Multifunctional temperature control device for universal mixing valve

Abstract

The multifunctional temperature control device of the universal water mixing valve belongs to the field of water mixing valve temperature control design. The universal water mixing valve has a simple structure, low price and wide application range. It is the most widely used water mixing method at present. However, the difficulty of temperature adjustment is one of its inherent key weaknesses. This patent divides the handle stroke into zones with a water mixing ratio scale, and divides and marks the water mixing zone indices, which effectively avoids blind adjustment by users; the cold water and hot water scales are used in combination to accurately fit the mixing state of cold and hot water, and quickly indicate the handle position corresponding to mixing any cold and hot water to the target water outlet temperature; the water outlet temperature adjustment scale can indicate the handle displacement size corresponding to the unit water outlet temperature change under different hot water input conditions. Combined with the auxiliary pointer, the above scale can form different functional combinations to provide simple and efficient temperature adjustment assistance for a variety of applications. The device is simple and easy to use, low cost, and reasonable use will greatly improve the ease of use and user experience of the water mixing valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention discloses a multifunctional temperature control device for a universal water mixing valve, and belongs to the field of water mixing valve temperature control design. Background Art

[0002] The universal water mixing valve has a simple structure and is inexpensive. It can be used in most environments and is the most widely used water mixing method. However, due to the inherent defects of the residual water in the nozzle and pipeline, the temperature change process responds slowly and the temperature adjustment handle cannot be accurately positioned, the temperature adjustment process of the universal water mixing valve is very difficult. Users often need to adjust the temperature repeatedly and carefully to complete the temperature adjustment process. This greatly reduces the user experience and wastes precious water resources.

[0003] Based on the many advantages of universal water mixing valves, improving them is an effective way to achieve good application effects. Patents CN 207687408 U, CN 207246484 U, and CN 207796171 U improve the water mixing effect by optimizing the structure of fixed and moving ceramic pieces. In particular, the moving ceramic piece designed by patent CN 207796171 U has a large rotation angle in the water mixing area, so the water temperature change corresponding to the unit angle of rotation is small, which is a very useful attempt to reduce the temperature control difficulty of the water mixing valve. Locking the optimal water mixing point is also an important way. For example, patent CN201513602 U designs a water mixing valve with a memory function. The patent uses a nameplate to memorize the optimal water mixing position for users to remember; patent CN206904296 U discloses a water mixing valve with a lockable water mixing ratio. The valve only needs to be locked after adjusting the appropriate water temperature before each bath.

[0004] However, it should be pointed out that the factors affecting the outlet water temperature include the cold water temperature, the hot water temperature and the water pressure ratio of the cold and hot water. The position locking method cannot cope with the changes in the cold water and hot water input variables, and still cannot avoid the difficult temperature adjustment process. Since the direction of the temperature adjustment handle is unclear, the patented method of optimizing the fixed and moving porcelain plates of the universal mixing valve also cannot accurately control the temperature, and only improves it to a certain extent. Summary of the invention

[0005] This patent is based on the determination of the outlet water temperature by the mixing ratio of cold and hot water, and designs a temperature control device with a mixing water ratio scale, a cold water scale, a hot water scale, an outlet water temperature adjustment scale and an auxiliary pointer as reference systems. Different scales can be flexibly combined into functional modules with their own characteristics, providing simple and efficient temperature control assistance for a variety of applications.

[0006] 1. A temperature control device for a universal water mixing valve, characterized in that it comprises: a positioning pointer and a temperature control scale group; the temperature control scale group comprises at least one of the following five elements: a water mixing ratio scale, a hot water scale, a cold water scale, a water outlet temperature adjustment scale and an auxiliary pointer.

[0007] 2. Furthermore, each scale of the mixing water ratio scale, hot water scale, cold water scale, and outlet water temperature adjustment scale adopts a circular ring structure, which is nested on the outer circular surface of the mixing valve body and can rotate around the circumference of the valve body for scale parameter adjustment; the scale data is engraved on the outer circular surface of the scale ring base; or the scale data is directly engraved on the outer circular surface of the mixing valve body.

[0008] 3. Furthermore, the water mixing ratio scale is formed by marking the positions of the positioning pointers corresponding to the cold water zone, hot water zone and the boundary of the water mixing zone of the water mixing valve core. Among them, the water mixing zone is further divided and marked in percentage, and the marking value is 0-100; the positions of 0 and 100 are respectively when the positioning pointer points to the position where cold water starts to be added and when 100% of cold water is added, which are used to mark the starting and ending boundaries of the water mixing zone; the percentage value in the middle is one of the following three indicators: 1) the percentage of the cold water or hot water channel area to the total channel area of ​​the water mixing valve core, 2) the percentage of the amount of cold water or hot water added to the total water intake, 3) the interval is divided into percentages; when the first and second indicators are used for marking, the value in the scale is the actual percentage value of the indicator used when the positioning pointer points to the position to reach the total amount of the indicator.

[0009] 4. Furthermore, the optimal cold water input temperature during the design and application of a single hot water scale corresponds to a specific cold water temperature; the hot water scale is marked with any hot water temperature selected by the design scheme, and the position of the hot water temperature is the cold water ratio position corresponding to the target outlet water temperature when the hot water at that temperature is mixed with the cold water specified by the scale; the cold water ratio position is the coordinate position on the cold water ratio reference coordinate corresponding to the cold water ratio required when mixed to the target outlet water temperature; the cold water ratio position is also the actual position to which the positioning pointer points when the hot water at that temperature is mixed with the cold water specified by the scale to the target outlet water temperature.

