JPH076584B2 - Hot water mixing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention allows hot water and cold water to be automatically mixed at an arbitrary temperature, and the amount of water supply of the automatically mixed mixed water can be automatically adjusted. Regarding mixing device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a hot and cold water mixing apparatus is known in which hot water and water valves are appropriately adjusted to obtain hot water at a desired temperature. Since this type of mixing device involves manual operation, it takes time to discharge the appropriate temperature water, and a considerable amount of hot water is unnecessarily drained before obtaining the appropriate temperature water, which is uneconomical.

Therefore, as an apparatus for automatically mixing hot water and water, for example, a wax (heat sensitive agent) enclosed in a case having a hot water flow path, a cold water flow path, and a mixed water flow path communicating with both flow paths A temperature-sensing body having an axial rod that is retracted from the retracting port due to thermal expansion and contraction, a control valve that maintains the temperature of the mixed water at a set temperature by the operation of the temperature-sensing body, and this control valve is moved linearly. A hot and cold water mixing valve having a so-called automatic temperature control function, which is provided with an operation unit for setting the temperature of mixed water to be tapped, is commercially available. By setting this hot and cold water mixing valve at the desired hot water outlet temperature position on the operating section, it is convenient to obtain hot water at an appropriate temperature without operating the hot and cold water valves, while the wax can be heated by hot or cold water. Although it repeatedly expands and contracts, its response speed is relatively slow.As a result, if the temperature of the hot water is changed frequently, the change in temperature will be slow to follow, and hot water or cold water may occasionally be discharged. Also, for example, when using only tap water for cooking or washing during the summer, it is difficult to cause the rod to completely follow the contraction even when the wax contracts, and as a result, the hot water flow path There is a risk that hot water will be discharged in vain because it becomes difficult to completely close it. Further, the amount of water supply of the mixed water was very troublesome because the user operated the faucet each time it was used.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic hot and cold water mixing device has been recently developed. As this mixing device, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a hot water supply pipe 2 connected to a water heater 1 and a water supply pipe 4 connected to a water supply source 3 are connected to a hot water mixing valve 5, 5, a mixed water temperature detection sensor 9 installed in the mixing pipe 6, and a flow rate control valve 8 for adjusting the amount of hot water discharged from the water discharge pipe 7 through the mixed water pipe 6 to discharge the mixed water. When the hot water discharge temperature is set by the operation unit 10 when the hot water is discharged, the mixed water temperature detection sensor 9
The deviation between the hot water temperature detected by and the preset hot water temperature is selected by the control unit 13, and the selected output signal is sent to the electric motor 11 for driving the hot and cold water mixing valve 5, and the electric motor 11 By setting the degree of opening / closing of the valve body of the hot and cold water mixing valve 5, the mixing ratio of hot water and water is adjusted so as to reach the hot water discharge temperature set by the operation unit 10, and this mixed water is
Further, a hot and cold water mixing device for driving the valve body in accordance with a command from the operation unit 10 to the electric motor 12 for driving the flow rate adjusting valve 8 and discharging from the currant 7 via the flow rate adjusting valve 8 in which the hot water flow rate is set.
14 is well known.

The electric motors 11 and 12 for driving the valve elements (not shown) of the mixing valve 5 and the flow rate adjusting valve 8 are generally mounted on the outside of the valve body to rotate the valve elements in the mixing valve 5 and the flow rate adjusting valve 8. It is operated to open and close the flow paths of hot water and mixed water.

However, since the electric motors 11 and 12 are mounted outside the valve bodies of the valves 5 and 8 so that the energized parts do not come into contact with hot water or water, the valve bodies inside the hot and cold water mixing valve 5 and the flow control valve 8 The rotary shaft drivingly connected to the valve is watertightly inserted through a seal member such as a wall body O-ring or packing of the valve body. For this reason, when driving the valve element, the rotating shaft must be driven against the sealing pressure of the sealing member, so that it is necessary to use an electric motor having a large starting torque.

Especially when making fine adjustments to the mixing ratio of hot water and hot water,
Due to the relationship with the sealing pressure, when the valve body is rotated by a small angle in a short time, it is difficult to operate it well, and it may take time to obtain the mixed water having a predetermined temperature and flow rate.

Further, the seal member for inserting the rotary shafts of the electric motors 11 and 12 is fatigued due to sliding friction generated at each rotation of the rotary shafts,
If deterioration occurs over the years due to the hot and cold cycle of hot and cold water, the watertight structure of the seal member loosens, causing a water leakage phenomenon.

Furthermore, if a power outage occurs while using the hot and cold water mixing device,
Since the electric motors 11 and 12 cannot be driven and the valve bodies of the hot and cold water mixing valve 5 and the flow rate control valve 8 are still holding the valve openings of the valves 5 and 8 at the open position, In order to prevent the hot water in the water heater 1 and the cold water from the water source from flowing out unnecessarily, it is necessary to provide a special tap on the water discharge pipe 7 of the mixed water, or to stop the water stopcock. Moreover, even when only water supply is required at the time of the power failure, the hot and cold water mixing valve 5 remains open, so that the mixing water having the temperature set by the mixing valve 5 is discharged, which is inconvenient. Met.

