Piston-type multi-way valve and water softener

Abstract

This application discloses a piston-type multi-way valve and a water softener, comprising: a housing having a cavity, a first guide hole, and a second guide hole, the first guide hole communicating with the cavity; a sealing piston movably disposed within the cavity; a drive mechanism disposed on the housing; and a movable component having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion slidably passing through the first guide hole and connected to the sealing piston, the second connecting portion being connected to the output end of the drive mechanism and slidably inserted into the second guide hole. By providing the first and second guide holes on the housing, the first connecting portion of the movable component slides within the first guide hole, and the second connecting portion of the movable component slides within the second guide hole, forming a dual-point cooperative guiding structure. This effectively limits the radial sway of the movable component during long-distance reciprocating motion, ensuring the straightness and stability of its motion trajectory, and improving the motion stability of the movable component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of water treatment technology, and in particular to a piston-type multi-way valve and a water softener. Background Technology

[0002] The piston-type multi-way valve is the core component of a water softener that enables water flow switching. It controls the opening and closing of each pipeline by driving the reciprocating motion of the moving parts and the sealed piston through the drive mechanism, thereby ensuring that the water softener can achieve the softening function and the resin regeneration function.

[0003] In the prior art (such as patent CN209322521U), multi-way valves typically employ an electric drive mechanism to move moving parts. The power output shaft of the electric drive mechanism engages with the guide groove at the left end of the moving part via an eccentric wheel. When the eccentric wheel rotates, it drives the moving part to move left and right through the guide groove, thereby driving the sealing piston to move left and right.

[0004] However, the above structure has a significant drawback: the guidance of the moving parts relies solely on a single guide hole in the cylindrical housing, resulting in insufficient stability of the moving parts and affecting the switching accuracy of the piston-type multi-way valve. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a piston-type multi-way valve and a water softener to solve the problem of insufficient stability of moving parts in related technologies. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a piston-type multi-way valve, comprising:

[0007] A housing having a cavity, a first guide hole, and a second guide hole, wherein the first guide hole communicates with the cavity and the second guide hole communicates with the first guide hole;

[0008] A sealing piston, which is movably disposed within the cavity;

[0009] A drive mechanism, the drive mechanism being disposed on the housing; and

[0010] The movable component has a first connecting part and a second connecting part. The first connecting part is slidably inserted through the first guide hole and is connected to the sealing piston. The second connecting part is connected to the output end of the drive mechanism. The movable component can move with the output end of the drive mechanism. The second connecting part is slidably inserted into the second guide hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the housing is further provided with a first guide portion, which is located on the top wall and / or bottom wall of the second guide hole;

[0012] The top and / or bottom walls of the second connecting part are provided with a second guide part, and the second guide part is slidably engaged with the corresponding first guide part.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first guide portion includes a first guide groove, and the second guide portion includes a guide protrusion, the guide protrusion being slidably inserted into the first guide groove.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing includes:

[0015] The shell body has the cavity and a first mounting port, the first mounting port communicating with the cavity, and the first mounting port allowing the sealing piston to enter and exit the cavity; and

[0016] A support component is provided separately from the shell body. The support component is connected to the shell body and covers the first mounting opening. The support component has a first guide hole and a second guide hole.

[0017] In one embodiment, the support member has a second mounting port on the side opposite to the shell body, the second mounting port communicating with the second guide hole, and the second mounting port allowing the movable member to enter and exit the second guide hole.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second connecting portion has a second guide groove;

[0019] The drive mechanism includes:

[0020] An electric motor, the electric motor being mounted on the support member; and

[0021] An eccentric wheel is connected to the eccentric shaft of the motor. The eccentric wheel is movably engaged with the second guide groove. The eccentric wheel can move within the second guide groove as the eccentric shaft of the motor rotates, thereby driving the movable component to move.

[0022] In one embodiment, the eccentric wheel is provided with a third connecting part, which is connected to the eccentric shaft of the motor;

[0023] The second connecting part has a clearance opening on the side near the motor. The clearance opening is connected to the second guide groove. The clearance opening is for the third connecting part to pass through, and the diameter of the clearance opening is smaller than the outer diameter of the eccentric wheel.

[0024] The support component has a third mounting port on the side near the motor. The third mounting port is connected to the second guide hole, and the third mounting port allows the third connecting part to enter and exit the second guide hole.

[0025] In one embodiment, the housing further includes:

[0026] A cover body is disposed on the support member, the cover body covers the third mounting opening, the cover body has a third guide hole, and the third connecting part rotatably passes through the third guide hole.