[0010] 5. Furthermore, the cold water temperatures selected by the design scheme are marked on the cold water scale in sequence according to the cold water temperature sequence; the interval between any two cold water temperatures is the fixed offset between the hot water scales corresponding to the two cold water temperatures; the fixed offset is calculated by first calculating the difference in the cold water ratio corresponding to each hot water temperature in the two groups of hot water scales, and then applying the median, mean or computer simulation method to select a fixed value so that its maximum error or mean difference with all the above cold water ratio differences is minimized.

[0011] 6. According to the temperature control device of the universal mixing valve described in claim 1, an indicator mark is engraved on the hot water scale; the method for positioning the indicator mark on the hot water scale is to find the cold water temperature corresponding to the hot water scale on the cold water scale, extend the position of the cold water temperature along the axial direction of the scale ring base to the hot water scale and mark it; adjust the indicator mark to different cold water temperatures on the cold water scale, so that the optimal cold water temperature corresponding to the hot water scale when it is used is converted into the cold water temperature pointed to by the indicator mark; the cold water temperature range applicable to the hot water scale is expanded to all cold water temperatures included in the cold water scale; the hot water scale with the smallest application error in the matching process with the cold water scale is called the reference hot water scale, which is the preferred hot water scale in matching.

[0012] 7. Furthermore, each thermostatic unit in the outlet water temperature scale corresponds to a change of one set unit in the outlet water temperature; when the input hot water temperature is a continuous temperature range, the position of the center of the thermostatic unit on the outlet water temperature scale is the scale position of the corresponding hot water temperature; when the input hot water temperature is a fixed value, the center of the thermostatic unit is placed arbitrarily on the scale.

[0013] 8. The temperature control device of the universal water mixing valve according to claim 1, wherein: the optimal cold water input temperature when a single outlet water temperature scale is designed and applied corresponds to a specific cold water temperature; the outlet water temperature scale has two basic modes: fixed hot water temperature and continuous hot water temperature;

[0014] When the input hot water temperature is fixed, the scale is composed of the hot water temperature and a fixed-size thermostat unit; the hot water temperature is located at the cold water ratio corresponding to the target outlet water temperature when the hot water at that temperature is mixed with the cold water specified by the scale; the thermostat unit is fixed to the size of the thermostat unit corresponding to the hot water at that temperature, and is marked on the scale in sequence with any position as the starting point and the thermostat unit as the step length;

[0015] When the hot water input is a continuous hot water temperature, the scale is composed of temperature control units corresponding to hot water of different temperatures; the scale takes the temperature control unit corresponding to the lowest hot water temperature as the starting point, and the remaining temperature control units are marked in sequence in a manner that the high temperature boundary of the previous temperature control unit coincides with the low temperature boundary of the next temperature control unit until the temperature control unit corresponding to the highest temperature is marked; the temperature control unit corresponding to the highest temperature continues to be repeatedly extended backward after the first marking.

[0016] 9. Furthermore, the auxiliary pointer is arranged opposite to the positioning pointer, and the annular base is nested in the outer circumferential surface of the mixing valve body, and can rotate around its circumference to indicate the handle position when it was last used; the auxiliary pointer can be used independently or in combination with any scale.

[0017] The device is simple and easy to use, requires few additional devices, and is low in cost, but can realize the visualization of the water mixing process and the fitting of the water mixing state, quickly complete the adjustment of the set temperature, and achieve the purpose of precise temperature control. The use of the device will greatly improve the ease of use and user experience of the universal water mixing valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of all elements of temperature control device

[0019] Among them, 1 is the mixing valve body; 2 is the positioning pointer; 3 is the handle; 4 is the auxiliary pointer; 5 is the water outlet temperature adjustment scale; 6 is the mixing water ratio scale; 7 is the cold water scale; 8 is the hot water scale.

[0020] Figure 2 Circular expansion diagram of the mixing water scale

[0021] Figure 3 Distribution diagram of multiple scales on the circumferential surface of the valve body

[0022] Figure 4 Circumferential expansion diagram of 15℃ hot water ruler

[0023] Figure 5 Circumferential expansion diagram of cold water scale based on mean offset

[0024] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the matching application method of cold water and hot water scale

[0025] Figure 7 Circular expansion diagram of the outlet water temperature scale with fixed input hot water temperature when cold water input is 15℃

[0026] Figure 8 Continuous water outlet temperature adjustment scale circle expansion diagram when 15℃ cold water input

[0027] Fig. 9 (a) The pointer in the middle extends outward to facilitate matching with the various scales;

[0028] Fig. 9 (b) The pointer is placed inside the base for easy independent application.

[0029] Fig.10 Calibration method of hot and cold water scale

[0030] Fig.11 Application of Mixed Water Ratio Scale

[0031] Fig.12 Auxiliary pointer additional application diagram

[0032] Fig.13 Hot water scale additional application diagram

[0033] Fig.14Fixed hot water temperature application diagram DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 1. Basic components and structure of temperature control device

[0035] The basic components of the patent include: positioning pointer, mixing water scale, cold water scale, hot water scale, outlet water temperature adjustment scale and auxiliary pointer. The full element diagram of each component on the surface of the mixing valve is as follows: Figure 1 As shown. Each scale generally adopts a circular ring structure, and the calibration data is engraved on the outer surface of the ring. After the circular ring scale is nested in the outer surface of the mixing valve, the parameters can be adjusted and the temperature can be indicated by rotating the scale in a circular direction. Special designs can also be engraved directly on the valve body surface. The scale element is the core element for fitting and indicating the state of mixed water, which can be collectively referred to as a temperature control scale group. The various scales with the positioning pointer pointing to the direction of the mixing valve body are generally set at the appropriate position of the handle. The auxiliary pointer is a positioning pointer added to the ring structure to record and indicate the last used position, which can effectively assist the temperature control process.

