Ball Valve

Abstract

To provide a ball valve for enabling flow control.SOLUTION: A ball valve 1 includes a valve box 10 formed with an inflow port 12 and an outflow port 13, and a valve element 20 rotatably provided in the valve box 10 and formed with an inflow hole and an outflow hole. An outflow amount of flow out of the outflow hole at a first position is greater than an outflow amount of flow out of the outflow hole at a second position where the valve element 20 is rotated from the first position. In view from the side of the outflow port 13, the total of the opening area of the outflow hole at the first position is different from the total of the opening area of the outflow hole at the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ball valve. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Water discharge devices such as jet baths that are installed in bathtubs have been known (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Such water discharge devices may be provided with a ball valve such as a two-way valve. The ball valve has a water discharge surface with an opening and a water stop surface. By rotating the ball valve, water is discharged when the water discharge surface is positioned to face the outlet side, and water is stopped when the water stop surface is positioned to face the outlet side, switching the water discharge on and off. The flow rate is adjusted by a pump provided upstream of the ball valve. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-104192 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a configuration in which multiple water passage parts are connected to a pump, there is a problem in that when the flow rate is adjusted using the pump, the flow rate is adjusted in all water passage parts, and it is not possible to adjust the flow rate of only one water passage part in which a ball valve is installed.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a ball valve capable of adjusting a flow rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A ball valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve body rotatably provided inside the valve body and having an inlet hole and an outlet hole, wherein an amount of fluid flowing out from the outlet hole in a first position is greater than an amount of fluid flowing out from the outlet hole in a second position to which the valve body has been rotated from the first position. The outflow hole has a shape that is continuous from a first opening end facing the outflow port side at the first position to a second opening end facing the outflow port side at the second position, a valve flow path that communicates with the outflow hole is formed inside the valve body, a rib is provided between the valve flow path and the outflow hole, and the second opening end and the rib are visible when viewed from the outflow port side at the second position. . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball valve according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a ball valve according to one embodiment (first position). [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a ball valve according to an embodiment (second position). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a valve body of a ball valve according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a ball valve according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a valve body of a ball valve according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a view of the ball valve according to the first modification from the outlet side (first position). [Figure 8] 13 is a view of the ball valve according to the first modification from the outlet side (between the first and second portions). FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a view of the ball valve according to the first modification example, seen from the outlet side (second position). [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a valve body of a ball valve according to Modification 2. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view of the ball valve according to the second modification from the outlet side (first position). [Figure 12] 13 is a view of the ball valve according to the second modification from the outlet side (between the first and second portions). FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a view of the ball valve according to the second modification from the outlet side (second position). [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a valve body of a ball valve according to Modification 3. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (position A) of a ball valve according to Modification 4 of the embodiment. [Figure 16]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (position B) of a ball valve according to Modification 4 of the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a ball valve according to Modification 4 of the embodiment (position C). [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a ball valve according to Modification 4 of the embodiment (position D). [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a ball valve according to Modification 4 of the embodiment (position E). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A ball valve according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The ball valve of this embodiment is a part of the components of a water discharge device such as a jet bath in a bathtub. Hot or cold bath water (fluid) supplied from a pump flows through the ball valve and is sprayed onto the user's neck as a neck bath. The neck bath is one example, and the fluid may be sprayed onto the waist as a waist bath or onto the shoulders as a shoulder bath.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the ball valve 1 includes a valve box 10 and a valve element 20. The valve box 10 includes a box main body 11, an inlet pipe (inlet port) 12, and an outlet pipe (outlet port) 13. For ease of explanation, the direction in which the inlet pipe 12 extends is defined as the Z direction, with the upstream side defined as the -Z side and the downstream side defined as the +Z side. The direction in which the outlet pipe 13 extends is defined as the X direction, with the upstream side defined as the -X side and the downstream side defined as the +X side. The direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction is defined as the Y direction.

[0011] The box body 11 is formed in a substantially cubic shape. As shown in FIG. 2 (a cross-sectional perspective view along the X-direction and Z-direction of the ball valve 1, showing the case where the valve body 20 is in a first position), the inside of the box body 11 is formed in a hollow shape. An inlet opening 11a, which is a through hole, is formed at the end of the -Z side of the box body 11. An outlet opening 11b, which is a through hole, is formed at the end of the +X side of the box body 11. The shape of the box body 11 is not limited to a substantially cubic shape, and can be set appropriately as long as the valve body 20 can be rotated inside.

