JP2008032154A - Mixing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a compact mixing valve capable of promptly and accurately obtaining a mixed fluid (for example, hot water) having a desired mixing ratio by promoting mixing of two fluids (for example, water and hot water). To do.
A valve body 10 provided with a first introduction port 11, a second introduction port 12, and a lead-out port 13, a valve body 20 rotatably fitted in the valve body 10, and the valve Driving means 15 for rotating the body 20, and turbulent flow is generated in the fluid in the valve body 20 in order to promote mixing of fluid from the first introduction port 11 and the second introduction port 12. An upper vertical projection 35 and a lower horizontal projection 36 made of a plate-like body projecting in a direction perpendicular to the fluid introduction or flow-down direction are provided as turbulent flow generation means.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a mixing valve suitable for use in, for example, a hot water supply device that mixes water and hot water to obtain hot water of a desired temperature, and in particular, promotes the mixing of two fluids to quickly and accurately. The present invention relates to a mixing valve capable of obtaining a mixed fluid having a desired temperature.

  As this type of mixing valve, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a valve main body, a substantially cylindrical valve body that is rotatably inserted in the valve main body, and a driving unit that rotates the valve body. The valve body is provided with a water inlet and a hot water inlet so as to be stepped along the fluid flow direction (vertical direction), respectively, and the water inlet and the hot water are provided on the peripheral wall of the valve body. In order to continuously change the opening area of the inlet, a water opening and a hot water opening having a specific shape are provided, and the mixing ratio of water and hot water is adjusted by rotating the valve body. Mixing valves have been proposed.

Patent Document 2 below discloses a valve body provided with a water introduction port, a hot water introduction port, and a discharge port, a valve body rotatably fitted in the valve body, and a rotation of the valve body. A drive means for moving, and adjusting the mixing ratio of water and hot water by changing the opening area (opening ratio) of the water inlet and hot water inlet by rotating the valve body, And in order to promote mixing of water and hot water, the mixing valve which made the flow path part used as the hot water mixing part downstream from the said valve body in the said valve body into a crank shape is proposed.
JP 2002-22039 A JP 2000-304142 A

  However, in the mixing valve described in Patent Document 1, the water inlet, the hot water inlet, the water opening, and the hot water opening are provided in steps along the fluid flow direction (vertical direction). Therefore, there is a problem that water and hot water are not sufficiently mixed, and the temperature of the obtained hot water varies, and it is difficult to achieve a desired temperature.

  Further, in the mixing valve described in Patent Document 2, the flow path portion serving as the hot water mixing portion downstream from the valve body in the valve body is formed in a crank shape, so that the water flowing into the crank flow passage portion is formed. The hot water collides with the inner wall of the flow path several times and generates a turbulent flow at each collision, thereby promoting mixing of the hot water and obtaining hot water having a desired temperature relatively quickly and accurately.

  However, in such a mixing valve, a crank-shaped flow path portion is provided in the valve main body for promoting hot water mixing, which increases the size of the entire valve, imposes restrictions on installation, and increases costs. There was a problem of inviting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to facilitate mixing of two fluids (for example, water and hot water) and quickly and accurately a mixed fluid having a desired mixing ratio (for example, An object of the present invention is to provide a compact mixing valve that can obtain hot water.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mixing valve according to the present invention basically includes a valve body provided with a first inlet, a second inlet, and a outlet, and is rotatable within the valve body. And a driving means for rotating the valve body.

  The valve body is provided with turbulent flow generating means for generating turbulent flow in the fluids in order to promote mixing of the fluids from the first inlet port and the second inlet port. Yes.

  In a preferred aspect, the valve body has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a first opening portion and a second opening portion are formed on the peripheral wall portion so as to continuously change the opening areas of the first introduction port and the second introduction port. And an internal flow path for mixing the fluids from the first introduction port and the second introduction port and guiding them to the outlet port.

  Preferably, the turbulent flow generation means is constituted by a protrusion protruding from the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion.

  In this case, the protrusion is more preferably formed of a plate-like body that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the introduction direction or the flow-down direction of the fluid from the first introduction port and / or the second introduction port. Yes.

  On the other hand, in another preferred embodiment, the turbulent flow generating means is a peripheral wall having a shape suitable for generating turbulent flow formed by the first opening, the second opening, the cutout, and the like provided in the peripheral wall. Consists of flow paths.