In view of the above problems, the present invention incorporates a valve drive unit that drives each valve body of a hot water mixing valve and a flow rate control valve into each valve without using a special seal member, and further, in each valve drive unit. The pressure (water pressure) between the vacant space and the inflow side of each fluid is made almost constant, and the opening range of the hot and cold water mixing valve and the flow rate control valve can be adjusted quickly without requiring a large driving torque, and at a predetermined temperature. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot and cold water mixing device by making it possible to arbitrarily obtain mixed water of different flow rates.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention includes a hot and cold water mixing valve that mixes hot water and feed water to a predetermined temperature, and a flow rate control valve that discharges the mixed water at an arbitrary flow rate. The valve drive unit of the valve uses a linear solenoid that linearly moves the drive shaft, and the valve drive unit composed of the linear solenoid includes a plunger having the drive shaft projecting downward, and a guide tube for guiding the plunger up and down. A fixed iron core fixed to the lower side of the guide tube via a non-magnetic connecting tube and a coil wound over the guide tube and the fixed iron core, and a fluid is provided in a portion other than the coil. In the hot and cold water mixing valve, the mixing valve section is linearly attached to the valve driving section below the valve driving section, and the mixing valve section has hot water and cold water on one side. Inlets where the , On the opposite side, valve main bodies each having an outlet opening for letting out a mixed water of hot and cold water, a hot and cold water mixing chamber provided in the valve main body for communicating the respective inlets and outlets, and a valve drive unit A valve body mounted on a spool that abuts on a drive shaft and moves in cooperation with the drive shaft to open and close the valve opening in the center of the hot water mixing chamber, and a cold water flow passage connected to the lower portion of the valve body. And a compression spring that is interposed between the valve body and the bottom surface of the valve body to press and urge the valve body toward the drive shaft to close the valve opening. Further, below the valve drive unit on the side of the flow rate control valve, a valve unit main body for setting the flow rate of water discharged by the hot and cold water mixing valve is attached linearly to the valve drive unit. The valve body is provided with a mixed water inlet on one side and an outlet on the opposite side, and a valve chamber is provided inside the valve body for communicating the mixed water inlet with the outlet. ,
This valve chamber is attached to a valve rod which abuts on a drive shaft of a valve drive section and cooperates with the valve rod to move up and down in the valve chamber to open and close a valve opening at the center of the valve chamber; A buffer piston that is screwed to the valve rod through the spring seat on the lower side, and is inserted between the spring seat and the bottom surface of the valve body to constantly urge the control valve toward the drive shaft. A compression spring for closing the valve opening of the valve chamber is internally provided. Further, the hot and cold water mixing valve and the flow rate control valve are further electrically connected to a control device for driving and controlling each valve drive unit to form a hot and cold water mixing device, and the operation thereof is as follows.

[Action]

The present invention, when each valve drive unit of the hot and cold water mixing device is energized, a current supplied to each valve drive unit by a command from the control device according to the hot water temperature and hot water flow rate of the mixed water set in advance. The value is controlled, the plunger moves to the fixed iron core side by the suction force proportional to this energizing current, and the hot water and cold water are opened by opening the respective valve openings of the hot and cold water mixing valve and the flow rate control valve according to the set value. And are mixed at a set temperature, and since the mixed water is discharged at a set flow rate, the mixed water of hot water and cold water is automatically set at a preset temperature and flow rate. Can be spit out. In addition, when the set value such as the hot water temperature is changed, the amount of electricity to the valve drive unit is immediately changed by a command from the control device, and the hot water temperature and flow rate obtained by changing the opening degree of the valve opening of each valve are obtained. When the area is corrected and the opening degree of the valve opening is changed, the hot water or the mixed water has previously flown into the void provided in the valve drive section, so that the inside of the valve drive section and the fluid inlet side are Since the pressure is almost the same, the plunger of the valve drive unit can move quickly and surely to the fixed core side according to the current value passed through the coil of the valve drive unit without requiring a particularly large drive torque. Is possible. Therefore, the valve drive unit can be made smaller and lighter, which allows it to be driven with a small amount of electric power, and since the coil of the valve drive unit can be de-energized in the event of a power failure, the plunger can eliminate the suction force. Immediately returning to the original position, the valve opening is closed by the valve body, so that unnecessary outflow of hot water can be prevented. Furthermore, since the plunger of each valve drive unit is immersed in hot water or mixed water, the sealing member Is unnecessary, and thus, the structure of the valve drive unit can be simplified and the plunger can be driven smoothly and satisfactorily.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a use state of the hot and cold water mixing apparatus according to the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 10 denote the same parts.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15 is a water supply pipe, which is branched in two directions in the middle of the pipe, one is connected to a water heater 1 and the other is connected to a water mixing valve 16, and 17 is a water heater 1 and a water mixing valve 16. A hot water supply pipe for connecting the hot water supply valve 18 and a hot water supply pipe 18a
A mixed water pipe connected between, and a mixed water temperature detection sensor (hereinafter referred to as a temperature detection sensor) 19 for detecting the temperature of the mixed water and a flow rate control valve 65 are attached in the middle of the pipe.
The detection signal of the temperature detection sensor 19 is sent to the control device 20. Reference numeral 21 denotes a hot water temperature detecting sensor (hereinafter referred to as hot water detecting sensor) provided in the middle of the hot water supply pipe 17, and the detection signal thereof is also sent to the control device 20. In FIG. 1, 22 is a pressure reducing valve, 23 is a safety valve, 24 is a drainage drain, and 23 is a water stop cock.

Next, the structure of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 which constitutes one of the hot and cold water mixing apparatus X of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 26 denotes a valve drive part of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16,
Reference numeral 41 also shows the mixing valve portion of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16, and when both members 26, 41 are tightened by tightening bolts (see FIG. 6) 43 through the heat insulating material 42 at the central portion in the vertical direction, It is linearly connected and fixed integrally.

