Multi-way valve and water softener

Abstract

The present application relates to a multi-way valve and a water softener. The multi-way valve comprises: a movable valve disc having a first end face and a second end face arranged opposite to each other, the first end face being provided with a guide groove and a blocking portion; a fixed valve disc being attached to the first end face of the movable valve disc, the side of the fixed valve disc facing the first end face being provided with a first connecting hole, a second connecting hole, a third connecting hole, and a fourth connecting hole; the movable valve disc and the fixed valve disc are relatively rotatable so that the multi-way valve has a first regeneration position, a slow wash position, and a second regeneration position; when the multi-way valve is in the first regeneration position, the guide groove connects the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole; when the multi-way valve is in the slow wash position, the guide groove connects the first connecting hole and the third connecting hole, and the blocking portion blocks the second connecting hole; when the multi-way valve is in the second regeneration position, the guide groove connects the first connecting hole and the fourth connecting hole, and the blocking portion blocks the second connecting hole and the third connecting hole. The above-mentioned multi-way valve simplifies the structure of the multi-way valve while improving the resin regeneration rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of water treatment technology, and in particular to a multi-way valve and a water softener. Background Art

[0002] At present, the tap water used in cities is usually collected from groundwater. However, groundwater usually contains a certain amount of calcium ions and magnesium ions, which makes the water easy to scale during use, and then causes damage to electrical appliances. Softening hard water and reducing the hardness of drinking water can effectively prevent kidney stones, reduce the burden on the heart and kidneys, and benefit people's health. Therefore, water softeners that can soften hard water are used more and more frequently in life.

[0003] Water softeners typically remove scale by exchanging functional ions on the resin for calcium and magnesium ions in the water, thereby absorbing excess calcium and magnesium ions. Conventional water softeners typically consist of an integrated waterway, a softening device, and a salt supply unit connected to the integrated waterway. Raw water enters the softening device through the integrated waterway, where the resin layer softens the raw water and outputs softened water through the integrated waterway for user use. When all the resin is fully adsorbed with calcium and magnesium ions, the softener can no longer soften tap water, requiring the exchange resin to be backwashed and regenerated. The salt in the salt supply unit is dissolved and saturated before entering the softening device. The saturated salt solution soaks the resin, allowing the numerous sodium ions in the solution to displace the calcium and magnesium ions adsorbed on the resin. Once the calcium and magnesium ions are replaced, the resin is restored and regenerated, ready for the next softening cycle.

[0004] In existing water softeners, the multi-way valve is the core component that controls the flow direction of water in the integrated water channel. By controlling the multi-way valve to switch in different workstations, the water flow can be controlled to flow in different directions in different structures, thereby realizing water supply, backwashing, regeneration, water replenishment and other functions. Therefore, the wastewater generated by cleaning the resin and the raw water to be softened are all collected in the multi-way valve.

[0005] Existing five-position multi-way valves can only provide one high concentration of regeneration salt, resulting in a low resin regeneration rate, low water output from the softener, and a crude treatment process. To improve the resin regeneration rate and optimize the treatment process, a multi-way valve with more positions is needed to enhance resin regeneration. However, the numerous positions also complicate the multi-way valve's construction, leading to numerous structural issues and performance defects, which in turn affect the softener's operational stability and service life. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the problem that the number of workstations of a multi-way valve cannot meet the working needs of a water softener, this application provides a movable valve plate, a valve core assembly, a multi-way valve and a water softener. The movable valve plate, valve core assembly, multi-way valve and water softener can achieve the technical effect of increasing the workstations to improve the resin regeneration rate while simplifying the structure of the multi-way valve.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present application, a multi-way valve is provided, comprising:

[0008] A movable valve plate having a first end surface and a second end surface arranged opposite to each other, wherein the first end surface is provided with a guide groove and a blocking portion located on one side of the guide groove; and

[0009] a fixed valve disc, attached to the first end surface of the movable valve disc, and having a first communicating hole, a second communicating hole, a third communicating hole, and a fourth communicating hole formed on a side of the fixed valve disc facing the first end surface;

[0010] The movable valve plate and the fixed valve plate can rotate relative to each other, so that the multi-way valve has a first regeneration position, a slow washing position and a second regeneration position;

[0011] When the multi-way valve is in the first regeneration position, the guide groove is connected to the first communicating hole and the second communicating hole;

[0012] When the multi-way valve is in the slow washing position, the guide groove is connected to the first communicating hole and the third communicating hole, and the blocking portion covers the second communicating hole;

[0013] When the multi-way valve is in the second regeneration position, the guide groove is connected to the first communicating hole and the fourth communicating hole, and the blocking portion shields the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole.

