JP7684479B2 - Water and gas interlocking valve, carbonated spring generator and shower - Google Patents

Description

This application relates to the technical field of showers, and more specifically to a water/gas interlocking valve, a carbonated spring generator equipped with the water/gas interlocking valve, and a shower equipped with the carbonated spring generator.

The water-gas interlocking valve, also known as the water-gas interlocking device, is used to open the gas passage when the pressure of the water flowing into the water-gas interlocking valve is sufficiently high, and close the gas passage when the pressure of the water flowing into the water-gas interlocking valve is insufficient or there is no water flow.

After the carbon dioxide gas mixes with water, the carbon dioxide gas in the water is absorbed by the skin and enters the body, promoting the expansion of microvessels, lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular function, and contributing to blood circulation in the blood vessels. The carbon dioxide gas in the water also produces bubbles on the surface of the skin, providing a slight massage effect. Therefore, the carbonated spring shower in the conventional technology is favored by many consumers.

The water gas interlocking valve can be applied to a carbonated spring shower so that the carbonated spring shower can produce carbonated water. When the water flow pressure flowing into the water gas interlocking valve is large enough, the gas passage opens and the water flow mixes with carbon dioxide gas to form carbonated water. When the water flow pressure flowing into the water gas interlocking valve is insufficient or there is no water flow, the gas passage cannot be opened and therefore carbonated water cannot be produced.

However, in conventional water-gas interlocking valves, a sufficiently large water flow is required to open the gas passage, and the gas passage cannot be opened in a low water pressure environment.

The embodiments of the present application provide a water/gas interlocking valve, a carbonated spring generator, and a shower that can be applied to low water pressure environments to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

The water gas interlocking valve of the embodiment of the present application is as follows:
a case defining a mixing chamber therein, the mixing chamber having an air intake passage, a first water inlet passage, and an inlet communicating with the first water inlet passage and having a first mating surface;
a movable member provided within the case so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, the movable member having a second mating surface, the first mating surface mating with the second mating surface without any gap when the movable member is located at the first position, blocking communication between the first water inlet passage and the mixing chamber and blocking the air intake passage, and the first mating surface having a gap between the first mating surface and the second mating surface when the movable member is located at the second position, connecting the first water inlet passage and the mixing chamber, opening the air intake passage, and connecting the air intake passage and the mixing chamber;
A first elastic material is provided to provide an elastic force to the movable member to move it to the first position.

According to some embodiments of the present application,
An air passage is provided inside the movable member,
When the movable member is in the second position, the intake passage communicates with the mixing chamber via the vent passage.

According to some embodiments of the present application, when the movable member is in the second position, one end of the air passage along the direction of movement of the movable member is located within the inlet of the mixing chamber.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the movable member has a first end and a second end oppositely disposed along a moving direction of the movable member, the first end being used for closing or opening the intake air flow passage, the second end being provided with the second mating surface, and the mixing chamber being located at the second end;
When the movable member is in the first position, a portion of the second end is recessed within the inlet, and at least a portion of the second mating surface is located within the first water inlet passage.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the first mating surface and the second mating surface are conical in shape.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the movable member comprises:
A first valve rod that is inserted into the intake passage and is used to close or open the intake passage;
A valve seat on which one end of the first elastic member abuts, the other end of the first elastic member being connected to the first valve rod and abutting against an inner wall surface of the case;
a first piston connected to the valve seat and having the second mating surface.

According to some embodiments of the present application,
A sealing material is provided on the inner wall surface of the intake passage, and an expanded diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion are provided on the outer periphery of the first valve rod,
When the movable member is located at the first position, a position of the enlarged diameter portion corresponds to a position of the sealant, and the enlarged diameter portion presses the sealant and is sealed and connected to the intake passage by the sealant;
When the movable member is in the second position, a position of the reduced diameter portion corresponds to a position of the sealant, and there is a gap between the reduced diameter portion and the sealant.

According to some embodiments of the present application,
The first valve rod is provided with a first gas passage passage, the valve seat is provided with a second gas passage passage, and the first piston is provided with an exhaust hole, the first gas passage passage communicates with the exhaust hole via the second gas passage passage, and the exhaust hole communicates with the inlet,
When the movable member is in the second position, the first gas passing passage communicates with the intake passage.

According to some embodiments of the present application, when the movable member is in the second position, the outlet end of the exhaust hole is located within the inlet.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the second mating surface has a conical shape, and the exhaust hole is provided at the apex of the conical surface.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the water passage area of the inlet is smaller than the water passage area of the mixing chamber.

The carbonated spring generator of the embodiment of this application is equipped with a water gas interlocking valve as described above.

