Hot and cold water mixing device

Abstract

To provide a hot and cold water mixing device capable of reducing sliding resistance when a valve body slides relative to a valve case while maintaining performance to block communication between a water-side gap and a hot-water-side gap between the valve body and the valve case.SOLUTION: A hot and cold water mixing device of the present invention comprises: a valve body that moves in an axial direction to adjust an inflow amount of water from a water-side flow path and an inflow amount of hot water from a hot water-side flow path; a valve case covering an outer peripheral side of the valve body; and an annular hot and cold water partition member disposed between an outer peripheral surface of the valve body and an inner peripheral surface of the valve case to partition a gap therebetween into a water-side gap communicating with the water-side flow path and a hot water-side gap communicating with the hot water-side flow path. A groove portion accommodating the hot and cold water partition member is provided in at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, and the hot and cold water partition member, under a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the hot water-side gap, closely contacts a side wall of the groove portion and closely contacts only one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case without closely contacting the other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a hot and cold water mixing device including a water side flow path through which water is supplied from a water supply source, a hot water side flow path through which hot water is supplied from a hot water supply source, and a valve body that is cylindrical and arranged to be movable in the axial direction, and the valve body can adjust the inflow amount of water from the water side flow path and the inflow amount of hot water from the hot water side flow path by moving in the axial direction.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 5, the outer peripheral side of the valve body 130 is covered by a valve case 140, and a groove portion 145 for accommodating an O-ring 150 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 140. An elastically deformable O-ring 150 is accommodated in the groove portion 145, and the O-ring 150 partitions a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 130 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 140 into a water side gap 151 communicating with the water side flow path and a hot water side gap 152 communicating with the hot water side flow path.

[0004] And when a differential pressure is generated between the water side gap 151 and the hot water side gap 152, as shown in FIG. 6, the O-ring 150 adheres to one side wall of the groove portion 145 and also adheres to both the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 130 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 140. Thereby, the communication between the water side gap 151 and the hot water side gap 152 is surely blocked (see FIGS. 3 and 4 of Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, while the state of the O-ring 150 as shown in FIG. 6 is sufficiently effective for the purpose of blocking communication, there is a demerit in that the sliding resistance is high when, for example, sliding the valve body 130 with respect to the valve case 140 for temperature control operation.

[0007] The present invention was devised based on the above findings. An object of the present invention is to provide a hot and cold water mixing device capable of reducing the sliding resistance when sliding the valve body with respect to the valve case while maintaining the performance of blocking the communication between the water-side gap and the hot-water-side gap between the valve body and the valve case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing device, comprising: a water-side flow path through which water is supplied from a water supply source; a hot-water-side flow path through which hot water is supplied from a hot water supply source; a valve body which is cylindrical and arranged to be movable in the axial direction, and which can adjust the inflow amount of water from the water-side flow path and the inflow amount of hot water from the hot-water-side flow path by moving in the axial direction; a valve case covering the outer peripheral side of the valve body; and an annular hot and cold water partitioning member arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case for partitioning the gap therebetween into a water-side gap communicating with the water-side flow path and a hot-water-side gap communicating with the hot-water-side flow path, wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case is provided with a groove portion for accommodating the hot and cold water partitioning member, and the hot and cold water partitioning member is in close contact with the side wall of the groove portion in a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the hot-water-side gap, and is in close contact with only one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, and is not in close contact with the other.

[0009] According to the present invention, in a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the steam-side gap, the annular steam-water partition member is in close contact with the side wall of the groove portion and also in close contact with one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, so that the performance of blocking the communication between the water-side gap and the steam-side gap is maintained. And, while being so, since the annular steam-water partition member is not in close contact with the other of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case (at the time of filing the present application, a state of contacting to such an extent that no sliding resistance is generated is included in the present invention), the sliding resistance when sliding the valve body with respect to the valve case can be reduced.