As shown in FIG. 2, the valve drive unit 26 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 uses a linear solenoid capable of arbitrarily changing the suction force in proportion to the energizing current.
The drive shaft 2 loosely fitted in the through hole 28a of the fixed iron core 27 via the bearing.
8, the plunger 29 protruding downward, and the plunger 29
A guide tube 30 made of a magnetic material for accommodating and guiding it vertically, and a connection tube 31 made of a non-magnetic metal such as brass for connecting and fixing the guide tube 30 and the fixed iron core 27 at a position on the same axis, On the outside of the guide cylinder 30 and the fixed iron core 27, the coil 32 wound around the both members 30 and 27 in a state where the center in the height direction is substantially aligned with the center position in the axial direction of the connecting cylinder 31.
And a metallic case 33 loosely fitted to the outside of the coil 32.
And an auxiliary iron core 34 that also functions as a cap of the case 33 attached by using a tightening screw 33a on the upper open end of the case 33.
It is composed of and. Further, the fixed iron core 27 and the plunger 29, through holes 35 for filling the guide tube 30 with hot water, are respectively perforated to be communicable,
Spacers 36 made of non-magnetic metal are interposed between the fixed iron core 27, the lower end of the plunger 29, and the upper end of the plunger 29 and the auxiliary iron core 34, respectively. Further, an O-ring 37 is watertightly sandwiched at the boundary between the upper end of the guide cylinder 30 and the case 33 to prevent the hot water from leaking to the coil 32 side.

Next, the structure of the mixing valve portion 41 will be described with reference to FIG.

The mixing valve unit 41 has an inlet 44 connected to the hot water supply pipe 17 and an inlet 45 connected to the water supply pipe 15 on one side, and an outlet 46 connected to the hot water / water mixed water pipe 18 on the other side. Valve body 47, a mixing chamber 48 provided in the valve body 47 for communicating the inflow ports 44, 45 with the outflow port 46, and the upper end protruding toward the fixed iron core 27 side to contact the lower end of the drive shaft 28. The valve of the mixing chamber 48 in the center of the body
For example, a valve body 50 made of highly durable ceramic or heat-resistant rubber is fitted to open and close 49, and a large-diameter space 51 is provided at the lower end inside the side wall and the lower end. A buffer piston 52 having small-diameter openings a and b is screwed into the mixing chamber 4
8, a spool 53 loosely fitted to the drive shaft 28 so as to be movable together,
The buffer piston 52 is screwed into the lower opening end of the valve body 47 and
Nut 55 with a recessed hole 54 for fitting and guiding the lower end of the
And a compression spring 56 that is inserted between the inner end of the closing nut 55 and the valve body 50 and urges the valve body 50 to constantly press the valve body 50 in the direction of closing the valve opening 49. This mixing valve section 41
When the valve driving unit 26 is mounted and fixed on a straight line via the heat insulating material 42, the spool 53 is urged by the compression spring 56 and the valve port 49
2 is closed by the valve body 50, and as shown in FIG. 2, when the valve port 49 is closed, communication between the inflow port 44 and the outflow port 46 is blocked, and the inflow port 45 and the outflow port 46 are It is always in communication with and abuts on the drive shaft 28 at a position on the same axis.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 60 denotes an operating rod for manually operating the spool 53, which has a semicircular locking step portion 61 at the tip thereof and which extends from the upper side of the mixed water outlet 46 to the wall of the valve body 47. The body is made to penetrate in a watertight manner to project into the mixing chamber 48, and the locking step portion 61 of the operating rod 60 is provided.
When the operating rod 60 is rotated by engaging the engaging rod 62 in the center of the spool 53 along the axial direction with the engaging recess 62 cut out in a U shape, the spool 53 resists the force of the compression spring 56. The operating rod 60
It is provided so that the valve port 49 can be manually opened by descending within the range of the radial dimension of.

Next, the flow rate control valve 65 that constitutes the other side of the hot and cold water mixing device X
The structure will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, 66 indicates a valve drive portion of the flow control valve 65,
Similarly, 67 indicates the valve body of the flow rate control valve 65, and the valve drive unit 66 and the valve body 67 form a straight line in the vertical direction by a tightening bolt (not shown), as in the hot and cold water mixing valve 16. It is integrally connected and fixed. Since the valve drive unit 66 of the flow rate control valve 65 has the same structure as the valve drive unit 26 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16, the outline will be described according to the structure of the valve drive unit 26.

As shown in FIG. 4, the valve drive unit 66 is composed of a linear solenoid whose suction force can be arbitrarily changed in proportion to the energized current, and its structure is such that the fixed core 68 has a through hole in which a play is performed through a bearing. A plunger 70 having a drive shaft 69 to be fitted therein, a guide tube 71 of a magnetic body for guiding the plunger 70 up and down, and a non-magnetic metal such as brass for connecting and fixing the guide tube 71 and a fixed iron core 68. A connecting cylinder 72, a coil 73 wound around the guide cylinder 71 and a fixed iron core 68, a metallic case 74 loosely fitted to the outside of the coil 73, and an upper opening end of the case 74. It is composed of an auxiliary iron core 76 which also serves as a cap of the case 74 attached by using a tightening screw 75, and the fixed iron core 68 and the plunger 70 are provided with a transparent member for filling the guide cylinder 71 with the mixed water. Hole 77 is drilled, and further, fixed iron core 68, plunger 70 and plunger 7 Non-magnetic spacers 78 are respectively interposed between 0 and the auxiliary iron core 76. An O-ring 79 is fitted on the boundary between the upper end of the guide cylinder 71 and the case 74 to prevent the mixed water from leaking to the coil 73 side.

Next, the structure of the valve body 67 will be described with reference to FIG.