The shower in the embodiment of the present application is equipped with the carbonated spring generator described above.

One embodiment of the above application has at least the following advantages or beneficial effects.
In the water-gas interlocking valve of the embodiment of the present application, when the movable member is located at the first position, the first fitting surface and the second fitting surface are fitted together without any gap, so that the water flow hardly flows in the first water inlet passage, and the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet passage is hydrostatic pressure. Since the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet passage is hydrostatic pressure, the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet passage is almost equal to the water inlet pressure of the water-gas interlocking valve, that is, the water flow pressure is hardly lost. Since the water flow pressure is hardly lost, the inlet water pressure can be relatively reduced, that is, even if the inlet water pressure is low, the movable member can be moved to the second position by the water pressure, and the intake passage can finally be opened, so that the gas flows into the mixing chamber through the intake passage and mixes with the water. Therefore, the water-gas interlocking valve of the embodiment of the present application is applicable to environments with low inlet water pressure, and has a wider range of application.

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of a carbonated spring generator according to one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air supply section and a gas-liquid mixing section shown in accordance with one exemplary embodiment after disassembly. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a gas-liquid mixing section shown in accordance with one illustrative embodiment with the rear cover omitted; FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of a carbonated spring generator according to one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a carbonated spring generator according to one illustrative embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, in which the movable member is in a first position; FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the X1 portion in FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, in which the movable member is in a second position; FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of the portion X2 in FIG. 8 . 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 3, in which the pilot diaphragm closes the communication port. FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of the portion X3 in FIG. 12 . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 3, in which the pilot diaphragm opens the communication port. FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of a portion X4 in FIG. 14 .

Now, exemplary embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various forms and should not be understood as being limited to the embodiments described herein, but rather are provided so as to make this application thorough and complete, and to fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar structures, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the carbonated spring generator 1 of the embodiment of the present application comprises an air supply portion 1a and a gas-liquid mixing portion 1b, and the air supply portion 1a is removably connected to the gas-liquid mixing portion 1b. Carbon dioxide gas is stored in the air supply portion 1a, and when the air supply portion 1a and the gas-liquid mixing portion 1b are connected, the air supply portion 1a can provide carbon dioxide gas to the gas-liquid mixing portion 1b.

It will be understood that the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the embodiments of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to the steps or units already listed, but may further optionally include unlisted steps or units, or other steps or modules that are inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

The gas-liquid mixing section 1b includes a water inlet joint 810, a water outlet joint 820, and an air intake joint 830. The water inlet joint 810 is connected to one water supply pipe and is used to allow the water flow provided from the water supply pipe to enter the gas-liquid mixing section 1b. The water inlet joint 810 is connected to the water outlet end of a shower faucet (a shower faucet can output mixed water after adjusting the temperature of cold water and hot water) via a hose, and the water outlet joint 820 is connected to one water outlet end via a hose, which may be a handheld shower head, an overhead shower, etc., and the water outlet joint 820 in this embodiment is directly connected to the handheld shower head via a hose. The air intake joint 830 is used to detachably connect to the air supply section 1a, and of course the water inlet joint 810 may be directly connected to city water via a hose.

When the air supply section 1a is connected to the gas-liquid mixing section 1b, the carbon dioxide gas stored in the air supply section 1a flows into the gas-liquid mixing section 1b via the air intake joint 830, and the water flow that enters the gas-liquid mixing section 1b from the water inlet joint 810 mixes with the carbon dioxide gas to form carbonated spring water, which flows into the water outlet end via the water outlet joint 820 and is available for use by the user.

In one embodiment, the air supply section 1a can be connected to the air intake fitting 830 of the gas-liquid mixing section 1b by a quick disconnect module, but is not limited to this.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gas-liquid mixing section 1b includes a housing 600, an on-off valve 100, a three-way joint 200, a water-gas interlocking valve 300, a gas control valve 400, a flow rate control valve 700, and a waterway valve body 500. The three-way joint 200, the water-gas interlocking valve 300, the gas control valve 400, and the waterway valve body 500 are provided in the housing 600. The on-off valve 100 is connected to the housing 600, and some of the on-off valves 100 are exposed to the outer surface of the housing 600. Specifically, the on-off valve 100 is a rotary on-off valve, which can open and close the gas by rotating, making it easy for the user to operate.

The inlet of the on-off valve 100 is connected to the intake joint 830, and the outlet of the on-off valve 100 is connected to the inlet of the three-way joint 200. By controlling the on-off or on-off of the on-off valve 100, it is possible to control whether or not the carbon dioxide gas provided from the air supply section 1a can enter the three-way joint 200.