[0010] Further, it is preferable that the steam-water partition member is separated from the other of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case in a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the steam-side gap.

[0011] In this case, the sliding resistance when sliding the valve body with respect to the valve case can be reduced more clearly and surely.

[0012] Further, the groove portion is provided only on one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, and the steam-water partition member is in close contact with only the one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case where the groove portion is not provided in a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the steam-side gap, and is not in close contact with the one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case where the groove portion is provided.

[0013] The mode in which the groove portion is provided only on one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case can not only suppress the cost for forming the groove portion, but also eliminate the need for aligning the positions of both grooves compared to the case where they are provided on both sides, and the assemblability is improved.

[0014] In particular, the groove portion is provided only on the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, and it is preferable that the hot and cold water partitioning member is in close contact only with the outer peripheral surface of the valve body in a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the hot-water-side gap, and is not in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve case.

[0015] According to the findings of the present inventor, when this aspect is adopted, the annular hot and cold water partitioning member (usually made of an elastic member or an elastomer member (for example, an O-ring)) is mounted in a state of being stretched from its natural length and is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the valve body by its own elastic force. Conversely, if an attempt is made to bring it into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, it is necessary to insert it in a state where its outer diameter is reduced from its natural length. In this case, there is a high possibility that the annular hot and cold water partitioning member shrinks in a distorted state, making it difficult to achieve close contact over the entire circumference and resulting in inferior communication cutoff performance.

[0016] Furthermore, the groove portion is configured such that in the atmosphere-open state in which the hot and cold water partitioning member is accommodated and the water stop plug is closed (a state in which no differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the hot-water-side gap), there is an axial clearance in the axial direction, and it is preferable that the axial clearance is smaller than the movement stroke of the valve body.

[0017] The presence of the axial clearance enables the annular hot and cold water partitioning member to move sufficiently quickly when it is subjected to a differential pressure, and enables the communication cutoff performance to be exhibited quickly. On the other hand, if the axial clearance is excessive (equal to or greater than the movement stroke of the valve body), the state in which the annular hot and cold water partitioning member is not in close contact with either side wall of the groove portion will become longer, making it difficult to effectively exhibit the communication cutoff performance.

[0018] Furthermore, the groove portion is configured such that in the atmosphere-open state in which the hot and cold water partitioning member is accommodated and the water stop plug is closed (a state in which no differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap and the hot-water-side gap), there is a radial clearance in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and it is preferable that the radial clearance is smaller than the axial clearance.

[0019] Due to the presence of a radial clearance, when the annular hot and cold water partition member is subjected to a differential pressure, it can move and deform sufficiently quickly, and can quickly exhibit the communication cutoff performance. On the other hand, if the radial clearance is too large (equal to or greater than the axial clearance), the pressure difference between both sides of the sealing material will escape through the radial clearance, and the annular hot and cold water partition member will not be able to efficiently receive the differential pressure.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable that the axial clearance is smaller than the radial gap between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case on the outer side in the axial direction of the groove portion.

[0021] With such an axial clearance of this size, the annular hot and cold water partition member can receive the differential pressure sufficiently quickly and can effectively exhibit the communication cutoff performance.

[0022] Also, it is preferable that the radial gap is smaller than the movement stroke.

[0023] As a result, the amount of water that can pass through the water side gap is smaller than the amount of water flowing from the water side flow path into the valve body, and the amount of hot water that can pass through the hot water side gap is likely to be smaller than the amount of hot water flowing from the hot water side flow path into the valve body. That is, even when the communication cutoff performance of the annular hot and cold water partition member is lost for some reason, the degree to which the temperature control function is inhibited by the water passing through the water side gap and / or the hot water passing through the hot water side gap can be reduced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, in a state where a differential pressure is generated between the water side gap and the hot water side gap, while being in close contact with the side wall of the groove portion and in close contact with one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, the performance of blocking the communication between the water side gap and the hot water side gap is maintained. And, while being so, since it is not in close contact with the other of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, the sliding resistance when sliding the valve body with respect to the valve case can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] (Configuration) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hot and cold water mixing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment is connected to a water supply faucet 1 (an example of a water supply source) and a hot water supply faucet 2 (an example of a hot water supply source) installed on a wall such as a bathroom, etc., and a water discharge port 3 is provided in the center, a temperature control handle 4 is provided on the left side, and a flow control handle 5 is provided on the right side. Although not shown, the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment is also connected to a shower head.

