hot water is not used, it moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which it moved when direct water or hot water was used to recirculate. Euro (130) is opened. The direction in which the water pressure switch 20 moves when direct water or hot water is used is the opposite direction to the second reference direction D2, which is the direction in which hot water flows along the recirculation passage 130, and moves when direct water or hot water is not used. The direction may be the same as the second reference direction D2.

The direct water pressure of the direct water source that supplies direct water is higher than the internal pressure of the hot water passage 110. Therefore, even if only direct water is used and the internal pressure of the direct water passage 120 is somewhat lowered, it is higher than the internal pressure of the hot water passage 110, and the water pressure switch 20 is moved in the second reference direction (D2) by direct water. Pressure is applied in the opposite direction to maintain the closed state of the recirculation passage 130. Even when only hot water is used, the internal pressure of the direct water passage 120, through which direct water is not discharged, is higher than the internal pressure of the hot water passage 110, which is pressurized by the pump P but is somewhat lowered as hot water is discharged. Accordingly, the hydraulic opening/closing body 20 is pressurized in the direction opposite to the second reference direction D2 by direct water, thereby maintaining the closed state of the recirculation passage 130. For the same reason, even if direct water and hot water are used together, the recirculation passage 130 is closed by the hydraulic opening and closing element 20.

In this way, since the recirculation passage 130 is closed when hot water or direct water is used, a situation in which direct water and hot water are mixed and supplied to the consumer SD1 with an unwanted water temperature is prevented.

The hydraulic open/close body 20 may include a shaft 21, a flange 22, and an arm 23. The shaft 21 is a component that becomes the framework of the hydraulic opening and closing body 20, extends along the direction in which the direct water intermediate passage 123 extends, and is an inner surface of the housing 10 that defines the direct water intermediate passage 123. It is supported by a rear cover 14 forming a. One end of the shaft 21 is disposed adjacent to the opening on the second reference direction (D2) side of the outflow passage 1303 of the recirculation passage 130 so as to open or close the recirculation passage 130, and the shaft 21 The other end is inserted into the sliding hole 141 of the rear cover 14. Therefore, the shaft 21 can move linearly while sliding along the direction in which the direct water intermediate passage 123 extends while being guided by the sliding hole 141.

The flange 22 is a part that extends radially from the shaft 21 and is pressurized by direct water or hot water, thereby enabling the hydraulic opener 20 to move in a straight line along the direction in which the direct water intermediate passage 123 extends. . The outer surface of the flange 22 may be formed to correspond to the inner surface shape of the direct water intermediate passage 123. However, so that hot water or direct water can flow between the outer surface of the flange 22 and the inner surface of the housing body, the outer surface of the flange 22 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing body to form a space G. Therefore, the direct intermediate flow path 123 is not completely separated by the flange 22. When hot water passing through the recirculation flow path 130 pressurizes the flange 22, the flange 22 is pressurized by the hot water in the second reference direction D2 in which the hot water flows, so that the entire hydraulic opening and closing body 20 is moved to the second reference direction D2. It will move in the reference direction (D2). When straight water presses the flange 22, the flange 22 is pressed by straight water in a direction opposite to the second reference direction (D2), so that the entire hydraulic opening and closing body 20 moves in the opposite direction to the second reference direction (D2). will move to

The arm 23 also extends radially from the shaft 21 like the flange 22, and is formed with a plurality of branches extending radially toward the direct intermediate water passage 123. The arm 23 may contact the inner surface of the housing body. Therefore, the arm 23 supports the shaft 21 against the inner surface of the housing body, and serves to help the hydraulic opener 20 move linearly without deviating from its original position within the direct intermediate water passage 123. , Like the flange 22, it is not a component that moves the hydraulic opening and closing body 20 by being pressurized by hot water or direct water.