[0027] In one embodiment, the support member is provided with a positioning part, which is adapted to the end of the cavity near the first mounting port.

[0028] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a water softener, including the aforementioned piston-type multi-way valve.

[0029] The advantages or beneficial effects of the above technical solutions include at least the following:

[0030] This invention relates to a piston-type multi-way valve. By providing a first guide hole and a second guide hole on the housing, the first connecting part of the moving component slides within the first guide hole, and the second connecting part of the moving component slides within the second guide hole, forming a dual-point cooperative guiding structure. This effectively limits the radial runout of the moving component during long-distance reciprocating motion, ensuring the straightness and stability of its motion trajectory, and improving the motion stability of the moving component, thereby enhancing the switching accuracy of the piston-type multi-way valve. Secondly, due to the enhanced motion stability of the moving component, the sliding of the sealing piston on the inner wall of the housing is more uniform, avoiding the problem of increased local friction caused by runout, significantly reducing the wear rate of the sealing piston, and extending the overall service life of the piston-type multi-way valve. Thirdly, the dual-guide hole structure makes the force on the moving component more balanced, reducing mechanical interference or jamming caused by uneven movement, ensuring the stability and reliability of the water softener when switching between softening and resin regeneration functions. In addition, this piston-type multi-way valve only adds a second guide hole to the existing multi-way valve structure, requiring no complex modifications, with mature manufacturing processes, controllable costs, and easy promotion and application.

[0031] The above overview is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features of this application will become readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0032] In the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals throughout the various drawings denote the same or similar parts or elements. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood that these drawings depict only some embodiments disclosed in this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the piston-type multi-way valve of this utility model from a first-view perspective.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the piston-type multi-way valve of this utility model from a second perspective.

[0035] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the piston-type multi-way valve of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the supporting component in this utility model from a first-view perspective.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the supporting component in this utility model from a second perspective.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the movable component in this utility model from a first-view perspective.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the movable component in this utility model from a second perspective.

[0040] Figure Labels

[0041] 1. Shell; 11. Shell body; 111. Cavity; 112. First mounting port; 12. Support component; 121. First guide hole; 122. Second guide hole; 123. First guide part; 124. Second mounting port; 125. Third mounting port; 126. Positioning part; 127. First support part; 128. Second support part; 13. Cover; 131. Third guide hole; 2. Sealing piston; 3. Drive mechanism; 31. Motor; 32. Eccentric wheel; 33. Third connecting part; 4. Moving part; 41. First connecting part; 42. Second connecting part; 421. Second guide part; 422. Second guide groove; 423. Clearance opening. Detailed Implementation

[0042] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered to be exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0043] See Figures 1-7 This invention illustrates a preferred embodiment of a piston-type multi-way valve, comprising:

[0044] The housing 1 has a cavity 111, a first guide hole 121 and a second guide hole 122, the first guide hole 121 is connected to the cavity 111 and the second guide hole 122 is connected to the first guide hole 121;

[0045] Sealing piston 2 is movably disposed within cavity 111;

[0046] Drive mechanism 3, drive mechanism 3 is mounted on housing 1; and

[0047] The movable component 4 is provided with a first connecting part 41 and a second connecting part 42. The first connecting part 41 is slidably inserted through the first guide hole 121 and is connected to the sealing piston 2. The second connecting part 42 is connected to the output end of the drive mechanism 3. The movable component 4 can move with the output end of the drive mechanism 3. The second connecting part 42 is slidably inserted into the second guide hole 122.

[0048] The piston-type multi-way valve of this utility model, by providing a first guide hole 121 and a second guide hole 122 on the housing 1, allows the first connecting part 41 of the movable part 4 to slide within the first guide hole 121 and the second connecting part 42 of the movable part 4 to slide within the second guide hole 122, forming a dual-point cooperative guiding structure. This effectively limits the radial sway of the movable part 4 during long-distance reciprocating motion, ensuring the straightness and stability of its motion trajectory, and improving the motion stability of the movable part 4, thereby enhancing the switching accuracy of the piston-type multi-way valve; secondly, due to the enhanced motion stability of the movable part 4, the valve is more precise. The sliding of the sealing piston 2 on the inner wall of the housing 1 is more uniform, avoiding the problem of increased local friction caused by sway, significantly reducing the wear rate of the sealing piston 2, and extending the overall service life of the piston-type multi-way valve. Secondly, the double guide hole structure makes the force on the moving part 4 more balanced, reducing mechanical interference or jamming caused by uneven movement, and ensuring the stability and reliability of the water softener when switching between softening and resin regeneration functions. In addition, this piston-type multi-way valve only adds a second guide hole 122 to the existing multi-way valve structure, without complicated modifications, with mature manufacturing process, controllable cost, and easy promotion and application.

