Salt valve and water softener

Abstract

The invention discloses a salt valve and a water softener, and relates to the technical field of water softeners, the salt valve comprises a base and a floating piece, the base is provided with a water injection channel, a water injection inlet and a water injection outlet, the water injection inlet and the water injection outlet are communicated with the water injection channel, and the water injection outlet is used for being communicated with a salt box; the floating part comprises a floater and a valve plug which are connected with each other, and when the floater ascends to a first sealing position, the valve plug is in sealing fit with the edge of the water injection outlet so as to block communication between the water injection channel and the water injection outlet; according to the technical scheme, the maintenance cost of the salt valve can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water softeners, and particularly to a salt valve and a water softener. Background Art

[0002] A water softener is a device used to soften water quality. It reduces the formation of water scale by removing hardness ions in water, such as calcium and magnesium. In related technologies, most of the salt valves of water softeners use electric drive to control the water flow rate, which has complex operation and high maintenance cost. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main object of the present invention is to propose a salt valve and a water softener, aiming to reduce the maintenance cost of the salt valve.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the salt valve proposed by the present invention includes:

[0005] A base, provided with a water injection channel, a water injection inlet and a water injection outlet communicating with the water injection channel, and the water injection outlet is used to communicate with a salt box; and

[0006] A floating member, including a float and a valve plug connected to each other. When the float rises to a first sealing position, the valve plug is in sealing fit with the edge of the water injection outlet to block the communication between the water injection channel and the water injection outlet.

[0007] In an embodiment, the salt valve further includes a flow limiting structure provided at the water injection inlet, and the flow limiting structure is used to adjust the water flow rate flowing into the water injection channel.

[0008] In an embodiment, the flow limiting structure includes a flow limiting sheet capable of elastic deformation, and the flow limiting sheet is provided with a flow limiting hole, and the water injection inlet communicates with the water injection channel through the flow limiting hole.

[0009] In an embodiment, the pore wall surface of the water injection inlet is provided with a step portion, and the flow limiting structure further includes a fixing seat connected to the step portion. The fixing seat is provided with a receiving groove on the end surface close to the step portion, and a water passing through hole with a pore diameter larger than that of the flow limiting hole is provided at the bottom of the receiving groove. The flow limiting sheet is arranged in the receiving groove, and the flow limiting hole communicates with the water passing through hole.

[0010] In an embodiment, the water injection inlet includes a first hole section and a second hole section. The second hole section communicates between the first hole section and the water injection channel. The pore diameter of the second hole section is smaller than that of the first hole section and larger than that of the flow limiting hole; a step portion is formed at the connection between the second hole section and the first hole section, and the second hole section communicates with the flow limiting hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, an outlet sealing ring is provided at the water injection outlet, and at the first sealing position, the valve plug is sealingly connected to the outlet sealing ring.

[0012] In one embodiment, a sealing lip is provided on the lower end surface of the outlet sealing ring, and a sealing conical surface is provided on the valve plug. The sealing conical surface is gradually expanding in the direction from top to bottom. At the first sealing position, the sealing conical surface abuts against the sealing lip.

[0013] In one embodiment, the valve plug includes a sealing portion and a connecting rod. The sealing portion is used to block the water injection outlet. One end of the connecting rod is connected to the sealing portion, and the other end passes through the outlet sealing ring and is connected to the float.

[0014] In one embodiment, the float is provided with a cylindrical body with the cylinder opening facing downward. The cylindrical body is arranged around the outer periphery of the base, and a water passing space is formed at an interval with the circumferential side surface of the base. A buoyancy chamber is constructed above the inner cavity of the cylindrical body.

[0015] In one embodiment, the top wall of the cylindrical body is provided with a mounting hole. One end of the valve plug passes through the inner cavity of the cylindrical body and is installed through the mounting hole.

[0016] In one embodiment, an installation convex column is provided on the inner side surface of the top wall of the cylindrical body. The circumferential side surface of the installation convex column is arranged at an interval with the side wall surface of the cylindrical body. The mounting hole is provided on the installation convex column. A limiting convex is provided on the side surface of the valve plug, and the limiting convex abuts against the lower end surface of the installation convex column.

[0017] In one embodiment, a sealing fixing sleeve is provided at the end of the valve plug, and the sealing fixing sleeve is sealingly connected to the edge of the mounting hole.

[0018] In one embodiment, a water passing notch communicating with the water passing space is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical body. At the first sealing position, the upper edge of the water passing notch is lower than the upper edge of the water injection outlet.

[0019] In one embodiment, the base includes a first seat body and a second seat body which are separately arranged. The first seat body and the second seat body are sealingly matched and jointly define the water injection channel. The water injection inlet is provided on the first seat body, and the water injection outlet is provided on the second seat body.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first seat body and the second seat body are detachably installed.

[0021] In one embodiment, one of the first seat body and the second seat body is provided with a clamping convex, and the other is provided with a clamping hole. The clamping convex is clamped and fixed in the clamping hole.

[0022] In one embodiment, one of the first seat body and the second seat body is provided with a guiding notch on the end face, and the other is provided with a guiding rib, and the guiding rib is slidably inserted into the guiding notch.

[0023] The present invention also provides a water softener, which includes a salt box and the salt valve as described above, and the water injection outlet of the salt valve communicates with the salt box.

