JP7375264B2 - Branch flow switching valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a flow path switching valve that can be suitably used in various fluid piping, particularly in various fluid piping in the pharmaceutical industry, food industry, etc.

Flow path switching valves are used in manufacturing equipment lines for pharmaceuticals, foods, etc. to switch the flow path of the product or the fluid that is its raw material (hereinafter referred to as "fluid"). Strict controls are carried out at food manufacturing sites to prevent contamination with impurities and the growth of germs and to improve hygiene.

Conventionally, piping structures using T-shaped pipes or vent pipes were often adopted to branch fluid flowing in from one direction into two directions, but with these conventional piping structures, the control valve was closed. There have been many problems, such as fluid stagnation in the flow path and the propagation of bacteria, troublesome piping work, and the need for a large space for piping.

In order to solve these problems, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, provide a first diaphragm valve 13 in the main flow path 11 disposed in the horizontal direction. A branch flow path switching valve 10 in which a first branch flow path 12-1 is provided horizontally from the first branch flow path 12-1, and a second diaphragm valve 14 and a second branch flow path 12-2 are provided in the vertical direction from the first branch flow path 12-1. is proposed.

In the branch flow path switching valve 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first branch flow path 12-1 in the valve body 15 is arranged horizontally to the main flow path 11. Although it is possible to prevent fluid that cannot be replaced by the fluid flowing into the main flow path 11 (hereinafter referred to as "unreplaceable fluid") from staying in the main flow path 11, the following problem occurs.

First, in the branch channel switching valve 10 of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the second branch channel 12-2 is arranged in the vertical direction, so the piping equipment incorporating this branch channel switching valve 10 is The vertical height increases, causing problems such as poor operability such as the operation parts being scattered not only horizontally but also vertically.In addition, it is necessary to improve the stability and earthquake resistance of piping equipment. Therefore, it becomes necessary to provide extra equipment. In other words, the handles of the multiple manual valves become difficult to operate, there is a risk of burns to the operator during the sterilization process in which the piping equipment reaches high temperatures, and the height of the piping equipment becomes high, resulting in a lack of stability. becomes.

Furthermore, in the branch flow path switching valve 10 of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the fluid flowing horizontally in the first branch flow path 12-1 collides with the second diaphragm valve 14 and changes direction, and the fluid flows through the second branch flow path 12-1. Since the fluid flows vertically through the flow path 12-2, a problem arises in that the pressure loss of the fluid increases.

Furthermore, in the branch flow path switching valve 10 of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since the second branch flow path 12-2 is arranged in the vertical direction, a flow path arranged in the horizontal direction is connected to this. In some cases, a problem arises in that the inner surface of the flow path of the connecting portion cannot be sufficiently sterilized with steam. In other words, when the channel is arranged horizontally, the entire inner surface of the channel is heated to a high temperature (for example, 121°C or higher) because the coagulated water that collects at the bottom of the channel during steam sterilization is washed away by the steam flow. Although it can be maintained for a certain period of time (for example, 30 minutes or more), condensed water that cannot be washed away by the steam flow remains at the connection between the vertically arranged flow path and the horizontally arranged flow path. There will be areas where steam sterilization cannot be performed adequately because high temperatures cannot be maintained for a certain period of time.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, Patent Document 3 describes that two flow paths, one from the inlet port 21 to the outlet port 22 and the other from the inlet port 21 to the outlet port 23, are arranged in the same horizontal plane. A switching valve housing 20 has been proposed in which the switching valve housing 20 is arranged in the same direction, and each of the two openings 24 and 25 is provided with a diaphragm (not shown).