[0028] The user can adjust the water discharge temperature as desired by rotating the temperature control handle 4. Further, the user can adjust the amount of water discharged as desired by rotating the flow control handle 5, and can also switch between the shower head / faucet.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view around the O-ring of FIG. 3.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment includes a water-side flow path 10 to which water is supplied from a water faucet 1 and a hot water-side flow path 20 to which hot water is supplied from a hot water faucet 2, and a substantially cylindrical valve body 30 is arranged to be movable in the axial direction.

[0031] The valve body 30 is connected and fixed to a central shaft 31. On the other hand, the central shaft 31 is supported by a rotating shaft 4s of a temperature control handle 4 via a threaded portion 32. Thereby, with the rotation operation of the temperature control handle 4 (that is, the rotating shaft 4s), the seating surface of the stainless steel coil spring 33 moves in the axial direction, and the valve body 30 moves in the axial direction (in the left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3) by the spring force of the stainless steel coil spring 33. Due to this movement, the inflow amount of water from the water-side flow path 10 and the inflow amount of hot water from the hot water-side flow path 20 change, and thereby temperature control is achieved.

[0032] Also, to stabilize the temperature control, the central shaft 31 and the valve body 30 are biased to the right by a stainless steel coil spring 33 from the left side, while being biased to the left by a shape memory alloy (SMA) coil spring 34 (the force to expand becomes stronger when the temperature becomes high) from the right side. Thereby, when the temperature of the mixed water becomes low, the SMA coil spring 34 shrinks more, and the valve body 30 moves to the right, so that the inflow amount of hot water from the hot water-side flow path 20 increases at this time. Conversely, when the temperature of the mixed water becomes high, the SMA coil spring 34 expands, and the valve body 30 moves to the left, so that the inflow amount of water from the water-side flow path 10 increases at this time.

[0033] The outer peripheral side of the valve body 30 is covered by a valve case 40. In this embodiment, a groove 45 for accommodating an O-ring 50 (an example of an annular hot and cold water partition member) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40 (in another embodiment, grooves may be provided alternatively or additionally on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30). An elastically deformable rubber or resin O-ring 50 is accommodated in the groove 45, and the O-ring 50 partitions the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40 into a water-side gap 51 communicating with the water-side flow path 10 and a hot-water-side gap 52 communicating with the hot-water-side flow path 20.

[0034] When a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap 51 and the hot-water-side gap 52, the O-ring 50 adheres to the side wall of the groove 45 (either one side in the axial direction) and also adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30 (an example of one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case), thereby blocking the communication between the water-side gap 51 and the hot-water-side gap 52.

[0035] Moreover, while this is the case, the O-ring 50 is configured not to adhere to the inner peripheral surface (the surface facing the inner peripheral side) of the groove 45 of the valve case 40 when a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap 51 and the hot-water-side gap 52. This reduces the sliding resistance when the valve body 30 is slid relative to the valve case 40.

[0036] In the case of this embodiment, the O-ring 50 is configured to maintain a state of being separated from the inner peripheral surface (the surface facing the inner peripheral side) of the groove 45 of the valve case 40 when a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap 51 and the hot-water-side gap 52.

