Distribution valve

Abstract

To provide a distribution valve that can suppress wear of a seal member caused by a closing function.SOLUTION: A distribution valve (10) comprises a valve main body (11) having first and second outlets (13, 14) and an inlet (15), a cylindrical valve element (20) rotatably fitted into the valve main body, and drive means (12) for rotating the valve element. The valve element has a peripheral wall portion (21b), which functions as a seal face portion for closing the first and second outlets, and a bottom surface portion (26a), which functions as a seal face portion for closing the inlet. The peripheral wall portion is formed with first and second opening portions (23, 24) that change opening areas of the first and second outlets with rotation of the valve element. The bottom surface portion is formed with a third opening portion (27) that changes an opening area of the inlet with rotation of the valve element. The distribution valve distributes fluid from the inlet to the first and second outlets. A seal member (40) having a lip portion (43) for close contact to the bottom surface portion is fitted into the inlet. The lip portion has a thickened portion (43b) having a part that faces the third opening portion immediately before an opening area of the inlet becomes zero with rotation of the valve element and is thicker than other parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a distributing valve for controlling the distribution of a fluid, and more particularly to a distributing valve having a function for adjusting the distribution ratio of a fluid, a flow rate adjusting function for adjusting the total flow rate, and a closing function for setting the total flow rate to zero. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, hot water heaters have been used that heat low-temperature clean water using a heating unit that utilizes combustion heat, and then adjust the temperature by mixing this heated high-temperature water with the clean water. The hot water heater adjusts the temperature of the high-temperature water by controlling the heating capacity of the heating unit, 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 its peripheral wall and an open bottom, and a valve body that rotatably houses the valve element. The valve body has inlets for two fluids, such as cold water and hot water, at locations corresponding to the peripheral wall of the valve element, and an outlet at a location corresponding to the bottom of the valve element.

[0004] The mixing valve of Patent Document 1 adjusts the mixing ratio of the fluids introduced from the two inlets by changing the opening area of ​​the peripheral wall relative to the two inlets through the rotation of the valve body. Such a mixing valve can be used in a water heater as a mixing valve that mixes heated high-temperature water and unheated tap water.

[0005] Some water heaters use a distribution valve to distribute supplied clean water between a heating section and a bypass passage that bypasses the heating section, and supply hot water by mixing the high-temperature water heated in the heating section with the unheated clean water in the bypass passage. In such water heaters, 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 outlet as a clean water inlet and the two inlets as two clean water outlets, i.e., by reversing the fluid flow direction.

[0006] In a water heater with a distribution valve, when heating low-temperature clean water (for example, around 5°C) to provide hot water at a high temperature (around 60°C), the flow rate of the hot water may be large and the heating capacity may be insufficient. In such a case, by supplying all of the clean water to the heating section and reducing the flow rate of the clean water supplied to the water heater, the total flow rate is reduced, but hot water at the set temperature can be provided.

[0007] However, the mixing valve of Patent Document 1, or a distributing valve that reverses the flow direction of this mixing valve, does not have a function to adjust the total flow rate of the mixed hot and cold water, nor a shut-off function to set the total flow rate to zero. Therefore, in hot water heaters that use a mixing valve or distributing valve to mix high-temperature water and low-temperature water, it is common to install an on-off valve with a shut-off function at the water supply port of the hot water heater, and adjust the total flow rate with a flow adjustment valve installed downstream of the mixing valve or distributing valve.

[0008] Meanwhile, the present applicant has already proposed a distributing valve with a flow rate adjustment function and a closing function (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-181621). This distributing valve has a cylindrical valve body with a peripheral wall portion having openings corresponding to two outlets and a bottom surface portion having an opening corresponding to an inlet. By rotating the valve body, the opening areas of the two outlets and the inlet are changed to adjust the distribution ratio and total flow rate, thereby realizing the distribution ratio adjustment function, flow rate adjustment function, and closing function.