The hydraulic open/close body 20 includes packing 25 formed of an elastic material in an area adjacent to the recirculation passage 130. That is, the packing 25 is disposed at one end of the shaft 21. The packing 25 may be made of an elastic rubber-like material and may be arranged to cover one opening of the outflow passage 1303 of the outflow case 132, which will be described later. By contacting the elastic packing 25 with the outflow case 132, the shock received by the outflow case 132 can be alleviated and the watertightness of the recirculation passage 130 can be maintained. The packing 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown, and may have an inner groove shaped to surround one end of the shaft 21 so that the end of the shaft 21 is inserted and coupled, but its shape is not limited thereto. No.

The hydraulic opening/closing body 20 may further include an elastic member 40 connecting the hydraulic opening/closing body 20 to the inner surface of the housing 10. One end of the elastic member 40 is connected to the hydraulic opening/closing body 20, and the other end is connected to the inner surface of the housing 10. In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 40 is connected to the rear cover 14 constituting the housing 10. The elastic member 40 may be a spiral spring, but its type is not limited thereto.

The elastic member 40 may have a basic length that is neither stretched nor compressed when the hot water temperature is above the reference temperature when direct water and hot water are not used. When the length of the elastic member 40 is the basic length, the point where the hydraulic opening and closing member 20 is located inside the direct water intermediate passage 123 is called the basic position. That is, the elastic member 40 has a basic length when the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied and positions the hydraulic opening and closing body 20 in the basic position. In the basic position, the packing 25 of the hydraulic opening/closing body 20 may not close the recirculation passage 130. However, according to a modified example of one embodiment, this basic position may be a position where the hydraulic opening/closing element 20 is closing the recirculation passage 130.

When direct water or hot water is used, the elastic member 40 may be tensioned by the force of the direct water that pressurizes and moves the hydraulic opening/closing body 20. An elastic member that moves in the opposite direction of the second reference direction (D2), which is the direction in which the hydraulic opening and closing body 20 approaches the recirculation passage 130 by direct water pressure, and has one end coupled to the hydraulic opening and closing body 20. (40) is connected to the other end of the inner surface of the housing (10), but the inner surface of the housing (10) does not move, so it is tensioned, and the elastic member (40) provides a restoring force due to elasticity to the hydraulic opening and closing body (20). 2 Acts as the reference direction (D2). Therefore, when the use of direct water is terminated and the external force acting on the hydraulic opening and closing body 20 other than the restoring force disappears or the remaining external forces reach an equilibrium state, the hydraulic opening and closing body 20 can be returned to the basic position by the restoring force.

The elastic member 40 is a hydraulic opening and closing body for hot water flowing into the direct water intermediate passage 123 in the second reference direction (D2) along the recirculation passage 130 when the temperature of the hot water is below the reference temperature when direct water and hot water are not used. It can be compressed by the force that presses and moves (20). Since the water pressure switch 20 moves in the second reference direction D2, which is a direction away from the recirculation passage 130, due to the water pressure of the hot water, the elastic member 40 is connected to the water pressure switch 20 and the housing 10. It is compressed between the inner surfaces of the. Accordingly, the elastic member 40 applies a restoring force due to elasticity to the hydraulic opening/closing body 20 in a direction opposite to the second reference direction D2. Therefore, when the temperature of the hot water exceeds the reference temperature, the flow rate of hot water flowing along the recirculation passage 130 decreases, and the external force acting on the hydraulic switch 20 in addition to the restoring force disappears or the remaining external forces reach an equilibrium state, the restoring force The hydraulic opening/closing element 20 may return to its default position.

The recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a filter cover 50. The filter cover 50 may be coupled to the side opposite to the second reference direction D2 of the recirculation housing 13 to filter out foreign substances in the hot water flowing into the recirculation passage 30. The filter cover 50 may be formed to cover the side opposite to the second reference direction D2 of the recirculation housing 13, and may be formed in a double layer. The filter cover 50 may be a porous mesh.