One outlet of the three-way joint 200 is connected to the gas control valve 400, and the other outlet of the three-way joint 200 is connected to the flow rate adjustment valve 700 and then to the water gas linkage valve 300. In other words, the carbon dioxide gas provided from the air supply section 1a is split into two after passing through the three-way joint 200, one of which enters the gas control valve 400 and the other of which enters the flow rate adjustment valve 700 and the water gas linkage valve 300.

The gas control valve 400 and the water gas interlocking valve 300 are both connected to the water passage valve body 500 and communicate with the water passage in the water passage valve body 500. One end of the water passage valve body 500 is connected to the water inlet joint 810, and the other end of the water passage valve body 500 is connected to the water outlet joint 820. The water gas interlocking valve 300 is used to control the opening or closing of the air supply passage between the air supply part 1a and the water gas interlocking valve 300 based on the magnitude of the pressure of the water flow that flows into the water gas interlocking valve 300, and when the air supply passage is open, it is used to mix the water flow with carbon dioxide gas to form carbonated spring water.

As shown in Figures 5 to 11, the water gas interlocking valve 300 comprises a case 300a, a movable member 330, and a first elastic material 340. The case 300a may comprise an upper case 310 and a lower case 320. The upper case 310 can be connected to the flow control valve 700 via a gas pipe, and the upper case 310 is provided with an intake passage 311. The intake passage 311 communicates with the flow control valve 700. The lower case 320 is connected to the water passage valve body 500, and the lower case 320 is connected to the upper case 310. The lower case 320 and the upper case 310 are surrounded to form one cavity 321. The cavity 321 has a first water inlet passage 322 and a mixing chamber 324, and the mixing chamber 324 has an inlet 323 communicating with the first water inlet passage 322. The inner wall of the inlet 323 is provided with a first fitting surface 325. The mixing chamber 324 communicates with the water outlet joint 820 via the water passage valve body 500. The lower case 320 further includes a water inlet 326, which communicates with the first water inlet passage 322. The water inlet 326 also communicates with the water inlet joint 810 via the water passage valve body 500. The movable member 330 is provided in the cavity 321 of the case 300a and is movable between a first position for closing the air intake passage 311 and a second position for opening the air intake passage 311. The movable member 330 is provided with a second mating surface 333a that matches the shape of the first mating surface 325. When the movable member 330 is in the first position, the first mating surface 325 and the second mating surface 333a are mated without any gap to block communication between the first water inlet passage 322 and the mixing chamber 324, and at least a part of the second mating surface 333a is located in the first water inlet passage 322. When the movable member 330 is in the second position, there is a gap between the first mating surface 325 and the second mating surface 333a, connecting the first water inlet passage 322 and the mixing chamber 324, and the movable member 330 opens the intake passage 311 to connect the intake passage 311 and the mixing chamber 324. The first elastic material 340 is used to provide the movable member 330 with an elastic force to move to the first position.

When the water supply pipe supplies water to the water inlet joint 810 and the on-off valve 100 is in the on state, the water flow passes through the waterway valve body 500 and the water inlet 326 and then flows into the first water inlet flow path 322. When the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet flow path 322 is equal to or greater than a preset pressure value, the water flow presses against the second fitting surface 333a of the movable member 330, causing the movable member 330 to move from the first position to the second position against the elastic force of the first elastic material 340, opening the intake flow path 311 of the water gas interlocking valve 300, so that the air supply part 1a provides carbon dioxide gas into the water gas interlocking valve 300 through the air supply flow path 311. At the same time, when the movable member 330 is in the second position, the air intake flow path 311 is connected to the mixing chamber 324, so that the carbon dioxide gas provided from the air supply part 1a can flow into the mixing chamber 324. At the same time, as the movable member 330 moves from the first position to the second position, a gap is formed between the first fitting surface 325 and the second fitting surface 333a, and the water flow in the first water inlet flow passage 322 passes through the gap and the inlet 323 and enters the mixing chamber 324. After the carbon dioxide gas and the water flow are sufficiently mixed in the mixing chamber 324, carbonated spring water is formed. The formed carbonated spring water passes through the water passage valve body 500 and the water outlet joint 820 and flows into the water outlet end.