[0009] At this time, to prevent fluid leakage, a seal member must be attached to the bottom surface of the rotating valve body to seal it. The seal member is formed in a cylindrical shape, such as the packing in Patent Document 2, and clean water that flows through the cylindrical seal member is introduced into the valve body through an opening in the bottom surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4933855 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 02-031963 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, the seal member that is in close contact with the bottom surface of the valve disc inevitably wears out as the valve disc rotates. Wear can progress particularly quickly due to the closing function. Therefore, a gap may form between the seal member and the bottom surface after long-term use, potentially reducing the closing function.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing valve that can suppress wear of a sealing member caused by the closing function. [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 via a valve stem extending from a top surface of the valve element, wherein the valve element has 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, and the peripheral wall portion has first and second openings for continuously changing the opening area of ​​the first outlet and the opening area of ​​the second outlet by the rotation of the valve element. a third opening formed in the bottom surface which changes the opening area of ​​the inlet within a predetermined range by rotation of the valve body, and a distributing valve which distributes fluid flowing into the valve body from the inlet to the first outlet and the second outlet, wherein a sealing member having a lip portion for adhering to the bottom surface is fitted into the inlet, and the lip portion has a thickened portion which is formed thicker than other portions at a portion facing the third opening just before the opening area of ​​the inlet becomes zero by rotation of the valve body.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the distributor valve distributes fluid introduced into the cylindrical valve body from the inlet to the first outlet and the second outlet. The distribution ratio and total flow rate are adjusted by rotating the valve body. A cylindrical seal member is disposed at the inlet, abutting the bottom surface of the valve body. This seal member has a lip portion that fits tightly against the bottom surface of the valve body. A thickened portion is formed on the lip portion, facing the third opening of the valve body just before the opening area of ​​the inlet becomes zero. The thickened portion is less likely to deform while maintaining its sealing properties. Therefore, when the valve body is rotated to reduce the opening area of ​​the inlet, the thickened portion is less likely to get caught in the third opening, thereby suppressing wear due to the closing function. Furthermore, the thickened portion increases the amount of wear that can be tolerated to maintain sealing properties, improving the durability of the distributor valve.

[0015] The distributing valve of the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the sealing member is movable in the axial direction of the valve body, and is pressed toward the valve body by the supply pressure of the fluid acting on the inlet, so that the lip portion is in close contact with the bottom surface portion. According to the above configuration, the seal member moves toward the valve body under the supply pressure of the fluid, and the lip portion comes into close contact with the bottom surface of the valve body. Therefore, even if the lip portion wears, the lip portion can be kept in close contact with the bottom surface, improving the durability of the distributing valve.

[0016] The distributing valve of the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the bottom surface portion has a bar extending circumferentially so as to divide the third opening so as to abut against the thickened portion when the opening area of ​​the inlet is minimum. According to the above configuration, when the opening area of ​​the inlet is reduced by rotating the valve body, the thickened portion is likely to be drawn into the third opening by the fluid flowing into the third opening, but the circumferentially extending bar provided on the third opening can prevent the thickened portion from being drawn in. Therefore, when the opening area of ​​the inlet is reduced by rotating the valve body, the thickened portion of the lip is even less likely to be drawn into the third opening, and wear on the lip can be reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the distributing valve of the present invention, wear of the sealing member caused by the closing function can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a water heater equipped with a distribution valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a main part of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the distributing valve of FIG. 2 taken along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the valve seat member taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 3 is a diagram showing an initial state of a first outlet of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram showing an initial state of a second outlet of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an initial state of an inlet of the distributing valve of FIG. 2. [Figure 11] 3 is a diagram showing a state immediately before the inlet of the distribution valve of FIG. 2 is closed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the sealing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0020] First, a hot water supply apparatus to which the distributing valve of the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in Figure 1, water heater 1 is a combustion-type water heater having a combustion device 2 equipped with a burner, a blower fan, etc., and a heat exchanger 3, and a heating section that heats clean water in heat exchanger 3 using the combustion heat generated by combustion device 2. This water heater 1 also has a water supply passage 4 that supplies clean water to heat exchanger 3, a hot water outlet passage 5 that outputs hot water from heat exchanger 3, a distributor 10 installed in water supply passage 4, a bypass passage 6 that branches off from water supply passage 4 at distributor 10 and connects to hot water outlet passage 5, and a control means 7 that controls hot water supply. Distribution valve 10 distributes the supplied clean water to the heat exchanger 3 side and the bypass passage 6 side that bypasses the heating section. Heat exchanger 3 has a latent heat recovery heat exchanger, and water heater 1 is equipped with a neutralizer 9 that neutralizes and discharges highly acidic drain water formed by condensation of 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 into the water heater 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 to supply hot water at the hot water supply setting temperature, the greater the distribution ratio to the heat exchanger 3. The distribution valve 10 is also 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 has a valve body 11 and a drive unit 12 (drive means) having, for example, a stepping motor. Here, the distributing valve 10 is described as being mounted on the hot water heater 1 with the drive unit 12 facing upward. Arrows U, F, and L in the figure represent the upper, front, and left sides of the distributing valve 10, respectively. The position of the distributing valve 10 can be changed as appropriate depending on the equipment to which it is attached.