[0014] In one embodiment, the blocking portion divides the guide groove into a first guide portion, a second guide portion and a third guide portion which are connected in sequence; the first guide portion is used to connect the first connecting hole, and the third guide portion is used to selectively connect the second connecting hole, the third connecting hole or the fourth connecting hole.

[0015] In one embodiment, the projection of the second guide portion on the fixed valve plate is staggered with the second communicating hole, the third communicating hole or the fourth communicating hole.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first guide portion and the third guide portion are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the movable valve plate, the blocking portion is located between the first guide portion and the third guide portion, and in the radial direction of the movable valve plate, the blocking portion is located on one side of the second guide portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the outer contours formed by the guide groove and the blocking portion on the first end surface are located within a virtual sector, and the virtual sector extends along the circumference of the movable valve plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first communicating hole, the second communicating hole, the third communicating hole, and the fourth communicating hole are sequentially spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the fixed valve plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first communicating hole is in a fan shape that bends and extends along the circumference of the fixed valve plate.

[0020] In one embodiment, the multi-way valve also includes a valve body and a valve stem, the movable valve plate and the fixed valve plate are both accommodated in the valve body, the first axial end of the valve stem extends into the valve body and is transmission-connected with the movable valve plate, and the movable valve plate can rotate relative to the fixed valve plate under the drive of the valve stem, so that the first connecting hole can selectively connect to the second connecting hole, the third connecting hole or the fourth connecting hole through the guide groove.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application, a water softener is provided, comprising the multi-way valve described above.

[0022] In one embodiment, the water softener further comprises an integrated water circuit and a water softening device and a salt supply device connected to the integrated water circuit, and the multi-way valve is arranged in the integrated water circuit and connects the water softening device and the salt supply device;

[0023] The first communicating hole is used to communicate with the water softening device, the second communicating hole and the fourth communicating hole are used to communicate with the salt supply device, and the third communicating hole is used to communicate with the water inlet end of the integrated water channel.

[0024] The above-mentioned multi-way valve only needs to rotate the movable valve plate at a small angle relative to the fixed valve plate, so that the first connecting hole can be selectively connected to the second connecting hole, the third connecting hole or the fourth connecting hole through the guide groove, thereby enabling the multi-way valve to quickly switch between the first regeneration station, the slow washing station and the second regeneration station, thereby improving the resin regeneration rate and the salt solution utilization rate while simplifying the structure of the multi-way valve and reducing the design difficulty of the multi-way valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structural module of a water softener according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a multi-way valve according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a movable valve plate of a multi-way valve shown;

[0028] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A front view of the movable valve plate shown;

[0029] Figure 5 for Figure 2 The structural diagram of the fixed valve plate of the multi-way valve shown;

[0030] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A structural schematic diagram of the fixed valve plate at another angle is shown;

[0031] Figure 7 for Figure 2 The diagram of the conduction of the multi-way valve shown is when it is in the first regeneration position;

[0032] Figure 8 for Figure 2 The diagram of the conduction of the multi-way valve shown is when it is in the slow wash position;

[0033] Figure 9 for Figure 2 The diagram of the conduction of the multi-way valve shown is in the second regeneration position;

[0034] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0035] 100. Water softener; 20. Multi-way valve; 21. Valve body; 212. Valve chamber; 23. Valve stem; 25. Fixed valve disc; 251. First connecting hole; 252. Second connecting hole; 253. Third connecting hole; 254. Fourth connecting hole; 256. Slow wash channel; 27. Moving valve disc; 272. First end face; 274. Guide groove; 2741. First guide part; 2743. Second guide part; 2745. Third guide part; 2747. Blocking part; 40. Water softener; 41. Resin tank; 43. Center pipe; 45. Upper water distributor; 47. Lower water distributor; 60. Ejector; 80. Salt box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0037] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0039] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0040] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0041] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a water softener 100, which can remove calcium and magnesium ions in raw water through ion exchange resin, thereby reducing the hardness of water and providing users with soft water with low calcium and magnesium ion content.