[0037] Regarding the detailed dimension example, the groove portion 45 is in a state where the O-ring 50 is accommodated and in the atmosphere open state with the water stop plug closed (no differential pressure is generated between the water side gap 51 and the hot water side gap 52, so the O-ring 50 is not deformed), and there is an axial clearance AC in the axial direction. For example, the axial clearance AC is 0.2 mm to 1 mm, which is smaller than the movement stroke of the valve body 30 (e.g., 0.5 mm to 2 mm) based on the operation of the temperature control handle 4, and is also smaller than the radial gap G (e.g., 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm) between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30 outside the groove portion 45 (in the region where the groove portion 45 does not exist) and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40 (furthermore, the radial gap G is smaller than the movement stroke of the valve body 30).

[0038] Furthermore, the groove portion 45 is in a state where the O-ring 50 is accommodated and in the atmosphere open state with the water stop plug closed (no differential pressure is generated between the water side gap 51 and the hot water side gap 52, so the O-ring 50 is not deformed), and there is a radial clearance RC in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. For example, the radial clearance RC is 0 mm to 0.5 mm, which is smaller than the axial clearance AC.

[0039] Regarding the size of the O-ring 50, for example, those with an outer diameter of 10 to 50 mm, an inner diameter of 9 to 49 mm, and a height (cross-sectional diameter) of 1 to 3 mm can be adopted.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, the amount of water that can pass through the water side gap 51 is smaller than the amount of water flowing from the water side flow path 10 into the valve body 30, and the amount of hot water that can pass through the hot water side gap 52 is smaller than the amount of hot water flowing from the hot water side flow path 20 into the valve body 30.

[0041] (Function and effect) According to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment as described above, with a differential pressure existing between the water-side gap 51 and the hot water-side gap 52, the O-ring 50 is in close contact with the side wall of the groove portion 45 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30. Thereby, the performance of blocking the communication between the water-side gap 51 and the hot water-side gap 52 is maintained. And, while being so, since the O-ring 50 does not adhere to the inner peripheral surface (the surface facing the inner peripheral side) of the groove portion 45 of the valve case 40, the sliding resistance when sliding the valve body 30 with respect to the valve case 40 is reduced.

[0042] Also, according to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, with a differential pressure existing between the water-side gap 51 and the hot water-side gap 52, the O-ring 50 is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the groove portion 45 of the valve case 40. Thereby, the sliding resistance when sliding the valve body 30 with respect to the valve case 40 is more clearly and surely reduced.

[0043] Also, according to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, the groove portion 45 is provided only on the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40 and not on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30. In this way, according to the mode in which the groove portion is provided only on one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, not only can the cost for forming the groove portion be suppressed, but also alignment of the two grooves is not required compared to the case where they are provided on both sides, and the assemblability is improved.

[0044] In particular, according to the findings of the present inventor, when the groove portion 45 is provided only on the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40 as in the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, the O-ring 50 is mounted in a state stretched from its natural length and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the valve body by its own elastic force, so the communication blocking performance is good. (Conversely, if it is attempted to make it adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40, it is necessary to insert it in a state where its outer diameter is reduced from the natural length, and there is a high possibility that the annular hot and cold water partition member shrinks in a distorted state, it is difficult to make it adhere over the entire circumference, and the communication blocking performance is inferior.)

[0045] Moreover, according to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, the groove portion 45 is in a state of accommodating the O-ring 50 and in an air-open state with the water stop valve closed (no differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap 51 and the hot-water-side gap 52, and thus the O-ring 50 is not deformed), and an axial clearance AC exists in the axial direction such that the axial clearance AC is smaller than the movement stroke of the valve body 30. The existence of such an axial clearance AC enables the O-ring 50 to receive the differential pressure sufficiently quickly and effectively exhibit the communication cutoff performance.

[0046] Moreover, according to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, the groove portion 45 is in a state of accommodating the O-ring 50 and in an air-open state with the water stop valve closed (no differential pressure is generated between the water-side gap 51 and the hot-water-side gap 52, and thus the O-ring 50 is not deformed), and a radial clearance RC exists in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction such that the radial clearance RC is smaller than the axial clearance AC. The existence of such a radial clearance RC also enables the O-ring 50 to receive the differential pressure sufficiently quickly and effectively exhibit the communication cutoff performance.