[0024] In one embodiment, the salt box includes a box body and a salt grille. The salt grille is arranged in the box body to divide the inner cavity of the box body into a placement cavity and a salt cavity. The placement cavity communicates with the salt cavity through the grille holes of the salt grille, and the salt valve is arranged in the placement cavity.

[0025] In the technical solution of the present invention, the salt valve includes a base and a floating member. The floating member can move up and down relative to the base. Water flow can enter the water injection channel from the water injection inlet and flow out from the water injection outlet and be injected into the salt box, which can fully dissolve the salt blocks in the salt box to form saturated brine, ensuring the regeneration efficiency of the resin in the water softener. Specifically, when the buoyancy in the salt valve is less than the total weight of the floating member, the water flow continuously passes through the water injection outlet of the salt valve and is replenished into the salt box. When the buoyancy in the salt valve is greater than the total weight of the floating member, the float floats to the first sealing position, and the valve plug moving together seals against the edge of the water injection outlet, realizing the blocking of the connection between the water injection outlet and the water injection channel, that is, preventing the water flow from passing through the water injection outlet and stopping the water replenishment of the salt box. In this way, compared with using electric drive to control the water injection volume, the water injection volume entering the salt box is accurately controlled through the salt valve, realizing the automatic replenishment and control of the water flow, and ensuring that the water injection volume entering the salt box is constant. It can not only ensure the stable operation of the water replenishment mode of the water softener, but also fully dissolve the salt blocks through a quantitative water injection volume to form saturated brine with a stable concentration, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the regeneration mode of the water softener. Moreover, because there is no need for additional sensors or complex control systems, the maintenance difficulty and maintenance cost are reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 An exploded schematic view of an embodiment of the salt valve provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the salt valve;

[0029] Figure 3It is a sectional view of the salt valve. At this time, the valve plug is in sealing fit with the edge of the water injection outlet;

[0030] Figure 4 It is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the valve plug in

[0031] Figure 5 It is Figure 1 a sectional view of the float in

[0032] Figure 6 It is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the first seat body in

[0033] Figure 7 It is Figure 6 a sectional view of the first seat body in

[0034] Figure 8 It is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the second seat body in

[0035] Figure 9 It is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the fixed seat in

[0036] Figure 10 It is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the outlet sealing ring in

[0037] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the water softener provided by the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12 It is Figure 11 a top view of the water softener in

[0039] Figure 13 It is Figure 12 a sectional view of the water softener cut along the A-A section line in

[0040] Figure 14 It is Figure 11 an exploded view of the salt box in

[0041] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0042] 100, salt valve; 101, water passage space; 102, buoyancy chamber; 10, base; 11, water injection channel; 12, water injection inlet; 121, first hole section; 122, second hole section; 123, stepped portion; 13, water injection outlet; 14, outlet sealing ring; 141, sealing lip; 151, first seat body; 152, second seat body; 161, clamping protrusion; 162, clamping hole; 171, guiding rib; 172, guiding notch; 18, claw assembly; 19, limiting platform;

[0043] 20. Floating member; 21. Float; 211. Cylinder body; 212. Mounting hole; 213. Mounting stud; 214. Water passing notch; 22. Valve plug; 221. Sealing conical surface; 222. Sealing portion; 223. Connecting rod; 224. Limiting protrusion; 23. Sealing fixing sleeve;

[0044] 30. Flow limiting structure; 31. Flow limiting sheet; 311. Flow limiting hole; 32. Fixed seat; 321. Receiving groove; 322. Water passing through hole;

[0045] 200. Salt box; 41. Box body; 42. Salt grille; 421. Grille hole; 431. Placement cavity; 432. Salt cavity; 44. Mounting post; 441. Water injection hole; 45. Mounting guiding rib;

[0046] 300. Resin tank.

[0047] The realization, functional features and advantages of the object of the present invention will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0048] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts belong to the scope protected by the present invention.

[0049] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back,...) involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0050] In addition, if there are descriptions such as "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears throughout the text, its meaning includes three parallel solutions. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where A and B are satisfied simultaneously. In addition, the technical solutions between the embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those of ordinary skill in the art can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0051] A water softener is a device used to soften water quality. It reduces the formation of scale by removing hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium from water. In related technologies, most salt valves of water softeners use electric drive to control the water flow rate, which has complex operations and high maintenance costs.

[0052] To solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes a salt valve 100.

[0053] Please refer to Figures 1 to 14 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the salt valve 100 includes a base 10 and a floating member 20. The base 10 is provided with a water injection channel 11, a water injection inlet 12 and a water injection outlet 13 communicating with the water injection channel 11. The water injection outlet 13 is used to communicate with a salt box 200. The floating member 20 includes a float 21 and a valve plug 22 connected to each other. When the float 21 rises to a first sealing position, the valve plug 22 is in sealing cooperation with the edge of the water injection outlet 13 to block the communication between the water injection channel 11 and the water injection outlet 13. In this way, it helps to improve the control ability of the salt valve 100 for the water output. Furthermore, the salt valve 100 controls the water injection volume into the salt box 200 through its water flow regulation ability, ensuring the full dissolution of salt blocks in the salt box 200, while simplifying the control of the salt valve 100, and thus reducing the maintenance difficulty and maintenance cost.