  The valve body and the turbulent flow generation means are preferably integrally formed.

  In another preferred embodiment, the first introduction port and the second introduction port, and the first opening and the second opening are arranged to face each other with an angular interval of 180 degrees in the rotation direction of the valve body. .

  In another preferred aspect, the first introduction port, the second introduction port, and the first opening and the second opening are arranged to be stepped along the fluid flow direction.

  In the mixing valve according to the present invention, as a turbulent flow generating means for generating a turbulent flow in the fluid to be mixed (for example, water and hot water) in the valve body, for example, a protrusion or a crank protruding from the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion Since a peripheral wall flow path such as a shape or a labyrinth is provided, two fluids (for example, water and hot water) introduced from the first introduction port and the second introduction port collide with the protrusions and the peripheral wall several times. A turbulent flow is created at each impact, which facilitates their mixing. For this reason, a mixed fluid having a desired mixing ratio can be obtained relatively quickly and accurately.

  In addition, since the turbulent flow generation means is provided in the valve body (preferably integrally formed), it is possible to reduce costs and make it more compact than when a crank-shaped flow path is provided in the valve body. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the mixing valve of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing an embodiment of a mixing valve according to the present invention.

  The mixing valve 1 of the illustrated embodiment is used, for example, in a hot water supply device or the like for mixing hot water and hot water to obtain hot water having a desired temperature, and includes a water inlet 11, a hot water inlet 12, and a outlet 13. A valve body 10 provided with a valve body 20, a valve body 20 that is rotatably inserted into a cylindrical body 10 </ b> A of the valve body 10, and a stepping motor 15 as a driving means for rotating the valve body 20. ing. The water introduction port 11 and the hot water introduction port 12 are arranged to face each other with an angular interval of 180 degrees in the rotation direction of the valve body.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve body 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the peripheral wall portion thereof has a side view so as to continuously change the opening areas of the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12. A semi-elliptical or triangular water opening 31 and a hot water opening 32 are provided, and water and hot water from the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12 are mixed and led to the outlet 13. An internal flow path 24 is provided.

  Specifically, the valve body 20 includes a base portion 21 having a semicircular or crescent-shaped peripheral wall portion, and bowl-shaped peripheral wall upper portions 22A and 22A projecting forward from the base portion (front side in FIGS. 1 and 2). And an annular peripheral wall bottom 22B, and a water opening 31 and a hot water opening 32 are provided between the peripheral wall tops 22A and 22A and the ceiling 23. Similar to the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12, the water opening 31 and the hot water inlet 32 are arranged to face each other with an angular interval of 180 degrees in the rotation direction of the valve body 20.

  At the center of the upper surface of the ceiling portion 23 of the valve body 20, a rotary connecting shaft 25 is projected. At the lower part of the rotary connecting shaft 25, there is provided a mounting groove comprising a three-stage bowl-shaped part 28 to which O-rings 29, 29 are mounted, and at the upper part thereof, a rotor (axis) 15a of the stepping motor 15 is provided. A spline shaft portion 26 and a convex portion 27 having a non-circular cross section (D-cut shape or the like) are provided.

  A bearing 16 that rotatably supports the ceiling portion 23 of the valve body 20 and the lower portion of the rotary connecting shaft 25 is fixed to the upper portion of the body portion 10 </ b> A of the valve body 10 by press fitting or the like. The stepping motor 15 is attached via the via.

  In addition to the above configuration, in the present embodiment, in order to promote the mixing of water and hot water from the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12, the upper vertical protrusion 35 as turbulent flow generating means for generating turbulent flow in them. And a lower horizontal projection 36 is provided.

  As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper vertical protrusion 35 is a direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the direction of introduction of water and hot water from the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12 (left-right direction). ) Is a plate-like body having a narrow rectangular cross section and a side view rectangular shape, and is located at an intermediate position between the water opening 31 and the hot water opening 32 (upper peripheral wall upper portions 22A and 22A), that is, the rotation axis of the valve body 20 O is distributed so as to pass through the central portion thereof, and the upper end thereof is located at the central portion in the vertical direction (near the center) of the water opening 31, the hot water opening 32, and the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12. The lower ends thereof are positioned near the lower ends of the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12, and the protruding ends (tips) thereof are positioned near the centers of the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12.