Recirculation Housing(13)

The recirculation housing 13 may be located between the hot water housing 11 and the direct water housing 12. Recirculation housing 13 includes an inlet case 131. Recirculation housing 13 may include an outlet case 132.

The inflow case 131 is located on the upstream side of the bimetal plate 30 based on the second reference direction D2. An inflow passage 1310, which is part of the recirculation passage 130, may be formed in the inflow case 131. Accordingly, the hot water flowing in the hot water passage 110 may flow along the second reference direction D2 through the inflow passage 1310 formed in the inlet case 131 and be delivered to the bimetal plate 30. Since the inflow passage 1310 may be located at the center of the bimetal plate 30 when viewed along the second reference direction D2, hot water cannot reach the bimetal plate 30 from the center of the bimetal plate 30. It can spread to the outside of (30).

The housing body and the outer surface of the inflow case 131 may be coupled, and the case O-ring 62 may be disposed between them. The case O-ring 62, which can be formed of an elastic material, maintains watertightness between the inlet case 131 and the inner surface of the housing body to prevent hot water from leaking from the boundary.

The end 151 of the front cover may be in contact with the side of the inflow case 131 opposite to the second reference direction D2. Therefore, as the front cover 15 is inserted into the housing body, the end 151 of the front cover presses the inflow case 131 and can be coupled to the housing body.

An annular groove is formed on the side of the inlet case 131 facing the bimetal plate 30, and the contact O-ring 61 can be placed in the groove. The contact O-ring 61 is made of an elastic material and may be placed on the side of the inflow case 131 in the second reference direction D2. Therefore, even if the bimetal plate 30 covers and blocks the inflow passage 1310, the impact can be absorbed and watertightness can be maintained.

The bimetal plate 30 is disposed adjacent to the side of the inflow case 131 facing the direct water flow path 120 among the sides of the inflow case 131. That is, the bimetal plate 30 is located on the second reference direction D2 side with respect to the inflow case 131. The inflow case 131 is located closer to the hot water passage 110 than the outflow case 132, which will be described later.

The inlet case 131 includes a case body 1311 and a case locking protrusion 1312. The case body 1311 may penetrate along the second reference direction D2 to form a portion of the inflow passage 1310. The case body 1311 may be formed in an annular shape surrounding the inflow passage 1310. The case locking protrusion 1312 may protrude from the case body 1311 to the opposite side of the second reference direction D2 and surround the inflow passage 1310. The case locking protrusion 1312 may be formed in a hollow and open cylindrical shape along the second reference direction D2.

That is, the case body 1311 has a shape like a cover that covers the space between the hot water passage 110 and the direct water passage 120, and the case stopping protrusion 1312 has a shape like a spout formed by protruding from this cover. You can.

The case stopping protrusion 1312 may have an area overlapping with the hot water passage 110 along the first reference direction D1. The case body 1311 may not overlap the hot water passage 110 along the first reference direction D1.

The length of the case locking protrusion 1312 based on the second reference direction D2 may be 50% or more and 100% or less of the length of the case body 1311. The thickness of the case locking protrusion 1312 based on the first reference direction D1 may be 50% or less of the thickness of the case body 1311.

The inflow case 131 may further include an inner protrusion 1313 that protrudes from the case body 1311 along the second reference direction D2 and surrounds the inflow passage 1310. The above-described annular groove is formed in the inner protrusion 1313, and the contact O-ring 61 can be placed in the groove. That is, the inflow passage 1310 may be defined by the case stopping protrusion 1312, the case body 1311, and the inner protrusion 1313 in that order along the second reference direction D2.