[0054] In the technical solution of the present invention, the salt valve 100 includes a base 10 and a floating member 20. The floating member 20 can move up and down relative to the base 10. Water flow can enter the water injection channel 11 from the water injection inlet 12 and flow out from the water injection outlet 13 and be injected into the salt box 200, which can make the salt blocks in the salt box 200 fully dissolve to form saturated brine, ensuring the regeneration efficiency of the resin in the water softener. Specifically, when the buoyancy in the salt valve 100 is less than the total weight of the floating member 20, water flow continuously passes through the water injection outlet 13 of the salt valve 100 and is supplemented into the salt box 200. When the buoyancy in the salt valve 100 is greater than the total weight of the floating member 20, the float 21 floats to the first sealing position, and the valve plug 22 that moves together is in sealing contact with the edge of the water injection outlet 13, realizing the blocking of the communication between the water injection outlet 13 and the water injection channel 11, that is, preventing water flow from passing through the water injection outlet 13 and stopping the water supply to the salt box 200. In this way, compared with using electric drive to control the water injection volume, the water injection volume into the salt box 200 is accurately controlled through the salt valve 100, realizing the automatic replenishment and control of water flow, and ensuring that the water injection volume into the salt box 200 is constant. It can not only ensure the stable operation of the water replenishment mode of the water softener, but also fully dissolve the salt blocks through a quantitative water injection volume to form saturated brine with a stable concentration, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the regeneration mode of the water softener. Moreover, due to the absence of additional sensors or complex control systems, the maintenance difficulty and maintenance cost are reduced.

[0055] Specifically, the water softener includes a salt tank 200, a resin tank 300, and a salt valve 100. The resin tank 300 is used to store resin particles. In the water softening mode of the water softener, the resin particles can soften the water flow entering the resin tank 300, and the softened water formed can meet the water use requirements of users. When the resin is close to saturation or already saturated, in the regeneration mode of the water softener, the brine in the salt tank 200 can flow into the resin tank 300, enabling the resin to regain its water softening ability. In the present invention, a salt valve 100 is provided at the water injection hole 441 of the salt tank 200. By virtue of the ability of the salt valve 100 to control the water flow rate, in the water injection mode of the water softener, the water injection volume entering the salt tank 200 can be kept constant, ensuring the full dissolution of the salt blocks in the salt tank 200, forming a saturated brine with a stable concentration, thereby avoiding the situation where insufficient sodium ion release due to insufficient brine concentration reduces the resin regeneration efficiency, and ensuring the stable operation of the regeneration mode of the water softener.

[0056] It should be noted that the water softener protected by the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a central water softener and an end water softener. Among them, the end water softener mainly provides softened water for local or individual water use equipment or water outlet terminals, aiming to improve the water quality delivered to these water use equipment or water outlet terminals, reduce the impact of hard water on the equipment structure, human body or clothing, and enhance the comfort of local water use. Specifically, the water use equipment includes, but is not limited to, water heaters, washing machines, or humidifiers, etc., and the water outlet terminals include, but are not limited to, shower heads, faucets, etc. For example, the end water softener is used in a bathroom scenario, enabling the water output from the shower head to be softened water, thereby enhancing the water use comfort of users. For the convenience of description, the present invention will take the end water softener applied to a bathroom as an example for explanation.

[0057] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 9 , in the embodiment of the present invention, the salt valve 100 further includes a flow limiting structure 30 provided at the water injection inlet 12. The flow limiting structure 30 is used to adjust the water flow rate flowing into the water injection channel 11, thereby stabilizing the flow velocity and flow rate of the water flow. In this way, on the one hand, it can prevent the valve plug 22 from being directly lifted by the high-pressure water flow and accidentally blocking the water injection outlet 13, ensuring the stability of the water injection volume entering the salt tank 200, and thus guaranteeing the operational stability of the water replenishment mode. On the other hand, the stable water injection volume is conducive to the more sufficient dissolution of the salt blocks in the salt tank 200, promoting the formation of a stable concentration of brine and enhancing the regeneration effect of the resin.

[0058] In addition, due to the combination of the flow limiting structure 30 and the floating part 20, by controlling the water inlet time at the water inlet of the water softener, there is no need to set a corresponding water level sensor in the salt box 200. The volume of the water flow entering the salt box 200 can be calculated by the water inlet time of the water softener and the flow rate at the flow limiting structure 30. It can also be judged whether the water level in the salt box 200 meets the standard, and the control valve at the water inlet can be closed in time. The structure is simplified and the control is simple and convenient.

[0059] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the flow-limiting structure 30 includes an elastically deformable flow-limiting plate 31, the flow-limiting plate 31 being provided with a flow-limiting hole 311, through which the water inlet 12 communicates with the water injection channel 11. Thus, the provision of the flow-limiting hole 311 can create a stable pressure differential across the flow-limiting hole 311, thereby controlling the flow rate. Combined with the elastically deformable flow-limiting plate 31, the flow velocity and flow rate of water passing through the flow-limiting hole 311 can be stabilized, effectively reducing the possibility of the water directly impacting the valve plug 22 due to its high speed and large flow rate, thereby directly lifting it to press against the water injection outlet 13, thereby improving the water flow control effect of the salt valve 100. In this embodiment, the flow-limiting plate 31 is specifically configured as a rubber plate. Of course, other elastically deformable flow-limiting plates 31 are also applicable and are not limited here.

