Distribution valve

Abstract

To provide a distribution valve configured to control a distribution ratio and total flow rate of fluid, and suppress leak when the total flow rate is zero.SOLUTION: A distribution valve which distributes fluid, flowing from an introduction port 15 into a valve body 20, into first and second lead ports, has a peripheral wall part and bottom face part 26a which function as a seal face part for closing the first and second lead ports and the introduction port. In the peripheral wall part, first and second opening parts 23, 24 are formed to successively change opening areas of the first and second lead ports by rotation of the valve body. In the bottom face part, a third opening part is formed to change an opening area of the introduction port within a predetermined range by rotation of the valve body. In the introduction port, a valve seat member 40 including a seal part 43 which comes into contact with the bottom face part for sealing is provided. The valve body rotated to close the introduction port is moved by a cam mechanism toward the valve seat member to come into close contact with the seal part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a distributing valve that controls the distribution of a fluid, and more particularly to a distributing valve that adjusts the distribution ratio and total flow rate of a fluid and has a blocking function that sets the total flow rate to zero. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, hot water supply devices have been used that adjust the temperature by, for example, heating low-temperature clean water in a heating section and mixing the heated high-temperature water with the clean water to supply hot water. The hot water supply device adjusts the temperature of the high-temperature water by controlling the heating capacity of the heating section, and adjusts the temperature of the hot water by adjusting the mixing ratio of the high-temperature water and the clean water.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a mixing valve having a cylindrical valve element with an opening in the peripheral wall and an open bottom, and a valve body that rotatably houses the valve element. The valve body has cold water and hot water inlets formed in the areas corresponding to the peripheral wall of the valve element, and an outlet formed in the area corresponding to the bottom of the valve element. This mixing valve adjusts the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water by rotating the valve element to change the opening position of the peripheral wall, switching to cold water only or hot water only, or closing the cold water and hot water inlets simultaneously. This mixing valve can be used as a mixing valve in a hot water supply device that mixes hot water from a heating unit and water from a bypass passage that bypasses the heating unit.

[0004] On the other hand, there is a type of hot water supply system that uses a distribution valve to distribute clean water to a heating section and a bypass passage that bypasses the heating section, and mixes the high-temperature water from the heating section with the clean water in the bypass passage to supply hot water. In such hot water supply systems, the mixing ratio of the high-temperature water and the clean water is adjusted by adjusting the distribution ratio in the distribution valve. For example, the mixing valve in Patent Document 1 can be used as a distribution valve by using the two outlets as clean water inlets and the cold and hot water inlets as two clean water outlets, i.e., by reversing the flow direction of the fluids.

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes a valve device that has a hollow truncated cone valve body, a body that has an inlet and multiple outlets for a fluid and rotatably houses the valve body, and opens and closes the outlet by changing the positional relationship between the multiple flow path openings formed in the peripheral wall of the valve body and the outlet of the body by rotating the valve body. This valve device ensures sealing by tightly contacting the peripheral wall of the valve body with the body by the supply pressure of the fluid, thereby preventing leakage. It is possible to give the valve body a distribution function by changing the flow path openings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5004674 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-148288 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The water heater has sufficient heating capacity for supplying hot water at a temperature of around 40°C, which is often the case in normal use. However, when a large heating capacity is required to heat low-temperature clean water at around 5°C to supply hot water at a high temperature set at around 60°C, the heating capacity may be insufficient due to the large hot water supply flow rate. In such a case, all of the clean water is supplied to the heating section, and the lack of heating capacity is compensated for by reducing the flow rate of clean water supplied to the water heater, thereby supplying hot water at the set temperature.

[0008] However, the mixing valve of Patent Document 1 does not have a function for adjusting the total flow rate of mixed hot and cold water. Therefore, in a hot water supply device using such a mixing valve as a mixing valve or a distributing valve, it is common to reduce the flow rate of clean water supplied to the hot water supply device by adjusting the flow rate adjustment valve provided downstream of the mixing valve to reduce the hot water supply flow rate. In addition, the valve device of Patent Document 2 uses a cam mechanism to release the contact between the valve body and the main body to facilitate the rotation of the valve body, which reduces the sealing performance when the valve body rotates and causes leakage, making it unsuitable for precise adjustment of the distribution ratio, and difficult to use as a distributing valve that adjusts the distribution ratio by rotating the valve body.

