Constant-temperature regulating valve

Abstract

The utility model discloses a constant-temperature regulating valve, which belongs to the technical field of valves, and comprises a valve body, a valve core, a valve core, a valve core, a valve core, a valve core and a valve core, the valve element is arranged in the liquid channel and comprises a head portion and a tail portion which are oppositely arranged, the head portion is located between the hot water inlet and the water outlet, a liquid passing portion is arranged on the head portion, and the tail portion abuts against the cold water inlet; and the memory alloy spring is positioned at the water outlet and is arranged between the head part and the tail part. Compared with the prior art, the constant-temperature regulating valve is suitable for high-temperature media, and is sensitive in regulation and accurate in temperature control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of valve technology, and in particular relates to a thermostatic regulating valve. Background Technology

[0002] Thermostatic valves are widely used in industrial and civil applications. Their basic function is to allow two media to enter—one high-temperature and one low-temperature—to mix within the valve body and then flow out at a constant temperature from the drain outlet. The unique feature of thermostatic valves is that even if the inflow temperature and pressure of the high- and low-temperature media change, the temperature of the outflowing medium remains constant.

[0003] In practical applications, many scenarios place special demands on thermostatic valves. For example, in beverage brewing machines, the outlet water temperature typically needs to be set at around 95℃ to meet the brewing requirements of most coffee beverages. However, when brewing other teas or coffees, the thermostatic temperature needs to be fine-tuned within a certain range to adapt to the brewing requirements of different drinks. This application scenario requires the thermostatic valve to primarily handle high-temperature media in most situations, only adding a small amount of low-temperature media to maintain a constant system temperature when the high-temperature media overheats.

[0004] However, existing thermostatic valve technology has some problems and limitations in these application scenarios. On the one hand, many thermostatic valves have a slow response speed to temperature changes and low control accuracy, failing to meet the requirements of temperature-sensitive processes, thus affecting product quality and production efficiency. On the other hand, existing thermostatic valves have poor adaptability; when faced with different diameters, water pressures, flow rates, and temperature requirements, it is often necessary to replace the entire valve, which undoubtedly increases usage costs and maintenance workload. Utility Model Content

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a thermostatic regulating valve that is suitable for high-temperature media and has sensitive adjustment and precise temperature control.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is:

[0007] This utility model provides a thermostatic regulating valve, comprising:

[0008] The valve body has a liquid passage and is provided with a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and an outlet connected to the liquid passage;

[0009] The valve core is disposed in the liquid channel and includes a head and a tail disposed opposite to each other. The head is located between the hot water inlet and the outlet, and the head is provided with a liquid passage. The tail abuts against the cold water inlet.

[0010] A shape memory alloy spring is located at the water outlet and positioned between the head and the tail.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a return spring, disposed within the liquid channel and located on the side of the head opposite to the shape memory alloy spring.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a temperature regulating element, which is at least partially located within the liquid passage and abuts against the side of the return spring opposite to the valve core.

[0013] Furthermore, the head is provided with a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the valve stem of the valve core, the protrusions abutting against the cavity wall of the liquid channel, and a liquid passage is formed between two adjacent protrusions.

[0014] Furthermore, from the valve stem to the cavity wall, the diameter of the liquid passage gradually increases.

[0015] Furthermore, the tail is conical and at least partially protrudes into the cold water inlet.

[0016] Furthermore, the thermostatic regulating valve includes a constant temperature state and an over-temperature state. In the constant temperature state, the hot water inlet is normally open, and the cold water inlet is normally closed by abutting against the tail. In the over-temperature state, the shape memory alloy spring is stretched to push the valve core to move away from the cold water inlet, so that there is a liquid passage gap between the tail and the cold water inlet.

[0017] Furthermore, under the constant temperature condition, the distance between the head and the hot water inlet is defined as the first distance, and the distance by which the shape memory alloy spring stretches and pushes the valve core to move is defined as the second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

[0018] Furthermore, the diameter of the cold water inlet is smaller than the diameter of the hot water inlet.