[0060] See also Figure 2 to, Figure 9 In an embodiment of the present invention, a step portion 123 is provided on the hole wall surface of the water injection inlet 12, and the flow limiting structure 30 further includes a fixing seat 32 connected to the step portion 123, and the fixing seat 32 is provided with a receiving groove 321 on the end surface close to the step portion 123, and the bottom of the receiving groove 321 is provided with a water through hole 322 with a hole diameter larger than the flow limiting hole 311, and the flow limiting piece 31 is provided in the receiving groove 321, and the flow limiting hole 311 is connected with the water through hole 322. It can be understood that the flow limiting hole 311 is connected through the water through hole 322 to ensure that water flows through the fixing seat 32 and flows to the water injection channel 11 through the flow limiting hole 311, wherein the hole diameter of the water through hole 322 is larger than that of the flow limiting hole 311. The water through hole 322 serves as a buffer transition hole, which can reduce the impact force of the water flowing toward the flow limiting hole 311. Moreover, the flow limiting hole 311 on the flow limiting plate 31 and its elastic deformation performance can further buffer the water flow, so that the flow velocity and flow rate of the water flowing through the flow limiting hole 311 are stable, and then the water flows into the water injection channel 11 through the water injection inlet 12 and flows out from the water injection outlet 13 to stably replenish the salt tank 200, and the water level rise fluctuates slightly; and when its pressure is sufficient to lift the floating member 20 to the first sealing position, the valve plug 22 of the floating member 20 presses against the edge of the water injection outlet 13, preventing the water from continuing to flow through the water injection outlet 13, thereby stopping the water replenishment of the salt tank 200, and achieving the purpose of accurately controlling the water injection amount.

[0061] The fixing base 32 can be connected to the stepped portion 123 by means such as bonding or plugging. As Figure 9 shown, an interference portion is provided outside the fixing base 32, which can make the fixing base 32 be in interference connection with the water injection inlet 12, and abut against the stepped portion 123 through the end face close to the stepped portion 123, thereby sealing the notch of the receiving groove 321, and further defining the installation space of the flow limiting sheet 31; alternatively, the outer diameter of the fixing base 32 is greater than the inner diameter of the water injection inlet 12, and the assembly of the flow limiting structure 30 in the water injection inlet 12 can also be completed. Wherein, the groove depth of the receiving groove 321 is greater than the thickness of the flow limiting sheet 31 in the natural state, so that a space for elastic deformation of the flow limiting sheet 31 can be provided, reliably ensuring that the flow limiting sheet 31 plays a role in stabilizing the flow rate and flow volume of the water flowing through the flow limiting hole 311, and reducing the possibility of failure of the flow limiting sheet 31.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 7 , in the embodiment of the present invention, the water injection inlet 12 includes a first hole section 121 and a second hole section 122. The second hole section 122 is communicated between the first hole section 121 and the water injection channel 11. The aperture of the second hole section 122 is smaller than that of the first hole section 121 and larger than that of the flow limiting hole 311; a stepped portion 123 is formed at the connection between the second hole section 122 and the first hole section 121. The second hole section 122 is communicated with the flow limiting hole 311. It can be understood that one end of the second hole section 122 is communicated with the water injection channel 11, and the other end is communicated with the first hole section 121. The flow limiting structure 30 is arranged in the first hole section 121 to limit the flow of the water entering the first hole section 121 through the flow limiting structure 30, and the treated water flows into the water injection channel 11 through the second hole section 122. Since the aperture of the second hole section 122 is smaller than that of the first hole section 121 and the aperture of the second hole section 122 is larger than that of the flow limiting hole 311, at this time, the increased flow rate of the water due to the flow limiting hole 311 will be reduced, which can significantly reduce the turbulent fluctuation in the water injection channel 11, improve the water flow stability, and further reduce the energy loss while stabilizing the flow volume and flow rate, and improve the water replenishing efficiency of the salt valve 100 to the salt tank 200.

[0063] The first hole section 121 and the second hole section 122 are connected to each other, and a stepped portion 123 is formed at the connection between the two. At this time, the first hole section 121 and the second hole section 122 can be different hole sections on the same structure or different hole sections on different structures, which is not limited herein.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, an outlet sealing ring 14 is provided at the water injection outlet 13. At the first sealing position, the valve plug 22 is sealingly connected to the outlet sealing ring 14. Thus, through the outlet sealing ring 14 provided at the water injection outlet 13, when the valve plug 22 moves with the float 21 to the first sealing position, the valve plug 22 is in sealing contact with the outlet sealing ring 14 to block the water injection outlet 13, thereby blocking the communication between the water injection channel 11 and the water injection outlet 13 and stopping the water replenishment operation for the salt tank 200.