In the water gas interlocking valve 300 of the embodiment of the present application, when the movable member 330 is located in the first position, the first fitting surface 325 and the second fitting surface 333a are fitted together without any gap, and at least a part of the second fitting surface 333a is located in the first water inlet flow path 322, so that the water flow hardly flows in the first water inlet flow path 322, and the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet flow path 322 becomes hydrostatic pressure. Since the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet flow path 322 is hydrostatic pressure, the pressure of the water flow in the first water inlet flow path 322 is almost equal to the inlet water pressure, that is, there is almost no loss of water flow pressure. Since there is almost no loss of water flow pressure, the inlet water pressure can be relatively lowered, that is, even if the inlet water pressure is low, the movable member 330 can be moved to the second position by water pressure, and the gas path of carbon dioxide gas can finally be opened. Therefore, the water-gas interlocking valve 300 of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to environments with low inlet water pressure, and has a wider range of applications.

Note that hydrostatic pressure is the opposite of dynamic water pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure of water that is barely moving, while dynamic water pressure is the pressure of water that is moving.

When the movable member 330 is in the first position, the first mating surface 325 and the second mating surface 333a are mated without any gaps, which can be understood to mean that there is absolutely no gap between the first mating surface 325 and the second mating surface 333a. Of course, due to the influence of processing errors or installation errors, there may be a small gap between the first mating surface 325 and the second mating surface 333a, and the gap may be, for example, 0.2 mm or less.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the first mating surface 325 is formed on the inner wall of the inlet 323. The shapes of the first mating surface 325 and the second mating surface 333a are both conical surfaces, and the two conical surfaces are compatible. Of these, the fact that the two conical surfaces are compatible means that the taper angles of the two conical surfaces are equal.

In the embodiment of the present application, it can be seen that by designing the shape of the second mating surface 333a to be a conical surface, the force acting on the movable member 330 by water pressure can be increased, and the magnitude of water pressure required to move the movable member 330 from the first position to the second position can be further reduced.

7 and 9, along the moving direction of the movable member 330, the movable member 330 has a first end 330a and a second end 330b arranged opposite to each other, the first end 330a is used to close or open the intake passage 311, and the second end 330b has a second mating surface 333a. When the movable member 330 is located in the first position, a part of the second end 330b enters the inlet 323, and at least a part of the second mating surface 333a is located in the first water inlet passage 322.

The mixing chamber 324 is located at the second end 330b of the movable member 330. Furthermore, the mixing chamber 324 and the movable member 330 are arranged linearly along the direction of movement of the movable member 330.

An air flow passage 360 is provided inside the movable member 330, and when the movable member 330 is located in the second position, the intake air flow passage 311 communicates with the mixing chamber 324 via the air flow passage 360. The air flow passage 360 extends along the movement direction of the movable member 330.

It can be seen that by providing the ventilation passage 360 inside the movable member 330, the structure of the water-gas interlocking valve can be made more compact.

In the embodiment of the present application, the movable member 330 includes a first valve rod 331, a valve seat 332, and a first piston 333. The first valve rod 331 is inserted into the intake passage 311 and is used to close or open the intake passage 311. The valve seat 332 is connected to the first valve rod 331, and one end of the first elastic member 340 abuts against the valve seat 332 and the other end abuts against the inner wall surface of the upper case 310. The first piston 333 is connected to the valve seat 332, and the first piston 333 is provided with a second fitting surface 333a.

When the movable member 330 is in the first position, a portion of the first piston 333 enters the inlet 323.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, a sealant 312 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the intake passage 311, and an enlarged diameter portion 331a and a reduced diameter portion 331b are provided on the outer periphery of the first valve rod 331. When the movable member 330 is in the first position, the position of the enlarged diameter portion 331a corresponds to the position of the sealant 312, and the enlarged diameter portion 331a presses the sealant 312, and is sealed and connected to the intake passage 311 by the sealant 312. When the movable member 330 is in the second position, the position of the reduced diameter portion 331b corresponds to the position of the sealant 312, and there is a gap between the reduced diameter portion 331b and the sealant 312. The size of the enlarged diameter portion 331a is larger than the size of the reduced diameter portion 331b.

The first valve rod 331 is provided with a first gas passage 331c, the valve seat 332 is provided with a second gas passage 332a, and the first piston 333 is provided with an exhaust hole 333b. The first gas passage 331c, the second gas passage 332a, and the exhaust hole 333b are in communication with each other, and the exhaust hole 333b is in communication with the inlet 323. When the movable member 330 is in the second position, the first gas passage 331c is in communication with the intake passage 311.

The ventilation passage 360 includes a first gas passage 331c, a second gas passage 332a, and an exhaust hole 333b.