[0019] Furthermore, the temperature regulating component includes an adjusting end and an abutting end. The abutting end extends into the liquid channel and is provided with a sealing ring between itself and the cavity wall of the liquid channel. The adjusting end is at least partially exposed outside the valve body and is threadedly connected to the valve body.

[0020] The beneficial technical effects of this utility model are:

[0021] This utility model's thermostatic regulating valve, by placing a shape memory alloy spring close to the water outlet, allows for precise sensing and rapid response to the outlet water temperature. The shape memory alloy spring's location at the outlet ensures direct contact with the incoming mixed water, thus achieving precise temperature control. By positioning the valve core head between the hot water inlet and outlet, and including a liquid-passing section on the head, hot water can flow directly from the liquid-passing section to the outlet, increasing the water flow rate. This ensures that under normal operating conditions, hot water flows smoothly through the liquid-passing section of the valve core head directly to the outlet, reducing the residence time of hot water within the valve body and improving water output efficiency. By abutting the tail of the valve core against the cold water inlet, the cold water inlet is normally closed at room temperature. It only opens when the shape memory alloy spring is heated and elongates, pushing the valve core away from the inlet, allowing cold water to flow in and regulate the mixed water temperature. This ensures the cold water inlet remains closed when temperature regulation is not needed, preventing unnecessary cold water inflow, thus saving water resources and improving energy efficiency. This thermostatic regulating valve requires no external power supply or complex control signals; it achieves constant temperature regulation solely through the mechanical action of the shape memory alloy spring and valve core. Its simple and compact structure offers high reliability and stability. To adapt to different diameters, water pressures, flow rates, and temperature requirements, the basic mechanism of the thermostatic regulating valve does not need to be changed; only the shape memory spring and return spring need to be replaced, resulting in low cost and easy operation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a thermostatic regulating valve conforming to a preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a thermostatic control valve;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the valve core structure.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] Thermostatic regulating valve 100, valve body 10, liquid channel 11, hot water inlet 12, cold water inlet 13, outlet 14, valve core 20, head 21, tail 22, liquid passage 23, valve stem 24, protrusion 25, shape memory alloy spring 30, return spring 40, temperature regulating component 50. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0028] Please see Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model provides a thermostatic regulating valve 100, which is applied in scenarios where high-temperature media are the main components, such as coffee brewing machines and central heating systems. The thermostatic regulating valve 100 includes a valve body 10, a valve core 20, and a shape memory alloy spring 30.

[0029] The valve body 10 is made of a corrosion-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, and wear-resistant metallic or non-metallic material. A hollow liquid channel 11 is provided inside the valve body 10 for liquid flow. A hot water inlet 12, a cold water inlet 13, and a water outlet 14 connected to the liquid channel 11 are provided on the valve body 10.

[0030] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the valve core 20 is disposed in the liquid channel 11 and can slide in the liquid channel 11, thereby changing the temperature of the mixed water in the liquid channel 11 by changing the position of the valve core 20.

[0031] The valve core 20 includes a head 21 and a tail 22 disposed opposite to each other. The head 21 is located between the hot water inlet 12 and the outlet 14, and the tail 22 abuts against the cold water inlet 13. In other words, the valve core 20 is mainly located near the cold water inlet 13, while having a large gap between it and the hot water inlet 12. This arrangement provides a large flow channel space between the hot water inlet 12 and the outlet 14, allowing hot water to flow from the hot water inlet 12 to the outlet 14 with less resistance. This design ensures that when temperature regulation is not required, hot water can quickly and smoothly pass through the valve body 10 and flow directly out of the outlet 14, improving the water output speed and efficiency. Because the valve core 20 is close to the cold water inlet 13, the injection of cold water is more sensitive and precise, enabling fine adjustments to the mixed water temperature and further improving the accuracy of temperature control. Furthermore, this arrangement also makes the overall thermostatic control valve 100 more compact, saving installation space.