In the switching valve housing 20 of Patent Document 3, since the two flow paths are arranged in parallel in the same horizontal plane, it is possible to prevent the retention of non-replaceable fluid, and the vertical height of the piping equipment can be suppressed. , since the two outlet ports 22 and 23 are arranged close to each other, it is necessary to interpose an elbow pipe in order to connect other flow paths to these, and as mentioned above, the pressure loss of the fluid is reduced. The problem arises that the size increases, and the installation space also increases.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-159034 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-355750 US Patent No. 5,427,150

The present invention can prevent the accumulation of non-replaceable fluid, reduce the vertical height of piping equipment and the pressure loss of the fluid, and sufficiently perform steam sterilization of the inner surface of the flow path of piping equipment. An object of the present invention is to provide a branch flow path switching valve.

The branch flow path switching valve of the present invention includes:
a) a valve body, b) a linear flow path provided in the valve body, and c) a valve seat provided at a required portion of the flow path, a diaphragm disposed opposite to the valve seat, and the diaphragm. A branch flow path switching valve having a diaphragm valve connected to a central portion on the back side of the diaphragm and having an operating shaft that moves the central portion on the front side of the diaphragm toward and away from the valve seat,
It has two diaphragm valves,
The main flow path provided in the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the branch flow path provided in the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are arranged and connected to be perpendicular to each other in the same horizontal plane. It is something to do.

In the branch flow path switching valve of the present invention, the distance from the branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve does not exceed three times the inner diameter of the branch flow path. preferable.

Further, in the branch flow path switching valve of the present invention, the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve can be made separate bodies or can be formed integrally.

When the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are separate bodies, it is preferable to connect the outlet of the branch flow path and the inlet flow path of the second diaphragm valve by welding. .

When the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are integrally formed,
The valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are approximately in the shape of a right triangular prism,
one side surface adjacent to the right angle portion of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and one side surface adjacent to the right angle portion of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are arranged in the same horizontal plane;
The other side surface adjacent to the right angle part of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and one bottom surface of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are integrally formed,
providing a main flow path along the central axis of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve; providing a branch flow path along the central axis of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve;
Preferably, the first diaphragm valve and the second diaphragm valve are provided on the side surfaces facing the right angles of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve, respectively.

By arranging the main flow path and the branch flow path at right angles in the same horizontal plane, the branch flow path switching valve of the present invention can prevent retention of non-replaceable fluid, and also reduce the vertical height of piping equipment and the fluid flow. Pressure loss can be suppressed to a low level, and the inner surface of the flow path of piping equipment can be sufficiently sterilized with steam.

In addition, by setting the distance from the branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve not to exceed three times the inner diameter of the branch flow path, the flow path The amount of fluid stagnation caused by switching can be suppressed, and cleaning can be performed easily and in a short time.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure around the second diaphragm valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention. It is a top view of a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the valve body main body of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional branch flow path switching valve described in Patent Document 1. It is a perspective view of the conventional branch flow path switching valve described in patent document 2. It is a perspective view of the conventional branch flow path switching valve described in patent document 3.

The main feature of the branch flow path switching valve of the present invention is that it has two diaphragm valves, with a straight main flow path provided in the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and a straight main flow path provided in the valve body of the second diaphragm valve. The provided linear branch channels are arranged and connected to be perpendicular to each other within the same horizontal plane. This prevents the stagnation of non-replaceable fluids, suppresses the contamination of impurities and the propagation of bacteria, and allows for quick and easy cleaning. Loss can be kept low, and the inner surface of the flow path of piping equipment can be sufficiently sterilized with steam.

Furthermore, by making sure that the distance from the branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve does not exceed three times the inner diameter of the branch flow path, the flow path can be switched. It is possible to suppress the amount of fluid that stagnates due to cleaning, and to perform cleaning in a short time and easily.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, although 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of the branch flow path switching valve of this invention are concretely demonstrated, also referring to drawings, this invention is not limited to these.

<First embodiment of branch flow path switching valve of the present invention>
The overall structure of the branch flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment.