[0009] Meanwhile, facilities such as lodging facilities and hospitals that may use large amounts of hot water at one time use linked hot water systems that are configured by linking multiple hot water heaters together to be able to supply hot water at large flow rates. Linked hot water systems supply hot water by changing the number of hot water heaters that are operated according to the required heating capacity. In this case, a stop valve is installed, for example, at the inlet of the drinking water supply of each hot water heater, and the stop valve of the hot water heater that is not operated is closed, and the number of operating units is changed by opening and closing the stop valve. Since unheated hot water does not flow out from the hot water heater that is not operated, hot water at a set temperature can be supplied.

[0010] In a linked hot water supply system consisting of a hot water supply device using a distributing valve, for example, a stop valve is provided upstream of the distributing valve and a flow control valve is provided downstream, which makes the structure and control of the hot water supply device complicated, and improvements are desired. Therefore, studies are being conducted on providing a flow control mechanism and a blocking mechanism at the inlet of the distributing valve to add a flow control function and a blocking function that function in addition to adjusting the distribution ratio.

[0011] For example, the mixing valve of Patent Document 1 has a flow rate adjustment function and a blocking function, which are added by opening and closing the bottom of the valve body by rotating the valve body. However, even if the inlet is blocked, clean water flows into the sealed part due to the supply pressure of the clean water, causing leakage, and it is difficult to make the total flow rate zero, especially when the supply pressure of the clean water is high. In addition, repeated distribution ratio adjustment, flow rate adjustment, and blocking wear the sealed part, making it easy for gaps to form through which clean water can flow even when the clean water inlet is blocked.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a dispensing valve that is configured to adjust the fluid distribution ratio and total flow rate, while suppressing leakage when the total flow rate is zero. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The distributing valve of the invention of claim 1 comprises a valve body having a first outlet, a second outlet, and an inlet, a cylindrical valve element rotatably fitted into the valve body, and a drive means for rotating the valve element, the valve element having a peripheral wall portion functioning as a sealing surface portion for closing the first outlet and the second outlet, and a bottom surface portion functioning as a sealing surface portion for closing the inlet, the peripheral wall portion is formed with a first opening portion and a second opening portion for continuously changing an opening area of ​​the first outlet and an opening area of ​​the second outlet by rotation of the valve element, and the bottom surface portion is formed with a first opening portion and a second opening portion for continuously changing an opening area of ​​the first outlet and an opening area of ​​the second outlet by rotation of the valve element. a third opening is formed which changes the opening area of ​​the inlet within a predetermined range by rotation of the valve body, and the fluid flowing into the valve body from the inlet is distributed to the first outlet and the second outlet, the inlet is provided with a valve seat member having a seal portion which seals by abutting against the bottom portion, and the valve body has a cam mechanism configured such that when the valve body is rotated to close the inlet, the valve body moves toward the valve seat member and the bottom portion comes into close contact with the seal portion.

[0014] According to the above configuration, a valve seat member having a seal portion that abuts against a bottom surface of the valve body is disposed at the inlet of the distribution valve, which distributes the fluid introduced into the cylindrical valve body from the inlet to the first outlet and the second outlet. When the valve body is rotated so that the bottom surface of the valve body closes the inlet to stop the introduction of the fluid, the valve body moves toward the valve seat member by the cam mechanism, and the bottom surface of the valve body comes into close contact with the seal portion. Therefore, when the valve body is rotated to adjust the distribution ratio, the seal portion does not come into close contact with the bottom surface of the valve body, so that the valve body can be easily rotated, and when the inlet is closed, the seal portion comes into close contact, so that the introduction of the fluid can be stopped.