The length of the inlet flow path 1310 based on the second reference direction D2 may be formed to be more than twice the length of the case body 1311. The inflow passage 1310 may include a first inflow passage 1301 and a second inflow passage 1302 in order along the second reference direction D2. The cross-sectional area of the first inlet flow path 1301 cut by a plane perpendicular to the second reference direction D2 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the second inflow flow path 1302 cut by a plane perpendicular to the second reference direction D2. . At the boundary between the first inlet flow path 1301 and the second inflow flow path 1302, a tapered flow path whose cross-sectional area decreases along the second reference direction D2 may be formed. The boundary of this tapered flow path may have an inclination of 45 degrees when viewed in cross section as shown in FIG. 4. In order to prevent a decrease in circulating flow rate due to pressure loss, a large amount of hot water flows in through the first inflow passage 1301 having a relatively large cross-sectional area, and the laminarized hot water is delivered to the bimetal plate 30 at an increased flow rate. Thus, hot water may be delivered to the second inlet flow path 1302, which has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first inlet flow path 1301.

The length of the first inlet flow path 1301 based on the second reference direction D2 may be 160% or more and 260% or less of the length of the second inflow flow path 1302. In a cross section of each flow path cut in a plane perpendicular to the second reference direction D2, the diameter of the first inlet flow path 1301 may be 120% or more and 130% or less of the diameter of the second inflow flow path 1302.

The case stopper 1312 is disposed to ensure an appropriate length of the inlet flow path 1310 along the second reference direction D2, so that the hot water flowing through the inflow flow path 1310 to the bimetal plate 30 is not turbulent. It is easy to form a laminar flow, and the pressure difference along the first reference direction (D1) formed by the hot water reaching the bimetal plate 30 is reduced, preventing abnormal operation that occurs when the bimetal plate 30 operates. Vibration can be reduced and noise can be reduced.

In addition, the case stopping protrusion 1312 of a protruding shape inside the hot water passage 110 is disposed, so that some of the hot water flowing in the first reference direction D1 cannot directly flow into the inflow passage 1310, and the case stopping protrusion 1312 ) is blocked by the part opposite to the first reference direction (D1), and can only enter the entrance of the case stopper 1312 by detouring, thereby reducing the inertia of the hot water toward the first reference direction (D1).

The inflow case 131 may include a case peripheral portion 1314. The case peripheral portion 1314 may be an annular component formed to surround the case body 1311 when viewed along the second reference direction D2. The case O-ring 62 may be located in a groove formed on the case peripheral portion 1314. The case peripheral portion 1314 may contact the inner surface of the housing body. The inlet case 131 may include an outer protrusion 1315 that protrudes from the case circumference along the second reference direction D2.

The outflow case 132 is a component located on the second reference direction D2 side of the bimetal plate 30. The outflow case 132 may include an outflow body 1321 . The outflow body 1321 may penetrate in the second reference direction D2 to form an outflow passage 1303 that is part of the recirculation passage 130. The outflow case 132 may include an outflow protrusion 1322 that surrounds the outflow passage 1303 and protrudes from the outflow case 132 along the second reference direction D2. The hydraulic opening/closing member 20 may contact or separate from the outflow protrusion 1322 to open and close the outflow passage 1303.

An outflow peripheral portion 1323 extending in a direction opposite to the second reference direction D2 may be formed around the outflow body 1321. The outflow peripheral portion 1323 may be in contact with the inner surface of the housing body. An outflow protrusion 1324 may be further formed from the outflow peripheral portion 1323 in a direction opposite to the second reference direction D2. The outflow protrusion 1324 is formed to fit with the outer protrusion 1315 of the inlet case 131 and can be coupled to each other.

A gap may be formed between the case peripheral portion 1314 and the outflow peripheral portion 1323, and the circumference of the bimetal plate 30 may be coupled and fixed to this gap. Since the circumference of the bimetal plate 30 is fixed, when the bimetal plate 30 is deformed, the deformed portion is the center excluding the circumference of the bimetal plate 30.

The outflow case 132 may be caught on a step that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the housing body and be fixed so as not to deviate further in the second reference direction D2.

When recirculating hot water, the water pressure switch 20 separates from the outflow passage 1303 and opens the outflow passage 1303, and when using direct water or hot water, it contacts the outflow passage 1303 and opens the outflow passage 1303. can be closed.