[0032] Furthermore, the head 21 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 25 extending outward from the valve stem 24 of the valve core 20. The protrusions 25 abut against the cavity wall of the liquid channel 11, and the surface of the protrusions 25 abutting against the cavity wall is an arc-shaped surface that matches the cavity wall, thereby reducing the friction between the head 21 and the cavity wall and improving the sliding performance of the valve core 20 in the liquid channel 11.

[0033] A liquid-passing section 23 is formed between two adjacent protrusions 25. That is, a liquid-passing section 23 is provided on the head 21. By providing the liquid-passing section 23, hot water can flow directly from the liquid-passing port to the outlet 14, increasing the water flow rate and ensuring that, under normal operating conditions, hot water can smoothly flow directly from the liquid-passing section 23 of the valve core 20 head 21 to the outlet 14, reducing the residence time of hot water in the valve body 10 and improving the water flow efficiency.

[0034] Furthermore, the diameter of the liquid-passing section 23 gradually increases from the valve stem 24 to the cavity wall. This arrangement allows hot water to gradually diffuse and distribute evenly as it flows through the valve core 20 head 21 to the outlet 14, reducing turbulence and resistance, and further improving water flow speed and efficiency. Simultaneously, this design also helps achieve more stable water flow control under different flow rate requirements, ensuring the uniformity of the mixed water temperature.

[0035] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the tail portion 22 is conical and at least partially protrudes into the cold water inlet 13. This configuration ensures that the cold water inlet 13 is normally closed at room temperature. It only opens when the shape memory alloy spring 30 is heated and elongates, pushing the valve core 20 away from the cold water inlet 13, allowing cold water to be injected to regulate the mixed water temperature. This ensures that the cold water inlet 13 remains closed when temperature regulation is not required, preventing unnecessary cold water inflow, thus saving water resources and improving energy efficiency.

[0036] Furthermore, the conical tail 22 makes the contact surface between the valve core 20 and the cold water inlet 13 an inclined surface, preferably an arc-shaped inclined surface. When the temperature of the outlet 14 is too high, when the shape memory alloy spring 30 drives the valve core 20 to move away from the cold water inlet 13, the conical tail 22 fits more tightly with the cold water inlet 13, achieving precise adjustment of the cold water injection, rapid response to temperature changes, and fine adjustment of the mixed water temperature, further improving the accuracy of temperature control.

[0037] The shape memory alloy spring 30 is made of an alloy material with shape memory effect. Its grains are austenitic at high temperatures, with high shear modulus and elastic modulus; and martensitic at low temperatures, with lower shear modulus and elastic modulus. The elastic force of the shape memory alloy spring 30 is several times greater at high temperatures than at low temperatures. Therefore, the shape memory alloy spring 30 can sense the external temperature and thus make a driving response.

[0038] Because the shape memory alloy spring 30 has a force sensitivity of up to 0.1℃ to water temperature, meaning it can respond to a temperature difference of 0.1℃, and its response speed to rapid changes in water temperature is as high as 0.2 seconds, the shape memory alloy spring 30 is positioned at the outlet 14 in the thermostatic regulating valve 100 of this invention. This allows the shape memory alloy spring 30 to directly contact the temperature of the mixed water to be discharged, enabling precise sensing and rapid response to the outlet water temperature, thereby achieving accurate control of the outlet water temperature.

[0039] Furthermore, a shape memory alloy spring 30 is disposed between the head 21 and the tail 22. That is, the shape memory alloy spring 30 is disposed close to the water outlet 14 and the cold water inlet 13. By distributing the shape memory alloy spring 30 close to the water outlet 14, it can directly contact the mixed water that is about to be discharged, thereby achieving precise control of the water outlet temperature.