[0015] The distributing valve of the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the cam mechanism has a first cam mechanism constituted by protrusions provided on a collar member supporting the valve shaft and on the top surface portion of the valve body. According to the above configuration, the first cam mechanism, which is configured to abut the protrusion on the top surface of the valve body against the protrusion on the collar member by rotating, moves the valve body toward the valve seat member when closing the inlet, thereby causing the bottom surface of the valve body to be in close contact with the seal portion of the valve seat member.

[0016] The distributing valve of the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, the cam mechanism has a second cam mechanism composed of a convex portion formed on the bottom of the valve body so as to abut against the bottom portion, and an accommodating portion formed on the bottom portion to accommodate the convex portion in a rotation range where the first cam mechanism functions. According to the above configuration, when the inlet is closed, the second cam mechanism, in which the convex portion of the bottom of the valve body is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the bottom surface of the valve disc, can secure space for moving the valve disc toward the valve seat member. Furthermore, when the valve disc rotates to adjust the distribution ratio, the convex portion of the bottom of the valve body abuts against the bottom surface of the valve disc, thereby preventing the bottom surface of the valve disc from coming into close contact with the seal portion of the valve seat member. Therefore, friction between the bottom surface of the valve disc and the seal portion during rotation to adjust the distribution ratio can be suppressed, and wear and damage to the valve seat member can be suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the distributor of the present invention, the distribution ratio and the total flow rate of the fluid can be adjusted by rotating the valve body, and leakage can be suppressed when the total flow rate is set to zero. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water heater equipped with a distribution valve. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a main part of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the distributing valve of FIG. 2 taken along line IV-IV. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main portion of a distribution valve in a closed state. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram showing an opening of a first outlet of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a diagram showing the opening of a second outlet of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an inlet opening of the distribution valve of FIG. 2. [Figure 12] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the valve disc and the opening areas of a first outlet, a second outlet, and an inlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples. EXAMPLES

[0020] First, a hot water supply system to which a distributing valve of the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device 1 is a combustion-type hot water supply device having a combustion device 2 equipped with a burner, a blower fan, etc., and a heat exchanger 3, and having a heating section that heats clean water in the heat exchanger 3 using the combustion heat generated in the combustion device 2. The hot water supply device 1 has a water supply passage 4 that supplies clean water to the heat exchanger 3, a hot water outlet passage 5 that outputs hot water from the heat exchanger 3, a distribution valve 10 interposed in the water supply passage 4, a bypass passage 6 that branches off from the water supply passage 4 at the distribution valve 10 and is connected to the hot water outlet passage 5, and a control means 7 that controls hot water supply. The distribution valve 10 distributes the clean water supplied to the heat exchanger 3 side and the bypass passage 6 side that bypasses the heating section. The heat exchanger 3 has a latent heat recovery heat exchanger, and the hot water supply device 1 is equipped with a neutralizer 9 that neutralizes and discharges highly acidic drain water formed by condensing moisture contained in the combustion exhaust.

[0021] The hot water outlet passage 5 is equipped with a hot water temperature sensor 8a downstream of the connection with the bypass passage 6. The water supply passage 4 is equipped with a water supply temperature sensor 8b and a water supply flow rate sensor 8c downstream of the distribution valve 10. The control means 7 controls the amount of combustion heat generated by the combustion device 2 and the distribution ratio of the distribution valve 10 based on the temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor 8b and the flow rate detected by the water supply flow rate sensor 8c so that the temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor 8a becomes the set hot water temperature. The flow rate (total flow rate) of clean water introduced to the hot water supply device 1 is calculated from the flow rate detected by the water supply flow rate sensor 8c and the distribution ratio of the distribution valve 10.

[0022] The distribution valve 10 is controlled so that the greater the heating capacity required for hot water supply at the hot water supply setting temperature, the more the distribution to the heat exchanger 3. Also, the distribution valve 10 is controlled so that the total flow rate decreases or becomes zero as necessary.

[0023] Next, the distribution valve 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the distributing valve 10 is equipped with a drive unit 12 (drive means) having, for example, a stepping motor in a valve body 11. Here, the distributing valve 10 is described as being installed in the hot water heater 1 with the drive unit 12 facing upward. Arrows U, F, and L in the figure indicate the upper, front, and left sides of the distributing valve 10, respectively. The position of the distributing valve 10 is appropriately changed depending on the equipment to which it is attached.