[0036] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of all elements of the temperature control device, where 1 is the mixing valve body; 2 is the positioning pointer; 3 is the handle; 4 is the auxiliary pointer; 5 is the water outlet temperature adjustment scale; 6 is the mixing water ratio scale; 7 is the cold water scale; and 8 is the hot water scale.

[0037] The scale in the patent specifically associates the mixing ratio with the temperature control index. If all the scales are used in combination, they can provide a full range of mixing status indications for the mixing valve, including the handle stroke ratio indication, the handle position of the optimal water outlet temperature, the handle displacement corresponding to the unit water outlet temperature change, and the handle position record when it was last used. Although this full-element combination method is comprehensive in function, it is relatively complex to use and requires users to adapt for a long time. Using the functional combination of some scales to achieve the purpose of temperature control can simplify the temperature control process and reduce the learning difficulty of users. After reasonable optimization and matching based on the application characteristics of the product, the simplified scale combination can achieve most of the functions of the entire scale combination, which is one of the important features of the patent. Possible combinations include but are not limited to: positioning pointer and mixing ratio scale combination, positioning pointer and cold water scale and hot water scale combination, positioning pointer and auxiliary pointer combination, positioning pointer and water outlet temperature adjustment scale and auxiliary pointer combination, etc.

[0038] The user cannot intuitively judge the water mixing state and the temperature adjustment range by pointing at the temperature adjustment handle, which is the core reason why the temperature adjustment of general water mixing valves is difficult. The patent regards the water mixing ratio as the internal cause of the outlet water temperature, and uses this as the main design element to solve the above problems through a two-level water mixing ratio scale design. 1. Visual marking and functional segmentation of the water mixing state of the water mixing valve core. 2. Through the mathematical derivation of the water mixing ratio, the changing characteristics of the outlet water temperature are converted into a water mixing ratio combination, and a scale that is easy for users to accept and operate is formed. The visual marking mainly refers to the water mixing ratio scale. The scales derived from the mathematical derivation conclusions include a cold water scale, a hot water scale and an outlet water temperature adjustment scale.

[0039] 2 Visualization of water mixing status

[0040] Visually marking the mixing range parameters that are invisible to users on the circumferential surface of the mixing valve will effectively avoid blind adjustments and greatly reduce the difficulty of water temperature adjustment for users. Figure 2 This is the circular expansion diagram of the water mixing ratio scale. In order to more clearly show the scale characteristics, the description of each scale in the patent is uniformly expressed in the form of circular expansion.

[0041] Figure 2 In the mixing water scale, the three zones formed by marking the positions of the positioning pointers corresponding to the cold water zone, hot water zone and mixing water zone boundary of the mixing water valve core are used to distinguish the functional zones of the general mixing water valve. Among them, the mixing water interval is further divided and marked in percentage, and the marking value is 0-100. Among them, the positions of 0 and 100 are respectively when the cold water starts to be added and reaches 100% of the cold water addition when the positioning pointer points to this position. The values ​​marked in the mixing water zone are equally divided, and the actual physical meaning is the percentage of the interval contained when the positioning pointer moves from 0 to this position in the entire mixing water zone. The mixing water interval can also be marked with two other indicators: 1. The percentage of the cold water or hot water channel area to the total channel area; 2. The percentage of the amount of cold water or hot water added to the total water intake. When the above two indicators are used for marking, the value in the scale is the percentage of the total amount of the indicator used when the positioning pointer points to this position. The value corresponding to the indicator can be calculated according to the mixing water characteristics or actually measured by installing a probe in the pipeline.

[0042] In order to better demonstrate the common characteristics, the calculation in this patent sets the unit handle displacement to correspond to the change of the fixed cold water or hot water addition ratio. Figure 2 The mixing area is divided equally in the same way. In addition, according to the habit of cold and hot water input, the patent sets the cold water to be added gradually when the handle is moved clockwise. If the cold and hot water input ports are interchanged, the cold and hot water marks in the ruler need to be interchanged. The corresponding scale also needs to be marked from the edge of the cold water area. The patented marking method and calculation method are only for demonstration of the principle.

[0043] Since the mixing range of a specific mixing valve core is relatively fixed, the mixing scale can be directly engraved on the surface of the mixing valve body. The mixing scale can also use a patented unified annular rotatable scale to manually correct the errors caused by the manufacturing and assembly process of the mixing valve core. Since the handle rotation range of most mixing valve cores is less than 120 degrees, the actual working range of the mixing scale, cold water scale, hot water scale, and outlet water temperature adjustment scale is even smaller. Therefore, at least three different sets of scales can be marked on the annular base of the scale. The maximum number of scales is equal to 360 degrees divided by the center angle of the circle corresponding to the scale.

[0044] Specific as Figure 3 As shown:

[0045] 3. How to make a temperature control scale

[0046] For a water mixing valve, there is only one adjustable variable, the ratio of hot and cold water input. However, there are two parameters that users are concerned about during application: one is the handle position of the optimal outlet water temperature, and the other is the corresponding relationship between the change in outlet water temperature and the handle displacement. Based on the above two user needs, the patent makes relevant mathematical deductions for the hot and cold water mixing ratio, and expresses the deduction conclusions in a user-visible form with a ruler. That is, the cold water ruler, the hot water ruler, and the outlet water temperature adjustment ruler.

[0047] 3.1 Patent-related water mixing formula

[0048] For a mixing valve, the ultimate goal is to obtain a suitable outlet water temperature, which can be expressed by the following formula:

[0049]

[0050] Among them, T 出 is the outlet water temperature; M 热 is the quality of hot water; M 冷 is the cold water quality; T 热 is the hot water temperature; T 冷 For cold water temperature.