[0040] Furthermore, the thermostatic regulating valve 100 also includes a return spring 40. The return spring 40 is disposed within the liquid channel 11 and located on the side of the head 21 opposite to the shape memory alloy spring 30. That is, the return spring 40 and the shape memory alloy spring 30 are respectively located on both sides of the head 21 of the valve core 20. By providing the return spring 40, when the temperature of the mixed water decreases, the return spring 40 can push the valve body 10 to move closer to the cold water outlet 14, thereby allowing the tail 22 of the valve core 20 to block the cold water inlet 13.

[0041] Furthermore, the hot water inlet 12 and outlet 14 are located on the upper and lower sides of the valve body 10, while the cold water inlet 13 is located on the left or right side of the valve body 10. That is, the hot water inlet 12 and the cold water inlet 13 are arranged at an angle. This arrangement allows hot water to flow in from the hot water inlet 12 on the upper side of the valve body 10, and directly flow through the liquid passage 23 of the valve core 20 head 21 to the outlet 14 on the lower side of the valve body 10, forming a relatively straight main channel. This reduces the detour and stagnation of hot water within the valve body 10, and improves the flow rate and water output efficiency. Cold water is injected from the cold water inlet 13 on the side of the valve body 10. When needed, it is added laterally to the flow of hot water to mix with the hot water. This allows the two media to mix quickly and evenly within the valve body 10, improving mixing efficiency and avoiding direct impact and interference between the two media when they flow into the valve body 10. This helps reduce turbulence and eddies in the water flow, lowers water flow noise, and also improves the valve's sealing performance and operational stability.

[0042] Furthermore, the diameter of the cold water inlet 13 is smaller than that of the hot water inlet 12, so that hot water can flow into the liquid channel 11 at a larger flow rate, while the cold water inlet is smaller, thereby enabling finer flow rate regulation and improving the accuracy of temperature control.

[0043] Furthermore, the thermostatic control valve 100 also includes a temperature regulating element 50, which is at least partially located within the liquid passage 11 and abuts against the side of the return spring 40 opposite to the valve core 20. By providing the temperature regulating element 50, the user can flexibly adjust the set temperature of the thermostatic control valve 100 according to actual needs, significantly improving the valve's versatility and adaptability. Specifically, when the user rotates the temperature regulating element 50, the force balance between the return spring 40 and the shape memory alloy spring 30 can be changed, thereby achieving precise temperature settings. This design allows the same thermostatic control valve 100 to be applied to various different scenarios, meeting diverse temperature control needs and greatly enhancing the applicability and flexibility of the equipment.

[0044] Furthermore, the temperature regulating component 50 includes an adjusting end and an abutting end. The abutting end extends into the liquid channel 11 and directly abuts against the return spring 40, allowing the force to be directly transmitted to the return spring 40, reducing force loss. A sealing ring is provided between the temperature regulating component 50 and the cavity wall of the liquid channel 11 to effectively prevent liquid leakage. The adjusting end is at least partially exposed outside the valve body 10 and is threadedly connected to the valve body 10. This allows for convenient manual adjustment by the user; rotating the adjusting end precisely changes the compression of the return spring 40, thereby adjusting the constant temperature setting to meet the temperature requirements of different scenarios.

[0045] The thermostatic regulating valve 100 includes a constant temperature state and an over-temperature state. In the constant temperature state, the hot water inlet 12 is normally open, and the cold water inlet 13 is normally closed by abutting against the tail section 22. This ensures that hot water, after being injected into the valve body 10, immediately flows out from the outlet 14. In the over-temperature state, the shape memory alloy spring 30 senses the temperature increase and stretches to push the valve core 20 away from the cold water inlet 13, creating a liquid-passing gap between the tail section 22 and the cold water inlet 13. This allows for the appropriate injection of cold water, causing the temperature of the mixed water to drop. When the temperature of the mixed water drops below the target temperature, the elasticity of the shape memory alloy spring 30 decreases, and the return spring 40 can push the valve core 20 to close the cold water inlet 13, thereby increasing the temperature of the mixed water.