[0049] In one embodiment, the diameter of the second guide hole 122 is larger than the diameter of the first guide hole 121, and correspondingly, the outer diameter of the second connecting part 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the first connecting part 41. Thus, by increasing the diameter of the second guide hole 122 and the corresponding outer diameter of the second connecting part 42, the overall structural strength and anti-sway capability of the moving part 4 are enhanced, allowing the second connecting part 42 to provide more stable auxiliary support within the second guide hole 122, while ensuring that the first connecting part 41 can still provide precise guidance. This optimizes motion stability and avoids excessive constraint, thereby improving the operational reliability of the piston-type multi-way valve while also considering structural rationality and process feasibility.

[0050] See Figures 1-2 In one embodiment, the housing 1 is further provided with a first guide portion 123, which is located on the top wall and / or bottom wall of the second guide hole 122.

[0051] The top and / or bottom wall of the second connecting part 42 is provided with a second guide part 421, which is slidably engaged with the corresponding first guide part 123. By providing the first guide part 123 on the top and / or bottom wall of the second guide hole 122 and providing the second guide part 421 that is slidably engaged with it at the corresponding position of the second connecting part 42, a precise bidirectional guiding structure is formed, which further enhances the radial constraint and motion stability of the moving part 4, effectively prevents swaying and jamming, and maintains smooth movement, thereby improving the working accuracy and reliability of the piston-type multi-way valve and extending the service life of the seals.

[0052] See Figures 1-2 In one embodiment, the first guide portion 123 includes a first guide groove, and the second guide portion 421 includes a guide protrusion, which is slidably inserted into the first guide groove. The sliding engagement between the first guide groove and the guide protrusion forms a precise linear guide structure, effectively constraining the movement trajectory of the moving part 4, enhancing radial stability, and reducing frictional loss. Simultaneously, it simplifies the assembly process and improves structural reliability, thereby ensuring the accuracy and durability of the multi-way valve switching action.

[0053] Of course, in other embodiments, the first guide portion 123 may include a guide protrusion, and the second guide portion 421 may include a first guide groove.

[0054] See Figures 1-3 In one embodiment, the housing 1 includes:

[0055] The shell body 11 has a cavity 111 and a first mounting port 112, the first mounting port 112 communicating with the cavity 111, and the first mounting port 112 allowing the sealing piston 2 to enter and exit the cavity 111; and

[0056] The support component 12 is separately configured from the housing body 11. The support component 12 is connected to the housing body 11 and covers the first mounting port 112. The support component 12 has a first guide hole 121 and a second guide hole 122. This separate design of the housing body 11 and support component 12, with the support component 12 covering the first mounting port 112 and integrating the first guide hole 121 and the second guide hole 122, facilitates the assembly and maintenance of the sealing piston 2, ensures the machining accuracy of the guide structure, enhances the overall structural rigidity, and optimizes the stress distribution, thereby improving the assembly convenience, movement stability, and long-term reliability of the multi-way valve.

[0057] See Figure 3In one embodiment, the support member 12 has a second mounting port 124 on the side opposite to the housing body 11. The second mounting port 124 communicates with the second guide hole 122, allowing the movable member 4 to enter and exit the second guide hole 122. Thus, by providing the second mounting port 124 on the support member 12, convenient disassembly and maintenance of the movable member 4 are achieved, while maintaining the structural integrity of the second guide hole 122. This optimizes assembly processability and ensures guiding accuracy, thereby improving the maintainability of the multi-way valve without affecting its movement stability and operational reliability.

[0058] See Figure 7 In one embodiment, the second connecting portion 42 has a second guide groove 422;

[0059] See Figures 1-3 The drive mechanism 3 includes:

[0060] Motor 31, motor 31 is mounted on support member 12; and

[0061] An eccentric wheel 32 is connected to the eccentric shaft of the motor 31. The eccentric wheel 32 is movably engaged with the second guide groove 422. The eccentric wheel 32 can move within the second guide groove 422 as the eccentric shaft of the motor 31 rotates, thereby driving the movable part 4 to move. In this way, the motor 31 drives the eccentric wheel 32 to rotate, and the eccentric wheel 32 can slide within the second guide groove 422, thus pushing the movable part 4 to move. The movement of the movable part 4 drives the sealing piston 2 to move. By directly engaging the eccentric wheel 32 of the motor 31 with the second guide groove 422 of the movable part 4, a compact and efficient transmission structure is formed. The sliding of the eccentric wheel 32 within the second guide groove 422 achieves precise power transmission and stroke control, which simplifies the transmission chain structure and improves energy conversion efficiency. At the same time, the constraint effect of the second guide groove 422 enhances motion stability, thereby ensuring the reliability of the piston-type multi-way valve while achieving a more optimized spatial layout and lower energy consumption.