The valve body 67 is provided with a valve chamber 82 that communicates an inlet 80 of the mixed water that is connected to the mixed water pipe 18 on one side and an outlet 81 that is connected to the outlet pipe 18 on the opposite side. Is the valve drive
A valve rod 83 that abuts against the drive shaft 69 of 66 and moves up and down in the valve chamber 82;
A control valve 85, which is attached to the lower side of the valve rod 83 and is made of hard rubber or the like, which opens and closes a valve opening 84 at the center of the valve chamber 82, and has a slight elasticity, and the control valve 85 below the control valve 85. The said valve 83
A small hole communicating with the spring seat 86 sandwiched between the spring seat 86 and the hollow seat 87 and the hollow space 87 opening to the lower end side.
A buffer piston 89 which opens the side wall 88 and penetrates the spring seat 86 and the control valve 85 and is screwed to the valve rod 83, and is screwed to the lower end of the valve body 67 to absorb the buffer. A closing nut 91 having a fitting hole 90 for fitting and guiding the lower portion of the piston 89, and a compression spring 92 inserted between the spring seat 86 and the valve rod 83 are normally attached to the valve drive portion 67 side. The valve opening 84 by pressing the valve
In the closed state at 85, it is held in contact with the drive shaft 69 at a position on the same axis. 93 is an auxiliary spring.

The spool 53 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 and the valve rod of the flow rate control valve 65.
Reference numeral 83 denotes a mixing chamber 48 and a valve chamber 82, respectively, which maintain a minute gap through which hot water or mixed water can flow into the valve drive units 26 and 66.
It is fitted and supported by the upper bearing c. Also, 86a is a spring seat 8
It is a flow hole for mixed water provided in 6.

Next, the valve drive units 26, 66 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 and the flow rate control valve 65.
An outline of the control device 20 for controlling the moving range of each plunger 29, 70 provided in the above will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device 20 includes a power supply circuit 101 that outputs two types of constant voltage power supplies Vcc and Vdd that have a commercial power supply voltage reduced to a predetermined voltage and subjected to full-wave rectification to make a constant voltage, and a one-chip 4-bit microcomputer (hereinafter, It is composed of 102)
The operation switch 103 of the hot and cold water mixing apparatus X is provided at the input end I ₁ of the microcomputer 102, the emergency stop switch 104 for closing the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 in an emergency is provided at the input end I _2, and the hot water temperature is provided at the input end I _3. The setting changeover switch 105 for setting the flow rate and
At the input end I _4, there is a push button switch for setting the hot water temperature and flow rate.
106, a push button switch 107 for setting the drop of the hot water temperature and the flow rate at the input end I ₅ , a temperature detection sensor 19 at the input end I ₆ , and a hot water detection sensor 21 at the input end I ₇ , respectively. circuit
It is connected to one of the constant voltage power supplies Vdd of 101 in a state of being electrically connected, and inputs a required input signal to the microcomputer 102.

Further, a cutoff circuit 108 is provided at the output terminal O ₁ of the microcomputer 102, and a current detection circuit 1 is provided at the output terminal O ₂ via a DC voltage variable circuit 109.
10, to the output terminal O ₃ current limiting circuit 111 to be connected to a DC voltage varying circuit 109, the DC voltage variable circuit to the output terminal O ₄ 112
However, the operation display portion 113 of the hot and cold water mixing apparatus X is connected to the output terminal O ₅ , and the constant voltage power supply Vcc output from one of the power supply circuits 101 is the emergency cutoff circuit 108 → the DC voltage variable circuit 109 → the current. It is supplied to the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 via the detection circuit 110 → and to the coil 73 of the valve drive unit 66 of the flow rate control valve 65 via the DC voltage variable circuit 112, and the other constant voltage power supply Vdd. Includes the components connected to the input terminals I _{1 to} I ₇ of the microcomputer 102, the microcomputer 102 itself and the microcomputer 102.
Is supplied to each circuit connected to the respective output terminals O _{1 to} O ₅ side as its operating power supply. In order to monitor the current supplied to the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16, the current detection circuit 110 inputs a signal corresponding to the current supplied from the DC voltage variable circuit 109 to the microcomputer 102. Sending via I ₈ .

The microcomputer 102 has an internal ROM or the like in which the following programs are set.

(1) The coil 3 is turned on / off by the operation switch 103.
Function to energize and deenergize 2,73 (2) Function to manually stop the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 (the emergency stop switch 104 is turned on to prevent inflow of hot water. In this case, cold water is supplied (3) A function to automatically set the hot water temperature and hot water output of the mixed water to the standard position (when the operation switch 103 is turned on) (4) When the hot water temperature or hot water output of the mixed water is changed, Compared with the standard setting value, the output signal corresponding to the compared value is set to the DC voltage variable circuit 109, 11
Function to output to 2 (5) The value corresponding to the current supplied to the coil 32 input from the current detection circuit 110 to the microcomputer 102 is compared with the set value that sets the hot water temperature, and the current limit circuit 111 Function that outputs a command so that the current supplied to the coil 32 is constant (6) The hot water temperature in the hot water supply pipe 17 detected by the hot water detection sensor 21 has fallen below the preset value (about 85 ° C) If the output signal corresponding to the drop is
Function to output to 1 (7) When the temperature of the mixed water by the temperature detection sensor 19 is equal to or higher than the set outlet temperature, for example, exceeds the set temperature by about 10%, it is judged as abnormal and a stop signal is sent to the shutoff circuit 108. Function to output and stop energizing the DC voltage variable circuit 109 (8) Flow control valve 6 when the operation switch 103 is turned off
Function of outputting a command signal for sequentially reducing the amount of electricity supplied to the coil 73 of the valve drive unit 66 of 5 (9) A function of displaying the operation of the hot and cold water mixing apparatus X is programmed.