The branch flow path switching valve of the first embodiment has two diaphragm valves, a first diaphragm valve 1 and a second diaphragm valve 2, and a valve body 1 of the first diaphragm valve in which the first diaphragm valve 1 is installed. -1 is provided with a straight main flow path 1-2, and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve in which the second diaphragm valve 2 is installed is provided with a straight branch flow path 2-2. It is being The main flow path 1-2 and the branch flow path 2-2 connected to the main flow path 1-2 are arranged to be perpendicular to each other within the same plane.

Further, in the branch flow path switching valve of the first embodiment, the valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 are configured as separate bodies, and the main flow path is 1-2 and a branch flow path 2-2 are connected. The connection between the main channel 1-2 and the branch channel 2-2 is preferably performed by welding.

The detailed structure and operation of the branch flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing the structure around the second diaphragm valve 2 of the first embodiment, and the first diaphragm valve 1 is not shown, but is provided on the back side of the main flow path 1-2. .

In the branch flow path switching valve of the present invention, the structures of the two diaphragm valves, the first diaphragm valve 1 and the second diaphragm valve 2, are the same. 2 will be representatively explained. Note that the numbers in parentheses indicate members of the first diaphragm valve 1.

In the second diaphragm valve 2 (first diaphragm valve 1), the diaphragm 2-4 (not shown), and by moving the central part of the surface side of the diaphragm 2-4 (not shown) into and out of contact with the valve seat 2-3 (valve seat 1-3), the second diaphragm valve 2 (first diaphragm valve 1) is opened and closed.

The second diaphragm valve 2 (first diaphragm valve 1) is opened and closed by moving an operating shaft 2-5 (not shown) connected to the central part of the back side of the diaphragm 2-4 (not shown) back and forth in the axial direction. It is done by doing. The actuating shaft 2-5 (not shown) can be driven forward and backward by supplying fluid such as cylinder air as shown in FIG. 3, or manually as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. can.

In the branch flow path switching valve of the first embodiment, flow path switching is performed in the following manner.
<State where fluid flows through main channel 1-2: A> The first diaphragm valve 1 is opened and the second diaphragm valve 2 is closed.
<State where the fluid is switched to flow through the branch flow path 2-2: B> The first diaphragm valve 1 is changed from open to closed, and the second diaphragm valve 2 is changed from closed to open.
<State in which the fluid is switched again to flow through the main channel 1-2: C> The first diaphragm valve 1 is changed from closed to open, and the second diaphragm valve 2 is changed from open to closed.

In the conventional branch flow path switching valve 10 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, since the first branch flow path 12-1 is arranged horizontally to the main flow path 11, the inside of the first branch flow path 12-1 is Although it is possible to prevent the accumulation of non-replaceable fluid, the following problems occur.
1) Since the second branch flow path 12-2 is arranged in the vertical direction, the piping equipment incorporating this branch flow path switching valve 10 has a high height in the vertical direction, and the operating section is arranged in the horizontal direction. In addition, there arises the problem that the pipes are scattered in the vertical direction, resulting in poor operability, and it is also necessary to provide extra equipment to improve the stability and earthquake resistance of the piping equipment. In other words, the handles of the multiple manual valves become difficult to operate, there is a risk of burns to the operator during the sterilization process in which the piping equipment reaches high temperatures, and the height of the piping equipment becomes high, resulting in a lack of stability. becomes.
2) Fluid flowing horizontally through the first branch flow path 12-1 collides with the second diaphragm valve 14, changes direction, and flows vertically through the second branch flow path 12-2, resulting in fluid pressure loss. A problem arises in that the value becomes large.
3) Since the second branch channel 12-2 is arranged vertically, when connecting a channel arranged horizontally to it, the inner surface of the channel at the connection part must be sufficiently sterilized with steam. The problem arises that it cannot be done.