[0043] The water softener 100 includes an integrated water circuit, a water softening device 40 connected to the integrated water circuit, and a salt supply device. The integrated water circuit is equipped with a multi-way valve 20 for controlling the flow of water. The water softening device 40 includes a resin tank 41, an upper water distributor 45, a lower water distributor 47, and a central tube 43. The resin tank 41 is filled with a resin layer formed by resin particles. The central tube 43 is vertically inserted into the resin tank 41. The upper water distributor 45 and the lower water distributor 47 are respectively mounted at opposite ends of the central tube 43. The upper ends of the upper water distributor 45 and the central tube 43 are connected to the multi-way valve 20, and the lower water distributor 47 is inserted into the resin layer. The salt supply device includes an ejector 60 and a salt tank 80. The multi-way valve 20 is connected to the salt tank 80 through the ejector 60. The ejector 60 includes a first water inlet, a first water outlet, a second water inlet and a second water outlet, which are respectively connected to the multi-way valve 20. The raw water in the multi-way valve 20 can enter the ejector 60 through the first water inlet and the second water inlet, and the salt solution generated in the ejector 60 can flow into the multi-way valve 20 through the first water outlet or the second water outlet.

[0044] The existing multi-way valve 20 usually has five positions: water supply position, backwash position, regeneration position, water replenishment position and forward wash position, so that the water softener 100 has five states: water supply state, backwash state, regeneration state, slow wash state, water replenishment state and forward wash state.

[0045] When the multi-way valve 20 is in the water supply position, the water softener 100 can soften the raw water to provide qualified softened water for users. When the multi-way valve 20 is in the backwash position, the raw water flushes the resin layer in the water softener 40 from bottom to top, making it fluffy to achieve the purpose of strong flushing. When the multi-way valve 20 is in the regeneration position, the salt water in the salt supply device flows from bottom to top through the resin layer in the water softener 40 to achieve the purpose of cleaning and ion exchange. When the multi-way valve 20 is in the water replenishment position, raw water enters the salt supply device to replenish the salt supply device. When the multi-way valve 20 is in the forward washing position, raw water flows from top to bottom through the resin layer of the water softener 40. The fluffy resin layer slowly settles under the action of water pressure, and dirt is precipitated while exchanging ions.

[0046] During the research process, the inventors found that the multi-way valve 20 with only five stations can only provide a high concentration of regeneration salt, so the regeneration rate of the resin is low, resulting in a small water output of the water softener 100. Moreover, the water softener 100 lacks a slow wash function, and the soft water treatment process is relatively rough. In order to improve the regeneration rate of the resin and optimize the soft water treatment process, the multi-way valve 20 of the present application has five stations, namely water supply, backwash, regeneration, water replenishment and forward wash, and adds a regeneration station and a slow wash station. The two regeneration stations can provide two different regeneration salt concentrations, thereby improving the resin regeneration rate. The slow wash station allows the raw water to slowly flush the resin layer from bottom to top, taking away the broken resin and remaining dirt, thereby improving the utilization rate of the salt solution.

[0047] Specifically, the multi-way valve 20 has seven positions: water supply position, backwash position, first regeneration position, slow wash position, second regeneration position, water replenishment position and forward wash position. The multi-way valve 20 can switch between the above positions so that the water softener 100 has seven states: water supply state, backwash state, first regeneration state, slow wash state, second regeneration state, water replenishment state and forward wash state.

[0048] When the water softener 100 is in the first regeneration state, the multi-way valve 20 is in the first regeneration position, and raw water flows from the multi-way valve 20 into the first water inlet of the ejector 60. Due to the negative pressure, the salt water in the salt tank 80 is sucked out and mixed with the raw water to form a salt solution of the first concentration. The salt solution flows out from the first water outlet of the ejector 60, passes through the multi-way valve 20, the central pipe 43 and the lower water distributor 47 in sequence, and enters the resin layer in the resin tank 41. After the salt solution mixes with the resin layer and displaces the sodium and magnesium ions on the resin layer, it is discharged from the multi-way valve 20 through the upper water distributor 45.

[0049] When the water softener 100 is in the slow washing state, the multi-way valve 20 is in the slow washing position. The raw water passes through the central pipe 43 and the lower water distributor 47 in sequence from the multi-way valve 20, and slowly washes the resin layer in the resin tank 41 from bottom to top. The waste water after washing is discharged from the multi-way valve 20 through the upper water distributor 45.

[0050] When the water softener 100 is in the second regeneration state, the multi-way valve 20 is in the second regeneration position, and raw water flows from the multi-way valve 20 into the second water inlet of the ejector 60. Due to the negative pressure, the salt water in the salt tank 80 is sucked out and mixed with the raw water to form a salt solution of the second concentration. The salt solution flows out from the second water outlet of the ejector 60, passes through the multi-way valve 20, the central pipe 43 and the lower water distributor 47 in sequence, and enters the resin layer in the resin tank 41. After the salt solution mixes with the resin layer and displaces the sodium and magnesium ions on the resin layer, it is discharged from the multi-way valve 20 through the upper water distributor 45.