Further, in FIG. 1, 94 is a display scale of mixed water discharge temperature provided on the operation panel of the control device 20, and 95 is a display scale which similarly shows the discharge amount of mixed water.
The value indicated by the position of “middle” of 5 is preset in the microcomputer 102 as a standard setting value.

Next, the operation will be described.

In using the hot and cold water mixing device X, the outlet 96 is plugged into a power source (not shown), and then the operation switch 103 provided on the operation panel of the control device 20 is turned on so that the operation display unit 113 of the control device 20 is lit and displayed. Hot water mixing valve 1
6 and the flow control valve 65 are immediately driven and controlled by a command signal from the microcomputer 102.

That is, by turning on the operation switch 103 in the microcomputer 102,
Set the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 and the flow rate control valve 65 to the standard state (for example, hot water
Water is mixed so as to have a temperature of about 38 ° C., and water is discharged from the tap pipe 18a at a medium flow rate of this mixed water. ), The program is set to drive at
The standard temperature mixed water is discharged at a standard flow rate.

The operation of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 and the flow rate control valve 65 in the standard state will be described.
The temperature detection sensor 19 detects the water temperature of the mixed water in the mixed water pipe 18, and sends the detection signal to the microcomputer 102. The microcomputer 102 compares a value corresponding to the temperature of the mixed water input by the detection signal with a preset standard setting value, and if the comparison value is lower than the standard setting value, the output terminal O ₂ Command signals for increasing the voltage (decreasing the voltage when the comparison value is high) are sequentially output to the DC voltage variable circuit 109, and the circuit 109
Of the valve drive unit 26 while the microcomputer 102 monitors the value of the current flowing through the current detection circuit 110 accordingly.
The coil 32 is energized.

When the coil 32 is energized, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic flux (solid arrow) flowing from the guide cylinder 30 of the valve drive unit 26 to the fixed iron core 27 through the plunger 29 causes the plunger 29 to move toward the fixed iron core 27 side. As indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, it is gradually sucked.
In this case, the reason why the plunger 29 is not rapidly attracted to the fixed iron core 27 side when the coil 32 is energized is
This is because the auxiliary iron core 34 that doubles as the cap of the case 33 is provided on the upper part of the 29. That is, the magnetic flux generated by the energization of the coil 32 is transmitted from the guide tube 30 to the plunger 29 as described above.
And the magnetic flux flowing through the plunger 29 is divided into the fixed iron core 27 side and the auxiliary iron core 34 side. Therefore, when the plunger 29 is attracted to the fixed iron core 27 side, it is time to overcome the attraction force acting on the auxiliary iron core 34 side, and as long as the force attracting the plunger 29 also acts on the auxiliary iron core 34 side. , Plunger
29 is not rapidly attracted to the fixed iron core 27 side. That is, since the suction force acting on the plunger 29 acts on the fixed iron core 27 side rather strongly than on the auxiliary iron core 34 side, the lower end of the plunger 29 before the plunger 29 operates and the fixed iron core
27 A gap G between the upper end surface and the upper end surface is set at a substantially intermediate position between the center of the coil 32 in the height direction and the lower end of the coil 32. Therefore, when the coil 32 is energized, the plunger 29 moves to the fixed iron core 27 side by the attraction force proportional to the energizing current in a state where the attraction force on the auxiliary iron core 34 side is completely shaken off.

When the plunger 29 moves to the fixed iron core 27 side, the drive shaft
28 also descends at the same time and pushes down the spool 53 loosely fitted in the mixing chamber 48 of the valve body 47 against the force of the compression spring 56. For this reason, the valve body 50 fitted on the spool 53 descends downward and the valve opening
Open 49. When the valve port 19 is opened, the hot water flows from the hot water supply pipe 17 to the hot water inflow port 44, the hot water flowing from the upper part of the valve port 49 of the mixing chamber 48 into the void in the valve drive unit 26, and the hot water supply pipe 17 as well. The hot water flowing into the inlet 44 flows into the mixing chamber 48 below the valve port 49, is mixed with the cold water that has already flowed into the mixing chamber 48, and flows from the mixed water outlet 46 of the valve body 47 to the mixed water pipe 18 → After passing through the flow rate control valve 65, the tap water 18a or mixed water is tapped.
The temperature of the mixed water flowing into the mixed water pipe 18 from the valve body 47 is constantly detected by the temperature detection sensor 19 and the detection signal is input to the microcomputer 102. Then, when the temperature of the mixed water has not reached the set temperature, the microcomputer 102 compares the value of the detection signal with the value of the standard set temperature, and the output terminal O ₂ of the DC voltage variable circuit 109 is mixed. A command signal of a voltage corresponding to the difference between the water temperature and the standard set temperature is sequentially output to boost the voltage supplied to the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 and increase the current value supplied to the coil 32. . As a result, the plunger 29 is further attracted (moved) to the fixed iron core 27 side, and the spool 53 is driven by the drive shaft as shown in FIG.
It is pushed down by 28 to expand the opening degree of the valve port 49 and increase the rate of the hot water flowing into the mixing chamber 48. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the hot water to the cold water is increased, and the hot water temperature of the mixed water is gradually increased.

When the temperature of the mixed water flowing in the mixed water pipe 18 reaches a preset standard temperature, a detection signal corresponding to the current value supplied to the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 is input from the current detection circuit to the input end I ₈ of the microcomputer 102. Based on the input signal, the microcomputer 102 outputs the current limiting circuit 111 from its output terminal O _3.
Then, a command signal for maintaining the current flowing to the coil 32 constant is output, and the DC voltage variable circuit 109 keeps the voltage supplied to the coil 32 constant according to the command. Therefore, the coil
An electric current required to maintain the standard temperature of the mixed water is supplied to 32, the opening degree of the valve port 49 is kept constant, and hot water can be surely supplied at a flow rate at which the mixed water of the standard temperature can be obtained.