[0024] The valve body 11 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a first outlet 13 and a second outlet 14 on the side and an inlet 15 on the bottom. The drive unit 12 is fixed to a mounting plate 16 on the upper part of the valve body 11 by a plurality of fastening members 17. When the distributing valve 10 is interposed in the water supply passage 4, the inlet 15 and the second outlet 14 are connected to the water supply passage 4, and the first outlet 13 is connected to the bypass passage 6. Clean water indicated by an arrow WI introduced upward into the inlet 15 is distributed into clean water supplied from the first outlet 13 to the bypass passage 6 as indicated by an arrow WO1, and clean water supplied from the second outlet 14 to the heat exchanger 3 as indicated by an arrow WO2.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a cylindrical valve body 20 made of, for example, synthetic resin is rotatably inserted into a cylindrical space formed inside the valve body 11. A valve shaft 22, which is concentric with the central axis C of the valve body 20, extends from a top surface portion 21a covering the top surface of the valve body 20 to the outside of the valve body 11. A collar member 30, which rotatably supports the valve shaft 22, is inserted into the valve body 11 together with the valve body 20. The valve body 20 and the collar member 30 are prevented from falling off the valve body 11 by a mounting plate 16 fixed to the valve body 11 by a plurality of fastening members 18. A serration is applied to a part of the valve shaft 22 in order to rotate the valve body 20 via the valve shaft 22 by the drive unit 12 fixed to the mounting plate 16. The internal structure of the drive unit 12 is not shown or described.

[0026] On the top surface 21a of the valve body 20, two protrusions 25a, 25b are formed at different distances from the valve shaft 22, facing each other with the valve shaft 22 in between. Two O-rings 22a are attached to the valve shaft 22 to provide a watertight seal between the valve shaft 22 and the collar member 30. An O-ring 30a is attached to the outer periphery of the collar member 30 to provide a watertight seal between the valve shaft 22 and the valve body 11. The insertion portion 32 of the collar member 30, which is inserted into the mounting plate 16, has an opening 32a through which the valve shaft 22 is inserted, and a rotation restriction portion 33 is formed on the outer periphery of the insertion portion 32 to engage with the mounting plate 16 and prevent the valve shaft 22 from rotating together with the valve body 11.

[0027] At the inlet 15, a valve seat member 40 made of elastic synthetic rubber is inserted into a communicating portion 15a with the inlet 15 at the bottom of the valve body 11. The valve seat member 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 formed in a cylindrical shape, a top surface portion 42, and a seal portion 43 that extends from the top surface portion 42 toward the valve body 20 and seals by abutting against the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20.

[0028] A groove 44 is formed in the top surface portion 42, surrounding the outer periphery of the seal portion 43 along the base end portion of the seal portion 43. The seal portion 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening shape that is approximately fan-shaped, and the introduction port 15 and the internal space of the cylindrical valve body 20 can communicate with each other via the inside of the cylindrical seal portion 43 inserted into the communication portion 15a and the inside of the cylindrical portion 41. In addition, the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 41 and the inner periphery of the introduction port 15 are in close contact with each other, and the outer periphery of the seal portion 43 and the communication portion 15a are in close contact with each other, thereby sealing the gap between the valve seat member 40 and the introduction port 15.

[0029] Next, the valve body 20 will be described. 3 and 5, the valve body 20 is formed by fitting a disk-shaped second valve body 26 having a bottom surface 26a into the open end of a first valve body 21 having a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 21b and a top surface portion 21a. A plurality of key grooves 21c are formed on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 21b of the first valve body 21. A plurality of keys 26b corresponding to the plurality of key grooves 21c of the first valve body 21 are formed in the second valve body 26.