[0065] Specifically, please refer to Figure 10 , in an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing lip 141 is provided on the lower end surface of the outlet sealing ring 14, and a sealing cone surface 221 is provided on the valve plug 22. The sealing cone surface 221 is gradually expanded in the direction from top to bottom. At the first sealing position, the sealing cone surface 221 abuts against the sealing lip 141. Thus, through the gradual expansion of the sealing cone surface 221, the valve plug 22 partially extends into the outlet sealing ring 14 under the action of buoyancy, and the sealing cone surface 221 presses against the sealing lip 141 to achieve the blocking of the water injection outlet 13 by the valve plug 22; and due to the gradual expansion of the sealing cone surface 221 in the direction from bottom to top and the deformability of the sealing lip 141 under force, the effective sealing area of the sealing cone surface 221 and the outlet sealing ring 14 can be reliably increased, improving the sealing effect of the valve plug 22 on the water injection outlet 13. Of course, this design is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the valve plug 22 is provided with a sealing step surface.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 4 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the valve plug 22 includes a sealing portion 222 and a connecting rod 223. The sealing portion 222 is used to block the water injection outlet 13. One end of the connecting rod 223 is connected to the sealing portion 222, and the other end passes through the outlet sealing ring 14 and is connected to the float 21. Thus, the valve plug 22 is connected to the float 21 through the connecting rod 223 and rises and falls with the float 21 as the water level in the salt tank 200 changes. Further, when the buoyancy overcomes the total weight of the floating member 20, the float 21 can drive the valve plug 22 to move together, and when moving to the first sealing position, the sealing portion 222 of the valve plug 22 can be sealingly connected to the outlet sealing ring 14 to achieve the blocking of the water injection outlet 13. The connection manner between the connecting rod 223 and the float 21 includes but is not limited to threaded connection, interference fit, and snap connection.

[0067] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the float 21 is provided with a blocking portion. When the float 21 descends to the second sealing position, the blocking portion is sealingly connected to the outlet sealing ring 14 to block the communication between the water injection outlet 13 and the salt tank 200, thereby preventing the water in the salt tank 200 from overflowing outside the salt tank 200 through the salt valve 100 and ensuring the amount of salt water in the salt tank 200.

[0068] Please refer to Figures 2 to 3 and [[ID= In an embodiment of the present invention, the float 21 is provided with a cylinder body 211 with a downward-facing cylinder opening. The cylinder body 211 is arranged around the outer periphery of the base 10, and a water passing space 101 is formed at an interval from the peripheral side surface of the base 10. A buoyancy chamber 102 is constructed above the inner cavity of the cylinder body 211. Thus, on the one hand, since the cylinder body 211 covers the outer periphery of the base 10, the base 10 can play a guiding role for the cylinder body 211, facilitating the smooth and accurate up-and-down movement of the float 21, and further driving the valve plug 22 connected to the float 21 to move smoothly and accurately up and down to complete the reliable sealing of the water injection outlet 13. On the other hand, the cylinder body 211 is arranged around the outer periphery of the base 10, and the cylinder body 211 is arranged at an interval from the peripheral side surface of the base 10, forming a water passing space 101 communicating the water injection outlet 13 and the salt box 200. It can be understood that water flows into the salt box 200 through the water passing space 101 of the salt valve 100, causing the water level in the salt box 200 to gradually rise. When the water level in the salt box 200 overflows the outlet communicating with the water passing space 101 and reaches the upper edge of the outlet, the water in the salt box 200 forms a water seal at the outlet, that is, the air in the cylinder body 211 is sealed between the cylinder body 211 and the base 10. Specifically, according to the characteristics of air, a buoyancy chamber 102 capable of providing buoyancy to the floating member 20 is constructed above the inner cavity of the cylinder body 211. Specifically, before the buoyancy chamber 102 is formed in the cylinder body 211, water always flows from the water injection outlet 13 to the water passing space 101 and is replenished into the salt box 200. When the water level in the salt box 200 exceeds the upper edge of the outlet communicating with the water passing space 101, the water in the salt box 200 forms a water seal at the outlet, sealing a portion of air between the floating member 20 and the base 10 and providing buoyancy to the floating member 20. When water continues to be replenished into the water passing space 101 through the water injection outlet 13, due to the existence of the buoyancy chamber 102, the floating member 20 will move upward relative to the base 10 as the water injection volume increases. When the floating member 20 moves to the first sealing position, the sealing portion 222 of the valve plug 22 can be hermetically connected to the outlet sealing ring 14 at the water injection outlet 13 to seal the water injection outlet 13 and stop the continuous water injection into the water passing space 101, ensuring strict control of the water injection volume into the salt box 200.

[0069] Please refer to ​, in an embodiment of the present invention, an installation hole 212 is provided in the top wall of the cylinder body 211. One end of the valve plug 22 passes through the inner cavity of the cylinder body 211 and is installed through the installation hole 212. It can be understood that the separate setting of the valve plug 22 and the float 21 reduces the influence of the sealing cone surface 221 that is gradually expanding on the assembly of the floating member 20 and the base 10, and improves the assembly efficiency of the floating member 20 on the base 10. Among them, the valve plug 22 includes a sealing portion 222 and a connecting rod 223. The sealing portion 222 is disposed inside the water injection channel 11. One end of the connecting rod 223 is connected to the sealing portion 222, and the other end sequentially passes through the water injection outlet 13 and the inner cavity of the cylinder body 211 and is fixedly installed in the installation hole 212. The connection manner between the connecting rod 223 and the installation hole 212 includes but is not limited to threaded connection, interference fit, and snap connection. However, this design is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the connecting rod 223 of the valve plug 22 is integrally provided with the float 21, and the sealing portion 222 of the valve plug 22 is detachably connected to the connecting rod 223.