In other words, when the channel is arranged horizontally, the entire inner surface of the channel is heated to a high temperature (for example, 121°C or higher) because the coagulated water that collects at the bottom of the channel during steam sterilization is washed away by the steam flow. Although it can be maintained for a certain period of time (for example, 30 minutes or more), condensed water that cannot be washed away by the steam flow remains at the connection between the vertically arranged flow path and the horizontally arranged flow path. There will be areas where steam sterilization cannot be performed adequately because high temperatures cannot be maintained for a certain period of time.

However, in the branch flow path switching valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the linear main flow path 1-2 and the linear branch flow path 2-2 are arranged to be orthogonal to each other in the same horizontal plane. Therefore, the problems 1) to 3) above do not occur.

In addition, in the conventional switching valve housing 20 shown in FIG. 9, since the two flow paths are arranged in parallel in the same horizontal plane, it is possible to prevent the stagnation of non-replaceable fluid, and the vertical direction of the piping equipment can be prevented. Although the height can be suppressed, since the two outlet ports 22 and 23 are located close to each other, it is necessary to insert an elbow pipe in order to connect other flow channels to these ports, as described above. Problems arise in that the pressure loss of the fluid becomes large and the installation space becomes large.

However, in the branch flow path switching valve of the first embodiment of the present invention, the linear main flow path 1-2 and the linear branch flow path 2-2 are arranged to be perpendicular to each other in the same horizontal plane. Since the outlet of the main channel 1-2 and the outlet of the branch channel 2-2 are not close to each other, such a problem does not occur.

The first diaphragm valve 1 and the diaphragm of the first diaphragm valve 1 used in the branch flow switching valve of the present invention are made of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) on the surface side (that is, the valve seat side), and are registered with DuPont. A material having a layer made of a fluororesin having excellent chemical resistance, water resistance, and surface smoothness such as trademark), and having a rubber backup layer provided on the back side of this layer can be suitably used.

<Second embodiment of branch flow path switching valve of the present invention>
A branch flow path switching valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the second embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a top view of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a valve body of the second embodiment.

The branch passage switching valve of the second embodiment has substantially the same structure and the same operation as the branch passage switching valve of the first embodiment, but the valve body 1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 1 and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 are integrally formed.

That is, the branch flow path switching valve of the second embodiment is as follows:
The valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 have a substantially right triangular prism shape,
One side face C adjacent to the right angle part of the valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and one side face F adjacent to the right angle part of the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 are in the same horizontal plane. placed,
The other side surface D adjacent to the right angle part of the valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and one bottom surface G of the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 are integrally formed,
A main flow path 1-2 is provided along the central axis of the valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1, and a branch flow path 2-2 is provided along the central axis of the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2. established,
A first diaphragm valve 1 and a second diaphragm valve 2 are provided on side surfaces E and H that face the right angle portions of the valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2, respectively. It is characterized by being

The valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 of the second embodiment may be created in advance as an integral body, or after they are created separately, They may be joined by welding or the like. Other members of the first diaphragm valve 1 and the second diaphragm valve 2 are formed on the valve seat 1-3 and the valve seat 2-3 shown in FIG. 6, respectively.

In the branch channel switching valve of the present invention, in order to prevent fluid from remaining in the branch channel switching valve,
1) As shown in FIG. 6, the lowest end in the vertical direction of the part of the valve seat 1-3 of the first diaphragm valve 1 that comes into contact with the fluid, and the vertical end of the part of the valve seat 2-3 of the second diaphragm valve 2 that comes into contact with the fluid. The lowest end, the lowest vertical end of the inner surface of the main channel 1-2, and the lowest vertical end of the branch channel 2-2 are arranged in the same horizontal plane I;
2) As shown in FIG. 3, the distance A from the branch point where the branch channel 2-2 branches from the main channel 1-2 to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve 2 is equal to the inner diameter B of the branch channel. not to exceed three times the
However, when the valve body 1-1 of the first diaphragm valve 1 and the valve body 2-1 of the second diaphragm valve 2 are integrally formed as in the second embodiment, The arrangement can be easily adjusted and the branch flow path switching valve can be made compact.