[0051] However, if the multi-way valve 20 has more stations, its structure will be more complicated accordingly. Therefore, in order to simplify the structure of the multi-way valve 20, the present application provides a multi-way valve 20 with a simple structure and rich functions.

[0052] See also Figure 2 The multi-way valve 20 includes a valve body 21, a valve core assembly, and a valve stem 23. Specifically, the valve body 21 is a hollow shell-like structure, defining a valve cavity 212 with an open end. The valve core assembly is housed within the valve cavity 212 of the valve body 21. The first axial end of the valve stem 23 extends into the valve cavity 212 and is in transmission connection with the valve core assembly. The second axial end of the valve stem 23 extends out of the valve cavity 212 and is in connection with a drive unit. Driven by the drive unit, the valve stem 23 can drive the valve core assembly to switch between different states, thereby changing the working position of the multi-way valve 20 to achieve different functions.

[0053] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the fixed valve disc 25 is fixedly installed in the valve cavity 212 and is located at the bottom of the valve cavity 212. The movable valve disc 27 is stacked above the fixed valve disc 25. The first axial end of the valve stem 23 is in driving engagement with the movable valve disc 27, and driven by the driving unit, drives the movable valve disc 27 to rotate relative to the fixed valve disc 25. The movable valve disc 27 is defined by a guide groove 274, and the fixed valve disc 25 is defined by a first communicating hole 251, a second communicating hole 252, a third communicating hole 253, and a fourth communicating hole 254.

[0054] During the rotation of the movable valve plate 27 relative to the fixed valve plate 25, the first connecting hole 251 can be selectively connected to any one of the second connecting hole 252, the third connecting hole 253 and the fourth connecting hole 254 through the guide groove 274, so that the multi-way valve 20 can switch between the first regeneration position, the slow washing position and the second regeneration position.

[0055] Specifically, the fixed valve disc 25 has a disc-shaped structure, and the first communication hole 251, the second communication hole 252, the third communication hole 253, and the fourth communication hole 254 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the fixed valve disc 25. In one embodiment, the first communication hole 251 is curved and extends along the circumference of the fixed valve disc 25 in a fan-shaped manner, while the second communication hole 252, the third communication hole 253, and the fourth communication hole 254 are circular or waist-shaped holes.

[0056] The movable valve disc 27 is roughly a disc-shaped structure with a similar shape to the fixed valve disc 25, and the movable valve disc 27 has a first end face 272 and a second end face arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the bottom of the valve chamber 212), wherein the first end face 272 is in contact with the fixed valve disc 25, and is provided with a guide groove 274 and a blocking portion 2747 located on one side of the guide groove 274, and the blocking portion 2747 divides the guide groove 274 into a first guide portion 2741, a second guide portion 2743 and a third guide portion 2745 which are connected in sequence.

[0057] Among them, the first guide portion 2741 and the third guide portion 2745 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the movable valve plate 27, the second guide portion 2743 extends longitudinally along the circumferential direction of the movable valve plate 27, and the second guide portion 2743 is respectively connected to the first guide portion 2741 and the second guide portion 2743 at opposite ends in the circumferential direction of the movable valve plate 27. The blocking portion 2747 is located between the first guide portion 2741 and the third guide portion 2745, and in the radial direction of the movable valve plate 27, the blocking portion 2747 is located on one side of the second guide portion 2743.

[0058] When the first end surface 272 of the movable valve disc 27 and the fixed valve disc 25 are in contact with each other, the orthographic projection of the first guide portion 2741 on the fixed valve disc 25 can overlap with the first connecting hole 251 to connect with the first connecting hole 251. The orthographic projection of the third guide portion 2745 on the fixed valve disc 25 can selectively overlap with any one of the second connecting hole 252, the third connecting hole 253, and the fourth connecting hole 254 to connect with each other. The orthographic projection of the blocking portion 2747 on the fixed valve disc 25 can overlap with any one of the second connecting hole 252, the third connecting hole 253, and the fourth connecting hole 254 to cover the remaining connecting holes.