[0070] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, an installation convex column 213 is provided on the inner side surface of the top wall of the cylinder body 211. The circumferential side surface of the installation convex column 213 is spaced from the side wall surface of the cylinder body 211. The installation hole 212 is provided in the installation convex column 213. A limiting convex 224 is provided on the side surface of the valve plug 22. The limiting convex 224 abuts against the lower end surface of the installation convex column 213. It can be understood that the installation convex column 213 is configured as a blocking portion. When the float 21 descends to the second sealing position, the lower end surface of the installation convex column 213 abuts against the outlet sealing ring 14, which can enable the base 10 to support the floating member 20 and restrict the descending range of the floating member 20. It can also block the communication between the water injection outlet 13 and the salt box 200 to a certain extent, prevent the water in the salt box 200 from overflowing outside the salt box 200 through the salt valve 100, and ensure the amount of salt water in the salt box 200; and the spaced setting of the circumferential side surface of the installation convex column 213 and the side wall surface of the cylinder body 211 can enable the air sealed between the base 10 and the float 21 to gather at least between the circumferential side surface of the installation convex column 213 and the side wall surface of the cylinder body 211, ensuring the formation of the buoyancy cavity 102.

[0071] Furthermore, the valve plug 22 includes a sealing portion 222 and a connecting rod 223. A limiting convex 224 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting rod 223. When the end of the connecting rod 223 away from the sealing portion 222 is connected to the installation hole 212 in place, the limiting convex 224 abuts against the lower end surface of the installation convex column 213 to prevent the connecting rod 223 from protruding out of the installation hole 212 excessively, resulting in the sealing portion 222 being too close to the water injection outlet 13, and ensuring the accurate control of the water injection amount by the salt valve 100. Among them, the limiting convex 224 can be a complete annular limiting convex 224 or an annular limiting convex 224 with a break.

[0072] Please refer to​ , in an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing and fixing sleeve 23 is provided at the end of the valve plug 22, and the sealing and fixing sleeve 23 is sealingly connected to the edge of the mounting hole 212. In this way, the valve plug 22 can be interference-fitted into the mounting hole 212 of the float 21 through the sealing and fixing groove; specifically, the sealing and fixing sleeve 23 can be an elastic sealing member, and a fixing hole is provided in the sealing and fixing sleeve 23. The valve plug 22 includes a sealing portion 222 and a connecting rod 223. A fixing structure adapted to the fixing hole is formed at one end of the connecting rod 223 away from the sealing portion 222 to achieve a tight assembly of the sealing and fixing sleeve 23 and the sealing and fixing sleeve 23. The maximum outer diameter of the sealing and fixing sleeve 23 is greater than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 212, so that the sealing and fixing sleeve 23 can be interference-fitted with the mounting hole 212, and then the end of the valve plug 22 is fixed in the mounting hole 212.

[0073] When the inner side surface of the top wall of the cylinder body 211 is provided with a mounting convex column 213, the mounting convex column 213 is provided with a mounting guide hole for docking the mounting hole 212, which helps the connecting rod 223 of the valve plug 22 to pass through and plays a guiding role for the connecting rod 223, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the valve plug 22 on the float 21.

[0074] Please refer to ​ , in an embodiment of the present invention, a water passing notch 214 communicating with the water passing space 101 is provided at the bottom of the cylinder body 211. At the first sealing position, the upper edge of the water passing notch 214 is lower than the upper edge of the water injection outlet 13. In this way, regardless of the water level in the salt box 200, for example, when the water level exceeds the water injection outlet 13, the brine will not flow back to the resin tank 300 through the water injection outlet 13. The reason is that the boundary of the buoyancy cavity 102 is from the upper edge of the water passing notch 214 to the top wall of the cylinder body 211, and the air in the buoyancy cavity 102 can play a sealing role, effectively preventing the brine from flowing into the water injection outlet 13 through the water passing space 101. It can be understood that the thickness of the air layer in the buoyancy cavity 102 is related to the position of the upper edge of the water passing notch 214. Therefore, by providing the water passing notch 214, it is convenient to adjust the mold structure of the cylinder body 211, that is, only the position of the upper edge of the water passing notch 214 needs to be adjusted, so as to facilitate the adjustment of the air layer thickness dimension in the later stage of the project to meet the design requirements.

[0075] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3, ​, in an embodiment of the present invention, the base 10 includes a first base body 151 and a second base body 152 which are separately arranged. The first base body 151 and the second base body 152 are sealingly fitted together and jointly define the water injection channel 11. The water injection inlet 12 is arranged on the first base body 151, and the water injection outlet 13 is arranged on the second base body 152. It can be understood that when the second base body 152 is provided with a cylinder body with an opening facing downwards, the cylinder body is arranged around the outer periphery of the first base body 151 to jointly define the water injection channel 11. Among them, the top wall of the second base body 152 is provided with a water injection outlet 13, and an outlet sealing ring 14 is arranged at the water injection outlet 13. So that when the floating member 20 is in the first sealing position, the water flow towards the salt box 200 is cut off by the valve plug 22 being sealingly abutted against the outlet sealing ring 14. The first base body 151 is provided with a water injection inlet 12 passing through itself. The water injection inlet 12 may include a first hole section 121 and a second hole section 122. One end of the second hole section 122 communicates with the water injection channel 11, and the other end communicates with the first hole section 121. And the aperture of the second hole section 122 is smaller than that of the first hole section 121 to stabilize the flow rate of the water flow and the flow velocity of the water flow. In addition, a base 10 sealing ring is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the first base body 151, and the base 10 sealing ring is used for sealingly abutting against the inner wall of the second base body 152 to ensure the sealing fit between the first base body 151 and the second base body 152.