[0012] The inflow pipe 12 is connected to the inflow opening 11a of the box body 11. The inflow pipe 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inflow pipe 12 extends from the inflow opening 11a in the -Z direction. The inside of the inflow pipe 12 is an inflow passage 12r through which hot water or cold water can flow.

[0013] The outflow pipe 13 is connected to the outflow opening 11b of the box body 11. The outflow pipe 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The outflow pipe 13 extends from the outflow opening 11b in the +X direction. The inside of the outflow pipe 13 is an outflow passage 13r through which a fluid can flow.

[0014] The valve element 20 is rotatably provided inside the box main body 11. The valve element 20 is formed in a substantially spherical shape. The valve element 20 is rotatable about the Z direction passing through the center as the axial direction. An axis support portion 21 is formed at the end portion on the +Z side of the valve element 20. The axis support portion 21 is supported by the box main body 11 so as to be rotatable about the Z direction as the axial direction. A valve flow path 20r through which a fluid can flow is formed inside the valve element 20.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 4, an inlet hole 22 is formed on the surface of the end portion on the -Z side of the valve body 20. The inlet hole 22 has a substantially circular shape. The inlet hole 22 communicates with the inlet passage 12r (see Fig. 2) of the inlet pipe 12 and also communicates with the valve passage 20r.

[0016] An outflow hole 23 is formed on the surface of the valve body 20. The outflow hole 23 is formed along a circumferential direction (hereinafter referred to as the R direction) that passes through the center of the valve body 20 and has an axial direction that is the Z direction. The outflow hole 23 communicates with the outflow passage 13r (see FIG. 2) of the outflow pipe 13 and also communicates with the valve flow passage 20r.

[0017] The open end of the outflow hole 23 on one side in the R direction of the valve body 20 (+R side) is defined as a first open end 23a. The open end of the outflow hole 23 on the other side in the R direction of the valve body 20 (-R side) is defined as a second open end 23b. The outflow hole 23 has a continuous shape (connected shape) from the first open end 23a to the second open end 23b.

[0018] The end 23c on the +R side of the first opening end 23a is generally arc-shaped. The end 23d on the -R side of the second opening end 23b is generally arc-shaped. The radius R1 of the arc-shaped end 23c of the first opening end 23a is larger than the radius R2 of the arc-shaped end 23d of the second opening end 23b. The length in the Z direction of the first opening end 23a (diameter = radius R1 x 2) is longer than the length in the Z direction of the second opening end 23b (diameter = radius R2 x 2).

[0019] The virtual opening area of ​​the first opening end 23a is the area of ​​a virtual circle S1 with a radius R1, and the virtual opening area of ​​the second opening end 23b is the area of ​​a virtual circle S2 with a radius R2. The virtual opening area of ​​the first opening end 23a is larger than the virtual opening area of ​​the second opening end 23b.

[0020] The length in the Z direction of an intermediate portion 23m between the first opening end 23a and the second opening end 23b (hereinafter referred to as the opening intermediate portion) is shorter than the length in the Z direction of the first opening end 23a and longer than the length in the Z direction of the second opening end 23b.

[0021] The valve body 20 can be stopped at a first position shown in FIG. 2 and a second position shown in FIG. 3 by a control unit (not shown). In the first position shown in FIG. 2, the first opening end 23a of the outflow hole 23 faces the outflow opening 11b side of the box main body 11 and the outflow path 13r side of the outflow pipe 13. In the second position shown in FIG. 3, the second opening end 23b of the outflow hole 23 faces the outflow opening 11b side of the box main body 11 and the outflow path 13r side of the outflow pipe 13. The virtual opening area of ​​the first opening end 23a is larger than the virtual opening area of ​​the second opening end 23b. As viewed from the outflow pipe 13, the total opening area of ​​the outflow holes 23 in the first position is larger than the total opening area of ​​the outflow holes 23 in the second position. As a result, the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 in the first position is larger than the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 in the second position.

[0022] The outflow hole 23 has a continuous shape (connected shape) from the first opening end 23a to the second opening end 23b. This allows the fluid to flow out of the outflow hole 23 even at an intermediate position where the opening middle portion 23m of the outflow hole 23 faces the outflow opening 11b side of the box main body 11 and the outflow path 13r side of the outflow pipe 13. The fluid can flow out continuously from the first position to the second position.