[0062] Of course, in other embodiments, the drive mechanism 3 can also be a linear drive mechanism 3 such as an electric push rod, a cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0063] See Figure 3 In one embodiment, the eccentric wheel 32 is provided with a third connecting part 33, which is connected to the eccentric shaft of the motor 31.

[0064] The second connecting part 42 has a clearance opening 423 on the side near the motor 31. The clearance opening 423 is connected to the second guide groove 422. The clearance opening 423 allows the third connecting part 33 to pass through, and the diameter of the clearance opening 423 is smaller than the outer diameter of the eccentric wheel 32.

[0065] The support component 12 has a third mounting port 125 on the side near the motor 31. The third mounting port 125 connects to the second guide hole 122, and the third mounting port 125 allows the third connecting part 33 to enter and exit the second guide hole 122. By setting a cooperative structure of the clearance port 423 and the third mounting port 125, it is not only convenient for the third connecting part 33 of the eccentric wheel 32 to connect with the eccentric shaft of the motor 31, but also ensures that the moving part 4 maintains a stable fit with the eccentric wheel 32 during movement. At the same time, the limiting design of the clearance port 423 prevents the eccentric wheel 32 from dislodging, and the third mounting port 125 enables convenient disassembly and maintenance. Thus, while ensuring the transmission stability and operational reliability of the piston-type multi-way valve, it significantly improves the ease of assembly and maintenance efficiency.

[0066] See Figures 1-3 In one embodiment, the housing 1 further includes:

[0067] A cover 13 is mounted on the support component 12, covering the third mounting port 125. The cover 13 has a third guide hole 131, through which the third connecting part 33 rotatably passes. By adding the cover 13 structure to close the third mounting port 125 and providing the third guide hole 131 to provide rotational support for the third connecting part 33, a complete motion constraint system is formed. This effectively prevents external contaminants from entering and affecting transmission accuracy, and further stabilizes the motion trajectory of the eccentric wheel 32 through the third guide hole 131, while maintaining ease of assembly. Thus, while improving the environmental adaptability and long-term operational stability of the multi-way valve, it also takes into account maintenance convenience and structural compactness.

[0068] See Figure 4 In one embodiment, the support member 12 is provided with a positioning part 126, which is adapted to the end of the cavity 111 near the first mounting port 112. The positioning part 126 enables precise positioning and assembly of the support member 12 and the end of the cavity 111 of the shell body 11, ensuring that the first guide hole 121 and the second guide hole 122 are precisely aligned with the movement axis of the sealing piston 2 and the moving part 4, thereby improving the overall assembly accuracy, movement coordination and working reliability of the multi-way valve.

[0069] See Figure 5 In one embodiment, the support member 12 is provided with two first support portions 127 and two second support portions 128. The two first support portions 127 are respectively placed on opposite sides of the third mounting port 125 along the moving direction perpendicular to the sealing piston 2, and the two second support portions 128 are respectively placed on opposite sides of the third mounting port 125 along the moving direction perpendicular to the sealing piston 2. The first support portions 127 and the second support portions 128 are spaced apart along the moving direction of the sealing piston 2, and the height dimension of the first support portion 127 is greater than the height dimension of the second support portion 128.

[0070] The housing of motor 31 is mounted on top of the two first support parts 127, and the housing of motor 31 is connected to the first support parts 127.

[0071] The cover 13 is mounted on two second support parts 128, and the cover 13 is connected to the second support parts 128. In this way, by setting the first support parts 127 and the second support parts 128 at different heights to form a stepped support structure, a stable installation foundation is provided for the motor 31 housing, and a reasonable assembly space is created for the cover 13. At the same time, the symmetrically distributed first support parts 127 are designed to evenly bear the vibration load of the motor 31 during operation, thereby ensuring the structural rigidity and operational stability of the multi-way valve drive system while achieving a compact layout and reliable fixation of the motor 31 and the cover 13.