The outflow case 132 is disposed closer to the direct water flow path 120 than the inlet case 131 and the bimetal plate 30. Therefore, as shown, the inflow case 131 and the outflow case 132 are disposed at opposite locations with the bimetal plate 30 interposed therebetween. Accordingly, a structure surrounding the bimetal plate 30 is formed with the inflow case 131 and the outflow case 132.

Bimetal plate (30)

A bimetallic plate 30 is further provided in the recirculation passage 130. The bimetal plate 30 can be deformed according to the temperature of the hot water, opening the recirculation passage 130 when the temperature of the hot water is below the reference temperature, and closing the recirculation passage 130 when the temperature of the hot water is above the reference temperature.

The bimetal plate 30 is made of bimetal whose shape changes depending on temperature. A bimetal is a member formed by two metals with different thermal expansion coefficients coming into contact with each other, and the two metals expand or contract at different rates depending on the temperature, changing the direction and degree of bending. Therefore, the shape of the bimetal plate 30 may change depending on the temperature of the hot water flowing within the housing 10 of the recirculation valve 1.

In an area adjacent to the edge of the bimetal plate 30, a plurality of holes 300 formed through the bimetal plate 30 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, hot water flowing through the inflow passage 1310 may penetrate the bimetallic plate 30 through the hole 300 and may flow from the hot water passage 110 to the outflow passage 1303. The hot water delivered to the outlet flow path (1303) is discharged to the direct water intermediate flow path (123).

Specifically, the diameter of each hole 300 may preferably be 2.2 mm, and the number of holes 300 may be 8. In addition, the diameter of the bimetal plate 30 may preferably be 23.7 mm or more and 23.8 mm or less, the thickness may be 0.4 mm, and the maximum thickness when the bimetal plate 30 is deformed may be 0.8 mm.

The bimetal plate 30 is disposed to be spaced apart from the inlet flow path 1310 when the temperature of the hot water is below the reference temperature, and is in contact with the inlet flow path 1310, which is a portion of the recirculation flow path 130, when the temperature is above the standard temperature. ) is closed. Specifically, the bimetal plate 30 is deformed when the temperature of the hot water is below the reference temperature and separates from the contact O-ring 61 surrounding the inflow passage 1310, and is deformed when the temperature is above the reference temperature and contacts the contact O-ring 61. Therefore, the bimetal plate 30 opens the recirculation passage 130 when the hot water temperature is below the reference temperature, and closes the recirculation passage 130 when the hot water temperature is above the reference temperature.

To describe in more detail the shape in which the bimetal plate 30 is deformed, when the temperature of the hot water is below the reference temperature, it has a convex shape from the hot water passage 110 toward the direct water passage 120, that is, in the second reference direction (D2). ) The bimetal plate 30 may be curved in a convex shape. Conversely, when the temperature of the hot water is above the reference temperature, the bimetal plate 30 will be curved in a convex shape from the direct water passage 120 toward the hot water passage 110, that is, in a convex shape along the opposite direction of the second reference direction D2. You can. By being modified to have this shape, a flow path through which hot water can flow can be formed between the bimetal plate 30 and the inlet flow path 1310, or the inflow flow path 1310 can be closed. When the temperature of the hot water exceeds the reference temperature, the center of the bimetal plate 30 approaches the contact O-ring 61, thereby contacting the contact O-ring 61 to close the inflow passage 1310.

However, in a modified example, when the hot water temperature is below the reference temperature, the bimetal plate 30 is convex along the second reference direction (D2), and when the temperature is above the reference temperature, the bimetal plate 30 is perpendicular to the second reference direction (D2). It may be transformed into a flat plate shape to close the inflow passage 1310.

Other embodiments

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a recirculation housing (13b) according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the recirculation housing 13b of a recirculation valve according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Since the recirculation valve according to another embodiment of the present invention differs from the recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention only in the configuration of the recirculation housing (13b), the recirculation housing (13b) with a difference It will be described further, and the content of the description described with respect to the recirculation valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied as is to the remaining components.