[0076] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 are detachably installed. In this way, through the separate arrangement of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152, the influence of the sealing part 222 of the valve plug 22, specifically the sealing cone surface 221 which is gradually expanding, on the assembly of the valve plug 22 to the base 10 is reduced, and the assembly efficiency of the floating member 20 on the base 10 is improved. The detachable connection between the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 includes but is not limited to threaded connection, snap fit, and rotary snap connection. However, this design is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 are not detachably connected.

[0077] Please refer to ​ and ​, in an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 is provided with a clamping projection 161, and the other is provided with a clamping hole 162. The clamping projection 161 is clamped and fixed in the clamping hole 162. In this way, through the clamping cooperation of the clamping projection 161 and the clamping hole 162, the connection strength and connection convenience between the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 can be improved. Among them, two clamping projections 161 are arranged on opposite sides of one of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152. At this time, two clamping holes 162 are correspondingly arranged for the clamping projections 161 to disperse the force at the connection between the first base body 151 and the second base body 152, ensure the connection reliability between the first base body 151 and the second base body 152, and extend the service life of the base 10. However, this design is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, one of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 is provided with at least one snap button along its circumferential direction, and the other is provided with a hole structure for snap-connecting with the snap button.

[0078] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 is provided with a guiding notch 172 on the end face, and the other is provided with a guiding rib 171. The guiding rib 171 is slidably inserted into the guiding notch 172. In this way, by the mutual cooperation of the guiding notch 172 and the guiding rib 171, it can play a guiding and positioning role during the assembly of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152. During the assembly process of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 through the cooperation of the clamping projection 161 and the clamping hole 162, it helps the clamping projection 161 to quickly find the clamping hole 162, and improves the smoothness and convenience of the assembly operation of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152. Among them, two guiding ribs 171 are correspondingly arranged for the clamping projections 161. The two guiding ribs 171 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the base 10 on both sides of the clamping projection 161, which is convenient for the processing of the guiding rib 171 and the clamping projection 161. Similarly, two guiding notches 172 are correspondingly arranged for the clamping holes 162. The two guiding notches 172 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the base 10 on both sides of the clamping hole 162.

[0079] Furthermore, the other of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 is provided with a limiting platform 19 corresponding to the guiding rib 171. The limiting platform 19 extends along the circumferential direction and is used to restrict the further movement trend of one of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152 on the other of the first base body 151 and the second base body 152, reduce the risk of structural failure caused by excessive impact between the guiding rib 171 and the guiding notch 172, reduce the risk of structural failure caused by excessive impact between the clamping projection 161 and the clamping hole 162, and improve the connection reliability between the first base body 151 and the second base body 152. Among them, the limiting platform 19 can be connected to the guiding rib 171 to improve the structural strength of the limiting platform 19 and the guiding rib 171.

[0080] The present invention also provides a water softener, which includes a salt tank 200 and a salt valve 100. The specific structure of the salt valve 100 refers to the above embodiments. Since this water softener adopts all the technical solutions of the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here one by one. Among them, the water injection outlet 13 of the salt valve 100 communicates with the salt tank 200, and then the water injection amount into the salt tank 200 is controlled by the salt valve 100 to achieve automatic replenishment and precise control of the water flow.

[0081] Please refer to ​ , in the embodiment of the present invention, the salt tank 200 includes a box body 41 and a salt grille 42. The salt grille 42 is arranged in the box body 41 to divide the inner cavity of the box body 41 into a placement cavity 431 and a salt cavity 432. The placement cavity 431 communicates with the salt cavity 432 through the grille holes 421 of the salt grille 42. The salt valve 100 is arranged in the placement cavity 431. In this way, the salt valve 100 is separated from the salt blocks in the salt cavity 432, and the placement cavity 431 is connected to the salt cavity 432 through the grille holes 421 of the salt grille 42, which can not only ensure that the movement of the floating member 20 in the salt valve 100 is not affected by the salt blocks and improve the smoothness of the movement of the floating member 20, but also provide water flow to the salt cavity 432 to obtain saturated brine and ensure the regeneration efficiency of the resin in the water softener.

[0082] Specifically, as ​ shown, an installation column 44 is arranged in the placement cavity 431. The base 10 of the salt valve 100 is installed on the installation column 44. The installation column 44 is provided with a water injection hole 441 communicating with the water injection inlet 12. It can be understood that the base 10 of the salt valve 100 is provided with a water injection channel 11 and a water injection inlet 12. When the water injection inlet 12 includes a first hole section 121 and a second hole section 122, one end of the second hole section 122 communicates with the water injection channel 11, and the other end communicates with the first hole section 121, and the aperture of the first hole section 121 is larger than that of the second hole section 122, the installation column 44 can be hermetically installed in the first hole section 121 through the claw assembly 18, so that the second hole section 122 communicates with the water injection hole 441 to ensure that the water flow enters the salt tank 200 through the salt valve 100; further, when a flow limiting structure 30 is arranged in the first hole section 121, the upper end surface of the installation column 44 extending into the first hole section 121 can abut against the lower end surface of the flow limiting structure 30, which helps to improve the installation stability of the flow limiting structure 30 in the water injection inlet 12.