[0072] In one embodiment, the housing of the motor 31 is connected to the first support 127 by first fasteners such as screws, bolts, and rivets. Similarly, the cover 13 is connected to the second support 128 by second fasteners such as screws, bolts, and rivets.

[0073] A preferred embodiment of this utility model provides a water softener, including the aforementioned piston-type multi-way valve.

[0074] The water softener of this utility model, by employing the aforementioned piston-type multi-way valve, also utilizes a first guide hole 121 and a second guide hole 122 on the housing 1. This allows the first connecting part 41 of the movable component 4 to slide within the first guide hole 121 and the second connecting part 42 of the movable component 4 to slide within the second guide hole 122, forming a dual-point cooperative guiding structure. This effectively limits the radial sway of the movable component 4 during long-distance reciprocating motion, ensuring the straightness and stability of its motion trajectory, and improving the motion stability of the movable component 4, thereby enhancing the switching accuracy of the piston-type multi-way valve. Secondly, due to the movement of the movable component 4... The stability is enhanced, and the sliding of the sealing piston 2 on the inner wall of the housing 1 is more uniform, avoiding the problem of increased local friction caused by sway, significantly reducing the wear rate of the sealing piston 2, and extending the overall service life of the piston-type multi-way valve. Secondly, the dual guide hole structure makes the force on the moving part 4 more balanced, reducing mechanical interference or jamming caused by uneven movement, ensuring the stability and reliability of the water softener when switching between softening and resin regeneration functions. In addition, this piston-type multi-way valve only adds a second guide hole 122 to the existing multi-way valve structure, without complicated modifications, with mature manufacturing process, controllable cost, and easy promotion and application.

[0075] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of those different embodiments or examples.

[0076] 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 technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0077] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these should all be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A piston-type multi-way valve characterized by, include: A housing having a cavity, a first guide hole, and a second guide hole, wherein the first guide hole communicates with the cavity and the second guide hole communicates with the first guide hole; A sealing piston, which is movably disposed within the cavity; A drive mechanism, the drive mechanism being disposed on the housing; and The movable component has a first connecting part and a second connecting part. The first connecting part is slidably inserted through the first guide hole and is connected to the sealing piston. The second connecting part is connected to the output end of the drive mechanism. The movable component can move with the output end of the drive mechanism. The second connecting part is slidably inserted into the second guide hole.

2. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing is further provided with a first guide portion, which is located on the top wall and / or bottom wall of the second guide hole; The top and / or bottom walls of the second connecting part are provided with a second guide part, and the second guide part is slidably engaged with the corresponding first guide part.

3. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 2, wherein The first guide portion includes a first guide groove, and the second guide portion includes a guide protrusion, the guide protrusion being slidably inserted into the first guide groove.

4. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 1, wherein The housing includes: The shell body has the cavity and a first mounting port, the first mounting port communicating with the cavity, and the first mounting port allowing the sealing piston to enter and exit the cavity; and A support component is provided separately from the shell body. The support component is connected to the shell body and covers the first mounting opening. The support component has a first guide hole and a second guide hole.

5. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 4, wherein The supporting component has a second mounting port on the side opposite to the shell body. The second mounting port is connected to the second guide hole, and the second mounting port allows the movable component to enter and exit the second guide hole.

6. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second connecting part has a second guide groove; The drive mechanism includes: An electric motor, the electric motor being mounted on the support member; and An eccentric wheel is connected to the eccentric shaft of the motor. The eccentric wheel is movably engaged with the second guide groove. The eccentric wheel can move within the second guide groove as the eccentric shaft of the motor rotates, thereby driving the movable component to move.

7. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The eccentric wheel is provided with a third connecting part, which is connected to the eccentric shaft of the motor; The second connecting part has a clearance opening on the side near the motor. The clearance opening is connected to the second guide groove. The clearance opening is for the third connecting part to pass through, and the diameter of the clearance opening is smaller than the outer diameter of the eccentric wheel. The support component has a third mounting port on the side near the motor. The third mounting port is connected to the second guide hole, and the third mounting port allows the third connecting part to enter and exit the second guide hole.

8. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing also includes: A cover body is disposed on the support member, the cover body covers the third mounting opening, the cover body has a third guide hole, and the third connecting part rotatably passes through the third guide hole.

9. The piston-type multi-way valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support component is provided with a positioning part, which is adapted to the end of the cavity near the first mounting port.

10. A water softener, characterized in that, The piston-type multi-way valve includes any one of claims 1-9.

Images