[0051] because

[0052]

[0053] Only one of cold water and hot water is needed to describe the water mixing characteristics. This patent uses the cold water addition ratio as the main reference. As the main reference standard, it is referred to as the cold water ratio. The maximum cold water addition ratio is 100%, so the cold water ratio ranges from 0 to 100. The design of each scale in the patent is based on the size and change of the cold water ratio, and the design interval is within the mixed water zone. Establishing the cold water ratio reference coordinates in the mixed water zone is conducive to the marking of various elements of the scale. The specific cold water ratio reference coordinates are set as follows: the cold water ratio ranges from 0 to 100; 0 and 100 are where the cold water starts to be added and reaches 100% cold water addition when the positioning pointer points to this position, that is, the two boundaries of the mixed water zone; the value marked in the reference coordinate is a percentage mark, and the physical meaning of the value is the percentage of cold water added to the total water intake when the positioning pointer points to this position. The coordinate value is marked in equal parts because the patent sets the unit handle displacement to correspond to the change in the fixed cold water or hot water addition ratio. The cold water ratio reference coordinates in the patent are Figure 2 The equal division marking method of the mixed water area is the same. In the construction of each scale, the patent provides the cold water ratio reference coordinates to facilitate data comparison.

[0054] 3.2 Construction method of optimal outlet water temperature related scale

[0055] Most commercial optimal bathing temperatures are concentrated between 38 and 40°C. This patent selects 39°C as the target water outlet temperature and derives the relevant influencing factors of the cold water ratio. The target water outlet temperature can also be selected in other temperature ranges according to the needs of designers, and the calculation method used is the same.

[0056] If the hot water input temperature interval is set to 5°C, the cold water ratio required to obtain a target water outlet temperature of 39°C after mixing different cold and hot water can be calculated by formula 1 as shown in Table 1:

[0057] Table 1 List of cold water ratios when the water is discharged at a constant temperature of 39℃

[0058] unit:%

[0059]

[0060] Table 1 shows the cold water ratio required for mixing hot and cold water at any temperature when the target outlet water temperature is 39°C. Users only need to adjust the cold water ratio according to the table to mix the input cold and hot water to the target outlet water temperature. However, in use, it is obviously impossible for users to look up the table to adjust the outlet water temperature. In order to facilitate user use, the patent is scaled according to the physical meaning of the rows and columns of the table, and the formed scale is used to realize the positioning of the cold water ratio required for mixing different hot and cold water.

[0061] According to the design rules in Table 1, the cold water temperature is first set to a fixed value. Under this cold water temperature condition, each hot water temperature will correspond to a unique cold water ratio to achieve the target outlet water temperature (39°C). The hot water temperature and its cold water ratio are marked in sequence according to the corresponding positions on the cold water ratio reference coordinates to form the hot water scale. Figure 4 This is the hot water scale circle expansion diagram when 15℃ cold water is input. In order to facilitate data comparison, Figure 4 The hot water temperature data in the 15°C row in Table 1 are used, and the reference coordinate of the cold water ratio is added to the hot water temperature (there is no hot water input temperature that needs to be marked above the cold water ratio of 80, so it is omitted).

[0062] Figure 4 The position of the medium hot water temperature is the position of the cold water ratio where the positioning pointer should point when the target outlet water temperature is obtained at this temperature. When used, the target outlet water temperature of 39°C can be achieved by simply pointing the positioning pointer to the corresponding scale temperature according to the actual hot water temperature. Figure 4 The middle positioning pointer points to the handle position when mixing 50°C input hot water into 39°C output water.

[0063] Figure 4 The middle scale is designed according to the calculation results in Table 1, with a cold water temperature of 15°C and a hot water temperature interval of 5°C. The hot water temperature interval can also be selected to be greater than or less than 5°C according to the design accuracy requirements. The general hot water scale production process is as follows:

[0064] Production of hot water scale: 1. Determine the interval between cold water temperature and hot water temperature; 2. Calculate (or measure) the cold water ratio corresponding to the hot water temperature to be marked under the cold water temperature condition; 3. Mark the hot water temperature and its corresponding cold water ratio on the cold water ratio reference coordinate according to the corresponding coordinate position.

[0065] It should be noted that the hot water scale can only be used under the corresponding cold water temperature condition. When the cold water temperature changes, the hot water scale needs to be replaced according to the cold water temperature. Therefore, this method is only applicable to applications where the cold water temperature does not change much. In order to solve the versatility problem, the patent solves this problem by establishing a cold water scale.

[0066] In Table 1, the comparison between rows shows that the cold water ratio difference corresponding to each hot water temperature in the two sets of hot water scales is similar. The difference of the cold water ratio corresponding to all hot water temperatures in the two sets of hot water scales is replaced by an approximate fixed value, and the maximum error or mean difference of the replacement is minimized. This fixed approximate patent is called a fixed offset.

[0067] Fixed offset calculation

[0068] The calculation of fixed offset can be divided into two cases: 1. Fixed hot water temperature. 2. Input hot water temperature is a certain temperature range. The calculation methods of the two cases are described below.

[0069] 1) Fixed hot water temperature

[0070] When the hot water temperature is fixed, the fixed offset is the difference in the cold water ratio when the hot water at that temperature is mixed to the target outlet water temperature under different cold water input conditions. For example, when the hot water temperature is 60℃, the cold water ratios corresponding to the target outlet water temperature obtained when mixing 10℃ and 15℃ cold water are 43 and 47.7 respectively, and the fixed offset between the two is the difference of 4.7. This value is an exact value.

[0071] 2) Input hot water temperature into a certain temperature range

[0072] When the input hot water temperature is within a certain temperature range, the fixed offset needs to balance the cold water ratio differences corresponding to multiple hot water temperatures. Below, between the 5℃ and 15℃ hot water scales, the median and mean calculation methods are used to form the fixed offset, and the selection principle of the fixed offset is analyzed based on the results.