[0024] The valve body 11 is formed, for example, from synthetic resin, and has a first outlet 13 and a second outlet 14 on its side and an inlet 15 on its bottom. The drive unit 12 is fixed to a mounting plate 16 on the top of the valve body 11 with a plurality of fastening members 17. The distributor valve 10 is mounted in the water supply passage 4, with the inlet 15 and second outlet 14 connected to the water supply passage 4. A bypass passage 6 is connected to the first outlet 13. Clean water, indicated by 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 arrow WO1, and clean water supplied from the second outlet 14 to the heat exchanger 3 as indicated by arrow WO2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a cylindrical valve element 20, made of, for example, synthetic resin, is rotatably inserted into a cylindrical space formed inside the valve body 11. A valve stem 22, which shares a central axis C with the valve element 20, extends from a top surface 21a covering the top surface of the valve element 20 to the outside of the valve body 11. A collar member 30, which rotatably supports the valve stem 22, is inserted into the valve body 11 together with the valve element 20. The valve element 20 and collar member 30 are prevented from falling off the valve body 11 by a mounting plate 16, which is fixed to the valve body 11 with multiple fastening members 18. A serrated groove is formed on a portion of the valve stem 22 so that the valve element 20 can be rotated via the valve stem 22 by a drive unit 12 fixed to the mounting plate 16. The internal structure of the drive unit 12 will not be shown or described here.

[0026] Two O-rings 22a are attached to the valve stem 22 to provide a watertight seal between the collar member 30 and the valve shaft 22. An O-ring 30a is attached to the outer periphery of the collar member 30 to provide a watertight seal between the collar member 30 and the valve body 11. An insertion portion 32 of the collar member 30, which is inserted into the mounting plate 16, is formed with a rotation restriction portion 33 that engages with the mounting plate 16 to prevent the collar member 30 from rotating along with the rotation of the valve body 11.

[0027] 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 in the inner wall of the peripheral wall portion 21b of this open end. 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.

[0028] The plurality of keys 26b corresponding to the plurality of key grooves 21c prevent relative rotation between the first valve body 21 and the second valve body 26 and position them circumferentially, allowing the first valve body 21 and the second valve body 26 to rotate integrally. The peripheral wall portion 21b slides against the inner circumferential surface surrounding the side of the cylindrical space formed 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.

[0029] The first valve body 21 has a first opening 23 on the upper side (top surface 21a side) of the peripheral wall 21b, which connects the internal space of the valve body 20 to the first outlet 13. The first valve body 21 has a second opening 24 on the lower side (open end side) of the peripheral wall 21b, which connects the internal space of the valve body 20 to the second outlet 14. The first opening 23 and the second opening 24 are formed so that their axial opening widths (heights) change with circumferential movement. The first valve body 21 also has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 21d that reinforce the peripheral wall 21b and the top surface 21a and protrude into the internal space. These reinforcing ribs 21d suppress radial and axial deformation of the first valve body 21.

[0030] The second valve body 26 has a third opening 27 for connecting the internal space of the valve body 20 with the inlet 15. The third opening 27 is divided into a large opening 27a and a small opening by crosspieces 26c extending radially from the bottom surface 26a, and the small opening is divided into small openings 27b and 27c by crosspieces 26d extending circumferentially. The bottom surface 26a has an annular outer periphery, a fan-shaped portion connecting the annular outer periphery to its central portion, and crosspieces 26c and 26d, and occupies approximately half of the projected area of ​​the valve body 20 in the axial direction. To suppress deformation (axial displacement) of the bottom surface 26a, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 26e are radially formed on the side of the bottom surface 26a facing the internal space of the valve body 20, connecting the annular outer periphery to its central portion.

[0031] Next, the seal member 40 will be described. 3, 4, 6, and 7, a sealing member 40 formed in a cylindrical shape from an elastic material, such as a fluorine-based synthetic resin, is inserted into a communicating portion 15a at the bottom of the valve body 11 that connects to the inlet 15. The sealing member 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 formed in a cylindrical shape so as to abut against the inner wall of the inlet 15, a top surface portion 42, and a lip 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. A groove 44 that surrounds the outer periphery of the lip portion 43 is formed in the top surface portion 42 along the base end portion of the lip portion 43.