In the embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 7, when the movable member 330 is located at the first position, the enlarged portion 331a presses the sealant 312, and is sealed and connected to the intake passage 311 by the sealant 312. In this case, the carbon dioxide gas provided from the intake portion 1a cannot pass through the intake passage 311 and flow into the first gas passage 331c, and therefore the mixture of the water flow and the carbon dioxide gas cannot be realized. When the movable member 330 is located at the second position, the enlarged portion 331a moves upward, the reduced portion 331b corresponds to the position of the sealant 312, and there is a gap between the reduced portion 331b and the sealant 312. The carbon dioxide gas provided from the intake portion 1a can pass through the gap and flow into the first gas passage 331c, and flow sequentially through the second gas passage 332a and the exhaust hole 333b, and finally the mixture of the water flow and the carbon dioxide gas is realized.

When the movable member 330 is in the second position, one end of the air passage 360 along the direction of movement of the movable member 330 is located within the inlet 323 of the mixing chamber 324.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the movable member 330 is in the second position, the outlet end of the exhaust hole 333b is located within the inlet 323. The water passage area of the inlet 323 is smaller than the water passage area of the mixing chamber 324.

When the movable member 330 is in the second position, the outlet end of the exhaust hole 333b is located inside the inlet 323, so that the carbon dioxide gas enters the inlet 323 directly after being ejected from the exhaust hole 333b, and then enters the mixing chamber 324, and it can be understood that the carbon dioxide gas does not enter the first water inlet flow path 322. The advantage of doing so is that most of the carbon dioxide gas is mixed with the water flow in the mixing chamber 324, and the water flow does not mix with the carbon dioxide gas in the first water inlet flow path 322. In other words, the carbonated spring water formed after the water flow and the carbon dioxide gas are mixed hardly passes through the inlet 323. In this way, the carbonated spring water does not pass through the inlet 323, which has a small hole diameter, and therefore the problem of the gas solubility being reduced due to the reduced pressure, and the carbon dioxide gas being released from the water and bursting, causing noise, does not occur.

Conversely, when the movable member 330 is in the second position, if the outlet end of the exhaust hole 333b is located in the first water inlet flow passage 322, the carbon dioxide gas and the water flow are mixed in the first water inlet flow passage 322, and the carbonated spring water formed after mixing passes through the inlet 323 with a small hole diameter. As can be seen from Bernoulli's theorem, when the carbonated spring water passes through the inlet 323 with a small hole diameter, the flow rate of the carbonated spring water increases and the pressure inside the water body decreases, so the solubility of gas in the water body decreases, and the carbon dioxide gas is released from the water body and explodes, causing noise.

In one embodiment, the second mating surface 333a is conical in shape, and the exhaust hole 333b is provided at the apex of the conical surface.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the water gas interlocking valve 300 further includes a backflow prevention module 350, which is connected to the valve seat 332 and is provided in the second gas passage 332a, and is used to allow gas to flow along the first gas passage 331c toward the exhaust hole 333b and to prevent gas from flowing along the exhaust hole 333b toward the first gas passage 331c.

As shown in Figures 4, 10, and 12 to 15, the water channel in the water channel valve body 500 includes a second water inlet channel 510, a first branch channel 520, a second branch channel 530, and a water outlet channel 540. The second water inlet channel 510 communicates with the water inlet fitting 810, the first branch channel 520 communicates with the second water inlet channel 510, and the second branch channel 530 communicates with the second water inlet channel 510. In other words, the water flow supplied from the water supply pipe passes through the second water inlet channel 510 and then splits into two water flows, one of which flows into the first branch channel 520 and the other into the second branch channel 530.

The gas control valve 400 communicates with the on-off valve 100. In the embodiment of the present application, the gas control valve 400 communicates with the three-way joint 200 via a gas pipe. The gas control valve 400 is used to control the opening or closing of the first branch flow path 520 according to the on or off state of the on-off valve 100. In the embodiment of the present application, when the on-off valve 100 is in the off state, the gas control valve 400 opens the first branch flow path 520, and the second water inlet flow path 510 communicates with the water outlet flow path 540 via the first branch flow path 520. In this case, the water flow can pass through the first branch flow path 520 and flow into the water outlet flow path 540. When the on-off valve 100 is in the off state, the gas control valve 400 closes the first branch flow path 520, and the second water inlet flow path 510 cannot communicate with the water outlet flow path 540 via the first branch flow path 520. In this case, the water flow cannot pass through the first branch flow path 520 and flow into the water outlet flow path 540.

The water gas interlocking valve 300 is connected to the on-off valve 100 and the second branch passage 530, and is used to open the air supply passage between the air supply section 1a and the water gas interlocking valve 300 and mix the water flow with carbon dioxide gas when the pressure of the water flowing into the first water inlet passage 322 of the water gas interlocking valve 300 is equal to or greater than a preset pressure value. The second water inlet passage 510 is connected to the water outlet passage 540 via the second branch passage 530 and the water gas interlocking valve 300. When the pressure of the water flowing into the first water inlet passage 322 of the water gas interlocking valve 300 is lower than the preset pressure value, the water gas interlocking valve 300 closes the air supply passage.