[0073] Mean shift calculation method:

[0074]

[0075] Median offset calculation method:

[0076] Where i=9, 10, 11...20.

[0077] In the above two formulas, X a，b It is the cold water ratio when the hot water and cold water temperatures are a and b respectively, and the mixture is the target water outlet temperature.

[0078] Table 2 Error table of mean shift fitting

[0079] unit:%

[0080]

[0081] Table 3 Error table of median offset fitting

[0082] unit:%

[0083]

[0084] From the comparison of the above two tables, it can be seen that when the mean offset is used as the fixed offset, a good fitting effect can be achieved under high temperature conditions above 50°C. However, the disadvantage is that the fitting effect is relatively poor under low temperature and high cold water temperature conditions. When the median offset is used as the fixed offset, excessive error values ​​can be effectively avoided in the entire temperature range, and its maximum error is significantly smaller than the reference system of the mean offset. Therefore, in practical applications, the median offset can be selected as the fixed offset in full temperature applications, while the mean offset can be selected as the fixed offset in high temperature applications. When the application temperature domain is determined, the use of computer fitting is also a better preferred method. However, it should be emphasized that despite the different calculation methods, the above two calculation methods have achieved good fitting effects, and the overall error can be controlled below 2%, which fully meets daily bathing requirements.

[0085] In summary, the determination of the fixed offset needs to be selected based on the main application range of the product, and the criterion is that the maximum temperature adjustment error or the minimum mean difference generated in the main application range.

[0086] Arranging the fixed offsets between different hot water scales in order of cold water temperature is the cold water scale.

[0087] The production process of the cold water scale is as follows: 1. Set the cold water temperature interval; 2. According to the set cold water temperature interval, calculate the fixed offset between the hot water scales corresponding to all two adjacent cold water temperatures; 3. Arrange the fixed offsets in the order of cold water temperature to obtain the cold water scale.

[0088] Figure 5 For the cold water scale using the mean value of the offset as the preferred standard, the cold water temperature interval is 5°C, and the offsets of the cold water temperatures centered at 15°C (as shown in Table 2) are 7.86, 4.26, 0.00, -5.16, and -11.60, respectively. The physical meaning of the cold water scale is the set of quantities that need to be compensated when the hot water scale is converted from one cold water temperature to another, and the order of arrangement is the order of cold water temperature changes. Figure 5 The coordinates in the table are the relative changes in the cold water ratio. They no longer correspond to specific cold water ratio reference coordinate positions and can be placed anywhere in the mixing water interval. The 0 point represents the cold water temperature corresponding to the benchmark hot water scale.

[0089] Selection of benchmark hot water scale

[0090] After establishing the cold water scale, the application deviation of each group of hot water scales after matching the cold water scale can be compared. The scale with the largest application error or the smallest mean difference is the benchmark hot water scale. For example, when the offset mean is used as the fixed offset, among the five cold water temperatures corresponding to Table 1, the hot water scale under the 15°C cold water condition in the middle has the smallest maximum application error and mean difference among all scales. Therefore, this hot water scale can be used as the benchmark scale among the above five temperatures. The selection of the benchmark scale can greatly reduce the temperature control error after the scale is fitted.

[0091] Matching application method of hot and cold water scales

[0092] The use of a reference hot water scale and a cold water scale can achieve the control of the outlet water temperature under all hot and cold water temperature conditions, which is simple, fast and easy. Figure 6 As shown:

[0093] Figure 6 The middle and lower half is the selected reference hot water scale (15℃ hot water scale); the upper half is the cold water scale; the raised mark in the middle of the hot water scale is the indicator mark (the construction method is shown in the positioning method of each component on the circumferential surface of the mixing valve below), which is used to correct the change of cold water temperature. Before the first use, you need to align the indicator mark on the hot water scale with the input temperature of the cold water at that time (15℃ in the example). After adjustment, the application method is simple. You only need to adjust the positioning pointer to the corresponding hot water temperature position according to the application method of the hot water scale to make the outlet water temperature reach the target outlet water temperature. The example is the adjustment method when the cold water is 15℃ and the hot water is 60℃. If the cold water temperature changes, for example, it drops to 10℃, just adjust the indicator mark on the hot water scale to the position of 10 on the cold water scale. After adjustment, follow the method of using the hot water scale.

[0094] 3.3 Construction of outlet water temperature adjustment scale

[0095] After achieving the target water outlet temperature, how to fine-tune the water outlet temperature is another important aspect that users are concerned about. For this problem, the patent uses the change in the cold water ratio as the main annotation element for design.

[0096] It can be inferred from formula 1 that after mixing different cold and hot water, the change of cold water ratio when the outlet water temperature changes by one degree is shown in Table 4:

[0097] Table 4 Changes in cold water ratio corresponding to a change in outlet water temperature of one degree

[0098] unit:%

[0099]

[0100] Table 4 has two most important features: 1. When the input cold water and hot water are relatively fixed, the change in the cold water ratio corresponding to the adjustment of the outlet water temperature by one degree is fixed; 2. The temperature adjustment unit gradually becomes smaller as the input hot water temperature (cold water ratio) increases. This feature determines that if the hot water temperature is not a fixed value, after a certain temperature adjustment unit is selected, it has a unique position on the cold water ratio reference coordinate, and its center coincides with the position of the corresponding hot water temperature on the cold water ratio reference coordinate.

[0101] The fixed change in feature 1 is the basis for the design of the outlet water temperature adjustment scale, which can be called a temperature control unit. Feature 2 is that the temperature control unit becomes smaller as the hot water temperature (cold water ratio) increases. Therefore, it must be located at the corresponding position of the hot water scale to accurately adjust the outlet water temperature. This shows that the temperature control unit should be matched with the hot water scale. Based on the above rules, the patent designs an outlet water temperature adjustment scale to achieve quantitative adjustment of the outlet water temperature. Its basic definition is as follows:

[0102] Outlet water temperature adjustment scale: The outlet water temperature adjustment scale is formed by marking the temperature adjustment unit on the hot water scale according to the corresponding hot water temperature position and the product application temperature range characteristics.