  The lower horizontal protrusion 36 is a thin rectangular section that protrudes in a direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to a direction (vertical direction) in which water and hot water introduced from the water inlet 11 and the hot water inlet 12 flow down. It is a plate-like body having a rectangular shape in plan view (upper side is an arc), and is disposed between the peripheral wall upper portions 22A and 22A and the peripheral wall bottom portion 22B, and is formed on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall bottom portion 22B. The outlet 24b) of the flow path 24 is covered from above.

  The upper vertical projection 35 and the lower horizontal projection 36 constituting the valve body 10 and the turbulent flow generating means are integrally formed using a synthetic resin material. By doing in this way, compared with the case where the valve body 10 and the processus | protrusions 35 and 36 are made into a different body, a number of parts and a manufacturing process can reduce and it can aim at reduction of cost.

  Under such a configuration, the valve body 20 is moved to the initial position by the stepping motor 15 (for example, a substantially rectangular front opening portion (a portion opposite to the base portion 21) formed between the bowl-shaped peripheral wall upper portions 22A and 22A). When the water inlet 11 is rotated clockwise from the position facing the water inlet 11 = the water inlet 11 is fully open), the opening of the water inlet 11 is changed according to the rotation angle as shown in FIG. As the area (flow rate) decreases, the opening area (flow rate) of the hot water inlet 12 increases, and when the rotation angle reaches a predetermined angle, the flow rate of water and hot water becomes the same, and the mixing ratio becomes 50%: 50%, Further, when the valve body 20 is rotated, the opening area (flow rate) of the water introduction port 11 becomes 0 (fully closed) and the opening area (flow rate) of the hot water introduction port 12 becomes maximum (upper part of the bowl-shaped peripheral wall). 22A, a generally rectangular positive formed between 22A Aperture becomes the position opposed to the hot water inlet 12, fully opened hot water inlet 12).

  In the mixing valve 10 of this embodiment having such a configuration, the valve body 20 has an upper vertical protrusion 35 and a lower horizontal protrusion 36 as turbulent flow generating means for generating turbulent flow in water and hot water to be mixed. Since the water and hot water introduced from the water introduction port 11 and the hot water introduction port 12 go out to the outlet port 13 through the outlet 24b of the peripheral wall bottom 22B, the upper vertical protrusion 35 and the peripheral wall are provided. It collides with the upper portions 22A, 22A, the lower horizontal protrusion 36, the peripheral wall bottom portion 22B, etc., and a turbulent flow is generated at each collision, thereby promoting mixing of water and hot water. For this reason, hot water of desired temperature can be obtained comparatively quickly and accurately.

  In addition, since the upper vertical protrusion 35 and the lower horizontal protrusion 36, which are turbulent flow generation means, are provided on the valve body (preferably integrally formed), compared with the case where a crank-shaped flow path is provided in the valve body. Therefore, cost reduction, compactness, etc. can be achieved.

  In addition, although the cross-sectional shape of the upper vertical protrusion 35 is a thin rectangle (FIG. 4A) in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes are shown in FIGS. 4B to 4F instead. You may do it. That is, FIG. 4 (B) is a taper shape (pen tip shape) with R on both sides, (C) is an isosceles triangle (blade tip shape), (D) is a rhombus, and (E) is a cross-sectional rectangle. A plurality of (three in this case) columnar bodies are arranged vertically with a predetermined interval, and (F) is an ellipse. Further, as shown in FIG. 4G, the upper vertical protrusion 35 may be moved to the ceiling portion 23 side so that the connecting portion with the ceiling portion 23 has an R-shaped curved surface. In the above embodiment, the lower horizontal protrusion 36 is provided with a rib 36a at the center of the lower surface (FIG. 4A), but the rib-shaped vertical protrusion 36b protrudes at the center of the upper surface of the lower horizontal protrusion 36. If set, the degree of mixing can be further increased.