In the embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, the water inlet 326 of the lower case 320 of the water gas interlocking valve 300 communicates with the second branch flow path 530, and the mixing chamber 324 of the water gas interlocking valve 300 communicates with the water outlet flow path 540 of the water channel valve body 500. The water flow passes through the second branch flow path 530 and the water inlet 326 into the first water inlet flow path 322, and then passes through the inlet 323 from the first water inlet flow path 322 and flows into the mixing chamber 324. The water flow and carbon dioxide gas are mixed in the mixing chamber 324 to form carbonated spring water, which flows through the water outlet flow path 540 to the water outlet joint 820.

The communication between the water gas interlocking valve 300 and the air supply section 1a can be obtained by referring to the above introduction of the water gas interlocking valve 300 in conjunction with Figures 6 to 9, and will not be described again here.

The air supply passage between the air supply section 1a and the water gas interlocking valve 300 may include a gas passage inside the on-off valve 100, a gas passage inside the three-way joint 200, a gas pipe connecting the three-way joint 200 and the water gas interlocking valve 300, and an intake passage 311 of the water gas interlocking valve 300. In the embodiment of the present application, the air supply passage between the air supply section 1a and the water gas interlocking valve 300 is opened or closed by opening or closing the intake passage 311. Specifically, the intake passage 311 is opened or closed by moving the first valve rod 331, and whether or not carbon dioxide gas enters the water gas interlocking valve 300 is controlled.

Below, in conjunction with Figure 4, the operating principle of the water passage and gas passage of the carbonated spring generator 1 of the embodiment of this application will be explained in detail.

When the on-off valve 100 is in the on state, the gas control valve 400 closes the first branch flow path 520. In this case, the water flow cannot pass through the first branch flow path 520, and can only flow into the water outlet flow path 540 through the second branch flow path 530. After the water flow passes through the second branch flow path 530 and flows into the water gas interlocking valve 300, the water flow presses against the second fitting surface 333a of the first piston 333, moving the first valve rod 331 upward and opening the intake flow path 311. After the carbon dioxide gas enters the water gas interlocking valve 300, it mixes with the water flow to form carbonated spring water, and finally the carbonated spring water flows out from the water outlet flow path 540. In this case, since the water flow passes only through the second branch flow path 530, a small amount of carbonated spring water flows out from the water outlet flow path 540.

When the on-off valve 100 is in the off state, the gas control valve 400 opens the first branch flow path 520. In this case, the water flow can not only pass through the second branch flow path 530 and flow into the water outlet flow path 540, but also pass through the first branch flow path 520 and flow into the water outlet flow path 540, and both water flows join in the water outlet flow path 540 to form a large flow rate of normal water. In this case, carbonated spring water is not produced because the on-off valve 100 is turned off.

As can be seen from this, in the carbonated spring generator 1 of the embodiment of the present application, the gas control valve 400 can control the opening or closing of the first branch passage 520 depending on the on or off state of the opening and closing valve 100, and the water gas interlocking valve 300 can control the opening or closing of the air supply passage between the air supply section 1a and the water gas interlocking valve 300 based on the magnitude of the pressure of the water flow that has flowed into the water gas interlocking valve 300. In this way, by controlling the on or off of the opening and closing valve 100, the carbonated spring generator 1 can switch between spraying a small flow rate of carbonated spring water and spraying a large flow rate of normal water, and the two water discharge modes can be selected by the user, providing convenience to the user and improving the user experience.

As shown in Figures 12 to 15, an isolation section 550 is further provided in the first branch flow path 520, and the isolation section 550 divides the first branch flow path 520 into a first sub-flow path 521 and a second sub-flow path 522, with the first sub-flow path 521 communicating with the second water inlet flow path 510 and the second sub-flow path 522 communicating with the water outlet flow path 540. The gas control valve 400 is used to open or close the flow path between the first sub-flow path 521 and the second sub-flow path 522 by contacting or isolating the isolation section 550.

The first branch flow passage 520 is provided with an opening 523 corresponding to the isolation section 550, and the gas control valve 400 is attached to the waterway valve body 500 and closes the opening 523. The first branch flow passage 520 is further provided with an extension section 560, and one communication port 570 is formed between the extension section 560 and the isolation section 550, and the first sub-flow passage 521 and the second sub-flow passage 522 are connected via the communication port 570. The gas control valve 400 is used to open or close the communication port 570.