[0103] In Table 4, the thermostat unit values ​​in each row no longer have the approximate interval characteristics in Table 1, so the outlet water temperature adjustment scale cannot establish a universal design similar to the standard hot water scale. In actual applications, the product needs to select several groups of representative cold water temperatures for approximate application. For example, select 5, 15 and 25 to represent the cold water input in winter, summer, spring and autumn respectively.

[0104] Production of water outlet temperature adjustment scale

[0105] There are two ways to combine the thermostat unit on the hot water scale. One is for a fixed hot water temperature, in which case the thermostat unit is a fixed value; the other is to continuously mark as the hot water temperature increases, in which case the thermostat unit will continue to decrease.

[0106] 1) Method for making a water outlet temperature adjustment scale for fixing hot water temperature

[0107] Production of outlet water temperature adjustment scale (fixed hot water temperature): 1. Select the hot water temperature and set the cold water temperature; 2. Calculate the size of the thermostat unit under the mixed conditions of the cold and hot water temperatures; 3. Determine the cold water ratio required for the hot water temperature mixture to be the target outlet water temperature and mark the cold water ratio on the cold water ratio reference coordinate according to the corresponding value. 4. With the cold water ratio position as the center (or with any position as the center), mark in sequence on both sides of the scale with the thermostat unit as the step length. Note: When the hot water temperature is unique in the entire scale, the thermostat unit is equal at any position of the scale, and can be marked starting from any position. Step 4 of the above production process uses the location of the hot water as the center just to maintain the symmetry of the scale, and it is not a mandatory requirement.

[0108] Figure 7 This is a circular expansion diagram of the outlet water temperature scale for a fixed hot water temperature when the cold water input is 15℃. The lower part of the figure is the percentage coordinate of the cold water ratio (intercepted from 20 to 70), which is convenient for scale comparison and observation. The upper 60 (39) position is the corresponding mixing water ratio position when the hot water input temperature is 60℃ and the mixed water is 39℃ when the outlet water is mixed. With this as the center, the outlet water temperature adjustment scale can be obtained by marking in both directions with a step size of 2.22 thermostat units. The biggest feature of this outlet water temperature scale is that all thermostat units are equal, and adjusting one grid at any position can change the outlet water temperature by one degree.

[0109] The scale can be designed for any input hot water temperature and is very suitable for applications where the temperature of some heat sources is a fixed value.

[0110] 2) Method for making a water outlet temperature adjustment scale for continuous hot water temperature

[0111] The change in the temperature control unit corresponding to the cold water ratio is constantly decreasing as the temperature increases. Therefore, for continuous hot water temperature, the size of the temperature control unit needs to be constantly adjusted to adapt to the change in the scale temperature.

[0112] Production of outlet water temperature adjustment scale (continuous hot water temperature): 1. Select the starting hot water input temperature and calculate the size of the temperature control unit; 2. Calculate the mark positions on both sides with the starting input temperature at the hot water scale position as the center of the temperature control unit; 3. Select the next hot water temperature on the high temperature side of the starting hot water temperature. The condition that the hot water temperature needs to meet is that the low temperature side boundary of the temperature control unit coincides with the high temperature side boundary of the previous temperature control unit; 4. Repeat selecting the next temperature control unit on the high temperature side until the highest temperature of the input hot water temperature is reached; 5. After reaching the highest input temperature, the temperature control unit is marked with a fixed value extension corresponding to the highest hot water temperature.

[0113] The calculation process of adding specific values ​​is as follows: 1. Select 45℃ as the example starting temperature, and its temperature control unit is calculated to be 3.33; 2. The hot water input temperature of 45℃ corresponds to the hot water scale coordinate of 21. 21 plus and minus half of its corresponding temperature control unit 1.67 (3.33 / 2) can obtain the initial two coordinates 19.33 and 22.66; 3. In the comparison of hot water temperatures above 45℃, it can be found that 46.3℃ corresponds to a temperature control unit of 3.19, and its low temperature side mark coincides with the high temperature side mark 22.66 of the 45℃ temperature control unit, and the high temperature side mark is 25.86; 4. Similarly, 25.86 is used as the starting point to repeat steps 2 to 3 until the highest temperature reaches 100℃; 5. After reaching 100℃, the temperature control unit is fixed to 1.18 and no longer increases. The temperature control unit can continue to extend and mark backward. In the last step, since the highest hot water temperature provided by the heat source may be lower than 100° C., it is necessary to adjust the cut-off temperature control unit to the temperature control unit corresponding to the actual highest temperature.

[0114] Table 5 shows the specific calculated values ​​of the outlet water temperature scale based on the 15°C hot water scale.

[0115] Table 5 15℃ hot water scale corresponding to the water outlet temperature adjustment scale value

[0116] Table 5 15℃ hot water scale corresponding to the water outlet temperature adjustment scale value

[0117]

[0118] Arrange the scales in Table 5 in order according to the mixing water ratio to obtain a continuous temperature outlet water temperature adjustment scale.