[0023] The length in the Z direction of the opening intermediate portion 23m of the outflow hole 23 is shorter than the length in the Z direction of the first opening end 23a and longer than the length in the Z direction of the second opening end 23b. As a result, the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 at the intermediate position is smaller than the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 at the first position and is greater than the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 at the second position.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the ball valve 1 as viewed from the +Z side. For convenience of illustration, the outflow hole 23 is shown as being divided into the first opening end 23a and the second opening end 23b. In reality, the first opening end 23a and the second opening end 23b are continuous as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the valve body 20 opposite the first opening end 23a in the R direction is the first water stopping surface 24a. The surface of the valve body 20 opposite the second opening end 23b in the R direction is the second water stopping surface 24b. The first water stopping surface 24a and the second water stopping surface 24b are part of the spherical surface of the valve body 20.

[0025] In order for the user to stop the water flow from a state where the valve body 20 is in the first position and the amount of water discharged is large, the valve body 20 is rotated 90° in the T1 direction so that the second water stop surface 24b of the valve body 20 faces the outflow path 13r of the outflow pipe 13. After this, the valve body 20 is rotated further 90° in the T1 direction by a control unit (not shown) until the first water stop surface 24a faces the outflow path 13r of the outflow pipe 13. As a result, when the user switches from the water stop state to the water discharge state, the valve body 20 is rotated 90° in the T1 direction to the second position, and water can be discharged from a state where the amount of water discharged is small. In order to stop the water flow from the second position, the valve body 20 is rotated 90° in the T2 direction so that the first water stop surface 24a of the valve body 20 faces the outflow path 13r of the outflow pipe 13.

[0026] In the ball valve 1 configured in this manner, the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 in the first position is greater than the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23 in the second position. This makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of fluid flowing out of the outflow pipe 13 by rotating the valve body 20.

[0027] In the above-mentioned ball valve 1, the total opening area of ​​the outflow holes 23 in the first position is larger than the total opening area of ​​the outflow holes 23 in the second position as viewed from the outflow pipe 13. This allows the flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the outflow pipe 13 to be adjusted by rotating the valve body 20.

[0028] In the above-mentioned ball valve 1, the fluid can flow continuously from the first position to the second position. This allows the fluid to flow out of the outflow pipe 13 without interruption even when the valve body 20 rotates to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

[0029] In the above-mentioned ball valve 1, hot or cold bath water supplied from a pump flows through the ball valve 1 and is sprayed onto the user's neck as neck water. This allows the flow rate of the neck water to be adjusted by rotating the ball valve 1.

[0030] (Variation 1) Next, a ball valve according to a first modified example of an embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. In the following description of the modified examples, the same members as those described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, in the valve body 20A of the ball valve 1 according to the present modified example 1, the first opening end 23e of the outflow hole 23A has a substantially circular shape with a radius R3 (defined as a virtual circle S3). The outflow hole 23A extends from the virtual circle S3 to the -R side, and a band-shaped portion 23f is formed. The end of the band-shaped portion 23f on the -R side and its vicinity are defined as the second opening end 23g. The length H3 of the band-shaped portion 23f in the Z direction is constant in the R direction. The outflow hole 23A has a continuous shape (connected shape) from the first opening end 23e to the second opening end 23g.

[0032] The length in the Z direction of the first opening end 23e (diameter=radius R3×2) is longer than the length in the Z direction of the second opening end 23g (length H3).

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, in the first position, the first opening end 23e faces the outflow pipe 13. When viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side, the entire imaginary circle S3 of the outflow pipe 13 and the outflow hole 23A is visible, or the outer edge of the imaginary circle S3 overlaps with the outflow pipe 13, and a circular shape smaller than the imaginary circle S3 is visible. The opening t1 of the outflow hole 23A viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side in the first position is the portion indicated by a dot in Fig. 7.

[0034] 8, at the intermediate position (between the first position and the second position), the -R side portion of the first opening end 23e of the outflow hole 23A and the +R side portion of the band-shaped portion 23f are visible when viewed from the outflow pipe 13. The opening t3 of the outflow hole 23A as viewed from the outflow pipe 13 at the intermediate position is the portion indicated by a dot in FIG.

[0035] 9, in the second position, the -R side portion of the band-shaped portion 23f of the outflow hole 23A is visible when viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side. The opening t2 of the outflow hole 23A as viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side in the second position is the portion indicated by a dot in FIG.