As described above, by arranging the main flow path and the branch flow path at right angles in the same horizontal plane, the branch flow path switching valve of the invention can prevent the stagnation of non-replaceable fluid and suppress the contamination of impurities and the growth of bacteria. This makes it possible to perform cleaning in a short time and easily, and also to keep the vertical height of piping equipment and fluid pressure loss low, allowing for sufficient steam sterilization of the inner surface of the flow path of piping equipment. be able to.

In addition, by setting the distance from the branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve not to exceed three times the inner diameter of the branch flow path, the flow path The amount of fluid stagnation caused by switching can be suppressed, and cleaning can be performed easily and in a short time.

Note that if the distance from the branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve becomes long, the fluid that cannot be replaced depending on the flow velocity (generally 2 m/s or less) flowing in the main flow path. (non-displaceable fluid) is generated. In order to replace this non-replaceable fluid, if the flow rate flowing into the main flow path is made higher than necessary, wasteful energy will be required.

1 First diaphragm valve 1-1 Valve body (of the first diaphragm valve) 1-2 Main channel (of the first diaphragm valve) 1-3 Valve seat (of the first diaphragm valve) 2 Second diaphragm valve 2-1 ( Valve body (of the second diaphragm valve) 2-2 Branch flow path (of the second diaphragm valve) 2-3 Valve seat (of the second diaphragm valve) 2-4 Diaphragm (of the second diaphragm valve) 2-5 (Second diaphragm valve) Actuation axis (of the diaphragm valve) A Distance from the branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to the center of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve B Inner diameter of the branch flow path C Right angle part of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve One adjacent side surface D The other side surface adjacent to the right angle part of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve E The side face opposite to the right angle part of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve F Adjacent to the right angle part of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve G One bottom surface of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve H Side surface facing the right angle part of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve I Horizontal surface 10 Branch flow path switching valve 11 Main flow path 12-1 First branch flow path 12-2 Second branch flow path 13 First diaphragm valve 14 Second diaphragm valve 15 Valve body 20 Switching valve housing 21 Inlet ports 22, 23 Outlet ports 24, 25 Opening

Claims (5)

a) Valve body;
b) a linear flow path provided in the valve body, and c) a valve seat provided at a required portion of the flow path, a diaphragm placed opposite the valve seat, and a central portion on the back side of the diaphragm. A branch flow path switching valve having a diaphragm valve connected to the diaphragm valve and having an operating shaft that moves the center portion of the front surface side of the diaphragm into and out of contact with the valve seat,
It has two diaphragm valves,
The first diaphragm valve is a two-way valve that opens and closes a linear main flow path provided in the valve body,
The second diaphragm valve is a two-way valve that opens and closes a linear branch flow path provided in the valve body,
A branch flow path switching valve characterized in that the main flow path and the branch flow path are arranged and connected to be perpendicular to each other within the same horizontal plane. A distance from a branch point where the branch flow path branches from the main flow path to a central portion of the diaphragm of the second diaphragm valve does not exceed three times the inner diameter of the branch flow path. 1. The branch flow path switching valve according to 1. Claim 1, wherein the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are separate bodies, and the main flow path and the branch flow path are connected by welding. Or the branch flow path switching valve according to 2. The branch flow path switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are integrally formed. The valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve have a substantially right triangular prism shape,
one side surface adjacent to the right angle portion of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and one side surface adjacent to the right angle portion of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are arranged in the same horizontal plane,
The other side surface adjacent to the right angle portion of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and one bottom surface of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve are integrally formed,
A main flow path is provided along the central axis of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve, and a branch flow path is provided along the central axis of the valve body of the second diaphragm valve,
The first diaphragm valve and the second diaphragm valve are provided on each side facing a right angle portion of the valve body of the first diaphragm valve and the valve body of the second diaphragm valve, The branch flow path switching valve according to claim 4.

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