[0083] Further, as ​As shown, an installation guiding rib 45 is further provided in the placement cavity 431. The installation guiding rib 45 is used to guide the installation of the salt valve 100 to the installation column 44. In this way, through the guiding action of the installation guiding rib 45, the water injection inlet 12 of the salt valve 100 can be quickly aligned with the installation column 44, so that the base 10 can be smoothly installed on the installation column 44, improving the assembly efficiency of the salt valve 100.

[0084] The above are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the technical concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or any direct / indirect application in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A salt valve, characterized in that, Comprising: A base provided with a water injection channel, a water injection inlet and a water injection outlet communicating with the water injection channel, and the water injection outlet is used for communicating with a salt box; And A floating member including a float and a valve plug connected to each other. When the float rises to a first sealing position, the valve plug is in sealing fit with the edge of the water injection outlet to block the communication between the water injection channel and the water injection outlet.

2. The salt valve according to claim 1, wherein The salt valve further includes a flow limiting structure provided at the water injection inlet, and the flow limiting structure is used for adjusting the water flow rate flowing into the water injection channel.

3. The salt valve according to claim 2, wherein The flow limiting structure includes a flow limiting sheet capable of elastic deformation, the flow limiting sheet is provided with a flow limiting hole, and the water injection inlet communicates with the water injection channel through the flow limiting hole.

4. The salt valve according to claim 3, wherein A stepped portion is provided on the hole wall surface of the water injection inlet, and the flow limiting structure further includes a fixing seat connected to the stepped portion. The fixing seat is provided with a receiving groove on the end face close to the stepped portion, and a water passing through hole with a hole diameter larger than that of the flow limiting hole is provided at the bottom of the receiving groove. The flow limiting sheet is arranged in the receiving groove, and the flow limiting hole communicates with the water passing through hole.

5. The salt valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water injection inlet includes a first hole section and a second hole section. The second hole section communicates between the first hole section and the water injection channel. The hole diameter of the second hole section is smaller than that of the first hole section and larger than that of the flow limiting hole; a stepped portion is formed at the connection between the second hole section and the first hole section, and the second hole section communicates with the flow limiting hole.

6. The salt valve according to claim 1, wherein An outlet sealing ring is provided at the water injection outlet. At the first sealing position, the valve plug is sealingly connected to the outlet sealing ring.

7. The salt valve according to claim 6, wherein A sealing lip edge is provided on the lower end face of the outlet sealing ring, and a sealing conical surface is provided on the valve plug. The sealing conical surface is gradually expanded in the direction from top to bottom. At the first sealing position, the sealing conical surface abuts against the sealing lip edge.

8. The salt valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The valve plug includes a sealing portion and a connecting rod. The sealing portion is used for blocking the water injection outlet. One end of the connecting rod is connected to the sealing portion, and the other end passes through the outlet sealing ring and is connected to the float.

9. The salt valve according to claim 1, wherein The float is provided with a cylindrical body with the cylinder opening facing downward. The cylindrical body is arranged around the outer periphery of the base, and a water passing space is formed at an interval with the peripheral side surface of the base. A buoyancy chamber is constructed above the inner cavity of the cylindrical body.

10. The salt valve according to claim 9, characterized in that, An installation hole is provided on the top wall of the cylindrical body. One end of the valve plug passes through the inner cavity of the cylindrical body and is installed through the installation hole.

11. The salt valve according to claim 10, characterized in that, An installation convex column is provided on the inner side surface of the top wall of the cylindrical body. The peripheral side surface of the installation convex column is arranged at an interval with the side wall surface of the cylindrical body. The installation hole is provided on the installation convex column. A limiting convex is provided on the side surface of the valve plug, and the limiting convex abuts against the lower end face of the installation convex column.

12. The salt valve according to claim 10, characterized in that, A sealing fixing sleeve is provided at the end of the valve plug, and the sealing fixing sleeve is sealingly connected to the edge of the installation hole.

13. The salt valve according to claim 9, characterized in that, A water passing notch communicating with the water passing space is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical body. At the first sealing position, the upper edge of the water passing notch is lower than the upper edge of the water injection outlet.

14. The salt valve according to claim 1, wherein The base includes a first base body and a second base body which are separately arranged. The first base body and the second base body are hermetically fitted and jointly define the water injection channel. The water injection inlet is provided on the first base body, and the water injection outlet is provided on the second base body.

15. The salt valve according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first base body and the second base body are detachably installed.

16. The salt valve according to claim 15, wherein, One of the first base body and the second base body is provided with a clamping convex, and the other is provided with a clamping hole. The clamping convex is clamped and fixed in the clamping hole.

17. The salt valve according to claim 15, characterized in that, One of the first base body and the second base body is provided with a guiding notch on the end face, and the other is provided with a guiding rib. The guiding rib is slidably inserted into the guiding notch.

18. A water softener, characterized in that, It includes a salt box and the salt valve according to any one of claims 1 to 17. The water injection outlet of the salt valve communicates with the salt box.

19. The water softener according to claim 18, characterized in that, The salt box includes a box body and a salt grid. The salt grid is arranged in the box body to divide the inner cavity of the box body into a placement cavity and a salt cavity. The placement cavity communicates with the salt cavity through the grid holes of the salt grid. The salt valve is arranged in the placement cavity.

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