[0036] The total area of ​​the openings t1 of the outflow holes 23A is greater than the total area of ​​the openings t3 of the outflow holes 23A. The total area of ​​the openings t3 of the outflow holes 23A is greater than the total area of ​​the openings t2 of the outflow holes 23A.

[0037] In the ball valve 1 configured in this manner, the amount of fluid flowing out of the outlet hole 23A in the first position is greater than the amount of fluid flowing out of the outlet hole 23A in the second position. This allows the flow rate of fluid flowing out of the outlet pipe 13 to be adjusted by rotating the valve body 20A.

[0038] In the above-mentioned ball valve 1, the total area of ​​the opening t1 of the outflow hole 23A in the first position is larger than the total area of ​​the opening t2 of the outflow hole 23A in the second position as viewed from the outflow pipe 13. This allows the flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the outflow pipe 13 to be adjusted by rotating the valve body 20.

[0039] (Variation 2) Next, a ball valve according to a second modified example of the embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 10, the valve body 20B of the ball valve 1 according to the present modified example 2 is provided with a rib 25 in the valve body 20A according to the modified example 1. The rib 25 is provided between the valve flow path 20r and the strip-shaped portion 23f of the outflow hole 23B. The rib 25 is not provided between the first opening end 23e and the valve flow path 20r. The first opening end 23e and the valve flow path 20r are in communication. The rib 25 is not provided between the second opening end 23g and the valve flow path 20r. The second opening end 23g and the valve flow path 20r are in communication.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 11, in the first position, the first opening end 23e faces the outflow pipe 13. When viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side, the entire imaginary circle S3 of the outflow pipe 13 and the outflow hole 23B is visible, or the outer edge of the imaginary circle S3 overlaps with the outflow pipe 13, and a circular shape smaller than the imaginary circle S3 is visible. The opening t1 of the outflow hole 23B (the same as the opening t1 of the outflow hole 23A in the first modification) viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side in the first position is the portion indicated by a dot in Fig. 11.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 12, at the intermediate position (between the first position and the second position), the -R side portion of the first opening end 23e of the outflow hole 23B is visible when viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side. The opening t13 of the outflow hole 23B when viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side at the intermediate position is the portion indicated by a dot in Fig. 12. The opening t13 is smaller than the opening t3 of the outflow hole 23A of the first modification because the rib 25 is provided.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 13, in the second position, the -R side portion of the band-shaped portion 23f of the outflow hole 23B is visible when viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side. The opening t12 of the outflow hole 23B as viewed from the outflow pipe 13 side in the second position is the portion indicated by a dot in Fig. 13. The opening t12 is smaller than the opening t2 of the outflow hole 23A of the first modification because the rib 25 is provided.

[0043] The total area of ​​the openings t1 of the outflow holes 23B is greater than the total area of ​​the openings t13 of the outflow holes 23B. The total area of ​​the openings t13 of the outflow holes 23B is greater than the total area of ​​the openings t12 of the outflow holes 23B.

[0044] In the ball valve 1 configured in this manner, the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23B in the first position is greater than the amount of fluid flowing out of the outflow hole 23B in the second position. This allows the flow rate of fluid flowing out of the outflow pipe 13 to be adjusted by rotating the valve body 20.

[0045] In the above-mentioned ball valve 1, the total area of ​​the opening t1 of the outflow hole 23B in the first position is larger than the total area of ​​the opening t12 of the outflow hole 23B in the second position as viewed from the outflow pipe 13. This allows the flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the outflow pipe 13 to be adjusted by rotating the valve body 20.

[0046] (Variation 3) Next, a ball valve according to a third modified example of the embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in the valve body 20C of the ball valve 1 according to this modification, the outflow hole 23C has a first outflow hole 23C1 and a second outflow hole 23C2. The first outflow hole 23C1 and the second outflow hole 23C2 are arranged apart in the R direction. The first outflow hole 23C1 is arranged on the +R side of the second outflow hole 23C2. The first outflow hole 23C1 has the same shape as the virtual circle S1 of the outflow hole 23 of the embodiment. The radius of the first outflow hole 23C1 is set to a radius R1. The second outflow hole 23C2 has the same shape as the virtual circle S2 of the outflow hole 23 of the embodiment. The radius of the second outflow hole 23C2 is set to a radius R2. The radius R1 is larger than the radius R2, and the area of ​​the first outflow hole 23C1 is larger than the area of ​​the second outflow hole 23C2.