13 and 15, the gas control valve 400 includes a valve case 410, a bonnet 420, a second piston 430, a second valve rod 440, a pilot diaphragm 450, and a second elastic material 460. The valve case 410 is connected to the waterway valve body 500 and corresponds to the position of the opening 523. The bonnet 420 is connected to one end of the valve case 410 facing away from the waterway valve body 500. The inside of the bonnet 420 has a pressing chamber 421, which is connected to the three-way joint 200, and carbon dioxide gas can flow from the three-way joint 200 into the pressing chamber 421. The second piston 430 is connected to one end of the second valve rod 440 in the axial direction, and the second piston 430 and the second valve rod 440 are arranged in the valve case 410 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the second valve rod 440. The pilot diaphragm 450 is fixed to the waterway valve body 500 and closes the opening 523. The pilot diaphragm 450 also closes the communication port 570. The pilot diaphragm 450 has pressure relief holes 451 penetrating both surfaces in the thickness direction. The second piston 430 and the second valve rod 440 are both provided on the side of the pilot diaphragm 450 facing away from the waterway valve body 500, and the second piston 430 and the second valve rod 440 can move between a closing position that closes the pressure relief hole 451 and an opening position that opens the pressure relief hole 451. The second elastic member 460 has one end abutting the valve case 410 and the other end abutting the second piston 430, and is used to provide the second piston 430 and the second valve rod 440 with an elastic force to move to the opening position.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the on-off valve 100 is in the on state, carbon dioxide gas flows into the pressure chamber 421, and the second piston 430 moves the second valve rod 440 to the closed position against the elastic force of the second elastic member 460 due to the action of the gas pressure. After the other axial end of the second valve rod 440 closes the pressure relief hole 451, the pilot diaphragm 450 closes the communication port 570. In this case, the water flow cannot pass through the first branch flow path 520, but can only pass through the second branch flow path 530, and a small amount of carbonated spring water finally flows out from the water outlet joint 820.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the on-off valve 100 is in the off state, no carbon dioxide gas is injected into the pressure chamber 421, and in this case, no air pressure is applied to the second piston 430. The second piston 430 moves the second valve rod 440 to the release position under the action of the elastic force of the second elastic material 460. After the other axial end of the second valve rod 440 releases the pressure relief hole 451, the water flow presses the pilot diaphragm 450 to move upward, which causes the pilot diaphragm 450 to open the communication port 570. In this case, the water flow can pass through the first branch flow path 520 and flow into the outflow flow path 540, and a large amount of ordinary water finally flows out from the outflow joint 820.

As shown in Figures 13 and 15, the second valve rod 440 includes a rod body 441 and a rubber cushion 442. One axial end of the rod body 441 is connected to the second piston 430, and the rubber cushion 442 is connected to the other axial end of the rod body 441. When the second valve rod 440 is in the closed position, the rubber cushion 442 closes the pressure relief hole 451.

The connection between the rod body 441 and the second piston 430 may be by screwing, but is not limited to this.

As shown in Figures 4 and 15, when the second valve rod 440 moves from the closed position to the open position, the carbon dioxide gas in the pressure chamber 421 is pressed by the second piston 430 and flows back to the three-way joint 200 along the dashed line in Figure 4, discharging the gas in the pressure chamber 421 and preventing the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the pressure chamber 421 from affecting the movement of the pilot diaphragm 450.

It will be appreciated that the first elastic material 340 and the second elastic material 460 may be springs. Of course, in other embodiments, the first elastic material 340 and the second elastic material 460 may be other components capable of providing elastic force, for example, elastic rubber materials.

According to another aspect of the present application, there is further provided a shower equipped with the carbonated spring generator 1 of any of the above-mentioned embodiments. Because the shower of the embodiment of the present application is equipped with the carbonated spring generator 1 of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, it has all the advantages and beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be described again here.

It is understood that each example/embodiment in this application can be combined with each other unless there is a contradiction, and they will not be listed and described here one by one.

In the examples of the application, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, and the term "plurality" means two or more than two, unless otherwise expressly limited. Terms such as "attach", "connect", "connect", and "fixed" should all be interpreted broadly, for example, "connect" may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection, and "connect" may be a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the examples of the application according to the specific circumstances.

In describing the embodiments of the application, it should be understood that orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "rear," etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are intended merely to facilitate the description of the embodiments of the application, and do not indicate or imply that such devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be configured and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the embodiments of the application.

In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "several embodiments," "specific embodiments," and the like mean that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the application's embodiments. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described may be associated with any one or more embodiments or examples in any appropriate manner.