[0030] The first valve body 21 and the second valve body 26 are prevented from rotating relative to each other by the key grooves 21c and the corresponding keys 26b, and are positioned in the circumferential direction, so that the first valve body 21 and the second valve body 26 rotate together. The peripheral wall portion 21b slides against the inner peripheral surface surrounding the side of the space formed in a cylindrical shape inside the valve body 11, and functions as a sealing surface portion that closes the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 of the valve body 11. The bottom surface portion 26a functions as a sealing surface portion that closes the inlet 15 of the valve body 11.

[0031] The first valve body 21 has a first opening 23 on the upper stage side (top surface 21a side) of the peripheral wall portion 21b for communicating the internal space of the valve body 20 with the first outlet 13. The first valve body 21 has a second opening 24 on the lower stage side (open end side) of the peripheral wall portion 21b for communicating the internal space of the valve body 20 with the second outlet 14. The first opening 23 and the second opening 24 are formed so that their axial opening widths (heights) change when they move in the circumferential direction. In addition, the first valve body 21 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 21d that reinforce the peripheral wall portion 21b and the top surface portion 21a and protrude into the internal space. These reinforcing ribs 21d suppress radial and axial deformation of the first valve body 21.

[0032] The second valve body 26 has a plurality of third openings 27 for communicating the internal space of the valve body 20 with the inlet 15. The bottom surface portion 26a has an annular outer peripheral portion and a sector-shaped portion connecting the annular outer peripheral portion and its central portion, and occupies about half of the projected area in the axial direction of the valve body 20. In order to suppress deformation (axial displacement) of the bottom surface portion 26a, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 26c are formed radially on the bottom surface portion 26a on the side facing the internal space of the valve body 20, connecting the annular outer peripheral portion and its central portion. The reinforcing ribs 26c are also formed on the third opening 27. In addition, two storage portions 26d and 26e having inclined surfaces recessed toward the first valve body 21 are formed on a part of the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface portion 26a.

[0033] Next, the collar member 30 will be described. 4 and 6, the collar member 30 has two protrusions 31a, 31b that protrude toward the top surface 21a on the side facing the top surface 21a of the valve body 20. The protrusion 31a is formed to correspond to the protrusion 25a of the valve body 20, and the protrusion 31b is formed to correspond to the protrusion 25b of the valve body 20. These protrusions 31a, 31b face each other across an opening 32a through which the valve shaft 22 is inserted, and each extends concentrically with the valve shaft 22 by a rotation angle of approximately 30 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0034] Next, the cam mechanism of the distributing valve 10 will be described. When the valve body 20 is rotated rightward (clockwise as viewed from above), the protrusions 25a, 25b of the valve body 20 come into contact with the corresponding protrusions 31a, 31b. These protrusions 31a, 31b are formed in an inclined shape such that the protrusion amount increases in the clockwise direction from the side where the protrusions 25a, 25b first come into contact.

[0035] When the protrusions 25a, 25b of the valve element 20 rotated clockwise come into contact with the corresponding inclined protrusions 31a, 31b of the collar member 30 and are then further rotated, the valve element 20 rotates so that the protrusions 25a, 25b slip under the protrusions 31a, 31b. At this time, as shown in Fig. 8, the valve element 20 moves in its axial direction away from the collar member 30 fixed to the valve body 11. In this way, the protrusions 25a, 25b and the protrusions 31a, 31b constitute a first cam mechanism that moves the valve element 20 in its axial direction.

[0036] When the valve body 20 is rotated clockwise, the protrusions 25a, 25b of the valve body 20 are eventually received by the stepped stopper portions 31c, 31d, restricting further rotation and axial movement of the valve body 20. When the valve body 20 is rotated counterclockwise from this state and the protrusions 25a, 25b and the protrusions 31a, 31b are separated, the first cam mechanism does not function. Note that when the valve body 20 is rotated, the protrusions 25b and 31a of the valve body 20 do not interfere with each other because the distances from the valve shaft 22 are different, and the protrusions 25a and 31b of the valve body 20 do not interfere with each other.

[0037] 4 and 7, two hemispherical protrusions 11a and 11b are formed in the inner bottom portion of the valve body 11 near the outer periphery away from the valve seat member 40. When the valve body 20 is rotated, the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20 slides against the two protrusions 11a and 11b, and the seal portion 43 of the valve seat member 40 does not come into close contact with the bottom surface portion 26a, so that the sliding resistance during rotation is small.