[0047] In the first position, the first outlet hole 23C1 faces the outlet opening 11b of the box body 11 and the outlet path 13r of the outlet pipe 13. In the second position, the second outlet hole 23C2 faces the outlet opening 11b of the box body 11 and the outlet path 13r of the outlet pipe 13.

[0048] In the ball valve 1 configured in this manner, the amount of fluid flowing out from the first outlet hole 23C1 in the first position is greater than the amount of fluid flowing out from the second outlet hole 23C2 in the second position. This allows the flow rate of fluid flowing out of the outlet pipe 13 to be adjusted by rotating the valve body 20.

[0049] (Variation 4) Next, a ball valve according to a fourth modified example of an embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 15, in this modification, the box body 11 is provided with a first outflow pipe 13 and a second outflow pipe 14. The first outflow pipe 13 extends from the box body 11 to the +X side. The second outflow pipe 14 extends from the box body 11 to the -X side. The first outflow pipe 13 and the second outflow pipe 14 may be connected to water discharge pipes having different uses. For example, the first outflow pipe 13 is connected to a water discharge pipe for a waist bath, and the second outflow pipe 14 is connected to water discharge pipes for a shoulder bath and a neck bath.

[0050] 15, the second open end 23b faces the first outflow pipe 13. The second water blocking surface 24b faces the second outflow pipe 14. A small flow rate of fluid flows through the first outflow pipe 13. The second outflow pipe 14 is water blocked.

[0051] 16, a part of the second open end 23b faces the first outflow pipe 13. A part of the first open end 23a faces the second outflow pipe 14. Fluid flows through the first outflow pipe 13 and the second outflow pipe 14. A smaller flow rate of fluid flows through the first outflow pipe 13 than at position A.

[0052] 17, the first water blocking surface 24a faces the first outflow pipe 13. The first open end 23a faces the second outflow pipe 14. The first outflow pipe 13 is water blocked. A large flow rate of fluid flows through the second outflow pipe 14.

[0053] 18, the second water blocking surface 24b faces the first outflow pipe 13. The second open end 23b faces the second outflow pipe 14. The first outflow pipe 13 is water blocked. A small flow rate of fluid flows through the second outflow pipe 14.

[0054] In position E shown in Fig. 19, the first open end 23a faces the first outflow pipe 13. The first water blocking surface 24a faces the second outflow pipe 14. A large flow rate of fluid flows through the first outflow pipe 13. The second outflow pipe 14 is water blocked.

[0055] In the ball valve 1 configured in this manner, in the first outflow pipe 13, the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out from the outflow hole 23 at the first position (position E) is greater than the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out from the outflow hole 23 at the second position (position A). In the second outflow pipe 14, the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out from the outflow hole 23 at the first position (position C) is greater than the outflow amount of the fluid flowing out from the outflow hole 23 at the second position (position D). This makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of the fluid flowing out from the first outflow pipe 13 and the second outflow pipe 14 by rotating the valve body 20.

[0056] In the above-described ball valve 1, when it is in position B, it is possible to allow the fluid to flow through both the first outflow pipe 13 and the second outflow pipe 14 at the same time.

[0057] The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0058] For example, in the embodiment, the ball valve 1 is described as being a part of a component of a water discharge device such as a jet bath in a bathtub. However, this is not limited to this. The ball valve 1 may be a part of a component of a facility device installed in a washroom, kitchen, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...ball valve, 10...valve box, 12...inlet pipe (inlet port), 13...outlet pipe (outlet port), 20, 20A, 20B, 20C...valve body, 22...inlet hole, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C...outlet hole

Claims

1. A valve body having an inlet and an outlet formed therein; A valve body is rotatably provided inside the valve box, and has an inlet hole and an outlet hole formed therein. an amount of outflow from the outflow hole at the first position is greater than an amount of outflow from the outflow hole at a second position to which the valve body has rotated from the first position; the outflow hole has a shape that is continuous from a first opening end facing the outflow port side at the first position to a second opening end facing the outflow port side at the second position, A valve passage communicating with the outlet hole is formed inside the valve body, A rib is provided between the valve flow path and the outflow hole, When viewed from the outlet side, the ball valve is in the second position, with the second opening end and the rib visible.

2. 2. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein a total opening area of ​​the outflow holes in the first position is different from a total opening area of ​​the outflow holes in the second position when viewed from the outflow port side.

3. 3. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein the outlet port is continuously bled between the first position and the second position.

4. 4. A ball valve as claimed in claim 1, through which hot or cold bath water flows.

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