[0047] Moreover, according to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, the axial clearance AC is smaller than the radial gap G between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 40 outside the groove portion 45. The existence of the axial clearance AC having such a feature enables the O-ring 50 to receive the differential pressure sufficiently quickly and effectively exhibit the communication cutoff performance.

[0048] Moreover, according to the hot and cold water mixing device 100 of the present embodiment, the radial gap G is smaller than the movement stroke of the valve body 30, the amount of water that can pass through the water-side gap 51 is smaller than the amount of water flowing from the water-side flow path 10 into the valve body 30, and the amount of hot water that can pass through the hot water-side gap 52 is smaller than the amount of hot water flowing from the hot water-side flow path 20 into the valve body. Thus, even if the communication cutoff performance of the O-ring 50 is lost for some reason, the degree to which the temperature control function is inhibited by the water passing through the water-side gap 51 and / or the hot water passing through the hot water-side gap 52 is reduced.

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 1 Water faucet 2 Hot water faucet 3 Water discharge port 4 Temperature control handle 4s Rotating shaft 5 Flow control handle 10 Water-side flow path 20 Hot water-side flow path 30 Valve body 31 Central shaft 32 Threaded portion 33 Stainless steel coil spring 34 SMA coil spring 40 Valve case 45 Groove portion 50 O-ring 51 Water-side gap 52 Hot water-side gap 100 Hot and cold water mixing device 130 Valve body 140 Valve case 145 Groove portion 150 O-ring 151 Water-side gap 152 Hot water-side gap AC Axial clearance RC Radial clearance G Radial gap

Claims

1. In a hot and cold water mixing device, a water-side flow path through which water is supplied from a water supply source, a hot water-side flow path through which hot water is supplied from a hot water supply source, a valve body that is cylindrical and arranged to be movable in the axial direction, and the valve body is capable of adjusting the inflow rate of water from the water-side flow path and the inflow rate of hot water from the hot water-side flow path by moving in the axial direction, a valve case that covers the outer peripheral side of the valve body, an annular hot and cold water partition member that is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case and partitions the gap between the two into a water-side gap communicating with the water-side flow path and a hot water-side gap communicating with the hot water-side flow path, comprising: at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case is provided with a groove portion for accommodating the hot and cold water partition member, the hot and cold water partition member is in close contact with the side wall of the groove portion in a state where a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap and the hot water-side gap, and is in close contact with only one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, and is not in close contact with the other of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case A hot and cold water mixing device characterized by the above.

2. The hot and cold water partition member is separated from the other of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case in a state where a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap and the hot water-side gap. The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The groove portion is provided on only one of the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, the hot and cold water partition member is in close contact with only the side where the groove portion is not provided among the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case in a state where a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap and the hot water-side gap, and is not in close contact with the side where the groove portion is provided among the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The groove portion is provided only on the inner peripheral surface of the valve case, the hot and cold water partition member is in close contact with only the outer peripheral surface of the valve body in a state where a differential pressure exists between the water-side gap and the hot water-side gap, and is not in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve case The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. In the open - atmosphere state where the water - and - steam partition member is accommodated in the groove portion and the water - stop plug is closed, there is an axial clearance in the axial direction, and the axial clearance is smaller than the movement stroke of the valve body. The hot - and - cold - water mixing device according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. In the open - atmosphere state where the water - and - steam partition member is accommodated in the groove portion and the water - stop plug is closed, there is a radial clearance in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the radial clearance is smaller than the axial clearance. The hot - and - cold - water mixing device according to claim 5, characterized by the above.

7. The axial clearance is smaller than the radial gap between the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case outside the groove portion. The hot - and - cold - water mixing device according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The radial gap is smaller than the movement stroke. The hot - and - cold - water mixing device according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

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