Next, the operation of the flow rate control valve 65 that causes the mixed water mixed at the standard temperature by the hot / water mixing valve 16 to be discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 18a at the standard amount of water flow will be described.

When the operation switch 103 is turned on, the flow rate control valve 65 outputs a command signal (valve drive unit 66 from the output terminal O ₄ of the microcomputer 102 to the DC voltage variable circuit 112 to discharge the mixed water at a standard water flow rate.
The signal for increasing the supply voltage to the coil 73) is output, and the coil 73 of the valve drive unit 66 is energized while gradually increasing the voltage of the DC voltage variable circuit 112.

When the coil 73 is energized, the valve drive part of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16
Plunger 70 is gradually attracted to the fixed iron core 68 side in the same manner as when 26 is energized (see FIG. 8). In this case, the reason why the plunger 70 is not rapidly sucked toward the fixed iron core 68 side is
The description is omitted because it is the same as when the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 is energized.

When the plunger 70 moves to the fixed iron core 68 side, the drive shaft
69 also descends at the same time, pushes down the valve rod 83 inserted in the valve chamber 82 of the valve body 67 so as to be able to move up and down, and the control valve 85 sandwiched between the valve rod 83 and the spring seat 86 is attached to the compression spring 92 and The valve opening 84 is opened by gradually lowering it against the force of the auxiliary spring 93. The cold water that has accumulated in the mixed water pipe 18 due to the opening of the valve port 84 and the hot water / water mixed water that has not reached the standard temperature due to the operation of the hot water / water mixing valve 16 are sequentially inflow port 80 → valve chamber 82 → flow Water is discharged from the hot water outlet pipe 18a through the outlet 81 (the water flowing into the valve drive unit 66 also flows down into the valve chamber 82 and is discharged together with the cold water flowing from the mixed water pipe 18). The flow control valve 65 has a low current value supplied to the coil 73 at the start of energization,
Moreover, since the control valve 85 itself has a strong resistance due to the urging force of the two compression springs 92 and 93, the valve port 84 is not opened at a stroke until the standard flow rate is obtained.

The energizing voltage of the circuit 112 is increased by the boost command to the DC voltage variable circuit 112 sequentially output from the output terminal O ₄ of the microcomputer 102.
When the pressure of the control valve 85 is sequentially increased to move the mixed water to a position where the standard amount of water can be discharged, the value of the current flowing through the coil 73 of the valve drive unit 66 increases, whereby the main body of the valve unit 67 is increased. The opening degree of the valve opening 84 is gradually expanded as the control valve 85 is gradually lowered, and the flow rate of the mixed water flowing into the valve chamber 82 is sequentially increased to discharge the hot water from the hot water outlet pipe 18a.

Then, when the microcomputer 102 outputs a command signal of a voltage corresponding to maintaining the degree of opening that allows the mixed water to be discharged at a standard flow rate from the microcomputer 102 to the DC voltage variable circuit 112, the coil A current equivalent to that is applied to 73, and the plunger 70 is further attracted (moved) to the fixed iron core 68 side,
The valve rod 83 is pushed down by the drive shaft 69, and as shown in FIG.
Open 84 in sequence to the area where the mixed water can be discharged at a standard flow rate, and then open the valve until the amount of discharged water is changed.
The opening degree of 84 is kept constant to maintain a standard hot water discharge amount. That is, the amount of electricity to the coil 73 is controlled at a constant current at this time by a command signal from the microcomputer 102, the opening degree of the valve opening 84 is kept constant, and a constant (standard) flow rate of mixed water is discharged from the discharge pipe 18a. be able to. When the temperature of the mixed water reaches a standard set temperature by the hot and cold water mixing valve 16, the flow rate control valve 65 controls the opening degree of the valve port 84 to discharge the mixed water with a standard amount of hot water. It is set to 20.

When the amount of hot water discharged from the water heater 1 increases and the temperature of the hot water flowing into the mixing valve unit 41 falls below a predetermined value (about 85 ° C), the hot water detection sensor 21 detects the lowered temperature and the drop The detection signal is sent to the input terminal I ₇ of the microcomputer 102. Based on the drop detection signal, the microcomputer 102 sequentially sends out an output signal corresponding to the drop temperature from the output terminal O ₃ to the current limiting circuit 111 to instruct to boost the voltage applied to the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26. To the DC voltage variable circuit 109, and the coil 3
Increase the voltage applied to 2 until the temperature of the mixed water can be maintained at the set temperature. As a result, the value of the current flowing through the coil 32 becomes high, the plunger 29 is further attracted to the fixed iron core 27 side and the spool 53 is pushed down, the valve opening degree is further expanded, and the amount of water passing from the water heater 1 is increased. , Keep the temperature of the mixed water at the standard set temperature. In this case, since the flow rate control valve 65 maintains the standard state, the amount of mixed water discharged does not change.

Next, in the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 and the flow rate control valve 65, the plungers 29 and 70 of the valve drive units 26 and 66 are attracted to the fixed iron cores 27 and 68 side by the current value supplied to the coils 32 and 73, or the original position When trying to return to the side,
Since hot water or mixed water flows in through the through holes 35, 77 provided in the fixed iron cores 27, 68 and the plungers 29, 70, the valve drive part
Since the pressure inside the hot water supply pipe 17 and the mixed water pipe 18 in 26, 66 is the same, the plungers 29, 70 increase or decrease the suction force when the amount of electricity to the coils 32, 73 is changed. Since the movement caused by is hardly affected by the resistance caused by the pressure difference, it can be smoothly and reliably performed with a small electric power.