[0032] The lip portion 43 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a roughly sector-shaped opening, and communication between the inlet 15 and the internal space of the cylindrical valve body 20 can be achieved via the inside of the cylindrical lip portion 43 and the inside of the cylindrical portion 41. The lip portion 43 also has a protrusion 43a that protrudes outward and surrounds the outer periphery of the lip portion 43. The seal member 40 inserted into the communication portion 15a can move in the axial direction of the valve body 20, with at least the protrusion 43a tightly contacting the inner wall of the communication portion 15a to prevent it from falling off. The seal member 40 is pressed by the supply pressure of the fluid supplied to the inlet 15, causing the lip portion 43 and groove 44 to tightly contact the communication portion 15a, and the top surface 42 to tightly contact the bottom of the valve body 11 inside the inlet 15, thereby providing a seal.

[0033] The lip portion 43 has a thickened portion 43b formed in a part of the tip side portion that abuts against the bottom surface portion 26a of the valve body 20, the thickened portion 43b being thicker than the other portions of the lip portion 43. This thickened portion 43b is formed so as to protrude inward of the cylindrical lip portion 43 in a portion that faces the third opening 27 of the bottom surface portion 26a when the opening area of ​​the introduction port 15 is set to zero (just before closing). Furthermore, this thickened portion 43b is formed so that the position that abuts against the bottom surface portion 26a when the introduction port 15 is closed becomes thicker as it moves toward the radial outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 26a, and while the thickened portion is thicker in the portion that is more susceptible to wear, it does not impede the flow of fluid.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 8, the first outlet 13 communicates with the internal space of the valve disc 20 via a communication section 13a that opens in a semicircular shape with a linear lower end and a first opening 23 of the valve disc 20. As shown in Fig. 9, the second outlet 14 communicates with the internal space of the valve disc 20 via a communication section 14a that opens in a semicircular shape with a linear upper end and a second opening 24 of the valve disc 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the inlet 15 to which the seal member 40 is attached communicates with the internal space of the valve disc 20 via the inside of the cylindrical section 41 and the inside of the sector-shaped lip section 43 of the seal member 40, and a third opening 27 of the valve disc 20.

[0035] The opening area of ​​the first opening 23 communicating with the first outlet 13 (opening area of ​​the first outlet 13), the opening area of ​​the second opening 24 communicating with the second outlet 14 (opening area of ​​the second outlet 14), and the opening area of ​​the third opening 27 communicating with the inlet 15 (opening area of ​​the inlet 15) each change within a predetermined range set in advance as the valve body 20 rotates. Here, the initial state of the valve body 20 is defined as a state in which the opening area of ​​the first outlet 13 is maximum and the opening area of ​​the second outlet 14 is minimum, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 is substantially fully open, as shown in FIG. 10. The predetermined range is from maximum to zero (closed) for the inlet 15, and from minimum to maximum, but not zero, for the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14. However, the first and second outlets 13 and 14 may be closed when the inlet 15 is closed.

[0036] When the valve element 20 in its initial state is rotated clockwise (clockwise as viewed from above), the opening areas of the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 change, and the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 changes. Therefore, by rotating the valve element 20, it is possible to adjust the distribution ratio and the total flow rate according to the rotation angle of the valve element 20. Note that the valve element 20 rotates within a rotation angle of, for example, 0 to 270 degrees, and does not rotate one full rotation.

[0037] As the valve element 20 is further rotated clockwise, the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 decreases, and finally, at a rotation angle of, for example, 240 degrees, the inlet 15 is closed, resulting in a closed state with a zero total flow rate. At this time, the supply pressure of clean water supplied to the inlet 15 presses the seal member 40 toward the valve element 20, and the tip side of the lip portion 43 comes into close contact with the bottom surface portion 26a. When the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 becomes zero (just before it is closed), as shown in Figure 11, the thickened portion 43b formed on the lip portion 43 faces the third opening 27, and the other part of the lip portion 43 abuts against the bottom surface portion 26a.

[0038] Immediately before the closing of the inlet 15, the sealing member 40 receives a force from the fluid toward the valve body 20, causing the tip side of the lip portion 43 to elastically deform slightly and come into close contact with the bottom surface portion 26a, and a portion of the lip portion 43 is slightly drawn into and enters the opening 27 (large opening 27a or small openings 27b, 27c). By reducing the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 while this portion of the lip portion 43 remains in the opening 27, the lip portion 43 becomes caught in the opening 27 as it becomes smaller, causing wear of the lip portion 43 to progress rapidly. However, because the thickened portion 43b is formed in the portion facing the opening 27 just before the closing of the inlet 15, the thickened portion 43b has difficulty entering the opening 27 and becoming caught in the opening 27 as it becomes smaller, thereby suppressing wear of the lip portion 43.