  5 is a partially cutaway front view showing another embodiment of the mixing valve according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the valve body of the mixing valve of FIG. In the present embodiment, the same components or the same functional parts as those in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In the following, differences will be emphasized. I will explain it.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the mixing valve 1 ′ includes a water inlet 11 ′ and a hot water inlet 12 ′, and a semi-elliptical water opening 31 ′ and a hot water opening 32 ′, each of which rotates the valve body 20 ′. The water opening is disposed so as to be stepped along the fluid flow direction (vertical direction) with an angular interval of 180 degrees in the direction, and the upper vertical protrusion 35 of the embodiment is omitted. An upper notch 41 having a rectangular cross section is provided slightly to the right of the front surface of the peripheral wall 22 'so as to connect the 31' and the hot water opening 32 ', and the hot water opening 32' and the internal flow below it are provided. A lower notch 42 having a rectangular cross section is provided slightly to the left of the front surface of the peripheral wall 22 'so as to communicate with the lower portion of the path 24'. The water opening 31 ', the hot water opening 32' and the upper notch Crank-shaped or maze-shaped formed by the portion 41 and the lower notch 42 Turbulence generating means is constituted by Kaberyuro 40 and a lower horizontal projection 36.

  As described above, the valve body 20 ′ is provided with the crank-shaped or labyrinth-shaped peripheral wall flow path 40 as the turbulent flow generation means, so that the water and hot water introduced from the water inlet 11 ′ and the hot water inlet 12 ′ are provided. Impinges on the peripheral wall 22 'several times, creating a turbulent flow at each collision, thereby promoting their mixing. Therefore, in the present embodiment as well, the mixed fluid having a desired temperature can be obtained relatively quickly and accurately, and the turbulent flow generation means 40 and 36 can be integrally formed with the valve body 20 ′. Since it is provided, it is possible to achieve cost reduction, compactness, and the like as compared with the case where a crank-shaped flow path or the like is provided in the valve body.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a mixing valve that mixes water and hot water has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a mixing valve that mixes two types of fluid other than water and hot water. It is.

  Further, the peripheral wall flow path provided in the valve body is not limited to a crank shape or a maze shape, and may be any shape as long as the shape is suitable for turbulent flow generation. In addition, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The partial notch front view which shows one Embodiment of the mixing valve which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the valve body of the mixing valve shown by FIG. The left view which shows the valve body of the mixing valve shown by FIG. The figure which shows the modification of the turbulent flow production | generation means provided in the mixing valve shown by FIG. The partial notch front view which shows other embodiment of the mixing valve which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the valve body of the mixing valve shown by FIG. The graph which shows the flow volume characteristic (mixing characteristic) of the mixing valve which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mixing valve 10 Valve body 11 Water inlet 12 Hot water inlet 13 Outlet 15 Stepping motor 20 Valve body 22 Perimeter wall 22A Perimeter wall upper part 22B Perimeter wall bottom 24 Internal flow path 25 Rotating connection shaft 31 Water opening 32 Hot water opening 35 Upper vertical protrusion 36 Lower horizontal protrusion 40 Circumferential wall channel 41 Upper notch 42 Lower notch

Claims (8)

A valve body provided with a first introduction port, a second introduction port, and a discharge port; a valve body rotatably fitted in the valve body; and drive means for rotating the valve body. A mixing valve,
The valve body is provided with turbulent flow generating means for generating turbulent flow in the fluids in order to promote mixing of fluids from the first inlet port and the second inlet port. Mixing valve.   The valve body has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a first opening portion and a second opening portion are provided on the peripheral wall portion so as to continuously change the opening areas of the first introduction port and the second introduction port. 2. The mixing according to claim 1, wherein an internal flow path for mixing fluid from the first inlet and the second inlet and introducing the fluid to the outlet is provided therein. valve.   The mixing valve according to claim 2, wherein the turbulent flow generation means is constituted by a protrusion protruding from the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion.   The protrusion is made of a plate-like body that is protruded in a direction perpendicular to the direction of introduction or flow of fluid from the first introduction port and / or the second introduction port. Item 4. The mixing valve according to Item 3.   The turbulent flow generation means is configured by a peripheral wall flow channel having a shape suitable for turbulent flow generation formed by the first opening, the second opening, a notch, and the like provided in the peripheral wall. The mixing valve according to claim 2.   The mixing valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the valve body and the turbulent flow generation means are integrally formed.   The first introduction port and the second introduction port, and the first opening and the second opening are arranged to face each other with an angular interval of 180 degrees in the rotation direction of the valve body, respectively. The mixing valve according to any one of claims 2 to 6.   The first introduction port, the second introduction port, and the first opening and the second opening are arranged so as to be stepped along the fluid flow direction. The mixing valve according to any one of 2 to 6.

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