[0038] When the valve body 20 is rotated clockwise to activate the first cam mechanism, as shown in FIG. 8, the convex portion 11a is accommodated in the corresponding accommodation portion 26d of the bottom surface portion 26a, and the convex portion 11b (not shown) is accommodated in the corresponding accommodation portion 26e. This ensures a space for the valve body 20 to move toward the valve seat member 40, and the seal portion 43 is pressed against the bottom surface portion 26a to make close contact. When the valve body 20 is rotated counterclockwise from this point, the valve body 20 moves toward the collar member 30 as it rotates due to the abutment of the convex portions 11a and 11b with the inclined surfaces continuing from the accommodation portions 26d and 26e to the bottom surface portion 26a. Then, when the first cam mechanism does not function, the convex portions 11a and 11b are in abutment with the bottom surface portion 26a. In this manner, the convex portions 11a and 11b and the accommodation portions 26d and 26e constitute the second cam mechanism.

[0039] The distributing valve 10 has a cam mechanism, that is, a first cam mechanism on the top surface portion 21a side of the valve body 20 and a second cam mechanism on the bottom surface portion 26a side. Therefore, the axial movement of the valve body 20 is smooth, and when the water flow is stopped, the valve body 20 moves toward the valve seat member 40, so that the bottom surface portion 26a and the seal portion 43 come into close contact with each other.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 9, the first outlet 13 communicates with the internal space of the valve body 20 via a communication portion 13a that opens in a semicircular shape with a straight lower end and a first opening 23 of the valve body 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the second outlet 14 communicates with the internal space of the valve body 20 via a communication portion 14a that opens in a semicircular shape with a straight upper end and a second opening 24 of the valve body 20. As shown in Fig. 11, the introduction port 15 to which the valve seat member 40 is attached communicates with the internal space of the valve body 20 via the inside of the cylindrical portion 41 of the valve seat member 40, the inside of the sector shape of the seal portion 43, and the third opening 27 of the valve body 20.

[0041] By rotating the valve body 20, the opening area of ​​the first opening 23 communicating with the first outlet 13, the opening area of ​​the second opening 24 communicating with the second outlet 14, and the opening area of ​​the third opening 27 communicating with the inlet 15 each change continuously within a predetermined range that has been set in advance. Here, the initial state of the valve body 20 with a rotation angle of 0 degrees is defined as the case where the opening area of ​​the first outlet 13 is maximum as shown in Fig. 9, the opening area of ​​the second outlet 14 is a small predetermined opening area that is not zero as shown in Fig. 10, and the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 is approximately maximum as shown in Fig. 11. The predetermined range is from maximum to zero (closed), and the maximum value of the opening area can be set appropriately.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 12, when the valve body 20 is rotated clockwise from the initial state, the opening area of ​​the first outlet 13 decreases and the opening area of ​​the second outlet 14 increases, but the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 increases slightly and then remains at its maximum. The sum of the opening areas of the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 is set larger than the opening area of ​​the inlet 15, so that the clean water pressure downstream of the distributing valve 10 is lower than that of the upstream side. Then, the opening area of ​​the second outlet 14 reaches its maximum after the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 starts to decrease.

[0043] When the valve body 20 is further rotated, the opening areas of the first outlet 13, the second outlet 14, and the inlet 15 are each reduced. Finally, for example, when rotated clockwise from the initial state by 260 degrees, the first outlet 13, the second outlet 14, and the inlet 15 are blocked to stop water flow, and rotation of 270 degrees or more is restricted. Just before this blocking, the opening area of ​​the first outlet 13 becomes minimum, and then the opening area of ​​the second outlet 14 becomes minimum, and the sum (total) of the opening areas of the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 becomes smaller than the opening area of ​​the inlet 15. For example, when rotated by 259 degrees, the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 is twice the sum of the opening areas of the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14.