The above are merely preferred embodiments of the application, and are not intended to limit the application, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes to the application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the application should be included within the scope of protection of the application.

1: Carbonated spring generator, 1a: Air supply part, 1b: Gas-liquid mixing part,
100...opening and closing valve,
200...Three-way joint,
300: Water gas interlocking valve, 300a: Case, 310: Upper case, 311: Intake passage, 312: Sealing material, 320: Lower case, 321: Cavity, 322: First water inlet passage, 323: Inlet, 324: Mixing chamber, 325: First fitting surface, 326: Water inlet, 330: Movable member, 330a: First end, 330b: Second end, 331: First valve rod, 331a: Enlarged diameter portion, 331b: Reduced diameter portion, 331c: First gas passage, 332: Valve seat, 332a: Second gas passage, 333: First piston, 333a: Second fitting surface, 333b: Exhaust hole, 340: First elastic material, 350: Backflow prevention module, 360: Ventilation passage,
400: Gas control valve, 410: Valve case, 420: Bonnet, 421: Pressure chamber, 430: Second piston, 440: Second valve rod, 441: Rod body, 442: Rubber cushion, 450: Pilot diaphragm, 451: Pressure relief hole, 460: Second elastic material,
500: Waterway valve body, 510: Second water inlet flow path, 520: First branch flow path, 521: First sub-flow path, 522: Second sub-flow path, 523: Opening, 530: Second branch flow path, 540: Water outlet flow path, 550: Isolation section, 560: Extension section, 570: Communication port,
600...Housing,
700...flow control valve,
810: water inlet fitting, 820: water outlet fitting, 830: air intake fitting.

Claims (13)

a case defining a mixing chamber therein, the mixing chamber having an air intake passage, a first water inlet passage, and an inlet communicating with the first water inlet passage and having a first mating surface;
a movable member provided within the case so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, the movable member having a second mating surface, the first mating surface mating with the second mating surface without any gap when the movable member is located at the first position, blocking communication between the first water inlet passage and the mixing chamber and blocking the air intake passage, and the first mating surface having a gap between the first mating surface and the second mating surface when the movable member is located at the second position, connecting the first water inlet passage and the mixing chamber, opening the air intake passage, and connecting the air intake passage and the mixing chamber;
a first elastic member for providing an elastic force to the movable member to move to the first position.
A water/gas interlocking valve. An air passage is provided inside the movable member,
When the movable member is in the second position, the intake passage communicates with the mixing chamber via the vent passage.
2. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 1 . When the movable member is located at the second position, one end of the air passage along the moving direction of the movable member is located within the inlet of the mixing chamber.
3. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 2. Along a moving direction of the movable member, the movable member has a first end and a second end provided oppositely, the first end is used for closing or opening the intake passage, the second end is provided with the second mating surface, and the mixing chamber is located at the second end;
When the movable member is located at the first position, a portion of the second end is inserted into the inlet, and at least a portion of the second fitting surface is located within the first water inlet flow passage.
2. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 1 . The first mating surface and the second mating surface have a conical shape.
2. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 1 . The movable member is
A first valve rod that is inserted into the intake passage and is used to close or open the intake passage;
A valve seat on which one end of the first elastic member abuts, the other end of the first elastic member being connected to the first valve rod and abutting against an inner wall surface of the case;
a first piston connected to the valve seat and provided with the second mating surface;
2. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 1 . A sealing material is provided on the inner wall surface of the intake passage, and an expanded diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion are provided on the outer periphery of the first valve rod,
When the movable member is located at the first position, a position of the enlarged diameter portion corresponds to a position of the sealant, and the enlarged diameter portion presses the sealant and is sealed and connected to the intake passage by the sealant;
When the movable member is located at the second position, a position of the reduced diameter portion corresponds to a position of the sealant, and there is a gap between the reduced diameter portion and the sealant.
7. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 6. The first valve rod is provided with a first gas passage passage, the valve seat is provided with a second gas passage passage, and the first piston is provided with an exhaust hole, the first gas passage passage communicates with the exhaust hole via the second gas passage passage, and the exhaust hole communicates with the inlet,
When the movable member is located at the second position, the first gas passage communicates with the intake passage.
7. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 6. When the movable member is in the second position, an outlet end of the exhaust hole is located within the inlet.
9. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 8. The second fitting surface has a conical shape, and the exhaust hole is provided at the apex of the conical surface.
9. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 8. the water passage area of the inlet is smaller than the water passage area of the mixing chamber;
2. The water/gas interlocking valve according to claim 1 . The water gas interlocking valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is provided.
A carbonated spring generator characterized by the above. The carbonated spring generator according to claim 12 is provided.
A shower featuring

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