The case locking protrusion 1312b of the inflow case 131b of the recirculation housing 13b includes a first locking protrusion portion 1312b-1 covering the first reference direction D1 side of the inflow passage 1310b, and a first locking protrusion. It includes a second locking shoulder portion 1312b-2 located on the opposite side of the first reference direction D1 of the shoulder portion 1312b-1. The first locking protrusion 1312b-1 has a shape that protrudes further along the second reference direction D2 than the second locking protrusion 1312b-2. Due to this shape, the hot water flowing along the first reference direction (D1) in the hot water passage is blocked by the first stopping portion (1312b-1) and is guided to the inflow passage (1310b) along the second reference direction (D2). It can be.

When viewed along the second reference direction D2, the first locking shoulder portion 1312b-1 and the second locking shoulder portion 1312b-2 may each have a semicircular shape.

In the above, even though all the components constituting the embodiment of the present invention have been described as being combined or operated in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment. That is, as long as it is within the scope of the purpose of the present invention, all of the components may be operated by selectively combining one or more of them. In addition, terms such as “include,” “comprise,” or “have” described above mean that the corresponding component may be present, unless specifically stated to the contrary, and thus do not exclude other components. Rather, it should be interpreted as being able to include other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, unless otherwise defined, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, should be interpreted as consistent with the contextual meaning of the related technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but are for illustrative purposes, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

A hot water housing connected to a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water produced by heating raw water and forming a hot water flow path through which hot water flows along a first reference direction.

A direct water housing connected to a direct water supply pipe that supplies direct water, which is raw water, to form a direct water flow path provided to allow direct water to flow through the interior;

a recirculation housing that communicates the hot water flow path and the direct water flow path to form a recirculation flow path formed along a second reference direction orthogonal to the first reference direction to flow hot water in the hot water flow path into the direct water flow path;

A hydraulic opening and closing body provided in the direct water housing to close or open the recirculation passage; and

It is disposed inside the recirculation housing and includes a bimetal plate that is deformed according to the temperature of the hot water and opens and closes an inlet flow path that is part of the recirculation flow path,

The recirculation housing includes an inlet case located upstream of the bimetal plate based on a second reference direction,

The inflow case includes a case body in which the inlet flow path is formed, and a case locking protrusion that protrudes from the case body to the opposite side of the second reference direction and surrounds the inflow flow path.
According to paragraph 1,

The case stopper has an area overlapping with the hot water passage along a first reference direction.
According to paragraph 2,

The case body is a recirculation valve that does not overlap the hot water flow path along the first reference direction.
According to paragraph 1,

The case locking jaw is formed in a hollow and open cylindrical shape along the second reference direction.
According to paragraph 1,

The inflow case further includes an inner protrusion that protrudes from the case body along a second reference direction and surrounds the inflow passage,

The length of the inflow passage based on the second reference direction is formed to be more than twice the length of the case body.
According to paragraph 1,

The inlet flow path includes a first inflow flow path and a second inflow flow path in order along a second reference direction,

A recirculation valve wherein the cross-sectional area of the first inlet flow path cut by a plane perpendicular to the second reference direction is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second inflow flow path.
According to clause 6,

The length of the first inlet flow path based on the second reference direction is 160% to 260% of the length of the second inlet flow path.
According to paragraph 1,

The case locking protrusion includes a first locking protrusion portion covering a first reference direction side of the inlet passage, and a second locking protrusion located on a side opposite to the first reference direction of the first locking protrusion portion,

The first locking protrusion portion has a shape that protrudes more along the second reference direction than the second locking protrusion portion.
According to clause 8,

A recirculation valve, wherein when viewed along a second reference direction, the first locking shoulder portion and the second locking shoulder portion each have a semicircular shape.