[0044] Then, the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 are closed before the inlet 15, and clean water is supplied into the valve body 20 with the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 closed, so that the pressure difference between the clean water on the upstream side and the downstream side of the bottom surface portion 26a is reduced. Since the inlet 15 is closed in a state where the pressure difference is reduced, deformation of the bottom surface portion 26a due to being pressed by the clean water is suppressed, and the adhesion between the bottom surface portion 26a and the seal portion 43 is improved, and leakage is suppressed. In addition, since it is possible to make the bottom surface portion 26a and the seal portion 43 adhere to each other in a state where the sliding resistance between them is smaller than when the pressure difference is not reduced, wear and damage to the seal portion 43 can be suppressed.

[0045] In the initial state, the clean water introduced from inlet 13 is distributed to second outlet 14 on the heat exchanger 3 side at a minimum, with the majority being distributed to first outlet 13 on the bypass passage 6 side. When valve element 20 is rotated clockwise, the clean water distributed to first outlet 13 decreases and the clean water distributed to second outlet 14 increases. In normal hot water supply by hot water supply device 1, valve element 20 is rotated in a region where an increase in one of first outlet 13 and second outlet 14 decreases the other, to adjust the distribution ratio.

[0046] When the heating capacity tends to be insufficient, such as when supplying high-temperature hot water, the valve body 20 is rotated further to reduce the clean water distributed to the first outlet 13 to zero, and all of the clean water introduced from the inlet 13 is supplied to the second outlet 14. When the heating capacity is insufficient because the overall flow rate is large, the valve body 20 is rotated further to reduce the opening area of ​​the inlet 15, thereby restricting the introduction of clean water and reducing the overall flow rate.

[0047] When the hot water supply device 1 is one of the hot water supply devices constituting the linked hot water supply system and corresponds to a hot water supply device that is not operated, the valve body 20 is rotated to close the inlet 15 to make the total flow rate zero. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the valve body 20 is moved toward the valve seat member 40 by the cam mechanism, and the seal portion 43 is brought into close contact with the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20, preventing the inflow of clean water into the valve body 11. In addition, since the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the bottom surface portion 26a is eliminated, the seal portion 43 and the bottom surface portion 26a are more closely contacted. Therefore, the distributing valve 10 has a function of adjusting the total flow rate and a blocking function of making the total flow rate zero in addition to the function of distributing the fluid, so that a flow rate adjustment valve that is usually equipped and a water stop valve that is usually equipped for a linked hot water supply system can be omitted.

[0048] The operation and effects of the above-mentioned distributing valve 10 will now be described. The distributor valve 10 distributes the fluid flowing into the valve body 20 from the inlet 15 to the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14. The distributor valve 10 includes a cylindrical valve body 20 rotatably fitted into the valve body 11, and a drive unit 12 (drive means) for rotating the valve body 20. The valve body 20 has a peripheral wall portion 21b that functions as a seal surface portion for closing the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14, and a bottom surface portion 26a that functions as a seal surface portion for closing the inlet 15. The peripheral wall portion 21b is formed with a first opening 23 and a second opening 24 that continuously change the opening area of ​​the first outlet 13 and the opening area of ​​the second outlet 14 by the rotation of the valve body 20. The bottom surface portion 26a is formed with a third opening 27 that changes the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 within a predetermined range by the rotation of the valve body 20.

[0049] A valve seat member 40 having a seal portion 43 that abuts against the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20 is disposed at the inlet 15 of the distribution valve 10, which distributes the fluid introduced into the cylindrical valve body 20 to the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14. When the valve body 20 is rotated to close the inlet 15 in order to stop the introduction of the fluid, the valve body 20 moves toward the valve seat member 40 by the cam mechanism, and the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20 comes into close contact with the seal portion 43. Therefore, when the valve body 20 is rotated to adjust the distribution ratio, the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20 and the seal portion 43 do not come into close contact with each other, so that the valve body 20 can be easily rotated. Also, when the inlet 15 is closed, the seal portion 43 comes into close contact with each other, so that the introduction of the fluid can be stopped by the distribution valve 10 alone.