Further, in the hot and cold water mixing valve 16, the spool 53, which moves together with the movement of the plunger 29, is provided with the buffer piston 52 having the void space 51 therein.
When the pressure drops, the buffer piston 52 will slowly move down while discharging the water flowing into the cavity 51 and the concave hole 54 of the closed nut 55 into the mixing chamber 48 from the small-diameter openings a and b. Therefore, the rapid lowering of the spool 53 causes
Is suppressed by the slowing down of the descent rate caused by discharging the water from the void 51 and the accompanying buffering effect.

On the other hand, also in the flow control valve 65, as the plunger 70 moves down, the valve rod 83 that contacts the drive shaft 69 also moves down at the same time. At this time, the buffer piston 89 that is screwed into the valve rod 83 and projects into the spring seat 86 discharges the water in the void 87 from the small hole 88 into the valve chamber 82 when the valve rod 83 descends. However, since it can be slowly lowered, the valve opening 84 can be gradually opened in combination with the resistance force of the compression spring 92 and the auxiliary spring 93, which allows the valve opening 84 to be rapidly opened. It is possible to suppress the rapid discharge of mixed water with temperature.

Next, when raising or lowering the temperature of the mixed water discharged from the standard set temperature, the temperature of the controller 20
The flow rate setting changeover switch 105 is switched to the hot water temperature side, and then the push button switch 106 for raising the hot water temperature / flow rate is appropriately operated, and while watching the hot water temperature scale 94, the temperature display position is set to the "high" predetermined temperature position. Move to. Then, an instruction to change the tap water temperature is sent to the input terminals I ₂ and I ₃ of the microcomputer 102, and the output value O ₂ of the microcomputer 102 causes the current / voltage variable circuit 109 to set the standard temperature and the changed temperature set value. A command signal corresponding to the compared value is output, and the voltage is boosted so that the temperature is obtained by sequentially changing the voltage value of the DC voltage variable circuit 109. Therefore, the current capacity of the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 increases, and the plunger 29 is further pushed down to widen the valve port 49. As a result, the temperature of the mixed water flowing into the mixed water pipe 18 gradually rises because the supply amount of the hot water increases due to the expansion of the valve port 49, and the hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 18a. The temperature at which the mixed water is discharged is detected by the temperature detection sensor 19, and when the detected temperature reaches the changed temperature, the valve port 49 maintains its opening degree and causes the hot water to flow into the mixing chamber 48. To lower the hot water temperature of the mixed water below the standard setting, the push button switch 10
Operate 7 to lower to desired temperature. As a result, the amount of electricity to the coil 32 is suppressed by a command from the microcomputer 102, the opening degree of the valve port 49 is narrowed, and the hot water mixing chamber is
Suppress the inflow to 48 and lower the temperature of the mixed water to the changed set value.

Next, a case of changing the flow rate of the mixed water discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 18a will be described.

When changing the flow rate, as in the case of changing the hot water temperature of the mixed water, switch the hot water temperature / flow rate setting switch 105 to the flow rate side, and either increase or decrease the hot water temperature / flow rate according to the increase or decrease of the flow rate. Either one of the push button switches 106 and 107 is operated, and the coil energization current of the valve drive unit 66 of the flow rate control valve 65 is increased or decreased according to a command from the microcomputer 102.
The opening degree of the valve opening 84 is automatically changed so as to obtain a newly set flow rate, and the mixed water is discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 18a in a fixed amount at the changed flow rate.

The temperature of the mixed water and the flow rate of the discharged hot water can all be changed arbitrarily while the mixed water is discharged.

Next, to stop tapping the mixed water, press the operation switch 103.
When is turned off, the coil 32 of the valve drive unit 26 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 is de-energized, so that the plunger 29 cancels the attraction force to the fixed iron core 27 side. Then, with the force of the compression spring 56 that constantly urges the spool 53 to be pushed up, the spool 53 causes the valve 50 to close the valve opening 49 and the plunger 29 to move.
Push back to the original position. As a result, the valve port 49 is closed to prevent hot water from flowing into the mixing chamber 48, while the cold water has its inflow port 45 through the mixing chamber 48 as shown in FIG.
Since it is in communication with, it flows into the mixed water pipe 18 side.

On the other hand, when the operation switch 103 is turned off, the flow rate control valve 65 does not immediately turn off the power supply to the coil 73 of the valve drive unit 66 by the program set in the microcomputer 102, but gradually cuts off the power supply amount. Since it is set,
The plunger 70 gradually rises due to the urging force of the compression spring 92 and the auxiliary spring 93 as the suction force thereof decreases, and the plunger 70 closes while slowly narrowing the opening degree of the valve opening 84 to the control valve 85. Therefore, until the valve port 84 is completely closed, the cold water flowing from the mixed water pipe 18 flows and is discharged from the hot water discharge pipe 18a.

What does not close the valve opening of the flow rate control valve 65 at once is that cold water is being passed through the mixed water pipe 18, and if water is cut off at once in this state, a water hammer phenomenon easily occurs in the mixed water pipe, In order to prevent this, the valve opening 84 is gently closed.

If, for some reason, about 10% or more of the mixed water is detected by the temperature detection sensor 19 while the mixed water is being discharged, the hot water mixing valve is immediately output from the output end O ₁ of the microcomputer 102. Command signal to close 16 is emergency shutoff circuit 108
Is discharged to the valve drive unit 26, the power to the valve drive unit 26 is cut off, and the hot and cold water mixing valve
16 valve ports 49 are closed. In this case, cold water will continue to spit
In the unlikely event of burns caused by spouting hot water, the cold water can be used for cooling.