[0059] In this way, the guide groove 274 on the movable valve disc 27 forms a "gate"-shaped structure, allowing water in one of the second communicating hole 252, the third communicating hole 253, or the fourth communicating hole 254 of the movable valve disc 27 to flow into the first communicating hole 251 through the third guide portion 2745, the second guide portion 2743, and the first guide portion 2741, respectively. The remaining communicating holes are blocked by the blocking portion 2747. Thus, the movable valve disc 27 can rotate a small angle relative to the fixed valve disc 25 under the drive of the valve stem 23, allowing the first communicating hole 251 to selectively connect with any one of the second communicating hole 252, the third communicating hole 253, and the fourth communicating hole 254, while simultaneously blocking the remaining communicating holes between them, thereby achieving rapid switching between different working positions. This simplifies the structure of the valve core assembly while enriching the functionality of the multi-way valve 20, reducing the design difficulty of the multi-way valve 20.

[0060] In one embodiment, the second guide portion 2743 is located on the side of the blocking portion 2747 away from the outer edge of the movable valve plate 27. Therefore, while connecting the first guide portion 2741 and the third guide portion 2745, the projection of the second guide portion 2743 on the fixed valve plate 25 is staggered with the second connecting hole 252, the third connecting hole 253 and the fourth connecting hole 254. The second guide portion 2743 only serves to connect the first guide portion 2741 and the second guide portion 2743, and will not cause the remaining connecting holes that do not need to be connected to be in a conductive state.

[0061] As a preferred embodiment, in order to match the arrangement of the first communicating hole 251, the second communicating hole 252, the third communicating hole 253 and the fourth communicating hole 254, the outer contour formed by the guide groove 274 and the blocking portion 2747 on the first end surface 272 is located in a virtual sector (such as Figure 3 In the virtual sector shape (shown by the dashed line), the virtual sector shape bends and extends along the circumference of the movable valve plate 27, and the center of the virtual sector shape coincides with the rotation center of the movable valve plate 27. It will be understood that the shape and size of the guide groove 274 are not limited thereto and can be set as needed to meet different requirements.

[0062] It should be noted that in the following embodiments, a slow wash channel 256 is defined on the surface of the fixed valve disc 25 on the side away from the movable valve disc 27. One end of the slow wash channel 256 communicates with the third communicating hole 253. The slow wash channel 256 is connected to the raw water inlet, allowing raw water flowing into the raw water inlet to flow into the third communicating hole 253 through the slow wash channel 256.

[0063] The first connecting hole 251 is used to connect to the softening device 40, the second connecting hole 252 is connected to one of the salt supply channels of the salt supply device, the third connecting hole 253 is connected to the raw water inlet end through the slow wash channel 256 opened on the fixed valve plate 25, and the fourth connecting hole 254 is connected to another salt supply channel of the salt supply device.

[0064] Please combine Figure 7 As shown, when the multi-way valve 20 is in the first regeneration position, the valve stem 23 drives the movable valve disc 27 to rotate to a first preset angle. At this time, the first guide portion 2741 of the guide groove 274 is connected to the end of the first connecting hole 251 away from the second connecting hole 252, and the third guide portion 2745 is connected to the second connecting hole 252. Salt water with a first concentration flowing out of one of the salt supply channels of the salt supply device flows into the second connecting hole 252, then passes through the third guide portion 2745, the second guide portion 2743, and the first guide portion 2741 of the guide groove 274 in sequence, flows into the first connecting hole 251, and finally flows into the resin layer in the water softening device 40, achieving the purpose of cleaning and ion exchange.

[0065] Please combine Figure 8 As shown, when the multi-way valve 20 is in the slow-wash position, the valve stem 23 rotates the movable valve disc 27 to a second predetermined angle. At this point, the first guide portion 2741 of the guide groove 274 communicates with the middle portion of the first connecting hole 251, the third guide portion 2745 communicates with the third connecting hole 253, and the blocking portion 2747 between the first and second guide portions 2741, 2743, covers the second connecting hole 252, sealing it. Raw water from the raw water inlet flows through the slow-wash channel 256 defined in the fixed valve disc 25 into the third connecting hole 253. The water then flows sequentially through the third guide portion 2745, the second guide portion 2743, and the first guide portion 2741 of the guide groove 274 into the first connecting hole 251, and finally into the resin layer within the water softener 40, removing any broken resin and remaining contaminants.