[0050] The cam mechanism has a first cam mechanism constituted by protrusions 31a, 31b and protrusions 25a, 25b provided on the collar member 30 supporting the valve shaft 22 and the top surface portion 21a of the valve body 20, respectively. The first cam mechanism has a simple configuration in which the protrusions 25a, 25b of the valve body 20 are brought into contact with the protrusions 31a, 31b of the collar member 30 by rotation, and when the introduction port 15 is closed, the valve body 20 can be moved toward the valve seat member 40, and the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20 can be brought into close contact with the seal portion 43 of the valve seat member 40.

[0051] The cam mechanism has a second cam mechanism composed of convex parts 11a, 11b formed on the bottom of the valve body 11 to abut against the bottom surface part 26a, and accommodation parts 26d, 26e formed on the bottom surface part 26a to accommodate the convex parts 11a, 11b in a rotational region where the bottom surface part 26a and the seal part 43 are in close contact with each other. When the inlet 15 is closed, the second cam mechanism, which has a simple configuration in which the convex parts 11a, 11b on the bottom of the valve body 11 are accommodated in the accommodation parts 26d, 26e on the bottom surface part 26a of the valve body 20, can secure a space for moving the valve body 20 toward the valve seat member 40. When the valve body 20 that adjusts the distribution ratio is rotated, the convex parts 11a, 11b on the bottom of the valve body 11 abut against the bottom surface part 26a of the valve body 20, and function to prevent the bottom surface part 26a of the valve body 20 from being in close contact with the seal part 43 of the valve seat member 40. Therefore, friction between the bottom surface portion 26a and the seal portion 43 when the valve element 20 that adjusts the distribution ratio rotates can be suppressed, and wear and damage to the valve seat member 40 can be suppressed.

[0052] The distribution valve 10 can be applied to devices other than the hot water supply device 1, and the fluid may be other than clean water. In addition, a person skilled in the art can implement the present invention in a form in which various modifications are added to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention includes such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1: Hot water supply equipment 3: Heat exchanger 4:Water supply passage 5: Hot water passage 6: Bypass passage 7: Control means 10: Distribution valve 11: Valve body 11a, 11b: protruding portion 12: Drive unit (drive means) 13:1st outlet 14:Second outlet 15: Entrance 16: Mounting plate 20: Valve body 21: First valve body 21a: Top section 21b: Peripheral wall part 22: Valve stem 23: First opening 24: Second opening 25a, 25b: Protrusion 26: Second valve body 26a: Bottom part 26d, 26e: Storage section 27: Third opening 30: Colored parts 31a, 31b: Protrusion 40: Valve seat material 41: Cylindrical part 42:Top section 43: Seal part 44: Groove

Claims

1. a valve body having a first outlet, a second outlet, and an inlet, a cylindrical valve element rotatably fitted into the valve body, and a drive means for rotating the valve element via a valve stem extending from a top surface of the valve element, the valve element having a peripheral wall portion functioning as a sealing surface portion for closing the first outlet and the second outlet, and a bottom surface portion functioning as a sealing surface portion for closing the inlet, the peripheral wall portion having a first opening and a second opening which continuously change an opening area of ​​the first outlet and an opening area of ​​the second outlet as the valve element rotates, and the bottom surface portion having a third opening which changes an opening area of ​​the inlet within a predetermined range as the valve element rotates, a valve seat member having a seal portion that seals by contacting the bottom surface portion is disposed at the inlet; A distributing valve comprising: a cam mechanism configured such that, when the valve body is rotated to close the inlet, the valve body moves toward the valve seat member and the bottom portion comes into close contact with the seal portion.

2. 2. The distributing valve according to claim 1, wherein the cam mechanism includes a first cam mechanism constituted by protrusions provided on a collar member supporting the valve stem and on the top surface of the valve body.

3. The distributing valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the cam mechanism has a second cam mechanism constituted by a convex portion formed on the bottom of the valve body so as to abut against the bottom portion, and an accommodating portion formed on the bottom portion to accommodate the convex portion in a rotational range where the bottom portion and the seal portion are in close contact with each other.

Images