[0039] FIG. 12 shows an example of a seal member 40 with a modified lip portion 43. The entire distal end portion of the cylindrical lip portion 43 protrudes inward and is thicker than the proximal end portion, and double annular protrusions 43c, 43d protruding toward the bottom surface portion 26a are formed at the tip. As described above, the thickened distal end of the lip portion 43 suppresses wear, while the double annular protrusions 43c, 43d reduce frictional resistance between the lip portion 43 and the bottom surface portion 26a. Although not shown, multiple connecting portions connecting the inner annular protrusion 43c and the outer annular protrusion 43d can be formed at appropriate intervals to reinforce the double annular protrusions 43c, 43d.

[0040] The operation and effect of the above-mentioned distribution valve 10 will now be described. The distributor valve 10 distributes fluid introduced into the cylindrical valve element 20 from the inlet 15 to the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14. The distribution ratio and total flow rate are adjusted by rotating the valve element 20. A cylindrical seal member 40 is disposed at the inlet 15 and abuts against the bottom surface 26a of the valve element 20. The seal member 40 has a lip portion 43 that is in close contact with the bottom surface 26a of the valve element 20. A thickened portion 43b is formed on the lip portion 43 at a portion facing the third opening 27 of the valve element 20 when the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 is minimized. The thickened portion 43b is thicker than the other portions of the lip portion 43. The increased thickness makes the thickened portion 43b less likely to deform while maintaining its sealing properties. Therefore, when the valve element 20 is rotated to reduce the opening area of ​​the inlet 15, the thickened portion 43b is less likely to get caught in the third opening 27, thereby suppressing wear on the lip portion 43 due to the closing function. Furthermore, the increased thickness increases the amount of wear that can be tolerated to maintain the sealing performance, improving the durability of the distributing valve 10.

[0041] The seal member 40 moves toward the valve body 20 when subjected to the supply pressure of the fluid, and the lip portion 43 comes into close contact with the bottom surface 26a of the valve body 20. Therefore, even if the lip portion 43 wears, the seal member 40 is pressed toward the bottom surface 26a of the valve body 20, so that the lip portion 43 can be brought into close contact with the bottom surface 26a, improving the durability of the distributing valve 10.

[0042] The bottom surface portion 26a has ribs 26d extending in the circumferential direction so as to divide the third opening 27, so as to abut against the thickened portion 43b just before closing when the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 becomes zero. When the opening area of ​​the inlet 15 is reduced by rotating the valve body 20, the thickened portion 43b is likely to be drawn into the third opening 27 by the fluid flowing into the third opening 27. However, the ribs 26d provided on the third opening 27 so as to extend in the circumferential direction can prevent the thickened portion 43b from being drawn in. Therefore, when the valve body 20 is rotated to close the inlet 15, the thickened portion 43b of the lip portion 43 is even less likely to be drawn into the third opening 27, thereby preventing wear on the lip portion 43.

[0043] The distribution valve 10 can be applied to devices other than the hot water supply device 1, and the fluid may be other than tap water. In addition, a person skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various forms by adding various modifications to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention includes such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 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 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 26: Second valve body 26a: Bottom part 26c, 26d: crosspiece 27: Third opening 30: Colored parts 40: Sealing material 41: Cylindrical part 42:Top section 43: Lip part 43a: Convex part 43b:Thickened 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 drive means for rotating the valve element via a valve stem extending from a top surface of the valve element, wherein the valve element has a peripheral wall portion functioning as a sealing surface portion that closes the first outlet and the second outlet, and a bottom surface portion functioning as a sealing surface portion that closes the inlet, the peripheral wall portion having a first opening and a second opening that continuously change the opening area of ​​the first outlet and the opening area of ​​the second outlet as the valve element rotates, and the bottom surface portion having a third opening that changes the opening area of ​​the inlet within a predetermined range as the valve element rotates, a seal member having a lip portion for tightly contacting the bottom surface portion is inserted into the inlet; The lip portion has a thickened portion formed thicker than other portions at a portion facing the third opening just before the opening area of ​​the inlet becomes zero due to the rotation of the valve body.

2. 2. The distributing valve according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is configured to be swingable in the axial direction of the valve body, and is pressed toward the valve body by the supply pressure of the fluid acting on the inlet, so that the lip portion is in close contact with the bottom surface portion.

3. The distributing valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bottom surface portion has a rib extending circumferentially so as to divide the third opening so as to abut against the thickened portion when the opening area of ​​the inlet is minimized.

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