[0119] For ease of comparison, Figure 8 The lower part of the middle scale still gives the cold water ratio reference coordinates corresponding to each thermostat unit. The upper part is the outlet water temperature adjustment scale, and its thermostat unit keeps shrinking as the cold water ratio increases. That is, it keeps decreasing as the corresponding hot water input temperature on the hot water scale increases. It should be emphasized that the thermostat unit must be near the corresponding cold water ratio reference coordinate position to accurately control the outlet water temperature. For example, it can be seen from Table 5 that 45℃ (cold water ratio is 21) corresponds to the first thermostat unit, and 100℃ (cold water ratio is greater than 72.18) corresponds to the last three thermostat units. Therefore, when the hot water input is 45℃, the first grid of the scale can provide a more accurate thermostat effect, and the farther away from the first grid, the greater the thermostat error. When the hot water input is 100℃, the last three thermostat units are error-free thermostats, and the farther away from the above three grids, the greater the error. The reason why the last three thermostat units are fixed values ​​is that the hot water temperature does not increase after reaching 100℃, and the marking principle is the same as the fixed hot water temperature scale. The mutual substitution error of thermostatic units at different positions can be judged from the thermostatic unit sizes corresponding to different hot water temperatures in Table 5.

[0120] 4. Auxiliary pointer design and function

[0121] Since the cold water temperature changes slowly throughout the year, the hot water input temperature of a specific water heater will also remain stable to a large extent. The cold water addition ratio used by the user will be an extremely slow change process. An auxiliary pointer that can rotate around the outer circumference of the valve body is set on the surface of the mixing valve to point to the last used mixing ratio. When the cold and hot water input is relatively stable, it will be able to indicate the approximate optimal water outlet temperature for a long time. Its position should be set at the other end of the positioning pointer. Since the auxiliary pointer has relative independence and good indication function, it can be matched with any scale combination to provide additional indication and positioning functions. See the specific illustration. Fig. 9 :

[0122] Fig. 9 The auxiliary pointer is an example. The overall structure of the auxiliary pointer still uses the same annular base as the ruler. The pointer can be extended outward or placed inside the annular base according to different uses. Fig. 9 (a) The pointer in the middle extends outwards to facilitate matching with various scales; Fig. 9 In (b), the pointer is placed inside the substrate for easy independent application.

[0123] 5. Positioning method of each component on the circumferential surface of the mixing valve:

[0124] The basic condition for the positioning pointers and scales in this patent to calibrate the outlet water temperature of the mixing valve is that the specific scale and positioning pointer have a limited relative position relationship with the mixing stroke interval of the mixing valve core. The positioning pointer at the handle, the mixing ratio scale, the outlet water temperature adjustment scale and the hot water scale are directly related to the mixing ratio of the mixing valve core. Therefore, they can be marked with the mixing ratio. For example, the position where the cold water ratio is 0 or 100 in the scale is overlapped with the starting position and the ending position of the cold water addition of the mixing valve core for calibration and marking. The function of the auxiliary pointer is only to indicate the position of the handle used last time. Therefore, it can be rotated at any angle on the circumferential surface of the mixing valve without calibration.

[0125] The cold water scale only indicates the overall displacement of the hot water scale after the cold water temperature changes. It is only necessary to determine its relative position with the hot water scale. The calibration method of the initial relative position is: 1. Select a hot water scale under a certain cold water condition (15°C in the example). Since the hot water temperature on it corresponds to a fixed cold water ratio, it will have a unique position in the mixing range of the mixing valve; 2. Place the cold water scale at any position in the middle of the hot water scale; 3. Select the cold water temperature (15°C) corresponding to the hot water scale on the cold water scale, extend the position of the temperature to the hot water scale and mark it on the hot water scale. This mark can be used as an indicator mark on the hot water scale. The relative positions of the cold and hot water scales are thus determined, and the effects of changes in cold water temperature can be easily corrected accordingly. The specific diagram is as follows Fig.10 .

[0126] Application examples:

[0127] Different scales in the patent are positioned at different aspects of the control target. The most original application method is to completely combine the mixing water ratio scale, cold water scale, hot water scale, water outlet temperature adjustment scale and auxiliary pointer to provide users with comprehensive mixing water status indication. However, this application method has high requirements on users and the use process is a bit cumbersome. It is not the application method recommended by the patent.

[0128] Targeted combination design is carried out according to the characteristics of the application. Each scale can construct different functional combinations to provide customized and efficient temperature control methods for differentiated application scenarios. The specific combination application examples are as follows:

[0129] 2. Application of Mixed Water Scale

[0130] Fig.11 The figure shows a form of equal division scale of the water mixing interval. The number of divisions is in percentage. The user can not only grasp the movement of the handle but also understand the percentage of the handle position in the total water mixing stroke. The water mixing scale and the positioning pointer can accurately indicate the movement of the handle to avoid the inconvenience of blind adjustment. When used, the position of 0 or 100 needs to be aligned with the starting point of cold water addition and the starting point of completely cold water respectively. In addition to the percentage system, the number of equal divisions can also use the channel area and water inlet as equal division interval indicators according to different design ideas. When the channel area and water inlet are used for design, the scale unit needs to be scaled accordingly according to the shape of the water mixing channel of the product valve core and the application characteristics. Different types of water mixing valve cores will correspond to different water mixing scales, which cannot be displayed one by one, so they will not be repeated here.

[0131] 3. Application of hot and cold water scale

[0132] The specific illustrations and application methods have been discussed in the previous article, see the matching application methods of hot and cold water scales.

[0133] 4. Application of outlet water temperature adjustment scale

[0134] The water outlet temperature adjustment scale is mainly used to indicate the relationship between the change in water outlet temperature and the displacement of the thermostat handle. It does not have the function of controlling the optimal water outlet temperature. When the temperature that the positioning pointer points to for the first time is significantly different from the actual input temperature, there is a large error between the thermostat unit pointed to by the positioning pointer and the thermostat unit corresponding to the input hot water temperature, resulting in a large application error. Therefore, when used alone, the user needs to first sense that the water outlet temperature is close to 39°C, so that the scale temperature corresponding to the positioning pointer is close to the actual hot water input temperature, and then the scale can be used for fine-tuning more accurately.