[0066] Please combine Figure 9 As shown, when the multi-way valve 20 is in the second regeneration position, the valve stem 23 drives the movable valve disc 27 to rotate to a third preset angle. At this time, the first guide portion 2741 of the guide groove 274 is connected to the end of the first connecting hole 251 near the second connecting hole 252, the third guide portion 2745 is connected to the fourth connecting hole 254, and the blocking portion 2747 between the first guide portion 2741 and the second guide portion 2743 covers the second connecting hole 252 and the third connecting hole 253 to seal both. Salt water with a second concentration flowing out of the second salt supply channel of the salt supply device flows into the fourth connecting hole 254, then passes through the third guide portion 2745, the second guide portion 2743, and the first guide portion 2741 of the guide groove 274 in sequence, flows into the first connecting hole 251, and finally flows into the resin layer in the water softening device 40, achieving the purpose of cleaning and ion exchange.

[0067] In summary, driven by the valve stem 23, the movable valve disc 27 of the multi-way valve 20 rotates relative to the fixed valve disc 25, allowing the first communicating hole 251 to selectively communicate with the second communicating hole 252, the third communicating hole 253, or the fourth communicating hole 254, while the communicating holes that do not need to be connected are simultaneously blocked by the blocking portion 2747. Because the guide groove 274 on the movable valve disc 27 forms a "door"-shaped structure, the communication state can be switched with only a small rotation angle, making the arrangement of the first communicating hole 251, the second communicating hole 252, the third communicating hole 253, and the fourth communicating hole 254 more compact. Furthermore, while the multi-way valve 20 has a first regeneration station, a slow wash station, and a second regeneration station, thereby achieving a higher resin regeneration rate, the overall structure of the multi-way valve 20 is simplified, reducing the design difficulty of the multi-way valve 20.

[0068] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0069] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-way valve, characterized in that: include: The movable valve plate has a first end surface and a second end surface arranged opposite to each other, wherein the first end surface is provided with a guide groove and a blocking portion located on one side of the guide groove; and a fixed valve disc, attached to the first end surface of the movable valve disc, and having a first communicating hole, a second communicating hole, a third communicating hole, and a fourth communicating hole formed on a side of the fixed valve disc facing the first end surface; The movable valve plate and the fixed valve plate can rotate relative to each other, so that the multi-way valve has a first regeneration position, a slow washing position and a second regeneration position; When the multi-way valve is in the first regeneration position, the guide groove is connected to the first communicating hole and the second communicating hole; When the multi-way valve is in the slow washing position, the guide groove is connected to the first communicating hole and the third communicating hole, and the blocking portion covers the second communicating hole; When the multi-way valve is in the second regeneration position, the guide groove is connected to the first communicating hole and the fourth communicating hole, and the blocking portion shields the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole.

2. The multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blocking portion divides the guide groove into a first guide portion, a second guide portion and a third guide portion which are connected in sequence; the first guide portion is used to connect with the first connecting hole, and the third guide portion is used to selectively connect with the second connecting hole, the third connecting hole or the fourth connecting hole.

3. The multi-way valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The projection of the second guide portion on the fixed valve plate is staggered with the second communicating hole, the third communicating hole or the fourth communicating hole.

4. The multi-way valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first guide portion and the third guide portion are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the movable valve plate, the blocking portion is located between the first guide portion and the third guide portion, and in the radial direction of the movable valve plate, the blocking portion is located on one side of the second guide portion.

5. The multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer contours formed by the guide groove and the blocking portion on the first end surface are located in a virtual sector shape, and the virtual sector shape is curved and extends along the circumference of the movable valve plate.

6. The multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first communicating hole, the second communicating hole, the third communicating hole, and the fourth communicating hole are sequentially spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the fixed valve plate.

7. The multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first communicating hole is in a fan shape that bends and extends along the circumference of the fixed valve plate.

8. The multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-way valve also includes a valve body and a valve stem. The movable valve disc and the fixed valve disc are both accommodated in the valve body. The first axial end of the valve stem extends into the valve body and is transmission-connected with the movable valve disc. The movable valve disc can rotate relative to the fixed valve disc under the drive of the valve stem, so that the first connecting hole can be selectively connected to the second connecting hole, the third connecting hole or the fourth connecting hole through the guide groove.

9. A water softener, characterized in that: The water softener includes the multi-way valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The water softener according to claim 9, characterized in that The water softener further comprises an integrated water circuit and a water softening device and a salt supply device connected to the integrated water circuit, wherein the multi-way valve is arranged in the integrated water circuit and connects the water softening device and the salt supply device; The first communicating hole is used to communicate with the water softening device, the second communicating hole and the fourth communicating hole are used to communicate with the salt supply device, and the third communicating hole is used to communicate with the water inlet end of the integrated water channel.

Images