[0046] Furthermore, under the constant temperature condition, the distance between the head 21 and the hot water inlet 12 is defined as the first distance, and the distance by which the shape memory alloy spring 30 stretches and pushes the valve core 20 to move is defined as the second distance, where the first distance is greater than the second distance. With this configuration, when the shape memory alloy spring 30 pushes the valve core 20 towards the hot water inlet 12, it cannot obstruct the hot water inlet 12, thus keeping the hot water inlet 12 in a normally open state.

[0047] In summary, the thermostatic regulating valve 100 of this utility model, by placing the shape memory alloy spring 30 close to the outlet 14, can accurately sense and quickly respond to the outlet water temperature using the shape memory alloy spring 30. The shape memory alloy spring 30 is located at the outlet 14, allowing it to directly contact the mixed water about to be discharged, thereby achieving precise control of the outlet water temperature. By placing the head 21 of the valve core 20 between the hot water inlet 12 and the outlet 14, and providing a liquid passage 23 on the head 21, hot water can flow directly from the liquid passage to the outlet 14, increasing the water flow rate. This ensures that under normal operating conditions, hot water can smoothly flow directly to the outlet 14 through the liquid passage 23 of the valve core 20 head 21, reducing the residence time of hot water in the valve body 10 and improving water flow efficiency. By abutting the tail 22 of the valve core 20 against the cold water inlet 13, the cold water inlet 13 is normally closed at room temperature. It only opens when the shape memory alloy spring 30 is heated and elongates, pushing the valve core 20 away from the cold water inlet 13, allowing cold water to be injected to regulate the mixed water temperature. This ensures that the cold water inlet 13 remains closed when temperature regulation is not required, preventing unnecessary cold water inflow, thus saving water resources and improving energy efficiency. The thermostatic regulating valve 100 of this invention requires no external power supply or complex control signals; it achieves thermostatic regulation solely through the mechanical action of the shape memory alloy spring 30 and the valve core 20. It features a simple and compact structure with high reliability and stability. When adapting to different diameters, water pressures, flow rates, and temperature requirements, the basic mechanism of the thermostatic regulating valve 100 does not need to be changed; only the shape memory alloy spring 30 and the return spring 40 need to be replaced, resulting in low cost and simple operation.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A thermostatic regulating valve, characterized in that, include: The valve body has a liquid passage and is provided with a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and an outlet connected to the liquid passage; The valve core is disposed in the liquid channel and includes a head and a tail disposed opposite to each other. The head is located between the hot water inlet and the outlet, and the head is provided with a liquid passage. The tail abuts against the cold water inlet. A shape memory alloy spring is located at the water outlet and positioned between the head and the tail.

2. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a return spring, which is disposed within the liquid channel and located on the side of the head opposite to the shape memory alloy spring.

3. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature regulating element, which is at least partially located within the liquid passage and abuts against the side of the return spring opposite to the valve core.

4. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The head is provided with a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the valve stem of the valve core. The protrusions abut against the cavity wall of the liquid channel, and a liquid passage is formed between two adjacent protrusions.

5. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, From the valve stem to the cavity wall, the diameter of the liquid passage gradually increases.

6. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tail is conical and at least partially protrudes into the cold water inlet.

7. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermostatic regulating valve includes a constant temperature state and an over-temperature state. In the constant temperature state, the hot water inlet is normally open, and the cold water inlet is normally closed by abutting against the tail. In the over-temperature state, the shape memory alloy spring is stretched to push the valve core to move away from the cold water inlet, so that there is a liquid passage gap between the tail and the cold water inlet.

8. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, Under the constant temperature condition, the distance between the head and the hot water inlet is defined as the first distance, and the distance that the shape memory alloy spring stretches and pushes the valve core to move is defined as the second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

9. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the cold water inlet is smaller than the diameter of the hot water inlet.

10. The thermostatic regulating valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature regulating component includes an adjusting end and an abutting end. The abutting end extends into the liquid channel and is provided with a sealing ring between itself and the cavity wall of the liquid channel. The adjusting end is at least partially exposed outside the valve body and is threadedly connected to the valve body.

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