[0135] The water outlet temperature adjustment scale can be used together with the original component with temperature control function to simplify the user's perception process. The following uses 15 degrees cold water as an example to demonstrate the typical application of the water outlet temperature scale:

[0136] Example 1:

[0137] Use the positioning pointer, auxiliary pointer and outlet water temperature scale together. Fig.12 As shown, the auxiliary pointer points to the location pointer position when it was last used. If the input hot water temperature has not changed, this position must correspond to the approximate input hot water temperature. Therefore, near this location pointer, one grid will represent a change of one degree in the outlet water temperature.

[0138] Example 2

[0139] Use the hot water gauge in conjunction with the outlet water temperature gauge. Fig.13 As shown in the figure, the hot water scale is combined with the outlet water temperature adjustment scale. The user can first adjust the input hot water temperature to the optimal outlet water temperature set by the product, and then fine-tune the outlet water temperature according to personal preference according to the outlet water temperature scale. Since the positioning pointer is already pointing to the actual inlet water temperature, one grid near this position can more accurately indicate a change of one degree in the outlet water temperature.

[0140] Example 1 and Example 2 are highly versatile and can be used in the entire temperature range.

[0141] Example 3

[0142] The applications shown in Examples 1 and 2 can be used in the full temperature range, but in many applications, the hot water temperature is fixed or has only a few options. When targeting a specific hot water temperature, the thermostat is also fixed. This will greatly simplify the outlet water temperature scale and greatly improve the convenience of application.

[0143] Fig.14The 60 mark in the middle is the cold water ratio position corresponding to the 39°C outlet water temperature when the hot water temperature is input. The positioning pointer points to this position to obtain 39°C outlet water. Each cell on both sides represents the precise change of one degree of outlet water temperature. For multiple set temperatures, just mark them in different areas.

[0144] 5. Combined application of positioning pointer and auxiliary pointer

[0145] Auxiliary pointer combination application form such as Figure 1 As shown, the function of this element is to indicate the mixing ratio used last time. When the hot water input temperature remains unchanged, since the cold water temperature changes very slowly throughout the year, this position can better indicate the outlet water temperature for the next application. The auxiliary pointer can be added to any scale combination for auxiliary temperature indication.

Claims

1. The temperature control device of the universal mixing valve is characterized by include: Positioning pointer and temperature control scale group; the temperature control scale group includes at least one of the following elements: hot water scale, cold water scale, and outlet water temperature adjustment scale; The optimal cold water input temperature when designing and applying a single hot water scale corresponds to a specific cold water temperature; the hot water scale is marked with any hot water temperature selected by the design scheme, and the position of the hot water temperature is the cold water ratio position corresponding to the target outlet water temperature when the hot water at that temperature is mixed with the cold water specified by the scale; the cold water ratio position is the coordinate position corresponding to the cold water ratio required when mixed to the target outlet water temperature on the cold water ratio reference coordinate; the cold water ratio position is also the actual position pointed to by the positioning pointer when the hot water at that temperature is mixed with the cold water specified by the scale to the target outlet water temperature; The cold water temperatures selected by the design scheme are marked on the cold water scale in the order of cold water temperatures; the interval between any two cold water temperatures is the fixed offset between the hot water scales corresponding to the two cold water temperatures; the fixed offset is calculated by first calculating the difference in the cold water ratio corresponding to each hot water temperature in the two groups of hot water scales, and then selecting a fixed value by using the median, mean or computer simulation method to minimize the maximum error or mean difference between the fixed value and all cold water ratio differences; An indicator mark is engraved on the hot water ruler; the method for locating the indicator mark on the hot water ruler is to find the cold water temperature corresponding to the hot water ruler on the cold water ruler, extend the position of the cold water temperature along the axis direction of the annular base of the ruler to the hot water ruler and mark it; by adjusting the indicator mark to different cold water temperatures on the cold water ruler, the optimal cold water temperature corresponding to the hot water ruler when it is used can be converted into the cold water temperature pointed to by the indicator mark; the cold and hot water rulers can be used together to expand the cold water temperature range applicable to the hot water ruler to all cold water temperatures included in the cold water ruler; the hot water ruler with the smallest application error in the matching process with the cold water ruler is called the reference hot water ruler, which is the preferred hot water ruler in matching; The optimal cold water input temperature when designing and applying a single outlet water temperature adjustment scale corresponds to a specific cold water temperature; the outlet water temperature scale has two basic modes: fixed hot water temperature and continuous hot water temperature; When the input hot water temperature is fixed, the scale is composed of the hot water temperature and a fixed-size thermostat unit; the hot water temperature is located at the cold water ratio corresponding to the target outlet water temperature when the hot water at that temperature is mixed with the cold water specified by the scale; the thermostat unit is fixed to the size of the thermostat unit corresponding to the hot water at that temperature, and is marked on the scale in sequence with any position as the starting point and the thermostat unit as the step length; When the hot water input is a continuous hot water temperature, the scale is composed of temperature control units corresponding to hot water of different temperatures; the scale takes the temperature control unit corresponding to the lowest hot water temperature as the starting point, and the remaining temperature control units are marked in sequence in a manner that the high temperature boundary of the previous temperature control unit coincides with the low temperature boundary of the next temperature control unit until the temperature control unit corresponding to the highest temperature is marked; the temperature control unit corresponding to the highest temperature continues to be repeatedly extended backward after the first marking.

2. The temperature control device for a universal water mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: An auxiliary pointer is also provided, which is arranged opposite to the positioning pointer. The annular base of the auxiliary pointer is nested in the outer circular surface of the mixing valve body and can rotate around its circumference to indicate the handle position when it was last used. The auxiliary pointer is used in combination with any of the above-mentioned scales.

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