When only the cold water is required during the hot water discharge of the mixed water, the emergency stop switch 104 is turned on so that the hot and cold water mixing valve 16 is closed and only the cold water is discharged.

When the hot and cold water mixing device X is operated again from the above state to use the mixed water, the operation switch 103 is once turned off and then turned on again, so that the mixed water can be easily discharged.

〔The invention's effect〕

Since the present invention has been described as above, it has the following effects.

The present invention is to install a mixed water pipe between the hot water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe of the water heater, and install a hot and cold water mixing valve for automatically mixing hot water and water at a desired temperature on the hot water supply side of the mixed water pipe. Hot water
Since the hot and cold water mixing device is configured by installing a flow rate control valve that allows the mixed water of water to be discharged at a desired flow rate, users of the mixed water can discharge and use the mixed water of a desired temperature at any flow rate. It is convenient.

The hot and cold water mixing valve and the flow rate control valve used in the hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention are both in contact with the spool and the valve rod whose valve drive portion opens and closes the valve opening at a position on the same vertical line via the drive shaft, and Since the spool and the valve rod are configured so that the plunger is linearly moved with respect to the fixed iron core and sucked by the plunger having the drive shaft inserted therein, the drive shaft of the hot and cold water mixing valve and the flow control valve is The driving force is directly applied and without receiving a large sliding resistance.
Since it can be transmitted to the spool and the valve rod, it is possible to set the opening degree of the valve opening accurately and quickly.
It can be done well. In addition, the hot water mixing valve and the flow control valve both have a mixing chamber that generates mixed water and a valve chamber that quantitatively discharges the mixed water, but the structure is partly different, and most of them can be manufactured with the same structure. Since this is possible, it is possible to easily reduce the parts used and the number of assembly steps, and it is possible to significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of the hot and cold water mixing apparatus.

Further, the hot water mixing valve and the flow rate control valve of the hot water mixing device of the present invention, the valve drive unit has a structure in which hot water or mixed water flows in except for the energization unit, that is, the valve drive unit is Since it is configured to maintain the same pressure by communicating with the fluid passage, it is convenient because the valve port can be opened and closed quickly and reliably with a small force.

Further, according to the present invention, when the mixed water having a temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature is discharged during the use of the mixed water, the valve opening of the hot and cold water mixing valve is closed by a command from the control device so that the mixed water having the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature is discharged. Surely prevent. In this case, the cold water inflow port and the outflow port of the hot and cold water mixing valve are always in communication with each other. Even if it is stopped immediately, as described above, the structure is such that only cold water can be spouted at all times, and as a result, cold water can be used satisfactorily. Even if the water comes out, only the cold water is automatically discharged immediately and the harmful effects caused by the coming out of the mixed water having the set temperature or higher can be surely avoided, and the mixed water can be completely used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view of a hot and cold water mixing valve used in the hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a use of the hot and cold water mixing valve. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state, FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional front view of a flow rate control valve used for flow rate control of a hot water mixing apparatus, FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a state of use of the flow rate control valve, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the hot and cold water mixing valve, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the flow of magnetic flux in the valve drive section, and FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the control device. A block diagram and FIG. 10 are configuration diagrams showing an embodiment of a conventional hot and cold water mixing apparatus. 16 …… Hot water mixing valve, 26,66 …… Valve drive part, 29,70 …… Plunger, 41 …… Mixing valve part, 49,84 …… Valve port, 53 …… Spool, 56,92 …… Compression spring , 65 …… Flow control valve, 67 ……
Valve body, 83 …… Valve rod, 85 …… Control valve,

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A hot and cold water mixing valve is installed on the water supply pipe side of the mixed water pipe connected between the water supply pipe and the hot water discharge pipe, and a flow rate control valve is installed on the discharge pipe side. And a valve body provided with an inlet for hot water communicating with the water heater side and an inlet for cold water communicating with the water supply pipe, and the other with an outlet communicating with the mixing water pipe and discharging the mixed water. A spool provided with a mixing chamber formed in the valve body for communicating the inflow port and the outflow port with each other, and a valve body for opening and closing the valve port opened in the mixing chamber, On the vertical line of the spool, there is a mixing valve portion that is urged toward the mouth side so that the cold water inflow port and the mixed water outflow port can be always communicated with each other in the mixing chamber so as to be vertically movable. , The attraction force of the plunger is changed in proportion to the energizing current, and And a valve drive portion formed by abutting the drive shaft projecting on the plunger and the spool at a position on the same line so that the flow control valve is provided on one side. A valve main body having an outlet for communicating the mixed water with the hot water outlet pipe and discharging the mixed water with the outlet pipe, and the inlet formed in the valve main body. A valve chamber that communicates the outflow port, a control valve that opens and closes the valve port in this valve chamber, a valve rod that is loosely fitted in the valve chamber while being biased toward the valve port by a compression spring, and the vertical direction of the valve rod. On the line, the suction force of the plunger can be varied in proportion to the energizing current, and the mixed water can be flowed in except for the energizing part, so that the drive shaft protruding from the plunger and the valve rod are on the same vertical line. And a valve drive portion formed by abutting at the position The joint valve and the flow rate control valve control the electric current supplied to the coil of each valve drive unit in accordance with the hot water temperature and hot water flow rate of the mixed water, and when the mixed water rises from the set temperature by a certain temperature. The hot water mixing valve and the flow control valve are connected to a control device that stops the energization of the mixing valve, and the respective valve drive units are drive-controlled so that the suction force of the plunger can be varied in proportion to the energization current. A hot and cold water mixing device characterized in that the opening degree of the valve opening can be adjusted according to the hot water temperature and hot water flow rate of the mixed water.